William Watson Jr. named Vice Chairman

William Watson Jr. has been named Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leading Real Estate companies of the World®. Mr. Watson has served with Leading RE’s Board of Directors for several years, and will be serving with Leading RE’s new Chairman, Harold Crye, CEO of Memphis-based Crye-Leike, Inc.

Leading RE is our global real estate network comprised of 700 of the best-known local and regional real estate firms in the U.S. and 38 countries producing over $400 billion in annual home sales.

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Watson Realty Corp. meets with International Broker

More Watson Realty relocation awards

The great jar opener giveaway

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Who do you know that is interested in doing something related to real estate?

Give us the name and you may win a 50" Flat Screened TV. Each time you refer someone to us who wants to do something with real estate, you will be entered in a drawing to be held on June. No purchase is necessary of course. (In case a disclaimer is needed here)

The contest being held by Central Florida Watson Realty is titled WhooDo? It should be a great way for agents to get back in touch with past customers and for them to pick up another piece of business or two.

WhooDo you know?

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Real estate sale's fatigue? Get on the Energy Bus!

Our speaker for this quarter's general sales meeting was Jon Gordon author of "The Energy Bus".

Jon's presentation was a glimpse into the theme of his book. Keeping your energy high and your attitude positive is a must especially for those of us who make a living selling real estate. Jon cautions in his talk to avoid "energy vampires", those who by their negative nature drain us of our personal energy.

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Short sales may be an option to some homeowners

Floyd Wickman short sale workshop

No Fear - How top producing Realtors succeed

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Interviewing real estate agents

When a home owner interviews an agent they are considering using to sell their home, the home owner should be concerned with the professionalism of the agent and if the agent has a marketing plan that has proven results.

Interviewing an agent in today's market often means something totally different. This new interview process consists of finding out if the agent will list the home at the price the home owner desires regardless of what the comparable sales and the specific market area suggests the home will sell for.

Proudly we are not interviewing well on these calls.


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Does your agent have enough money to advertise your home?

What kind of home can you buy for 10 million?

What will 10 million or more buy you in the Central Florida housing market? This site provides a list of homes for sale in Central Florida priced at 10 million and above.

Bill introduced to help with foreclosure and low-income housing

Representative Waters of California introduced the Neighborhood Stabilization Act. This bill would create a $15 billion loan and grant program designed to assist in the purchasing and rehabilitating of vacated and foreclosed homes for low income rentals and owner occupants.

Additional information can be found here.


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New law may save your house

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Disabled veterans and service members can obtain housing construction grants


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Osceola Florida real estate market

Telling numbers for those looking to sell their Osceola home or property.

New listings

January 893
February 878
March 910

Sold listings

January 117
February 163
March 187

Consider the price carefully before entering the market. Consult with a professional real estate agent prior to listing your home.


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Home sales report - Osceola - Kissimmee Florida


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Deland home for sale with separate in-law suite.

Located on over 1 acre in Deland, this home provides a separate in law suite. This brick ranch style home offers a lot of space for the money.


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6 bedroom house for sale in Florida


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Beautiful pool home for sale in Mount Dora.

Beautiful pool home for sale in Mount Dora. The home is located in the Country Club of Mount Dora. this golf community home offers over 2100 square feet of living space.

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Handyman special home for sale in Kissimmee

4 bedroom bank owned handyman special home for sale in Kissimmee.

$119,900. Call for details.

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Duplex for sale in Orlando

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Did we miss your call?

Hopefully you will be receiving a call back if you placed a call to one of our agents and we missed it.

Cell phones are a great tool for the real estate agent. We can be anywhere and still be reachable by phone.

This works great in theory but unfortunately to many sales people fail to answer their phones. Perhaps they are with a customer, or in a meeting or closing or it could be because the call came in during the agent's down time.

Agents will often put faith in the belief that if the call is important, the caller will leave a message. Forgetting the time, energy and money they or their company has devoted to making the phone ring, they put the obligation back on the caller. This is a mistake.

Realistically it is not possible to answer the phone each and every time it rings. When an agent misses a call, what should they do? Call the number back. This is extremely important when no message is left. This may seem like a simple step but good customer service is often in the simple things.

Your calls are important to us. We want to help you buy or sell a home. Give us a call. While you are welcome to leave a message should we not answer, hopefully we will call you back regardless.


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Free report on why your home did not sell.


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Need a home with a master bedroom? How about 3?

This Clermont home for sale boasts of 3 master bedrooms. Over 3900 square feet of living space! Let us show you this or similar homes for sale in Central Florida!

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Besides bedrooms, baths and kitchens, what other rooms would you like in your home?

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

The bank does not own the home.

It frustrates me to see some of the offers coming in on homes that are subject to a short sale contingency.

Today an agent, not within our office, attached their own addendum to an offer that stated the offer was subject to the bank signing the offer and the bank agreeing to pay the buyer's closing costs.

The bank does not own the home.


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Foreclosures for sale: Million dollar houses

Lender says no to deed in lieu

Real estate agents would be wise to pick short sales over long sales.


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Purchase a home in Florida perfect for water skiing

Water skiing enthusiasts have a large selection of homes in Florida that are perfect for water skiing. These waterfront homes range in price, location and style.

We can email you a list of waterfront homes for sale that allow water skiing.

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Another reason to buy a home on the water?


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Real estate agent flying high

Cliff Clover is a top producing agent with Watson Realty in Kissimmee.

Cliff not only sells more real estate than most agents, he flies helicopters as well! The two may go hand in hand as he is able to get awesome photos of his listings and we all know quality photos help sell real estate.

Here is a video of Cliff flying a helicopter on a short flight.




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Crazy not to buy real estate today?

Watson Realty has the lion's share of the market.

You do not need a real estate agent


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Imagine an entire real estate office blogging

Several agents in the Watson Realty Kissimmee office attended an Internet marketing meeting this past week. The main topic centered around blogging.

Since then I have seen agents setting up or attempting to set up their very first real estate blog. We have some work to do as most are using the resources provided by blogger.com. I see blogs being created without contact information or the Company name. I'm sure there will be overlapping of information in the early stages as each agent develops their own style and identity.

I believe the end result will be a positive one for anyone looking for the very best real estate information for Osceola, Central Florida and Kissimmee. Imagine the number 1 real estate office providing online customers with the very best, current content and informative blogs dealing with buying, selling or renting a home?


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- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Watson Realty wins relocation customer service award

Watson Realty received the RELO Direct Outstanding Customer Service Award this morning at the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World conference. This relocation award was presented to only ONE company in the entire Network!

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Kissimmee agents enter the blog world

Today we discussed the advantages of having a blog.

The following agents have started their first blog .

Their experience and knowledge of the real estate business in Kissimmee and all of Central Florida is second to none. I am confident that their blog posts will be educational and enjoyable.

Making your real estate dreams come true!

Buying and selling real estate in this market

want kissimmee orlando information?


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Orlando’s first time homebuyers are there, are you?


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Watson Realty wins award

Watson Realty received 1st place for RQC (RELO Quality Certification) Marketing as part of the advertising contest at the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Conference held in Boca Raton. Florida this week.


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Puerto Rico has high home ownership rate

Residents of Puerto Rico had a higher home ownership rate, had more people per household and were less likely to move than U.S. stateside residents, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data from the 2006 Puerto Rico Community Survey.

Puerto Rico’s home ownership rate of 74.1 percent was lower than only two states —Minnesota (76.3 percent) and Michigan (75.2 percent).

You can read the full report here.

Home for sale - Celebration Florida

One of Celebrations distinctive homes nestled in the estate section of town. Enjoy the lifestyle of the community. Magnificent in every sense of the word. Spectacular views from the owner's retreat.

This stately home features upgrades galore. Upon entering, the formal living & dining areas are on either side. Continue forward to the library w/French door entry to the pool area. The gourmet kitchen with deluxe hard surface counters, island sink & counter for casual dining & separate dinette. Spacious family room w/enhanced shelving, gas fireplace & beautiful view. Master is downstairs w/gas fireplace, California closets, bathroom w/whirlpool tub & decorative tile. 2nd floor w/four spacious bedrooms & plenty of closets. 3rd floor is a bonus room w/a multitude of uses.

The Belvedere has breath taking views of the Robert Trent Jones design golf course, the Celebration panorama & fireworks display from Walt Disney World. The pool area is magnificently landscaped w/palms & foliage, exhibits a waterfall into the spa that spills into the pool, all protected w/a designer iron children's safety fence. The two, two-car garages each boast finished areas above, one w/apartment/guest suite; the other has one large room that has many uses.

Watson Realty nominated for referral award

Watson Realty Corp. is proud to announce it has been named a nominee for the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ DIAMOND AWARD. Only 15 real estate firms out of 700 worldwide real estate firms received this honor. The Diamond Award is presented annually to the one member company that has most actively participated in all of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™’s business offerings and met strict service criteria.

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

2.5 million dollars in price reductions

That is the goal for our office in the month of April. 2.5 million dollars in total volume.

It is time to be aggressive with pricing if there is going to be any chance of a home selling in these current conditions. Keeping this goal in the minds of the agents and sellers throughout April should help.

2.5 million is a hefty goal for us to achieve. In February we totaled 1.4 million and in March 1.7 million dollars volume of price reductions.

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Real estate school in Kissimmee starting August 13th

$99.00 Real Estate Class
Starting August 13
Register now
Information Call 407-304-0255

What is a plat?

The City of Orlando is taking the time to help explain and educate citizens on terms and processing as related to real estate. The following presentation can be found on the Orlando website.


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University of Florida offers a Master of Laws in Environmental and Land Use Law


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Home for sale in Kissimmee Florida

This David Weekly built home has been well maintained with lots of extra. A kitchen that just welcomes the Chef in the family with plenty of counter and storage space. Or catch all the excitement of the big game in your family room that can accomodate just about everyone! Before retiring to the quiet master bedroom enjoy a few laps in your West facing solar heated salt water lap pool that's 48' long. Wind down in the spa before taking it inside for the evening. All in the privacy of your fenced backyard. Add in a spacious split floor plan, new carpeting, new paint and you have the perfect vacation home or primary residence. A truly beautiful home inside and out so please come take a look. $279,900.

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

MFRMLS vs Realtor.com?

Search for homes

Mid Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service has announced plans to develop a new site that in their words will be “similar to Realtor.com”.

The new site is being presented as a “tremendous asset” to agents who may enjoy the benefits of their listings being found by searching buyers.

The “similar to Realtor.com” makes me wonder just how similar? Will this “tremendous asset” site cost the membership to advertise or to have their listings placed in a position where they might be found? If there are to be advertisements and pay for features opportunities, will the membership see any additional assets? Maybe a piece of the income produced?

One thing we do know, the membership is being given an opportunity to suggest names for the site. If they use a name suggested, the agent who suggested the name will receive a $100. gift card.

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Does the home seller agree?

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

The condition of the rental property is important.

Watson Property Management requires rental properties to meet a certain standards prior to placing them on the market. These standards include:

Carpets professionally cleaned and in good condition with no pet or smoke odors.

Full lawn clean up including trimming bushes back from home and below windows, flower beds weeded and mulched is preferred, removal of any debris.

All windows and sliding glass doors should operate and lock properly.

All appliances should be thoroughly cleaned and in proper working condition.

All plumbing, drainage, and plumbing fixtures must be in proper working condition.

All electrical outlets and switches must be working and have cover plates.

Roof should be sound with no leaks, and gutters cleaned.

Are you looking for a nice home to rent? We may have what you are looking for.

Becoming a broker is not a walk in the park for some

March statistics show that sales persons taking the state broker exam only have a 44% pass success rate when taking the test for the first time.

Of course those who are unable to pass the broker exam the first time are given the opportunity to take the exam again. The funny thing is, for those who are repeat takers of the exam, the passing success rate falls to only 37%.

Maybe the lack of closings the past 2 years has resulted in sales people becoming unfamiliar with HUD statements. Being able to complete a HUD statement use to be part of the broker state exam. No practice makes for imperfect.

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255