Karen Monsour,REALTOR® Broward,Palm Beach,Miami/Dade! 954-464-4194 anytime!

Florida will soon require home inspectors to be licensed.

Florida currently does not require or regulated home inspectors. As of JULY 1, 2010, home inspectors, mold assessors, and mold remediators will have to have a Florida license.

This new law requires those who wish to continue practicing as above to complete 120 hours of prelicense education. They will also have to pass a Florida state exam. These licenses are good for 2 years. Then they have to be renewed. Prior to renewal, they will have to complete 14 hours of continuing education as do real estate sales associates (real estate associates have a first course, then need 45 hours of continuing education prior to their 14 credit cycle).

This is according to F.S. (Florida St.) 468.83.

You can also visit the American Society of Home Inspectors at www.ashi.com for more information.

Is this a REQUIREMENT in your STATE?

How do you feel about this new law?

http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194

(Copyright© 2009 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)

Copyright©, If you have copyrighted, do you need to use the © after the word?

Lawyers or any professionals, Do you know what the rule is on copyright law?

I am just curious. Do you need to use the trademark "©" after the work copyright?

I'm under the impression that if it is copyrighted, you need to use this designation.

I was told the other day that you don't have to include the "©" after the word copyright.

Anyone know for sure?

http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194

(Copyright© 2009 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)

Are the a CLIENT or a CUSTOMER to you? By law, you need to know the difference!

It's a word, a definition of the word, and the liability of the word you use...be careful!

A Client is a person in a single relationship - meaning they are your principal.

While this word, "client" always "sounds" better than having a customer...It comes with many repercussions.

A Customer, on the other hand, is one that a transaction broker deals with.

What is the difference, you as a real estate agent needs to know.

A Principal is a party employing the services of a real estate broker as a single agent. Now you might ask the definition of a SINGLE AGENT: which is: A broker who represents, as a fiduciary, either the buyer or seller but not both in the same transaction.

Fiduciary is the operative word here. Fiduciary is defined as: A person in a position of trust and confidence with respect to another person.

A Customeron the other hand has a different relationship with their agent. A customer has a relationship with a TRANSACTION BROKER...as is defined: A Customer is defined as: A member of the public who is or may be a buyer or seller of real property and may or may not be represented by a real estate licensee in an authorized brokerage relationship.

These definitions are from: Florida Real Estate Brokers guide, 3rd Edition,. Linda Crawford and Edward J O'Donnell.

However, these definitions are certainly important for all to understand.

Single agency and a principal is not unknown to real estate. EACH STATE has their own rules on how they define their states own policies.

However, in Florida. It's important to know the difference. You either have a client with a fiduciary relationship or you have a customer as a transaction broker.

What are the RULES in YOUR STATE?

To those who would look up the definition of CUSTOMER according to Websters dictionary, a customer is: n. a person who buys, esp. one who buys regularly...doesn't really apply to the states definition for a real estate agents purposes.

A CLIENT, on the other hand is defined in Websters dictionary is, 1. a person or company for whom a lawyer, accountant, etc. is acting. 2. a customer.

Here in lies the problem.

A customer in real estate terms as above is a person working with a Transaction Broker. A client is working with as a Single agent.

While I know "CLIENT" SOUNDS SO MUCH BETTER THAN "CUSTOMER"... you really need to understand your relationship with the person(s) you are working with.

Do a deal and represent you customer as a client and if there are issues, a lawyer will be all over you.

How do these words affect you in your STATE? How you address the people you represent, did you ever think of the ramifications of using a word when you represent someone as a buyer or seller?

http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194

(Copyright© 2009 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)

This was my father's heaven on earth. Just below this group of chairs was his dock and his boat. He spent every hour of every weekend here in his paradise. This was most of the wonderful memories during his wake. My father bought this property after the flood (in PA) of 1972. I was a church camp when the flood occurred and he to his death does not realize that I almost dround in the ocean at our camp in Virginia.

When I got home that night, our basement was flooded and my mother woke me up at 2 am to help and sweep the water out...there was no where for it to go...

What a memorable experience. My father bought the cottage that we spent weekends at and the home that my Grandmother lived in next to them.

My sister knocked down that cottage and built a wonderful home. I'm happy for her...

What's in your car when you are showing property?

Well, I guess this subject depends on where you live and the climate.

If you live in a cold region...I'd have a thermus jug with some hot water and some hot chocolate!

However, here in south east Florida, the weather is hot in the summer. I always have a cooler with Gatorade, water, soda, snacks, and some treats for the little ones.

In my area, I am always aware that many people that desire to retire in Florida may have a variety of health issues, I guess it's my 25 years of working in the health field that makes me worry and to be prepared.

The most serious customers that one may encounter on a showing is a diabetic. Their sugar levels may fluctuate... after many hours of looking at property. I always have candy, a Pepsi/Coke or two - not diet (no sugar) in my cooler in my trunk.

I also keep some pretzels, some energy bars, some peanuts/dried fruits...Everyone is different and sometimes we are looking longer than we might expect.

What do you have in your trunk? AND, I know...a screw driver, a hammer, RE signs, riders with your own name, pool, etc.

So, do you feel you need to be aware of the situations that you might incur while showing multiple properties. Should you expect this? Should you as an agent be prepared? Do you know CPR and should you?

What do you all think? Public and agents here, this is important to me as an agent.

http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194

(Copyright© 2009 Karen L. Monsour, All Rights Reserved.)