Local Realtors heard a plea for positive thinking from their president on Friday as the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors elected, honored and encouraged at its annual meeting at the Jacksonville Marriott.
Dane Leslie, an executive with Watson Realty who is starting a second one-year term as president, told the 150 in attendance that “there are good things going on in our industry and we need to tell our story. We cannot let others tell it because they will dwell on the negative.”
He added that “it’s up to us.”
“The media will tell it their way. We see a good future. Inventory (of homes) is down and sales are up. Mortgage rates continue at record lows. The only reason that the median price is down is because the lower-priced homes are the first to sell,” he said.
North Florida’s market recovery is well under way, he added.
“What is happening elsewhere doesn’t mean much,” he said. “Just like it can be raining in Orange Park and the sun is shining at the Beaches. Real estate is local and business will be good in 2012.”
Leslie was thrust into a second term when his president-elect, Stephanie White of Magnolia Properties, resigned to join the Emerald Coast Board of Realtors in Fort Walton Beach.
White’s late resignation caused another election and Lucas was re-elected president at the meeting.
Carol Zingone of the Prudential Network Realty is now president-elect with Sally Suslak of Traditions Realty as secretary and Ben Parham of River Oak Realty as treasurer.
The major award went to Linda McMorrow, co-broker at The Legends of Real estate with her twin sister Selby Kaiser. She was named the Realtor of the Year and also inducted into NEFAR’s Circle of Honor.
McMorrow, a 30-year Realtor, was cited for her work on the association’s Professional Standards Board that handles disciplinary problems, and her leadership of the Mediation Task Force. She also has served on the Multiple Listing Service board, including a term as its president.
There were four winners of Humanitarian Awards:
• Judy Davis of Fred Miller Group for her work with the homeless.
• Mary L. Walker, ERA Davis and Linn, for serving on medical missions.
• Sandi Wagner, Watson Realty, for raising money for Juvenile Diabetes and other charities.
• Joanne Gaudette of Watson, a hospice volunteer.
Other award winners:
• Property Manager of the Year: Wanda Franklin, Heth Realty.
• Affiliate/Business Partner of the Year: Don Mullinax, Commission Express.
• Silent Angel: Gonzalo Mejia, Watson Realty. This award recognizes a person who works behind the scenes.
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