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HAPPY LABOR DAY
The PGCAR office will be closed next Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
We wish you a happy and safe holiday! |
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Prince George's County Association of REALTORS®
Annual Award Nominations — Last Chance!
Deadline for nominations is TODAY, Monday,
August 25, 5:00 p.m.
- Affiliate of the Year Award application (
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- Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year Award application ( )
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All Affiliate Members are eligible for consideration as Affiliate of the Year. All licensed sales agents or associate brokers, holding REALTOR® membership, are eligible for consideration as Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year. Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year candidates must not have held an active broker's license any time during 2008 and may not hold any percentage of ownership in the firm they represent. Managers, owners and salaried officers are not eligible to enter the DSA competition.
Please fill in details under each of the application items and submit your entry now for consideration. REMEMBER, individuals may nominate themselves. So if you think you qualify, why not nominate yourself !?
Please submit your entry and ONE (1) COLOR PHOTO (any size). The Awards Committee will make selections at their next meeting.
SPECIAL TOPICS IN FAIR HOUSING
Next Friday, Sept 5
This class discusses some of the hot button issues in today's marketplace: hate crimes, new construction and accessibility, disability, senior housing, and diversity. Learn the latest and earn 3 CE hours in Fair Housing, meeting the 1.5 license renewal requirement in Fair Housing and an additional 1.5 hrs of your elective hours requirement.
Register here! |
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*Artwork by Brandon Garcia -
Capitol Heights Elementary School
From the MAR "The Freedom to Choose in 2008" Calendar |
| WHO WILL BE MARYLAND'S RPAC IDOL? |
Find out at MAR's RPAC Shark Attack Party!
Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 7-10 pm
At Castaway's in Ocean City.
$20 per ticket
Price includes 2 drinks, appetizers, and one Idol vote.
Additional votes are $1 apiece.
Vote early and vote often for your favorite Idol !!!
Call Kimberly Amos of MAR for reservations at 800-638-6425.
The excitement starts in 2 short weeks!
Click here for a flyer to share! |
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| MAR CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW — Coming Soon! |  |  |
September 8-10 , 2008 in Ocean City, MD
Register for "One America" with Terry Watson, for Real Estate Commission Updates from Katherine Connelly (Executive Director, MD Real Estate Commission), or Negotiating in Challenging Times presented by Frank Serio.
See Tuesday's General Session at 8:30 AM with FEATURED KEYNOTE Shep Hyken and do not miss the opportunity to win $500 cash. Bring your business card for the drawing during the session. Also join the Exhibitors on Tuesday for a NEW "LIGHT" lunch in the Exhibit Hall! Brunch will be held in the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday - you will not go away hungry and even more importantly will be FULL of new ideas for your business.
Click Here for Details and Registration >>
| ENSURE YOUR EMAIL IS CORRECT - It's Quick, It's Easy |  |  |
- Click here and log in to Members Only.
Once logged in you'll see a Quick Link labeled Edit Your Membership Information on the right-hand side of page.
Click this link, make any updates necessary, then click the Update button.- You're Done. It's that easy. THANK YOU!
| FREE CONSUMER BROCHURES AVAILABLE AT REALTOR.ORG |  |  |
Education is Key
REALTORS® believe that financial education is an important defense against abusive lending practices. To help educate home buyers, and current homeowners who may be having problems keeping their home, NAR and its partners have issued a series of consumer education brochures. These brochures emphasize the importance of understanding the different types of available mortgages, explain how to avoid the pitfalls and entrapments of predatory loans, and suggest what homeowners should do if they are concerned about their mortgage or foreclosure. You may download these for free, or order them in quantity and already printed in color at reasonable prices, at REALTOR.org. Available brochures include:
- Learn How to Avoid Foreclosure and Keep Your Home
- How to Avoid Predatory Lending
- Specialty (Nontraditional) Mortgages
- Traditional Mortgages: Understanding Your Options
- Learn About FHA Mortgages
ATTENTION MD REAL ESTATE LICENSEES!
Continuing education requirements for real estate agents
who have been licensed for 10 or more years change as of October 2, 2008.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. |
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To renew a 2-year license, the schedule below shows the number of hours and course content required based on expiration date, length of licensure, and type of services provided.
If your license expires between 10/2/06 and 10/1/08, hours needed are:
Residential,
Less than 10 years |
15 hours which must include 3.0 legislative, 1.5 fair housing, 3.0 ethics |
| Residential, at least 10 years of MD licensure |
9.0 hours which must include 3.0 legislative, 1.5 fair housing, 3.0 ethics |
Commercial,
Less than 10 years |
15 hours which must include 3.0 legislative & 3.0 ethics |
| Commercial, at least 10 years of MD licensure |
9.0 hours which must include 3.0 legislative & 3.0 ethics |
If your license expires on or after 10/2/08, hours needed are:
| ALL Residential Licensees |
15 hours which must include 3.0 legislative, 1.5 fair housing, 3.0 ethics |
| ALL Commercial Licensees (for licensees performing exclusively commercial work, must perform NO residential business) |
15 hours which must include 3.0 legislative & 3.0 ethics |
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LEGISLATIVE NEWS REMINDER
Mike Graziano, Director of Government Affairs
Helpful charts and details of Housing And Economic Recovery Act of 2008, signed into law on July 30, will stay available in the PGCAR.com Legislative News section.
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act bill, H.R. 3221, includes sweeping FHA and GSE Reform, a Homebuyer Tax Credit, FHA Foreclosure Rescue, GSE Stabilization, National Affordable Housing Trust Fund, changes to home buyer downpayment assistance, and more.
The new first-time homebuyer tax credit is effective NOW!
The following links provide information and in-depth summary of H.R. 3221 and NAR comments on the downpayment assistance matter:
Summary of Key Provisions of HR 3221
First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Chart - effective now; ending July 1, 2009
First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Q & A - effective now; ending July 1, 2009
Clarification Concerning Downpayment Assistance Provisions - effective October 1, 2008
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| HOUSING & ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008 | | |
What it Means to Your Clients.
Good news has made its way into the real estate arena this summer -- in the form of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. What does this Act mean for you?
Full Story >>
| NAR FORECASTS WEAKING OF COMMERCIAL MARKETS... | | |
The still-softening economy should impact commercial real estate markets in the months ahead, according to the National Association of REALTORS® forward-looking index for the commercial real estate sectors. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said commercial real estate activity is projected to weaken over the next six to nine months. "The pace of decline has intensified due to job cuts and very sluggish economic activity since the beginning of the year, particularly in those industries requiring commercial building spaces," he said. "We anticipate the weakest commercial brokerage activity in nearly three years as a result."
| HOME BUYERS ACTING ON LOWER PRICES | | |
Homes sales are up in 13 States, National Association of REALTORS® data show.
Full story >>
| 2009 Dues Renewals are Now Online! |
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Renewed for 2009 yet? Use our fast and secure Online Dues Payment!
Paying online is easy, secure, supplies you with a receipt, and allows you to confirm your 2009 renewal in your Member's Only History records.
Renew as Easy as 1-2-3:
- Click here
Log in - Renew online and receive receipt !
2009 dues are payable no later than November 30th in order to prevent late charges. To pay in installments your first payment must have already been made. Remaining installment payments will be due as follows:
$546
(includes voluntary RPAC contribution of $35) |
$511
(does not include voluntary RPAC contribution of $35) |
August 15 - $205 (already paid)
Sept. 15 - $114
Oct. 15 - $114
Nov. 15 - $113 |
August 15 - $205 (already paid)
Sept. 15 - $102
Oct. 15 - $102
Nov. 15 - $102 |
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| VOTING OPENS NEXT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 | | |
2008 - 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION SLATE ANNOUNCED
The PGCAR Credentials Committee offers the following slate of Officers and Directors. Voting opens NEXT Monday, September 1 using our secure online service and will end at 12:00 Noon on September 24. Anyone wishing to have a paper ballot should contact the Association office promptly.
| OFFICERS |
| President |
Linda Simpson, Weichert, REALTORS® |
| President-Elect |
Michael Cerrito, Cerrito Realty |
| Secretary |
Willie Rhone, Weichert, REALTORS® |
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| DIRECTORS |
| Sonatta Camara |
Keller Williams Preferred Properties |
| Joanne Darling |
Darling Realty |
| Joshua Harrison |
GMAC Real Estate / Real Estate Service Center |
| Christopher Richardson |
RE/MAX Allegiance |
| Anthony Williams |
GMAC Real Estate / Real Estate Service Center |
EARN YOUR GRI
GRI 300 Starts Friday,
October 3 |
| Sign up for the entire, 30 CE Series here!
Need a few make-up classes?
Sign up for individual classes by clicking class titles below.
Earn Your GRI by taking GRI Series 100, 200 and 300 in any order! |
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| SALES TIP: HOW TO MAKE RELOCATING CLIENTS HAPPY | | |
It's especially important in this area where so many military families and corporate new hires move to, to know how to make that move easier.
Because of their unique needs, your services for relocating clients should be a little more extensive than they are for your usual buyer. Remember, it's often the little thoughtful things that will matter most. Read the full article for practical tips and an action plan to make a relocating client's life easier.
| CONTINUING EDUCATION | | |
Earn ALL of your required Continuing Education hours for Maryland and DC license renewals -- and your GRI -- here at PGCAR and in relevant topics meeting TODAY'S educational needs.
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Code of Ethics Case Study: #17-2:
Dispute Between REALTORS® In Different Boards
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REALTOR® A cooperated in the sale of a commercial property with REALTOR® B, the listing broker. REALTOR® A is a member of the XYZ Board of REALTORS®, and his office is located in the XYZ Board. Both the property and REALTOR® B's office are located within the jurisdiction of the ABC Board of REALTORS® where REALTOR® B is a member. A dispute arose between REALTORS® A and B over the division of the commission.
REALTOR® A filed a request for arbitration with the Professional Standards Committee of his Board. The President of the Board, when advised of the contractual dispute, subsequent to the Grievance Committee finding the matter arbitrable and of a mandatory nature, notified the President of REALTOR® B's Board and requested interboard arbitration in accordance with Article 17 of the Code of Ethics. The arbitration request was brought before the Grievance Committee of REALTOR® B's Board which also determined that the dispute was arbitrable and of a mandatory nature.
One week before being notified of his Grievance Committee's decision, REALTOR® B filed suit against REALTOR® A. The Board of Directors of the ABC Board notified REALTOR® B to appear and answer to a charge of violation of Article 17 when REALTOR® B did not withdraw the suit subsequent to being informed that both Grievance Committees had found the issue arbitrable and mandatory.
REALTOR® B described his contractual dispute to the Directors and stated that he knew REALTOR® A had requested arbitration because he had received a copy of the request. REALTOR® B maintained that he had filed suit because REALTOR® A was in another Board's jurisdiction and he did not think anything would come of the request since he, REALTOR® B, was not a member of XYZ Board.
Based on your understanding of the Code of Ethics Article 17, how do you think the Professional Standards Panel ruled?
Find out here >>
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SPOTLIGHT SPECIAL
BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR FREE!
That's right. Write an article that would be of interest to real estate consumers and submit it to Karey Major for a chance to be published in the Official Homes Section of The Prince George's County Association of REALTORS®, brought to you by The Gazette. This is a special pullout FULL COLOR supplement reaching over 127,000 homes and businesses in Prince George's County.
Article
Deadline |
Monday,
September 8 |
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Ad Copy
Deadline |
Tuesday,
September 9 |
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Publication
Date |
Thursday,
September 25 |
If you are interested in writing an article or placing an ad, please contact
Karey Major at 240-473-7588 or kmajor@gazette.net.
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| THE SENTRILOCK SYSTEM IS COMING NOV 10 | | |
The Prince George's County Association of REALTORS® will begin its conversion from SUPRA to SentriLock on November 10th.
Find tips for opening a SentriLock box on current listings in the PGCAR.com REALTOR® Resources section.
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