Legal Issues in Real Estate Leasing: Brokers Must Step Up

The Florida real estate industry has faced increasing legal scrutiny regarding how realtors draft lease agreements. Many brokers have encountered lawsuits, contract disputes, and regulatory violations due to improperly written leases. The issue isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about professionalism, accountability, and ensuring that clients are protected.

Common Legal Issues in Lease Drafting

Unauthorized Practice of Law – Florida law prohibits realtors from drafting legal documents beyond pre-approved lease agreements. Realtors who overstep these boundaries expose themselves and their brokers to legal liability.
Ambiguous or Incomplete Terms – Poorly written leases often fail to clearly define responsibilities for repairs, deposits, and lease durations, leading to tenant-landlord disputes.
Failure to Adhere to State and Local Laws – Lease agreements must comply with Florida’s landlord-tenant statutes. Realtors unaware of these laws risk drafting unenforceable contracts.
Misrepresentation and Fraud Risks – Some realtors inadvertently include misleading terms or fail to disclose critical details, resulting in lawsuits or complaints.

The Call for Greater Professionalism

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) emphasizes professionalism as a core value, specifically in Discipline #2: Be in the Top 10% of Your Profession Because Being Good is Not Good Enough. This discipline challenges realtors to go beyond the basics and master the legal and ethical aspects of their profession.

To meet this standard, brokers must:

Provide ongoing legal training to ensure realtors understand the boundaries of lease drafting.
Encourage the use of standard lease templates approved by the Florida Association of Realtors and legal professionals.
Promote collaboration with real estate attorneys for complex lease negotiations.
Hold realtors accountable for compliance to protect both clients and the brokerage firm.

How Mark Pinilla Can Help

Mark Pinilla is a top-producing property manager with Keyes Property Management and trainer with nearly 30 years of real estate and property management experience. He supports over 1,000 REALTORS® at The Keyes Company, providing expert guidance on lease agreements, landlord-tenant laws, and compliance best practices. Mark also offers a specialized course, Understanding the Florida Lease Agreement, helping agents enhance their leasing knowledge.

For expert guidance on lease compliance, contact Mark Pinilla today.

Call to Action: Raising the Bar in Real Estate

Real estate professionals must step up their game. Brokers should implement stricter training, compliance checks, and ethical standards to mitigate legal risks. The industry’s reputation—and clients’ trust—depends on a commitment to professionalism and continuous learning.

Are you ready to challenge your team to uphold higher standards? The future of Florida real estate depends on it.

#RealEstateLaw #FloridaRealtors #LeaseCompliance #NAHREP #ProfessionalismInRealEstate #BrokerEthics

Unstoppable Women: Breaking Barriers & Leading Boldly

Empowered women change the world. Discover the history, challenges, and triumphs of female leaders who shattered stereotypes.

A Call to Lead

The room fell silent as she stepped onto the stage. A sea of faces, expectant and uncertain, watched her intently. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and began to speak. The words that followed weren’t just statements—they were a call to arms, a rallying cry for women everywhere to embrace their power and lead without fear.

For centuries, women have fought to be seen, to be heard, and to lead. The stories of those who dared to defy expectations have shaped history, proving that leadership is not confined to one gender. Today, that legacy continues, urging every woman to step forward, claim her space, and change the world.

The History of Women in Leadership

Leadership is not new to women. History is filled with trailblazers who shattered barriers, rewriting what was possible. Picture Cleopatra, standing tall against Rome, maneuvering with intellect and strength. Imagine Queen Elizabeth I, refusing to be overshadowed in a world that sought to limit her influence.

Fast forward centuries, and we see Harriet Tubman, moving through the night, leading others to freedom with unbreakable resolve. Malala Yousafzai, just a girl, standing before a world that tried to silence her, insisting on the power of education. Their stories aren’t just pages in history books—they are blueprints of resilience, proof that women have always led, whether or not they were recognized for it.

Challenges Women Face in Leadership Today

Despite history’s lessons, women today still encounter resistance. Picture a woman in a boardroom, her ideas dismissed until a male colleague repeats them. Or a woman in politics, scrutinized more for her appearance than her policies. These stories are not anomalies—they are everyday realities.

1. Gender Bias & Stereotypes

Society still clings to outdated notions of leadership. A man is seen as assertive, a woman as aggressive. A man is a boss, a woman is “bossy.” These biases create invisible walls, making it harder for women to be taken seriously.

2. The Double Standard: Strength vs. Likability

Women leaders must navigate a delicate balance. Be strong, but not too strong. Be confident, but remain likable. It’s an exhausting tightrope walk, one that male counterparts rarely face.

3. The Pay Gap & Lack of Representation

Even today, women earn less than men for the same work. They occupy fewer leadership roles, their ambitions met with roadblocks that their male colleagues rarely encounter. Yet, despite this, they push forward, challenging norms and redefining leadership.

Breaking the Mold: Women Redefining Leadership Today

Some women refuse to wait for permission to lead. They forge ahead, carving out their own spaces and making leadership their own.

Oprah Winfrey – A young girl from poverty who built an empire through authenticity and purpose.
Michelle Obama – A trailblazing advocate for education, health, and women’s empowerment, proving that leadership extends beyond traditional roles.
Sonia Sotomayor – A trailblazing Supreme Court Justice whose perseverance and commitment to justice redefine what strong leadership looks like.
Indra Nooyi – A woman who climbed to the top of the corporate ladder, showing that leadership isn’t about fitting in—it’s about standing out.

These women didn’t just rise to the top. They redefined what leadership could be.

The Path Forward: Challenging Stereotypes & Taking Action

NAHREP and the Power of Leadership

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) is an organization committed to advancing sustainable Hispanic homeownership, economic empowerment, and leadership development. Their principles, known as the NAHREP 10 Disciplines, serve as a guide for success and community impact. Two of these disciplines, generosity and family engagement, are particularly relevant to women in leadership.

Discipline 9: Be Generous with People Who are Less Fortunate

True leadership is not just about personal success—it’s about lifting others along the way. Women in leadership have the power to create opportunities for those who have been left behind. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or philanthropy, great leaders understand that true success is measured by how many others they empower.

Discipline 10: Be Active in the Lives of Your Children

Women who lead in business and society also have the power to influence future generations. NAHREP encourages leaders to take an active role in their children’s lives, ensuring they grow up with strong values and ambition. By being present, mentoring, and setting an example, women leaders help create a world where gender equality in leadership is the norm, not the exception. Balancing leadership and family life is a challenge many women face, but the best leaders integrate their values into their personal lives. Teaching the next generation about resilience, ambition, and kindness ensures that the legacy of strong women continues. Women who lead by example show their children—and the world—that leadership is not about choosing between career and family, but about excelling in both.

How All Women Can Step into Leadership

Own Your Voice – Speak, even when your voice shakes.
Mentor & Support Other Women – A rising tide lifts all boats.
Challenge Gender Norms – Refuse to accept “that’s just how it is.”
Take Risks – Growth lies beyond comfort.
Lead with Empathy & Strength – Leadership isn’t about power; it’s about impact.

Your Time to Lead

The woman on the stage finished her speech. The silence in the room turned to thunderous applause. Not because she was perfect, not because she had all the answers, but because she had dared. Dared to stand up, dared to speak, dared to lead.

And now, it’s your turn.

The world needs you—not tomorrow, not someday, but now. Step forward. Challenge norms. Lead boldly. The future belongs to those who dare.

#WomenInLeadership #EmpoweredWomen #BreakingBarriers #LeadBoldly #WomenWhoLead #LeadershipMatters #NAHREP #WomenEmpowerment #InspiringWomen #FutureIsFemale

Dan Nziniga – Living the NAHREP Discipline #10

Dan Nziniga

Dreamworks – Inspiration Community Owner & Leader Dan Nzinga is being recognized for living Discipline #10.

Blood Isn’t Always Thicker Than Water: The Power of Chosen Family

They say that blood is thicker than water, but sometimes, there is no blood bond around. As a college student studying abroad, I found myself in a foreign country with no family by my side. My host family, though not related by blood, welcomed me with open arms. Almost instantly, I became a brother and an uncle, embraced as one of their own. Now, more than thirty years later, I am still called “uncle” and “brother,” a testament to the deep, unbreakable bonds we forged.

This experience embodies NAHREP’s 10 Disciplines, specifically Discipline #10: Be Active in the Lives of Your Family and Children (Learn more), because Familia is central to who we are. But family is not always defined by genetics—it’s defined by love, support, and shared experiences.

I see the same spirit reflected in Dan Nzinga and the community he has built. Through 21-day challenges, weekly Zoom calls, and constant mentorship, Dan has created his own family of coaches, trainers, and leaders who support one another in their personal and professional growth. He doesn’t just teach—he cares, guides, and inspires. His leadership has cultivated a self-made family that rallies around him and uplifts those who follow his path.

Every day, Dan delivers a dose of positivity and growth, reminding us that our true family isn’t always the one we’re born into—it’s the one we choose, the one that chooses us, and the one that pushes us to become better versions of ourselves.

Well done, Dan! Keep inspiring and leading your extended family to greatness.

Connect with Dan Nzinga: LinkedIn

#ChosenFamily #SupportSystem #NAHREP #DanNzinga #FamilyMatters #Mentorship #Inspiration

Ivan Hernandez – Living the NAHREP 10 Discipline #2

NAHREP West Broward Sponsorship Director was awarded the 2024 Empowered Award from Anywhere Real Estate Inc. Ivan Hernandez is a true testament to BE IN THE TOP 10% OF YOUR PROFESSION because being good is not good enough.

Beyond my role as a trainer, I am deeply committed to uplifting those around me—whether as a friend, speaker, motivator, or peer. I take pride in supporting individuals who are making a positive impact in our community.

As a NAHREP 10 Certified Trainer, my mission is to educate and inspire others on the 10 Disciplines that empower Hispanics to achieve Sustainable Generational Wealth.

In the few months that I have known Ivan, I have been consistently impressed by his resilience and professionalism. He embodies Discipline #2: Be in the Top 10% of Your Profession, and the recent award presented to him by his company is a testament to his excellence and the profound influence he has on those around him.

Well done, Ivan! Your dedication and hard work continue to inspire us all.

#NAHREP10 #GenerationalWealth #LatinoSuccess #WealthBuilding #PersonalGrowth #Top10Percent #ProfessionalExcellence #Leadership
#SuccessMindset #Motivation

Find out more about The NAHREP 10 Disciplines.

Get Off Your Butt: Take Action for Personal Growth

Personal Development: A Choice, Not an Accident

Denis Waitley once said, “Personal development is the belief that you are worth the effort, time, and energy needed to develop yourself.” Personal development is not just a concept; it’s a call to take action for personal growth. The key word here is belief—but belief without action is meaningless.

Too many people get stuck in the trap of waiting for the perfect moment. Newsflash: there is no perfect moment. Success doesn’t come to those who hesitate. It comes to those who decide, commit, and execute.

Why People Fail at Personal Development

Let’s be real. Most people fail at personal growth not because they lack intelligence or resources, but because they don’t take action. They get trapped in these mindsets:

“I don’t have time.” (Reality: You make time for what matters.)
“I’m not ready yet.” (Reality: No one ever is.)
“I don’t know where to start.” (Reality: Just start anywhere.)

Denis Waitley’s approach to personal growth was simple: self-discipline and self-belief lead to success. He studied high achievers and found that they all had one thing in common—they took action despite fear.

The Science of Personal Growth

Your brain is wired to resist change. It seeks comfort and predictability. However, pushing beyond your comfort zone is where growth happens.

According to neuroscience:

The prefrontal cortex (your decision-making center) weakens when you avoid challenges.
The amygdala (your fear center) triggers when you step out of your comfort zone.
The more you push yourself, the stronger your neural pathways for confidence and resilience become.

Bottom line? Growth happens when you force yourself to do hard things.

How to Take Action Today

You don’t need a five-year plan. You need to start now. Here’s a simple formula inspired by Waitley:

1. Rewire Your Mindset for Personal Growth

Stop saying “I can’t” and start saying “How can I?” Your brain listens to your words. Choose them wisely.

2. Commit to Small, Daily Wins

Don’t aim for massive change overnight. Aim for 1% improvement daily.

Read 10 pages of a personal growth book.
Wake up 30 minutes earlier.
Exercise for 15 minutes.

3. Eliminate Excuses

Ask yourself: Would my future self thank me for this decision? If the answer is no, then stop making excuses.

4. Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People

Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Choose wisely.

5. Take Action Before You Feel Ready

Confidence comes from doing, not from waiting. Just start—your future self will thank you.

Your Call to Action: Do It NOW

You’ve read this far. Now, it’s time to act. Take one step toward your growth right now.

What will you do today that your future self will thank you for?

🚀 No more waiting. No more excuses. Your time is now. Do it now!

Contact Mark Pinilla to get on track today!

#PersonalDevelopment #SelfGrowth #TakeAction #NoExcuses #MindsetMatters #SuccessHabits #DenisWaitley #GrowthMindset #SelfImprovement

Spanish – Essential Training on Service and Support Animals

This class will be given in Spanish.

Navigating the laws surrounding service and support animals can be complex for housing providers and real estate professionals. This essential training class provides clear guidance on how to handle reasonable accommodation requests while ensuring compliance with Fair Housing laws and HUD regulations.

Course Objectives:

Understanding Permissible Questions
- Learn the two legal questions you can ask when a tenant requests a reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal.
- Understand how to engage in a compliant, good-faith interactive process.
Determining Acceptable Documentation
- Identify what types of documents can be requested when a disability or need for an assistance animal is not apparent.
- Recognize what constitutes reliable documentation and how to assess its validity.
Who Can Provide Proof?
- Understand which professionals can provide trustworthy documentation, including licensed health care providers.
- Learn to differentiate between legitimate documentation and unreliable internet certifications.
Distinguishing Assistance Animals from Pets
- Clarify why service and support animals are not considered pets and cannot be subject to pet fees, breed restrictions, or deposits.
- Review legal obligations for housing providers to ensure compliance while addressing tenant concerns.

Train with Mark Pinilla at Your Brokerage

Mark Pinilla is a top-producing property manager and certified trainer with extensive experience in real estate compliance. He offers in-depth training sessions at your real estate brokerage, equipping professionals with the knowledge to handle service and support animal accommodation requests properly.

For customized training at your brokerage, contact Mark Pinilla today. This training is ideal for property managers, real estate agents, landlords, and housing professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of Fair Housing laws regarding assistance animals.

Call to Action: Enroll Today

Stay compliant and avoid legal pitfalls by gaining the knowledge needed to handle reasonable accommodation requests properly. Contact Mark Pinilla to ensure your policies align with federal guidelines.

For more details, review HUD’s guidance on assistance animals.

Download Hud’s guidelines.

You Can’t Control Everything, But You Can Control Your Response

Life has a way of humbling us. One moment, everything is going smoothly, and the next, you’re hit with an unexpected challenge—a job loss, a heartbreak, a health crisis. We scramble, trying to regain control, but here’s the truth: You don’t control the storm. You only control how you sail through it.

John C. Maxwell says, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Eric Thomas tells us that pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever. So, if we can’t dictate every outcome, how do we shift our energy toward winning despite the chaos?

1. Control Your Mindset

Your thoughts dictate your actions, and your actions shape your future. When you face obstacles, you have two choices: Let them defeat you or use them as fuel to push forward. Instead of saying, “Why me?” start asking, “What can I learn from this?” This mental shift transforms pain into power.

Exercise:

Every morning, practice gratitude. Write down three things you’re grateful for. This rewires your brain to focus on abundance instead of lack.

2. Adapt, Don’t Resist

Resistance leads to suffering. The more we fight what we can’t control, the more exhausted we become. Instead, embrace adaptability. Like water, flow around obstacles instead of smashing into them. Life doesn’t stop moving, and neither should you.

Action Step:

Identify one thing in your life you’ve been resisting and find a way to embrace it. Instead of fearing change, ask yourself, “How can this make me stronger?”

3. Channel Your Energy into What Matters

Worry drains energy. Fear paralyzes. Instead of obsessing over what you can’t change, shift your focus to things you can influence. Can’t control the economy? Master your financial discipline. Can’t control other people? Master your reactions. Your energy is a currency—spend it wisely.

Quick Hack:

List three things you can control today and take action on them. Small wins create unstoppable momentum.

4. Surround Yourself with Resilient People

Energy is contagious. If you surround yourself with complainers, you’ll become one. But if you align yourself with warriors—people who push forward despite adversity—you’ll rise with them.

Challenge:

Audit your circle. Who inspires you? Who drains you? Adjust accordingly. Choose to walk with winners.

5. Give More Than You Take

When life feels unfair, the best way to reclaim your power is by giving. Acts of kindness shift your focus from lack to abundance. Serve others, and you’ll find renewed purpose in your own struggles.

Mission:

Perform one selfless act today. Whether it’s a kind word, a donation, or a helping hand, put positive energy into the world.

Your Call to Action: Rise Up!

You weren’t made to break. Life is testing you not to destroy you, but to make you stronger. Refuse to be a victim. Choose to be a fighter. Embrace challenges, adapt, and thrive. Because at the end of the day, the ones who succeed aren’t the ones who control everything. They’re the ones who master themselves.

Are you ready to turn obstacles into opportunities? Start today. Share this with someone who needs to hear it.

#KeepPushing #MindsetMatters #TurnPainIntoPower #StrongerThanYesterday #YouGotThis #MarkPinilla

Understanding the Florida Lease Agreement and Service & Support Animals

**Private Event**The Keyes Company MBA Program**

Understanding the Florida Lease Agreement and effectively protecting the landlord, tenant, and Realtor’s interests. Learn what even some of the most experienced veteran real estate agents do not know and where most of the mistakes are made. Learn how to fill in the maintenance section, prorations, collect your full commission, deal with active-duty military, and more.

This class and visual presentation lecture covers the Florida Lease Agreement intertwined with realtor & property management experiences based on how the lease was written/filled in. The training will cover the lease agreement flow from acquiring a tenant to the closing/move-in and the responsibilities of the Realtors® to their customers.

The Lease Agreement process will include:
• How to write a lease that protects the landlord, the tenant, and the Realtor®.
• Understand the difference between practicing law and being a Realtor®.
• Understanding the importance of naming the parties involved in the lease.
• How to collect your full commission when prorating rent.
• Deposits and how to properly handle them.
• Understand the maintenance section and how it affects owners and tenants.
• How to handle active-duty military and their special exceptions to the leasing process.
• How to make sure the landlord does not pay for storage.
• Best practices for making sure all the sections are signed and initialed.
• Best practices when dealing with foreign landlords.

BONUS CONTENT:

• Service and Support Animals
• Understand the only questions you can ask a person requesting a reasonable accommodation.
• Understand the kind of documents that can be requested.
• Understand who can provide reasonable or trustworthy documentation as proof of the tenant’s need for a reasonable accommodation.
• Understand why a service or support animal is not a pet.

Understanding the Florida Lease Agreement and Service & Support Animals

BONUS CONTENT:

Spanish – Understanding the Florida Lease Agreement and Service & Support Animals

This class is presented in Spanish.

The Lease Agreement process will include:
• How to write a lease that protects the landlord, the tenant, and the Realtor®.
• Understand the difference between practicing law and being a Realtor®.
• Understanding the importance of naming the parties involved in the lease.
• Deposits and how to properly handle them.
• Understand the maintenance section and how it affects owners and tenants.
• How to handle active-duty military and their special exceptions to the leasing process.
• How to make sure the landlord does not pay for storage.
• Best practices for making sure all the sections are signed and initialed.
• Best practices when dealing with foreign landlords.

BONUS CONTENT: