Hi, I’m not sure what happened to our fall weather we should still be experiencing. We’ve had record high temps this month. Come on already, us gals are ready to wear our boots and it’s hitting 89 degrees this week. Oh well, I’ll just have to break them out on my upcoming trip to Paris and Germany! Sorry, I just had to throw that out there. I generally write about what’s on my mind and of course that’s topping the list. I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures and videos from our Viking River Boat Cruise down the Rhine.

Today has been an exciting day spent with fellow GACAR (Gainesville Alachua Board of Realtors) on our annual Leadership Retreat. This year we’re in Orlando at Americas Escape Game where my team actually did escape with only one minute to spare! I’m so proud of us! I have to give a shout out to my teammates in “Crisis at 1600”: Gina Barzo, Susan McQuinlan, Kenyada Higgins, Danny Maldonado, Brent Riley, and Heather Swanson. Thanks for saving the world!! Only 16% of teams have ever actually escaped. It was a blast and amazingly revealing of the variety of skills, patience, teamwork and leadership that we have in our GACAR Leadership. What a fun way to bond with our 2016 group. I’ve always felt being involved in our association is top in your recipe for success. The bonding, sharing, learning and leading helps us all to grow. As my assistant Laura always says, team work makes the dream work! I shared some pictures and video below.

We are fast approaching the holiday months and it tends to slow down through Christmas. If you have a property for rent during this time I’d seriously consider all decent offers from qualified tenants as a few months of vacancy will void what you wanted to gain by holding out for more rent.

There is also lots of talk and predictions of interest rates increasing in December. So if your looking to buy or refinance you may want to get moving. Due to new laws it’s taking an average of 45 to 60 days to close and often banks don’t want to lock in rates for more than 30 days so keep this in mind.

Lastly I’d like to say thanks to Mathew Kleckner and Sam Malone of UF Investment Club for inviting me to talk with their group about property investments. It’s nice to see that generation being so interested and knowledgeable in investing for their future!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday full of great food and memories with family and friends.

To see pictures and video from the Retreat in Orlando, click here.