The confidential survey (conducted by research partner Energage) asked current employees to measure their employer on 24 factors, including the following:

• Company leadership
• Meaningfulness and appreciation
• Career opportunities
• Working environment
• Managerial skills
• Pay and benefits

Survey results were only valid if at least 35 percent of employees in a given company responded.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Gold Coast began operations in 1970 as a real estate school with a single location and has since grown into one of the country’s largest providers of education in the fields of real estate, appraisal, mortgage, insurance, CAM, and construction education. Gold Coast Schools has campuses across Florida and serves distance learners through online and livestream formats. Gold Coast joined the Colibri Group, a network of brands offering career education in multiple industries, in 2020.

“We are thrilled to be named a Top Workplace by The Orlando Sentinel Media Group,” said Michael Hackett, Director of Strategy and Operations at Gold Coast Schools. “This recognition reflects our ongoing efforts to prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of our employees, who are the cornerstone of our success. We are immensely proud of our team and their dedication to excellence.”

The post Gold Coast Schools Named as Top Workplace in 2024 appeared first on Gold Coast Schools.

Understanding the Tampa Real Estate Market

The first step to getting started as a real estate agent is understanding your local market, in this case, the Tampa area. Tampa’s housing market is been on the upswing in 2024, with the median sale price increasing 7.7% from the previous year. The issue lies in Tampa’s low housing inventory, which is a nationwide problem. However, as of July 2024, Tampa holds the seventh spot for top cities for new-home construction, indicating that more homes could be going on the market in the coming months.

Key Takeaways

• Despite low housing inventory, Tampa’s real estate market is experiencing growth, with a 7.7% increase in median sale prices as of 2024. The city ranks seventh in the U.S. for new home construction, indicating potential opportunities for real estate agents.
• Real estate agents in Tampa can expect competitive earnings, with a median annual income of $226,000.
• Obtaining a Florida real estate license is straightforward. You must meet basic qualifications, complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course, pass a background check, submit an application, and pass the Florida real estate exam.
• The first year as a real estate agent is often the most challenging. Success involves choosing the right brokerage, building a strong knowledge base, setting realistic expectations, overcoming challenges like lead generation, and celebrating small milestones to stay motivated.

How much could you expect to make in Tampa real estate?

While the Tampa real estate market looks promising, you may wonder how much you could expect to earn as a real estate agent. According to Glassdoor, the median annual pay for Tampa real estate agents is $226,000, making Tampa an attractive city for those looking to work in real estate.

As with most careers, the more experience you have as a real estate agent, the greater your income potential. As such, the median income for Florida real estate agents with one to three years of experience is $95,250. However, those who have been in real estate for over 25 years report making $209,000 in commissions, demonstrating that sticking with your career pays off.

Download our 2025 Florida Real Estate Salary Guide to learn more.

Is getting your Florida real estate license worth it?

Not just anyone can be a real estate agent–you need to get licensed, which takes time and money. However, considering the cost of getting your Florida real estate license is typically under $1,000, and you can get your license in as little as one month, getting licensed is a walk in the park, especially compared to getting a four-year degree.

Getting Licensed

You need to get your license before you launch your real estate career. Luckily, the process is very straightforward. Just follow these simple steps.

Step 0: Meet the requirements

In order to get your Florida real estate license, you must:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Have a social security number.
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent education (such as a GED).

If you already meet these requirements, congrats! You can start the process of getting your license.

Step 1: Complete the required pre-licensing education

After satisfying all the requirements for getting your real estate license, you must complete the 63-hour Florida real estate sales associate course. This course will cover the ins and outs of practicing real estate in Florida and help you prepare for the exam. Gold Coast Schools has many course offerings to fit your language and learning preferences.

Step 2: Pass a background check

Next, you must submit your fingerprints for a background check. You can even submit your fingerprints at one of Gold Coast Schools’ locations! Please note that an appointment is required.

Step 3: Submit your application

Thirdly, you must submit your real estate license application and any mandatory fees to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Step 4. Pass the Florida real estate exam

Finally, you must pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate exam. If you want extra help to boost your confidence on test day, Gold Coast Schools’ instructor-led Exam Cram course is an excellent test prep program. Plus, it’s included in all Gold Coast Schools’ pre-licensing packages!

Once you’ve completed these four steps, you’ll be on your way to launching a successful new career in Tampa real estate.

Navigating the First Year

Your first year as a licensed real estate agent is often considered the most challenging. But, with hard work and proper training, you can get through it with flying colors. Just follow these tips.

Choosing the right Tampa brokerage

Choosing the right brokerage is critical to your success as a newly licensed real estate agent. When selecting a brokerage, you need to consider factors such as the level of training provided to new agents, company culture, and commission split, to name a few. Luckily, Gold Coast Schools hosts monthly career fairs so students can meet with local brokerages to determine which brokerage would best fit their professional goals.

Building a strong knowledge base

One of the more challenging aspects of starting a new career is that you don’t know what you don’t know, so building a solid knowledge base is essential. In fact, you should view your professional development as part of your job and block time for it in your calendar. An excellent place to start is by subscribing to industry publications and newsletters, attending webinars and networking events, and partnering with a mentor, such as your real estate broker.

You can also take advantage of advanced training opportunities that will help you specialize in a particular area of real estate, such as luxury homes. Additionally, you will need to keep your license active by completing continuing education requirements every two years. These courses are great for expanding your knowledge base and keeping you up-to-date on new laws or regulations.

Setting realistic expectations

Setting realistic expectations for your first year as a real estate agent is essential. Success won’t happen overnight. The key is not to get discouraged if you have a slower start than you envisioned. Those who are persistent and don’t give up when times are tough are the ones who go far in real estate. Just ask top real estate agents!

Overcoming common challenges

One of the biggest challenges you will face as a newly licensed agent is understanding the ins and outs of real estate. While your pre-licensing education will lay the groundwork for working in real estate, the more detailed aspects of real estate are best learned on the job. Fortunately, you will have a broker as a resource to answer any questions or help solve any problems that may arise.

Another challenge new agents face is needing an extensive network to draw leads. While your friends and family would probably love to be your first client, they may not be in the market for a new home at the time you receive your license. So, you will need to implement strategies that will help generate leads. To begin with, having a professional social media presence and website are two effective (and inexpensive) ways for prospects to discover and learn more about you. Additionally, your brokerage may have other tips and tools to help you find leads and build your brand.

Celebrating milestones and small wins

As stated earlier, your first year as a real estate agent is often the hardest, making it even more vital to celebrate small wins and milestones. Celebrate when you increase your network to 100 people and when you get your first client. Celebrating these “small” wins will help motivate you to continue forward to the next milestone.

Learn More About Tampa Real Estate

Want to learn more about kick-starting your career in Tampa real estate? Gold Coast School’s Tampa real estate course outlines the ins and outs of Tampa’s real estate market and the steps you need to take to become a top Tampa real estate agent. Get started today!

Source:

Marek, Emily. “Six of the Top 20 Cities for New-Home Construction Are in Florida.” South Florida Agent Magazine, October 6, 2023. https://southfloridaagentmagazine.com/2023/10/06/movebuddha-new-home-construction-florida/.

The post Starting as an Agent in the Tampa Area appeared first on Gold Coast Schools.

Here are some ways to promote the profession – and your brand.

Key Takeaways

• Real estate agents should demonstrate their expertise by creating valuable content like blogs and videos, focusing on current industry topics, such as the NAR lawsuit, and local real estate trends.
• Hosting local events, partnering with businesses, and engaging in online communities can help agents build their brand, establish credibility, and foster referrals.
• Asking for referrals and encouraging satisfied clients to leave positive reviews are essential strategies for building trust and attracting new clients.
• Using a combination of traditional marketing methods (like print ads and billboards) and digital strategies ensures broader reach and brand visibility in targeted areas.

8 Ways to Promote Your Expertise as a Real Estate Agent

You know the value you offer to both your buyer and seller clients. Here are some ideas on how to demonstrate your worth as an agent.

1. Show your expertise with an effective blog campaign.

Create valuable content optimized for SEO that covers topics that are top-of-mind to buyers and sellers in your area.

Address the elephant in the room—the recent NAR lawsuit—and give a succinct, unbiased account of its background and the settlement’s results. Educate your clients on how compensation works.

Learn how to discuss the recent NAR lawsuit with your clients by downloading this discussion between industry experts.

Cover other interesting topics in your blog – especially those unique to your local community. Don’t forget to pair your blogs with marketing visuals that boost your reputation while showcasing your expertise.

A blog allows you to demonstrate industry expertise, establish credibility with local clients, and help you stay top of mind (and top of a Google search) for clients getting ready to buy or sell.

2. Showcase your personality and expertise with quality videos.

It‘s no secret that video can be a powerful tool for real estate agents. Videos with targeted hashtags humanize your business and help you connect emotionally with potential clients. Videos are also a great way to show off your personality, but make sure they also showcase your expertise and competence.

In addition to sharing videos on your social media accounts, you can purchase ads on Instagram or TikTok to precisely target your ideal audience.

3. Host local events to showcase your expertise.

Use your connections and partner with local businesses to host an event in your targeted neighborhood. Building your brand with event attendees and local business owners can help drive more referrals. Give out high-quality swag that doesn’t get thrown away immediately.

4. Ask for referrals.

It’s so simple, but one sure-fire way to prove your expertise is to ask your previous clients to recommend your services to their friends and family. After all, 41% of sellers choose their real estate agent through a referral. If you’re not asking for referrals, you should be.

Consider giving a thank-you gift for any referrals you receive.

5. Ask for reviews and testimonials.

Positive online reviews are gold for real estate agents. Reviews from satisfied clients are excellent for bolstering your credibility and building trust. If a sale goes well, send an email or text with a link to your Google My Business account or another review website. Utilize those testimonials on your website and social media account.

6. Use old-school marketing tactics.

Traditional media, like print ads and billboards, are very effective when targeting specific geographic locations. Even effective use of snail mail can enable you to showcase your expertise in the local market. Use this strategy in conjunction with digital marketing to increase brand awareness.

7. Engage online.

Maintaining an active, engaging presence online is another way to establish yourself as a trusted advisor and local expert. Participate in local online groups by answering relevant questions related to your expertise. Take care in maintaining a professional presence – don’t argue online!

8. Offer your expertise to other content creators.

Offer to write a guest blog, be interviewed on a local podcast, or comment on someone’s article to reach a wider audience and establish yourself as a thought leader in the industry. Reach out to local radio or TV stations and consider using Connectively to grow your brand.

Of course, the best way to present yourself as a real estate expert is to have a deep understanding of state-specific real estate laws and regulations and your local real estate market. Turn to Gold Coast Schools for real estate continuing education courses in Florida to help your professional development. Our courses address current topics so our students can feel confident in their knowledge and understanding of the real estate industry.

Watch our video, “Do you have what it takes to grow in today’s market?” to learn how to navigate the changes resulting from the NAR settlement.

The post How to Thrive as a Real Estate Agent Post-Settlement: Promote Your Expertise appeared first on Gold Coast Schools.

#1: Orlando’s strong economy

Orlando has long been one of Florida’s strongest economies due to its flourishing tourism sector. After a hit during the pandemic, Orlando’s economy rebounded and exceeded pre-pandemic levels. The following factors have contributed to Orlando’s strong economy, making it a top choice for real estate investors.

Strong housing market

The Orlando housing market has been gaining ground over the past few years in terms of median home price and housing inventory. The median home price in April 2024 was $388,500, the highest monthly median home price in Orlando’s recorded history.

Additionally, Orlando’s housing inventory has steadily increased over the past five months, with 10,282 listings (or approximately 3.5 months of supply) in May 2024. This inventory increase is partly due to new construction, with Orlando being the fourth-highest city in the country for new homes per 100,000 people.

Steady population growth

Orlando’s population has been steadily growing over the past few years, primarily due to migration, both in-state and out-of-state. In fact, the Orlando metro area is the third-fastest-growing city in the United States, further illustrating Orlando’s strong economy.

Decreasing unemployment and increasing income

The Orlando unemployment rate has dropped dramatically since the height of the pandemic, from 23.4% in May 2020 to 2.9% in April 2024. Additionally, the median household income has surpassed pre-pandemic levels and continues to trend upward. This combination of low unemployment and increasing income signifies that Orlando’s economy has rebounded since the pandemic and continues to grow.

A top city for real estate agents

According to Glassdoor.com, the median annual pay for Orlando real estate agents is $204,000. Considering the median annual wage for all U.S. workers is $59,288, working in Orlando real estate is a great choice for those looking to become high-earners.

Moreover, Orlando’s home sale price is rising, with the median reaching $407,440 in May 2024. Since the average commission rate in Florida is 5.53%, an agent’s commission for the median sale price in Orlando would bring in nearly $11,000 (if the commission is split evenly between the buyer’s and seller’s agents).

#2: Orlando’s thriving tourism sector

It’s no secret that Orlando is a major tourist destination. From Walt Disney World to Universal Studios to the Kennedy Center, people come from all over the world to visit “The City Beautiful.” Generating approximately $73.6 billion into Orlando’s economy each year and employing roughly 43% of Orlando’s workforce, the importance of Orlando’s tourism sector to the local economy cannot be overstated.

While Orlando’s economy took a hit during the pandemic, it has rebounded significantly, in part due to an increase in direct flights from international ports and more streamlined visa processes. Moreover, Orlando’s official tourism association, Visit Orlando, continues to be at the top of North America’s list of best tourism boards, ensuring people continue to frequent The Theme Park Capital of the World.

#3: Orlando’s diverse real estate market

While Orlando’s economy relies significantly on tourism, its real estate market offers a wide variety of properties. The following outlines the investment potential of the most common property types: residential, rental, and commercial.

Residential

Orlando’s increasing inventory, household income, and home sale price are three indicators of a healthy residential real estate market. Moreover, with mortgage rates slowly decreasing, more and more people are deciding to get off the sidelines and jump into the market. So, now is the opportune time to invest before the market gets so hot that you get outbid for any properties with investment potential.

Rentals

With approximately 75 million tourists visiting Orlando each year, it’s no surprise that Orlando’s rental market is one of the top in the country. The average annual revenue for an AirBnB in Orlando is $30,922 per year. For those looking for longer-term residents, the average rent in Orlando is $1,902 per month. As with most rentals, the key is finding a property in a good location, as many tourists want to be close to the action.

Commercial

In recent years, big tech companies have had their eye on Orlando. In fact, Orlando is the 9th fastest-growing tech hub in the United States. To help house this new wave of innovation and growing startup sector, innovation districts such as Creative Village and NeoCity are catering to this growing tech sector and creating a wealth of opportunity for commercial real estate agents and investors looking to help build the next Silicon Valley.

Tips for Prospective Investors

It’s clear that Orlando is high on the list for real estate investors, but it takes more than favorable economic and market conditions for investors to be successful. Here are some tips to help you build a successful real estate investment business.

Do your research and due diligence

The best real estate investors conduct rigorous research and due diligence on the potential of the investment property and the surrounding area. Researching comps, the average time on the market, average household income, crime rate trends, school district rankings, and a variety of other factors is key to determining a property’s investment potential.

Reach out to local real estate agents

A good real estate agent is a real estate investor’s best friend. Not only do real estate agents help facilitate the buying and selling of investment properties, but they also have extremely valuable insights into up-and-coming neighborhoods and a property’s resell potential. Moreover, they know what buyers are looking for and can help you incorporate more of what is on buyers’ wishlists into your property.

Budget, budget, budget

One of the most common pitfalls for real estate investors is not sticking to a budget. It can be tempting to go for a big “before and after” reveal, but that’s not always what’s the most profitable. For home flippers, a simplified approach to budgeting would be to determine a property’s achievable sale price (your real estate agent can help with this), subtract the current sell price (or what you could potentially get for it), subtract the profit you hope to gain from the investment, and that is your budget for renovations and upgrades. You can follow a similar process for rentals and commercial properties. The key is keeping your feet on the ground and your eyes on your budget!

Always be learning

Top real estate investors don’t just invest in real estate; they invest in themselves! It can be easy to underestimate the value of professional development and continuing education, but those who are eager to learn and expand their knowledge reap the benefits. In a competitive field such as real estate, having a slight edge over your competition can make a huge difference in terms of earned income.

Want to learn more about how to take advantage of Orlando’s hot real estate market? Gold Coast School’s Orlando Real Estate course outlines the ins and outs of Orlando’s real estate market and what you need to know as a real estate investor. Sign up today!

The post Top 3 Reasons to Invest in Orlando Real Estate appeared first on Gold Coast Schools.

The reality is that buyers and sellers need knowledgeable agents to protect their best interests. They need someone like you to guide them through one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives. Here are some ways that real estate agents and REALTORS® effectively represent their clients.

How to Represent Your Clients with Confidence

Start by familiarizing yourself with the facts regarding the NAR lawsuit and the resulting settlement. We’ve provided a selection of concise articles on the topic, which you can find on Gold Coast School’s NAR Settlement Resource page. The settlement led to a few policy changes, but those changes don’t impede an agent’s ability to succeed.

Once you grasp these changes, shift your focus to obtaining your license and mastering the skills needed to serve your future clients. Here’s why your role is crucial in the industry.

Learn how to discuss the recent NAR lawsuit with your clients by downloading this discussion between industry experts.

Real estate agents guide clients through a complex buying or selling process.

As a licensed real estate agent, you’ll have a deep understanding of the contracts, forms, and financial documents involved in each transaction and will be able to explain them clearly to your clients. Since most people only buy or sell a home a few times in their lives, and often with many years between transactions, your expertise will help ensure they navigate current laws and regulations smoothly, avoiding costly mistakes and delays.

Demonstrate your value by educating your clients on every critical step of the transaction.

Real estate agents provide objective advice and information to their clients.

Buying or selling a home can be an emotionally charged experience. Exceptional real estate agents understand their clients’ goals and guide them with a steady, impartial hand.

Your role is to be a concerned yet unbiased third party who helps your clients focus on the key issues, even when emotions run high.

Real estate agents confidently represent their clients during negotiations.

Mastering negotiation is an essential skill for real estate agents. As a professional, you will view the transaction from your client’s perspective and help them negotiate a contract that meets their needs while safeguarding their interests. Every transaction involves multiple negotiable factors, from the sale price to closing costs and possession dates.

Pursuing additional training in negotiation will further enhance your ability to serve your clients effectively.

As a real estate agent, it’s your responsibility to ensure the transaction is fair and ethical.

While your primary duty is to your clients, you also have a responsibility to protect your community by “protecting the individual right of real estate ownership and widening the opportunity to enjoy it,” as stated in the National Association of REALTORS® pledge.

Worried about the recent policy changes in the real estate industry? Don’t be. Instead, focus on becoming a knowledgeable, skilled, and confident advocate for your clients.

Ongoing training and education are crucial to representing your clients’ best interests. Gold Coast Schools has decades of experience in offering pre-licensing courses, continuing education, and top-tier training for real estate agents in Florida. We are committed to providing valuable content for those seeking industry guidance. Visit our NAR Settlement Resource page for insights from experienced agents on how to succeed post-settlement.

Watch our video, “Do you have what it takes to grow in today’s market?” to learn how to navigate the changes resulting from the NAR settlement.

The post How to Thrive as a Real Estate Agent Post-Settlement: Be a Confident Representative for Your Clients appeared first on Gold Coast Schools.

Key Takeaways:

• Provide excellent customer service by being responsive, engaged, and attentive to clients’ needs.
• Develop a consistent personal brand that reflects your unique qualities and values to convey who you are to clients.
• Establish micro-goals for tasks like cold calling, community interactions, and social media engagement to achieve larger income goals.
• Grow your network both online and in-person to expand your brand and reach more potential clients.

Achieve Success as a Real Estate Agent With These 10 Steps 

Are you feeling stagnant in your career and looking for actionable strategies to help you achieve success? We gleaned this advice from those who advise top-tier real estate agents in North America. Here’s how to succeed as a real estate agent in 2024 and beyond.  

1. Make your clients a priority. 

Answer your phone and return texts and emails ASAP. When you are with a client, stay engaged and demonstrate that their transaction is at the top of your mind. Remember details from previous conversations and inform your client immediately if there have been any changes regarding their transaction. 

We know there’s a lot of discussion in society about work-life balance. However, if you are serious about growing your real estate career, you may have to prioritize your clients. After all, excellent customer service leads to excellent reviews and referrals.

In short, provide excellent customer service.  

2. Set goals and targets. 

Instead of ignoring what most experts deem crucial in achieving success, re-evaluate your goals and how they are measured. Far too often, real estate agents set income goals and become frustrated with the exercise when they fail to meet their numbers.

For example, set goals for cold calling or the number of personal interactions you want with community members each week. Set goals for social media interactions or the number of community events you will attend each month. 

With perseverance and focus, these micro goals will eventually help you achieve your income goals. Just wait and see! 

3. Have a marketing plan in place.  

Successful real estate agents must be able to manage many tasks simultaneously. When busy with clients, it’s easy to overlook tasks related to developing your brand and marketing your business.  

That’s why it’s important to make time in your schedule to focus on marketing. Make it a goal to spend X minutes each week on related tasks. Learn how to automate as many of your marketing tasks as possible so they don’t get shoved to the back burner when your schedule becomes full of open houses and client meetings. 

4. Stay up-to-date with market insights. 

Pay attention to national, Florida, and local real estate industry trends. Subscribe to blogs, watch videos, and attend industry events. Join real estate organizations and utilize the resources they provide.  

You may be an excellent communicator, maintain a professional presence, and offer great insights on staging – but if you don’t stay up-to-date on market insights, you will not be serving your clients well. 

5. Build your network. 

 Top real estate professionals use a vast network of people — both in-person and online—to drive their brand forward.  

It’s possible for introverts to work as real estate agents, but it’s not easy. You must make connections to grow your network! 

6. Use social media. 

 Social media is a great way to interact with people in your network and remind people that you are available for all their real estate needs. Even if you don’t use paid ads, there’s a lot you can do for free.  

Social media management may not come naturally to you, but a vast network of freelancers can help you with this marketing task.  

7. Build a personal brand. 

 A quick word about branding: Your personal real estate brand should be a reflection of you—your unique qualities and your values. It’s not just a matter of creating a color scheme or logo. Branding gives you an opportunity to convey a sense of who you are to your clients.  

Develop your brand based on how it resonates with your target audience, and then live and breathe your brand through each touchpoint. Consistency is key.

8. Use tools and technology. 

 The most successful real estate professionals have strong business acumen and immense communication skills and stay organized using the best tools available. 

Attend national industry events to learn about the latest and greatest technological innovations in real estate and become an expert user of the tools utilized by your brokerage.  

If the tools don’t make you more efficient or better at your job after you have taken the time to use them properly – dump them and find a better piece of technology. 

9. Find a mentor. 

Some brokerages offer mentoring programs, which are excellent places to start when looking for someone to help you learn the ropes.  

However, you can learn a lot about the industry by observing. You already know the best salespeople in your brokerage and your area. Find opportunities to be around these movers and shakers – and soak up their knowledge. You’ll learn a lot by observing best practices.  

10. Want to be a successful real estate agent? Keep learning!

No matter your industry, you can only improve with practice and increased knowledge. Some of this knowledge you can get from mentors, bloggers, YouTubers, books, and influencers. However, don’t overlook the wealth of knowledge available from continuing education courses offered by your preferred real estate school.  

Gold Coast Schools offers high-quality CE courses for hassle-free license renewal in Florida. Our courses stand apart from our competition because our classes are developed by instructors with local expertise and real-world experience focused on helping you become a better agent. Gold Coast Schools has four convenient formats: in-person, livestream, online, or correspondence.  

Renew your Florida real estate license quickly and conveniently with Gold Coast Schools.  

The post 10 Tips to Be a Successful Real Estate Agent in 2024 appeared first on Gold Coast Schools.

Gold Coast Schools, which has multiple Florida campuses and distance learning programs serving students throughout the state, acquires the IFREC Schools brand and all operations of the school.

“The acquisition of IFREC gives Gold Coast the opportunity to expand our central Florida presence with operations in Orlando, Kissimmee and Stuart,” said John Greer, Ed.D., Director of Gold Coast Schools. “This is a great opportunity for the IFREC team to join a larger organization. Combining with IFREC Schools allows us to pool resources and provide the best educational offerings in Florida to an expanded audience.”

The merger allows Gold Coast to increase its online and continuing education components while students of IFREC will have access to a broader range of courses at Gold Coast Schools including Spanish real estate courses, insurance, contractors, mortgage and appraisal.

The Institute of Florida Careers (IFREC), founded in 1983 by Dick and Judy Fryer, has become the Central Florida leader in real estate and mortgage education.

“After 37 years of owning and operating this business, we realized we have some other dreams,” said Dick Fryer, who will remain on as a consultant and who currently serves as a Governor-appointee on the Florida Real Estate Commission, where he also is a past chair. “John and Jim Greer have a bold, powerful vision for growth. I couldn’t imagine better owners to take care of the brand that my wife and I spent more than 37 years building.”

The Greer and Fryer families have known each other for 30 years and share a mutual respect for each other and a passion for excellence and customer service. Both businesses have focused on providing a superior student experience and are dedicated to helping people start new careers, providing the continuing education needed to maintain their licenses, and the professional training to help them succeed in their careers.

“As we expand our offerings into different geographic areas and new lines of business, this acquisition allows us to continue to work together and pool our resources to provide high quality courses and a superior student experience,” Greer adds. “This merger is another step in a continual plan for expansion by Gold Coast Schools. We continue to grow and expand to serve students throughout Florida and beyond.”

Together the schools will serve nearly 100,000 students annually and have combined to serve more than two million students.

The post Gold Coast Schools Acquires IFREC Schools of Real Estate appeared first on Gold Coast Schools.

FEMA may authorize advance payments to policyholders before inspection by an adjuster in certain circumstances, emphasizing that advance payments are not available for additional living expenses such as temporary housing after the storm.

Policyholders have an obligation to minimize mold damages as much as possible, however coverage needs to be verified before engaging a mitigation contractor to perform water extraction. Kaye, Bender, Rembaum strongly advises against signing any open-ended or undefined contracts and all contracts should be reviewed by Association counsel before the Board signs off. For water extraction or emergency services in units, associations should ensure there are separate contracts for each unit with a clearly defined scope of work along with associated costs to submit to the owner’s carrier. Community association managers (CAMs) and/or board members must make an effort to contact owners before arranging to perform water extraction or removal of contents.

If possible require the owner to separately contract for these services. If that is not possible, make sure your contract contains limiting language indicating that the association is only signing as an agent for the owner under its emergency powers (§718.1265 and §720.316, Florida Statutes). Please note, however, emergency powers set forth in Florida Statutes are only available for the limited period of time reasonably necessary to protects the health, safety and welfare of those affected and to mitigate further damages or effectuate emergency repairs.

By now you should have already reported the claim if you have suffered a flood loss – it is important to file the claim with the carrier, not simply the agent, although in many cases the agent may submit the notice of claim on your behalf. The NFIP policies generally require policyholders to mitigate (or reduce potential) damages by separating damaged from undamaged property and retaining compromised materials after removal from the home for adjuster inspection. Photographs and video records are extremely helpful in establishing the scope of loss.

Additionally, FEMA reminds those impacted that:

FEMA does not authorize individual contractors to solicit on its behalf. Beware of any individual contractors contacting you directly on behalf of FEMA to sign you up for debris removal or remediation services.

If you have any concerns about individuals representing themselves as FEMA or would like to report fraud, please contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov.

Federal and state workers never ask for, or accept money, and always carry identification badges

There is NO FEE required to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration or the state.

This entry was posted in Legal Morsels on September 15, 2017 by kbrlegal.  Kaye Bender Rembaum

The post FEMA Publishes Guidance for Handling Flood Losses appeared first on Gold Coast Schools.

Since 1970, Gold Coast Schools has severed as Florida’s leading provider of online and classroom education for real estate, insurance, construction and several other professional licensing industries.  The success and continued growth of Gold Coast is largely attributed to the dedication of our staff.  Without their hard work both inside and outside of the classroom, Gold Coast would not be able to proudly serve more than a million students with the pre-license, continuing education, and industry training courses that they need.  “As a company, we are 100% people focused.  It great to see that our long history of serving satisfied students is paired with a staff full of people who enjoy working here each and every day.” John Greer, Owner.  Gold Coast looks forward to continued success into the future.

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Career fairs are free for both the students and the companies in attendance.  In fact, you don’t even have to be a Gold Coast student to participate.  If you are looking to meet with representatives from South Florida’s top real estate companies, make it a point to attend an upcoming event.  A complete schedule of upcoming career fairs can be found here: Career Fair Schedule.   

The format of the career fair is simple, which largely contributes to the success of these events.  The entire career fair is held in a friendly and casual environment with no pressure to commit to a company on site.  It is designed so that real estate licensees, and future licensees, can talk to and compare more than 25 companies all under one roof in order to get a better idea as to which company is best for them.  Gold Coast likes to tell students that they are free to ask any questions that they may have, but that if they are new and not sure what to ask, to simply let the companies know.  The companies are happy to explain the industry and help new agents get started.

To learn more about Gold Coast School’s career fairs, visit our Career Fair Page, or contact a helpful Career Counselors at 1-800-732-9140.  If you are a company looking to learn more about how to participate in an upcoming career fair, please email recruiting@goldcoastschools.com .

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