“Buyer demand is rising, but the inventory of homes continues to be tight in many areas across Florida,” said 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “That’s putting some upward pressure on prices. April is the 16^th month in a row that we’ve seen the statewide median sales prices increase year-over-year for both single-family homes and for townhome-condo properties.

“In another positive sign for Florida’s housing market, sellers received over 93 percent of their original listing price in April, whether they were selling a single-family home or a condo. Now is a good time for sellers who have been waiting on the sidelines to enter the market.”

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 20,662 in April, up 17.4 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Meanwhile, pending sales – contracts that are signed but not yet completed or closed – for existing single-family homes last month rose 31.9 percent over the previous April. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $165,000, up 14.2 percent from the previous year.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in March 2013 was $185,100, up 12.1 percent from the previous year. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in March was $378,960; in Massachusetts, it was $290,000; in Maryland, it was $241,413; and in New York, it was $220,000.

The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Housing industry analysts note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 11,183 units sold statewide last month, up 13.6 percent compared to April 2012. Meanwhile, pending sales for townhouse-condos last month increased 22.7 percent compared to the year-ago figure. The statewide median for townhouse-condo properties was $128,000, up 16.4 percent over the previous year. NAR reported that the national median existing condo price in March 2013 was $178,900.

The inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.2-months’ supply in April; inventory for townhouse-condos was at a 5.6-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors.

“To a certain extent, the real estate story remains the same: prices and sales are up and inventory is low,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “We are also seeing a continued stabilization of the distressed property market with short sales down, and foreclosure and REO (real estate owned) sales essentially unchanged. But there is also a bit more to the story.”

He explained, “Because the government is selling foreclosed properties in bulk and also using online auctions, our sales numbers actually understate the vigor of the market. The increased importance of government sales in this market is reflected in the continuing fall in inventory in MLS listings.” MLS stands for multiple listing service.

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.45 percent in April 2013, lower than the 3.91 percent average during the same month a year earlier.

April 2013 Stats

• April 2013 Fla single family data detail
• April 2013 Fla single family summary
• April 2013 Fla condo data detail
• April 2013 Fla condo summary
• April 2013 Fla MSA summary

“The first three months of 2013 demonstrate that Florida’s housing market is gaining momentum and continuing to bolster the state’s economy,” said 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “More people went back to work as more jobs were created in Florida during the first quarter, and our population is also growing –which provide a solid foundation for growth in the housing market. It’s taking less time to sell a home and, coupled with tight inventory, that shows buyers are eager to lock in historically low mortgage interest rates and take advantage of favorable, but rising prices.”

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 48,976 in 1Q 2013, up 10.2 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Meanwhile, pending sales – contracts that are signed but not yet completed or closed – for existing single-family homes rose 26.8 percent in the first quarter compared to the 1Q 2012 figure. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in 1Q 2013 was $153,000, up 13.4 percent from the same quarter a year ago.

The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Housing industry analysts note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 24,655 units sold statewide in the first quarter, up 3.2 percent from the first three months of 2012. Pending sales for townhouse-condos in 1Q 2013 increased 13.7 percent compared to a year ago, while the statewide median for townhouse-condo properties was $116,000, up 18.4 percent over the same quarter last year.

In 1Q 2013, the median days on market (the midpoint of the number of days it took for a property to sell that month) was 60 days for both single-family homes and for townhouse-condo properties.

The inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.3-months’ supply for 1Q 2013; inventory for townhouse-condos was at a 5.8-months’ supply for the same period, according to Florida Realtors.

Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo said, “In a sense, these numbers are old news since we release the monthly numbers separately. But they are important in that they confirm the sales and price trends we have seen shaping up in the market. If you look back at the quarterly numbers, comparing year to year, you see, at least in single-family sales, the steadiness of the market since 2009. We expect that the year-over-year increases we have seen for the past several years will continue into 2014.”

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.50 percent for 1Q 2013 down from the previous year’s average of 3.92 percent, according to Freddie Mac.

1st Quarter Data Reports

• 1Q 2013 Fla single family data detail
• 1Q 2013 Fla single family summary
• 1Q 2013 Fla condo data detail
• 1Q 2013 Fla condo summary
• 1Q 2013 Fla MSA summary

“After college I got into the resort restaurant business on the Jersey shore,” says Macaluso. “It was the 1970s and the work was seasonal, so after Labor Day I would pick up a handyman special (house), fix it up and resell it. My goal was to make enough money so that I could spend a couple months in Florida,” says Macaluso. That was his first entrance into real estate.

When he realized that the restaurant business lacked the income potential he wanted, Macaluso decided to move to Florida to pursue another career. “The only two areas of employment that appeared to be without a ceiling were real estate and car sales, and I didn’t see myself as a car salesman,” he says.

So, in 1976, Macaluso earned his real estate license and, “fell for the classic line, ‘We just happen to have a desk open,’” he laughs.

Macaluso says he was successful because he had a “very good mentor who took an active interest in my success. I didn’t know what I was doing but I sure was enthusiastic.”

Timing Isn’t Everything

In 1981, Macaluso decided to start his own brokerage. “Timing has never been my strong suit,” he says, who notes that when he opened his office, mortgage interest rates skyrocketed to 18 percent.

However, Macaluso was prepared to make it work for the long term.

“I realized a long time ago that it is a huge mistake to set goals too low and then reach them,” he says. “It’s not OK to do the minimum. Never be happy to accept average.”

But, he adds, it’s easy to set yourself apart in any business, as “there’s not much traffic on the extra mile.”

He also feels strongly about running an ethical business. “There are too many short cuts. We all saw that in the industry between 2002 and 2005.”

Naturally Curious

Not only does Macaluso run a successful business with his wife Nancy, but he also leads by example. He’s a certified instructor who has just about every real estate education designation out there.

“I tell people I’m a classic overachiever, but the truth is that it’s hard to have respect for someone who talks about a designation but doesn’t personally have it,” he says. “If you want to lead people to a better place, you have to lead by example. There’s no substitute for true experience.”

In addition to that, Macaluso says that he’s naturally curious and enthusiastic. That enthusiasm came in handy a few years back when a representative from the Florida Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) asked Macaluso to help rescue the struggling chapter. Macaluso was president of the state chapter in 1998 and didn’t want to see it disappear due to lack of membership.

“They had 37 members when I came on board. Within the first four months, we were up to 187 members,” he says. “I called people, I spread enthusiasm for the chapter. Now, we have a great leadership team, and we’re on track to bring it back.”

His enthusiasm and passion for the industry also earned him the Realtor® of the Year award three times—twice for his local association, the Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches (20 years apart) and for Florida Realtors® in 2004.

“I had no idea my peers felt so strongly about me. It was a breathtaking moment when I won the state Realtor of the Year award,” he says.

On the Road

As an educator, Macaluso travels frequently. However, the travel bug bit him early in life when his grandfather got him interested in stamp collecting.

“My granddad would send me packets of stamps, mainly European ones. I had a stamp album and would figure out where the stamps came from. I got an incredible education in geography,” he says. When he was older, he was able to visit many of those countries and pick up additional coins and stamps from around the world.

He’s also a believer in giving back to the community. He’s dedicated to the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, charitable trust. Macaluso serves the organization as its secretary and a trustee; he’s been a trustee for 15 years.

The foundation helps those in the community who “fall through the cracks of government services and need a boost to keep going,” he explains. “For example, a waitress who breaks her leg can’t go back to work but there are no support services for her, so she applies to us and we give her temporary assistance until she’s back on her feet.”

The truth is that Macaluso is the epitome of a renaissance man. He owned a scuba dive charter for three years in the late 70s and still dives when he gets the chance. He’s inspired by Nelson Mandela, who, he says, “Spent 27 years in jail and instead of being bitter, he stood up for his country asking everyone to get along so it could move forward.

He’s partial to the song “What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong and even was a Mercury recording artist in the 1960s. “I was on Merv Griffin,” says Macaluso, who plays drums and base. “As a musician, you’re never not a musician, but I don’t perform anymore,” he says.

He may not perform musically anymore, but in the real estate industry, his performance hits all the right notes.

Tony Macaluso is as passionate about the real estate profession as he is about helping his community. As a certified instructor, he has taken numerous education courses to enhance his knowledge and expertise. Some of the many professional designations he has earned include Certified Residential Specialist (CRS); Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI); and Certified International Property Specialist Instructor. In 2004, Macaluso was honored by his colleagues and Florida Realtors as Realtor of the Year for the state association. He also has been recognized as the Florida Educator of the Year for the industry. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has named him its Educator of the Year and International Advocate Member of the Year.

Oakland Park, a traditional neighborhood development between the historic towns of Oakland and Winter Garden in Central Florida, won Florida Realtors’ 23rd ENVY Award in 2010. The community includes about 258 acres stretching from the shores of Lake Apopka to Oakland Avenue.

Judges cited Oakland Park for the care it has taken to preserve the area’s natural elements, including the existing tree canopy and sensitive environmental areas. “This project is a well integrated, traditional neighborhood development designed to fit seamlessly with its surrounding context,” said one judge. “The developer’s restoration of the Lake Apopka shoreline, complete restoration of Lake Brim and incorporation of the West Orange Trail into its design are exceptional.”

Some of the other environmentally-concerned developments named as past ENVY Award winners include: Baldwin Park, Verandah, Lakewood Ranch, Wild Heron, Harmony, World Golf Village, Solivita, Amelia Island Plantation and Viera.

The winner in each category will receive a distinctive Lucite trophy, recognition at Florida Realtors 2013 Convention and Trade Show, Aug. 14-18, and statewide news coverage as Florida’s top environmentally conscious builder. A panel of distinguished environmental and planning professionals judges the competition. The entry deadline is Friday, July 5, 2013.

ELIGIBILITY: All Florida commercial developments are eligible. Also, all planned residential developments with a minimum of 30 residential units in Florida qualify. Residential developments must be currently available for marketing and must include a model home.

JUDGING CRITERIA: For each criteria category, applicants should explain how the project goes above and beyond current environmental preservation and/or building code minimal requirements. Please include photos, site plans and other documents that illustrate your points to the judges. Provide narrative that clearly demonstrates and explains the development’s environmental features, environmental or preservation activities and design aspects to help the judges better review your project. Explain what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of? Why should your development receive Florida Realtors ENVY Award? These are the things judges want to know.

Commercial: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; (2) Architectural compatibility; (3) Design in scale and context with surrounding environment; (4) Open space and access/usability of surrounding environment; (5) Common area access and usefulness;
(6) Streets, pedestrian and bicycle access; (7) Drainage as a design feature;
(8) Marketability; and (9) Tell us what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of?

Residential: (1) Preservation of natural flora and fauna; a) Highlight any restoration areas or efforts; b) Include any corridors/buffer zones; c) Highlight wetlands areas;
(2) Landscaping/compatibility with surrounding environment; (3) Design in scale and context with surrounding environment; a) Highlight and explain any specific “green” standards and/or certification standards endorsed by the project – such as standards from the Florida Green Building Coalition, LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development) standards or National Home Builders green building standards; (4) Open space and access/usability of open space;
a) Highlight green space and unusual features; (5) Family recreation and common areas; a) Highlight special areas; (6) Streets and safety features; (7) Drainage and stormwater design features; a) Highlight any unique stormwater plans; (8) Marketability; and (9) Tell us what makes your project stand out from the rest – what are you the most proud of?

SUBMISSION: There is no entry limit and no cost to enter. Simply organize a three-ring notebook with the following material in this order: (1) A written overview of the development (maximum of four pages, typed, double spaced, on 8.5″ by 11″ paper);
(2) Supporting material and photographs that address the judging criteria in order as listed above — no videotapes or slides; and (3) A set of land development plans and other supporting data, if warranted. Upon request, entry materials may be returned after judging.

DEADLINE: All entries must be received at Florida Realtors’ headquarters by Friday, July 5, 2013. Send submissions to ENVY Award, Florida Realtors, 7025 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, FL  32822-5017.

For more information about the ENVY award, call 407-438-1400, ext. 2326.

“Florida’s housing market continues to demonstrate its recovery – March marks the 15th consecutive month that the statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and for townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year, according to Florida Realtors’ data,” said 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “The median price is up more than 15 percent for both single-family homes and for townhouse-condos.

“Meanwhile, buyer demand is increasing, but supply continues to be constrained in many areas. In March, the median days on market (the midpoint of the number of days it took for a property to sell that month) was 57 days for single-family homes and 61 days for townhouses and condos. That means 50 percent of homes on the market in Florida sell in two months or less.”

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 19,631 in March, up 9 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Meanwhile, pending sales – contracts that are signed but not yet completed or closed – for existing single-family homes last month rose 23.4 percent over the previous March. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $160,000, up 15.2 percent from the previous year.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in February 2013 was $173,800, up 11.3 percent from the previous year. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in February was $333,880; in Massachusetts, it was $278,000; in Maryland, it was $224,048; and in New York, it was $220,000.

The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Housing industry analysts note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 9,957 units sold statewide last month, up 1.1 percent compared to March 2012. Meanwhile, pending sales for townhouse-condos last month increased 10.6 percent compared to the year-ago figure. The statewide median for townhouse-condo properties was $120,000, up 15.9 percent over the previous year. NAR reported that the national median existing condo price in February 2013 was $172,500.

The inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.3-months’ supply in March; inventory for townhouse-condos was at a 5.8-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors.

“We continue to be encouraged by the depth and breadth of the housing recovery,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “State numbers are up in virtually all important categories and down where they should be down. Even with the difficulty of access to financing for households, we still see the growth in the market continuing for at least the next 18 months.

“Inventory remains an issue, but this is fast becoming a sellers’ market and as sellers realize this, we expect inventories to rise as we approach the last quarter of 2103. Over the long term, we need to correct the imbalance between investors and owner-occupier households that has developed because of financing issues if the market is to prosper for a long time.”

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.57 percent in March 2013, down from the 3.95 percent average during the same month a year earlier.

• March. 2013 Florida single family data detail
• March 2013 Florida single family summary
• March 2013 Florida condo data detail
• March 2013 Florida condo summary
• March 2013 Fla MSA summary

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – April 10, 2013 – Florida Realtors® surprised a historical turnout of Realtors from across Florida at its first-ever “Rally for Homeownership” today at the Florida Capitol with a home donation to a wounded Florida veteran and his family.

Retired Army Sgt. Michael Burke, his wife Nichole, and two children Bryce and Layla, were presented with a newly remodeled, mortgage-free home in Port St. Lucie through a program offered by the Military Warriors Support Foundation. Florida Realtors partnered with the Foundation and Chase Bank to make the American Dream of homeownership possible for Burke and his family.

“Florida Realtors is proud to forge this partnership with Chase Bank and the Military Warriors Support Foundation to honor a military hero who has bravely served us,” said 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “We are happy to help Sgt. Burke and his family fulfill the American Dream of lifelong homeownership.”

Led by Asher and state Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Naples), a real estate broker, the Rally took place as part of Great American Realtor Days this week, a two-day annual event during which Realtors from around Florida travel to Tallahassee to meet with their elected officials about legislation concerning affordable housing, property insurance, property taxes and business and regulatory issues that affect Floridians and visitors to the Sunshine State.

A deserving military hero

Burke, a native of Fort Pierce, always dreamed of being a soldier and defending his country. After Sept. 11, 2001, Burke enlisted “as quick and fast as I could,” he says. After basic training, Burke joined the Army Infantry in 2005 and trained in Fort Hood, Texas. A year later, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq.

There only a week, Burke’s Humvee drove over and detonated a roadside bomb during his first mission, ejecting him from the vehicle. Burke was airlifted to a Baghdad hospital with massive injuries: a swollen brain, shrapnel wounds to the left arm, plus burns and injuries to his back muscles. After two months in rehab, Burke was ready to go back to combat, but the Army had a different idea.

“They [the Army] wanted to send me back home,” Burke explains. “I refused. I had only been in Iraq a couple of weeks. I needed to get back to my squadron…to my friends and fellow soldiers. Eventually I convinced them I deserved to stay.”

After 14 months of service, Burke’s tour ended and he returned to Fort Hood. He was promoted to sergeant and started training for another tour in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, Burke started having seizures due to the traumatic brain injury suffered in Baghdad. His military career over, he returned to Florida in September 2009. Burke received a Purple Heart for his service and is immensely proud to have served on behalf of the country he loves.

Homes for wounded warriors

Florida Realtors donated $20,000 to provide a three-year mentoring program and made arrangements to present the home to Sgt. Burke and his family. The association partnered with Chase Bank and the Military Warriors Support Foundation, a nonprofit that supports combat-wounded veterans during their transition to civilian life, to provide the Port St. Lucie home.

Established in 2007, the Foundation awards mortgage-free homes to wounded heroes injured during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of its Homes4WoundedHeroes program. Home recipients are veterans who have severe injuries and/or unique circumstances due to injuries received during active duty. The families receive three years of family and financial mentoring before obtaining the deed to the house. For Burke’s home, Chase Bank donated the three-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot property and Home Depot handled the renovations.

Since the start of the Homes4WoundedHeroes program in 2010, the Military Warriors Support Foundation has coordinated the donation of 300 homes to wounded military veterans in the continental United States, including 56 in Florida. There are 12 homes currently available for donation to wounded veterans in Florida and 42 nationwide, with more homes coming into the program every day. The program is almost a third of the way to its goal of awarding 1,000 homes by the end of 2015.

Florida’s housing market revitalizing state’s economy

Housing and homeownership are critical to a strong and prosperous Florida economy. New home construction and home purchases spur productivity in a “domino effect,” creating jobs for millions of Floridians. According to the Florida Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, real estate remains the No. 1 economic generator in the state. Real estate, rentals and leasing accounted for $117.4 billion, or 15.6 percent, of Florida’s Gross Domestic Product in 2011. Add in construction, and it accounts for $147.4 billion, or 19.6 percent, of the state’s GDP in 2011. As homeownership increases, Florida’s economy strengthens with it.

“Realtors across Florida continue to advocate for legislation that supports economic development, strengthens our state’s economic recovery and helps the housing market rebound,” Asher said. “Housing creates jobs and jobs create housing opportunities – every additional 1,000 home sales means nearly 500 new jobs, while each home purchase pumps $60,000 into our economy. A stable and growing real estate market is vital to putting our citizens back to work, revitalizing our communities and preserving Florida’s future.”

Florida Realtors is the largest trade association in the state with more than 118,000 members. Its mission is to support the American Dream of homeownership, build strong communities and shape public policy on real property issues. Florida Realtors strives to encourage, promote and teach consistent standards for ethical practice and professionalism and to partner with local boards/associations to provide the information and tools for members to succeed in their business. Florida Realtors serves as the voice for real estate in Florida.

Media kit

Digital media materials shown at the rally are available for download. For b-roll and video, go to: https://spideroak.com/browse/share/John_White_VisualImpact/BurkeFamilyVNR.

Realtors Meet with Legislators for Great American Realtor Days

ORLANDO, Fla. – April 5, 2013 – Hundreds of Realtors® from across Florida soon will travel to Tallahassee to meet with lawmakers on key issues that impact all Floridians and to advocate for homeownership. It’s all part of Great American Realtor Days, April 9-10, 2013.

“Realtors continue to advocate for priorities that will help the real estate market and the entire economy of Florida rebound,” says 2013 Florida Realtors® President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “Eight of the last 10 recessions ended because of robust housing markets. We have such a positive story to tell – every home purchase pumps $60,000 into the economy and every additional 1,000 home sales means nearly 500 new jobs. Florida Realtors continues to work with the Legislature to make the Sunshine State attractive to businesses, investors and families.”

An annual two-day event sponsored by Florida Realtors during the legislative session, Great American Realtor Days offers Realtors the chance to visit their local lawmakers at the state capital to discuss pending real estate legislation and quality-of-life issues affecting Florida residents and visitors alike. In addition to the Realtors’ legislative visits which occur throughout the event, a “Taste of Florida” Block Party is set for April 9, from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Adams Street Commons.

“The collective voice of Florida Realtors will be heard loud and clear throughout the Capitol building next week,” says John Sebree, Florida Realtors’ senior vice president of public policy. “We want to make it clear to legislators that Realtors have the best interests of their communities in mind as we advocate for property insurance reforms, affordable housing opportunities and fairer taxation of commercial property leases.”

On April 10, Florida Realtors will have its first-ever Rally for Homeownership. The Rally is expected to draw a historical turnout of Realtors, who will converge on the Capitol Courtyard in Tallahassee to advocate for homeowners and the American Dream of homeownership.

To kick off the Rally, “The Liberty Voices,” a talented and well-known vocal ensemble will perform uplifting patriotic music for the crowd. The Rally also will feature a special tribute in honor of our U.S. military – one that is sure to be a memorable highlight of the 2013 event.

For more information about Great American Realtor Days, check out Florida Realtors’ member website at http://www.floridarealtors.org/LegislativeCenter/Great-American-Realtor-Days.cfm.

Several years ago, Mark Santolin and his wife Rhonda went on a spiritual journey. “We attended some of our church’s programs and classes, and it set our hearts on fire,” says Mark, a sales associate with EXIT Real Estate Results in Longwood. He says the couple realized that in order to make their spiritual journey mean anything, they had to take action and do something to help others.

Planting seeds

So, when the time came to participate in a community-feeding project, the Santolins jumped at the opportunity.

“Our bible study took on an Easter project to feed the homeless. Over 150 people came out of nowhere to get fed. They were in the woods,” says Mark, who’s been in real estate for 14 years. “That’s when Rhonda and I decided to bring tents, water and non-perishable food to the woods. There would be no judgment, no forms to fill out, just necessities and someone to listen,” he says. “Our goal at that time was to bring 10 people back into society by helping them get back on their feet. We ended up getting six of them out of the woods.”

However, the Santolins felt like they were hitting a wall in terms of helping the homeless in the woods; so they looked for other ways to make a difference. “We realized that if we truly wanted to help this situation, we had to reach out to the children,” says Mark. So, he and Rhonda went to a few elementary schools and asked what they needed to help homeless and displaced kids. “To our surprise, several principals were willing to work with us,” says Mark.

The Santolins soon found out how great the need really was. “We heard stories of kids gathering food that the other children don’t want or don’t eat and packing it up to bring home over the weekend,” Mark says. “If they didn’t do that, they wouldn’t eat for two days.”

And, he adds, these kids aren’t just thinking of themselves, they’re gathering food for their siblings as well. “That’s when we created Bags of Hope Central Florida,” he says.

Bags of Hope Central Florida

Founded in 2009, Bags of Hope Central Florida (BOHCFL) is a program that offers homeless, displaced and poverty-stricken children bags of food to sustain them and their families over the weekend, books to keep them focused on school and, most of all, a consistent, friendly volunteer to help mentor them. The program has now evolved to serve three Central Florida schools and some 300 children.

Each school identifies the children in need and every Thursday or Friday, volunteers with BOHCFL come to the school and meet with the kids for an hour. “We call it the Bags of Hope Central Florida Kids Club,” says Mark. “It’s more than just a bag of food to sustain them over the weekend. That’s the immediate need. What makes the program work is the mentoring we do,” he says

Each volunteer is assigned specific children – each week he or she spends time with that child asking questions about school, their spelling tests and more.

“This one-on-one mentoring has been the difference in the program,” Mark explains. “These children need a person who they can consistently see—someone who encourages them to dream big.”

Each bag of food includes bread, fresh fruit, veggies and proteins such as peanut butter, canned meals, rice, beans, canned chicken and tuna, Vienna sausages and macaroni and cheese.

Reading is fun-damental

In addition to supplying the bags of food, the organization has a reading program. The children get to bring a new book home each week.

“We have a book team,” says Rhonda. “This team helps match up kids with a book on their reading levels, and they get to keep that book,” she says. “If they have a sibling, we encourage them to bring a book to him or her too.

“Children living in poverty tend to put the whole family before themselves,” says Rhonda. “We give them the book to keep so they have something to own. It’s a symbol and helps with the insecurity they may have. After all, these children are bouncing place-to-place, motel-to-motel.”

And, if the children want to, they can complete a book report on the book. Bags of Hope Central Florida volunteers, generally retired teachers, will talk to them about the book and their report; then the child gets to select a prize from the treasure chest.

Children will stay in the Bags of Hope Central Florida Kids Club until there is no longer a need or they move on to middle school, according to the Santolins.

“We targeted elementary school children because they’re easy to identify,” Rhonda explains.

Adds Mark, “We just want to plant the seed to help them cope and prosper in school. The bandage is the food; the program is the solution. We want to teach them to focus on education. That’s how they can fix their futures.”

Keeping kids in school

The program is working, says Mark. “Principals have told us that attendance has gone up and inappropriate behavior has gone down.”

For Mark, being with the kids energizes him.

“I started mentoring one young fourth grader,” he says. “He was very destructive and had behavior issues at school. He’s in fifth grade now and his behavior has improved dramatically. These kids just need a consistent face each week.”

Both Santolins say that being able to provide this program is a blessing. “Our goal has always been to turn the word ‘faith’ into a verb,” says Mark. “We’ve driven to trailer parks and had starving children take food and desperately eat it immediately. How can you see that and not do something about it?”

Interested in helping the Bags of Hope Central Florida Kids Club Program? Visit the website at http://www.bohcfl.info/ to learn more or check out www.facebook.com/BOHCFL.

“Each month brings more positive signs for the state’s housing market,” said 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “For example, February is the 14^th month in a row that statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and for townhouse-condo units increased year-over-year, according to Florida Realtors’ data.

“Properties are selling more quickly statewide, especially at certain price points – the median days a home is on the market dropped about 15 percent for single-family homes and 10 percent for townhouse-condo units in February. Plus, sellers are receiving more than 92 percent of their original listing price in both the single-family home and townhouse-condo markets.”

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 15,666 in February, up 10.3 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Meanwhile, pending sales – contracts that are signed but not yet completed or closed – for existing single-family homes last month rose 26.7 percent over the previous February. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $150,000, up 12.8 percent from the previous year.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in January 2013 was $174,100, up 12.6 percent from the previous year. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in January was $337,040; in Massachusetts, it was $282,500; in Maryland, it was $223,469; and in New York, it was $220,000.

The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Housing industry analysts note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhouse-condos, a total of 8,028 units sold statewide last month, up 7 percent compared to February 2012. Meanwhile, pending sales for townhouse-condos in February increased 14.3 percent compared to the year-ago figure. The statewide median for townhouse-condo properties was $115,000, up 21.1 percent over the previous year. NAR reported that the national median existing condo price in January 2013 was $169,600.

The inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.5-months’ supply in February; inventory for townhouse-condos was at a 6.1-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors.

“Several things are particularly striking about the February data,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “First, we note the continuing growth of cash sales, which are now half of existing single-family closed sales statewide and more than three-quarters of townhouse-condo closed sales. Second, we’re seeing more new listings and that trend is turning positive. This is the first sign that low inventories are convincing sellers to come to the market.

“Third, and related to the last point, the lowest price tiers (for home listings) are just about wiped out and are moving in a direction counter to the state trend,” Tuccillo noted. “The biggest movements in listings as well as the other metrics are in the $300,000-$500,000 price tier.”

According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.53 percent in February 2013, down from the 3.89 percent average during the same month a year earlier.

• Feb. 2013 Florida single family data detail
• Feb. 2013 Florida single family summary
• Feb. 2013 Florida condo data detail
• Feb.. 2013 Florida condo summary
• Feb. 2013 Fla MSA summary

FloridaRealtors_IGiveBecause

Florida Realtors won the top honor in the Branding/Re-Branding category for the Florida Realtors PAC “I Give Because…” Campaign and brought home an Honorable Mention in the Fundraising category.

PR News’ Nonprofit PR Awards Program honors the nation’s top communicators and teams in the nonprofit sector. According to the company, award winners “join a distinguished circle of those holding the key to ‘best practices’ in the nonprofit space.” Most PR News winners operate nationally; Florida Realtors was one of the few winners that operate at the state level. Organizers called the competition “fierce” and winning an award “a major accomplishment.” More than 200 nonprofit communicators from across the U.S. attended the March 11 event.

“Congratulations to Florida Realtors – it’s a privilege to be counted among these highfliers,” says 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher, broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates Inc. in Orlando. “We’re proud of our outstanding communications and public policy teams, who definitely deserve this national recognition. The work they do every day on behalf of Florida Realtors members goes above and beyond.”

Some of the other finalists for the two categories include: IES Abroad; Strategic Image, Inc. – Catholic Charities Money School; Henson Consulting Inc. – Champs for Charity: Hockey Greats Suit up to Raise Funds for Ronald McDonald House; and the Carmelita Group – The #IAM CAMPAIGN.

“To make a campaign like ‘I Give Because …’ successful, it takes everyone here at Florida Realtors, from the leadership team to the communications staff to each and every member of the association,” says Florida Realtors Vice President of Communications Jeff Zipper. “We’ve been fortunate to create unique campaigns that get everyone involved. When the staff, leadership and members move in the same direction, we create magic. It’s an honor for Florida Realtors to be recognized alongside so many outstanding national organizations.”

Florida Realtors Communications and Public Policy teams worked together to determine the scope of the “I Give Because…” project. The campaign featured a new logo and branding elements, print ads in Florida Realtor magazine, graphics, banner ads, stories in Florida Realtors News, a special Florida Realtors PAC microsite with interactive tools, posts in the state association’s social media channels and videos of Realtor members’ stories, along with other collateral materials.

To read more about the Florida Realtors PAC “I Give Because…” Campaign, go to http://www.prnewsonline.com/awards/2013/03/11/2013-nonprofit-pr-awards-branding-rebranding/. To see a complete list of winners, visit PR News’ website at http://www.prnewsonline.com/nonprofitprawards2013/.