Commercial

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage increased to 6.81% from 6.76% last week while rates on 15-year mortgages ticked up to 5.92% from 5.89%.

A new report sounds the alarm on who is increasingly at risk and what real estate pros can do to help clients be aware and stay safe.

The Fla. Hurricane Catastrophe Fund provides relatively low-cost reinsurance to insurers to help pay claims if the state is hit by one or more major hurricanes.

KISSIMMEE, FL– The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® (OSCAR) is proud  to give back to the local community by donating $1,500 to Help Now of Osceola County to make necessary repairs to their shelter’s resident kitchen. 

“Help Now of Osceola has served DV [domestic violence] victim survivors in our  community for almost 40 years. The shelter has offered a safe refuge for thousands of  victims fleeing abuse over the years. The shelter’s resident kitchen has recently been in  great need of repairs, and we are so grateful to OSCAR for making this contribution  toward the critical repairs so that together, we can continue to provide safety,  empowerment and healing for survivors,” said Executive Director Tammy Douglass. 

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is a proud supporter to a variety of non profit organizations in Osceola County. The recent donation to Help Now was inspired by  the Associations participation in the National Association of REALTORS® program,  REALTORS® Are Good Neighbors Volunteer Days. The program encourages  REALTORS® to impact their community through volunteering and donations. 

“Across the country, almost 75% of all REALTORS® are investing in their communities  each month. Giving back is part of who we are as both people and as professionals,”  said President Donnie Martinez. “We encourage our members who have a heart for  service and a passion to support our local non-profit organizations. 

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is the largest professional trade  association in Osceola County providing programs, services, continuing education, and  advocacy for over 5,200 REALTORS® in Central Florida. For more information on the  Osceola County Association of Realtors®, please visit www.osceolarealtors.com.  

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1105 Cross Prairie Parkway • Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Office (407) 846-0117 • Fax (407) 846-0217 

www.osceolarealtors.org 

KISSIMMEE, FL – The Osceola County Association of REALTORS®, in partnership with Osceola County  Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, Valencia Advanced Manufacturing Program and Zenith Accelerated Learning  Academy hosted a contest for local art students to create and present their design for a bicycle rack for the  

Association’s new building. After reviewing nearly 15 submissions, Andrew Haskins was chosen for his design which showcased the word “HOME.” 

The 4-foot-high letters were constructed and installed by the welding students at Valencia College’s Advanced  Manufacturing Training Center. The galvanized racks for the bikes are conveniently fastened to the backside of  the letters. The addition of the bicycle rack will allow the Association’s members to attend classes and events – regardless of their mode of transportation. 

The word “HOME” is particularly meaningful to the Association as it symbolizes its belief in the dream of  homeownership for everyone. Research from the National Association of REALTORS® shows that owning a  home is more than just a financial transaction – it provides the owner stability, improves the local economy, and  ultimately strengthens the community. 

“While the bicycle rack serves a functional purpose for our members, it symbolizes much more for our  Association. The new rack serves as a beacon to the community that the Osceola County Association of  REALTORS® is there to guide them in their journey to becoming a homeowner. And for the Association’s members, it is a reminder of their calling to help their clients find a home and realize that achieving the  American Dream is a possibility,” said Cheryl Grieb, County Commissioner District 4, REALTOR® and past  president of the Association. 

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is the largest professional trade association in Osceola  County providing programs, services, continuing education, and advocacy for over 5,200 REALTORS® in  Central Florida. For more information on the Osceola County Association of Realtors®, please visit  www.osceolarealtors.com.  

Pictured From Left to Right: Advanced Manufacturing Program Instructor Juan Ayala, Zenith Student Andrew  Haskins, Zenith Academy Digital Media Educator Debbie Bohanan, County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, OSCAR  Chief Executive Officer Twis Lizasuain, Zenith Academy Principal Robert Studly, and OSCAR President Donnie  Martinez. 

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1105 Cross Prairie Parkway • Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Office (407) 846-0117 • Fax (407) 846-0217 

www.osceolarealtors.org

KISSIMMEE, FL–The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® (OSCAR) is proud to support Kolby  Urban for the St. Cloud City Council Seat 3 election. A Candidate Screen Task Force comprised of Realtor®  members interviewed all five candidates who qualified for this seat. After careful consideration, the task  force recommended the Board of Directors to endorse Kolby based on his qualifications, experience, and  support of real estate issues.  

“The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® recognizes many of the same concerns that Osceola  residents have regarding local issues, because we have similar concerns. That is why making our voices  heard on election day is imperative. We are proud to endorse Kolby Urban who aligns with our beliefs in  protecting private property rights and supporting homeownership for all,” stated President Donnie Martinez. 

Early voting started last weekend and continues until October 2, 2021. The St. Cloud Special Election is  October 5, 2021. For more information, visit the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections website at www.voteosceola.com. The site includes information on where to go for polling and how to vote by mail. 

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is the largest professional trade association in Osceola  County providing programs, services, continuing education, and advocacy for nearly 5,000 REALTORS®  in Central Florida. For more information on the Osceola County Association of Realtors®, please visit  www.osceolarealtors.com.  

Pictured From Left to Right: OSCAR Chief Executive Officer Twis Lizasuain, Kolby Urban, OSCAR  President Donnie Martinez, and Florida Realtors Political Action Committee Trustee Tim Weisheyer 

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1105 Cross Prairie Parkway • Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Office (407) 846-0117 • Fax (407) 846-0217 

www.osceolarealtors.org

KISSIMMEE, FL – The REALTORS® Care Committee of the Osceola County Association of REALTORS®  has once again partnered with the Education Foundation of Osceola County to donate school supplies to  deserving children and teachers for the 2021-2022 school year. 

Members of the Association donated 1,237 items to the Supplying Our Future School Drive. Donations included  highly requested items such as backpacks, pencils, ear buds, glue, dry erase markers and more. These items  go directly to the A Gift for Teaching program, which provides over $1 million in school supplies to students  annually. 

“During the month of August, low-income families spend 40% of their monthly budget on “back to school” costs,  which can be very stressful on families who may not have a sufficient amount of financial resources,” said  REALTORS® Care Committee Chair, Justin Shrouder. “Families should not have to choose between school  supplies and feeding their family.” 

The purpose of the REALTORS® Care Committee is to seek, develop and promote opportunities for the  Osceola County Association of REALTORS® and its’ members to be engaged in the community. The  committee identifies opportunities and encourages involvement from REALTORS® in order to make a strong,  positive impact in the community. 

“I am very proud of our members for their generosity and the difference they are making in our community to  ensure the students of Osceola County are off to a great start for the school year,” said Osceola County  Association of REALTORS® Board President, Donnie Martinez. 

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is the largest professional trade association in Osceola  County providing programs, services, continuing education, and advocacy for over 5,000 REALTORS® in  Central Florida. For more information on the Osceola County Association of Realtors®, please visit  www.osceolarealtors.com.  

Pictured: A selection of the REALTORS® Care Committee donation items benefiting A Gift For Teaching’s  2021 School Supply Drive. 

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1105 Cross Prairie Parkway • Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Office (407) 846-0117 • Fax (407) 846-0217 

www.osceolarealtors.org

KISSIMMEE, FL – The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® recently took part in a Florida Realtors® initiative to “Clean Up Florida Waters” by hosting a clean-up day project for its members and their families. 

The statewide push encourages REALTORS® and residents to join forces to pick up trash and clean the  state’s lakes, rivers, streams, retention ponds, bays, and oceans during the event. 

“Our waterways and beaches make Florida not just a state, but a state of mind – but only when they’re properly  cared for,” says 2021 Florida Realtors President Cheryl Lambert, broker-owner with Only Way Realty Citrus in  Inverness. “For all of July, we hope all those who love Florida’s waters will join our statewide effort to beautify  the Sunshine State.” 

The REALTORS® Care Committee partnered with the City of Kissimmee and the Osceola County Government  to select areas of the county that would benefit the most from the Associations clean-up effort. More than 40  volunteers registered for the effort and the teams were divided between four locations in Osceola County. At  the end of the project, the Association’s volunteers collected 35 pounds of trash. 

The purpose of the REALTORS® Care Committee is to seek, develop and promote opportunities for the  Osceola County Association of REALTORS® and its’ members to be engaged in the community. The  committee identifies opportunities and encourages involvement from REALTORS® in order to make a strong,  positive impact in the community. 

“Our members are committed to keeping our Florida waters clean and beautiful for future generations to enjoy,”  said Osceola County Association of REALTORS® Board President, Donnie Martinez. “As Floridians, we are  proud to participate in this clean-up effort and take care of the area where we live, work and play.” 

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is the largest professional trade association in Osceola  County providing programs, services, continuing education, and advocacy for over 5,000 REALTORS® in  Central Florida. For more information on the Osceola County Association of Realtors®, please visit  www.osceolarealtors.com.  

Pictured: Osceola County Association of REALTORS® volunteers participating in the “Clean Up Florida  Waters” project. 

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1105 Cross Prairie Parkway • Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Office (407) 846-0117 • Fax (407) 846-0217 

www.osceolarealtors.org

KISSIMMEE, FL – June 2021 has been proclaimed National Homeownership Month by the Osceola  County Board of Commissioners. At a recent County Commission meeting, the Osceola County  Association of REALTORS® accepted the National Homeownership Month proclamation and was  recognized as Osceola County’s largest professional trade association committed to increasing the  access to homeownership for future generations. In efforts to promote homeownership, a new consumer  Facebook page was launched which provides useful information and tips for buyers, sellers and  homeowners. Home Ownership Matters Central Florida can be found on Facebook at @CFLHomeowners 

“The significance of homeownership has been brought to the forefront by the COVID-19 pandemic as our  homes are central to our health, independence and well-being. Homeownership provides a doorway to  security and stability. Buying a home is a major investment but it also is a statement about belonging to a  community,” said Osceola Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, who is also a REALTOR®. “Over the last year  and half, our homes have been transformed. In addition to the traditional safe haven where hopes and  dreams are nurtured and grown, they have become virtual workplaces, classrooms and more.” 

Every June, REALTORS® across the United States commemorate the importance of owning a home and  the and the impact it has on American families, local communities, and the nation’s economic health. This  year, the Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is celebrating by launching a new initiative, Home  Ownership Matters Central Florida. Through this resource, consumers can find guidance on their journey  to homeownership and stay informed on the latest homeowner news and trends.  

“The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is proud to offer services to both REALTORS® and  the community. We believe in the dream of home ownership for everyone and hope that those looking to  begin or continue their journey to home ownership will utilize us a resource,” said Donnie Martinez,  President of the Osceola County Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors. 

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is the largest professional trade association in Osceola  County providing programs, services, continuing education, and advocacy for nearly 5,000 REALTORS® in  Central Florida. For more information on the Osceola County Association of Realtors®, please visit  www.osceolarealtors.com.  

Pictured: National Homeownership Month Proclamation issued by the Osceola County Board of  Commissioners.

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1105 Cross Prairie Parkway • Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Office (407) 846-0117 • Fax (407) 846-0217 

www.osceolarealtors.org