The Prince George's County Association of REALTORS^® is proud to announce that, one of our own, Boyd Campbell, will be installed as 2018 President of the Maryland REALTORS^® during the Annual REALTOR^® Conference in Ocean City, Maryland (September 11 to 13).

At a gala event on Tuesday, September 12, Boyd will take the oath of office and afterward, represent 23,000 REALTORS^® in the state of Maryland. Boyd, who is currently an Associate Broker with Century 21 - New Millennium in Bowie, served as President of PGCAR in 2002. He is an accomplished broker with strong volunteer ties to PGCAR, Maryland REALTORS^®, NAR, and Bright MLS.

PGCAR encourages all Prince George's REALTORS^® to participate in this year's conference to support your industry and Boyd Campbell as MAR President.

You may register for the Conference and Tuesday evening's Installation Ceremony at mdrealtor.org >

Conference Website > Conference Schedule > Registration Flyer > Video >

Read the article on Boyd Campbell in the August / September 2017 issue of Maryland REALTOR^® >

The Prince George's County Association of REALTORS^® began demolition on their new office space at Metro East, 8300 Corporate Drive, Landover, Maryland, at the heart of the New Carrollton Metro Center. The site will serve as their permanent headquarters.

Representatives of PGCAR were on hand the morning of Tuesday, August 8 to commemorate the demolition; along with Council Member Andrea Harrison and her Chief of Staff, Rodney Streeter representing the 5^th Councilmanic District of the County where the headquarters is located; and representatives of Corenic Construction who will be performing the renovation work.

Today the Association is one step closer towards opening the doors to their permanent headquarters. Overjoyed with excitement, "This is an exciting time and I can't wait to get started," said Association President Patricia Dowtin.

Over the next few months, the headquarters location will be remodeled to suit the needs of Association members and staff.

In light of recent phone calls to PGCAR regarding the return of security deposits, we wish to remind and encourage REALTORS^® transacting business in Prince George's County, to study and be completely understanding of Maryland Law relative to the handling of escrow monies. We are happy to share this memo from the Maryland Real Estate Commission that very clearly illustrates how to operate within the law. Also included is a link to the state statute itself.

Maryland law that regulates real estate brokers, associate brokers, and salespersons requires that trust money be deposited in the broker's trust account promptly after both parties accept the contract of sale. Although most contracts contain a provision governing the disposition of the deposit money if the property does not go to settlement, disputes often arise as to the underlying facts as well as the specific reasons for the cancellation. For this reason, brokers are often unwilling to release the funds on the request of a party claiming the right to them.

by Dwayne Mingo, PGCAR Director of Governmental Affairs Is your new listing located within a Special Tax District?

As REALTORS^® it is essential to educate yourself on available resources to better assist you and your clients. Also, as REALTORS^®, you have a fiduciary responsibility and obligation to disclose information to the buyer or seller.

How are you obtaining information to disclose if a property is located in a Special Taxing District or if there is a Tree Conservation Plan?

Condominium projects and homeowners associations are struggling in Prince George's County because of foreclosures, low returns on assessments, inadequate reserves and, in some cases, simply the apathy of board members and residents. This situation often results in the inability for these projects to receive and maintain HUD financing approval. PGCAR has created a resource guide to assist COC's in qualifying and maintaining their FHA and VA loan approvals.

The FHA & VA Condominium and Homeowners Association Approval Pamphlet walks COC officers and management companies through the complicated process of obtaining HUD approvals and includes valuable contact resources.

Gift certificates can be redeemed as a payment towards a cruise vacation!

Purchase your raffle tickets at the PGCAR Office during July and August.


The drawing will be at the Maryland REALTORS^® Annual Conference in Ocean City at 12:30 pm on September 13. Winners need not to be present to awarded the prize! Click here for Gift Certificate details.

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Barbara Ford, our Accounting Manager. Barbara has provided us with 24+ years of devoted service. Her departure marks the end of an era for PGCAR. We don't know how we will get along without her!

Barbara's positive attitude and abundance of energy have helped make our office a pleasant place to work. Her willingness to put in extra time and effort to help us meet deadlines has demonstrated a commitment to excellence that we have come to depend upon. PGCAR owes her a debt of gratitude for keeping us in order and on budget over these many years. Her REALTOR^® family will remember Barbara as a hardworking, committed, and friendly person. She will be deeply missed but we can only feel happy for her after these many years of service.

Barbara's last day of work was Friday, July 7th.

Ms. Katherine Connelly, Executive Director of the Maryland Real Estate Commission, informed members of recent happenings at the Commission; do not give one day lockbox codes to unauthorized users, especially "home buyer clients". The Commission is transitioning to electronic license renewal. As such, set your email to accept emails from the Commission (which uses the maryland.gov email extension), and be careful not to send confidential information like Social Security numbers via email.

Jonathan Hill, VP Marketing & Communications at MRIS, educated members on the NEW MRIS/Bright MLS and some of the changes that are coming, especially the reduction in the quarterly fee.

Bill Castelli, VP Governmental Affairs of the Maryland REALTORS^®, reported on recent legislative changes affecting real estate in Maryland.

PGCAR's President, Patricia Dowtin, offered a detailed report on PGCAR's new "home" at 8300 Corporate Drive.

Overall everyone enjoyed the program and the opportunity to network with colleagues and friends. A number of affiliate members were on hand to offer services to members; lenders, title companies, home staging companies, Homeowners and E&O Insurance carriers, and more.

Pathway to Purchase is still available, offering first-time home buyers in Prince George's County up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. The maximum eligible home sales price is $307,000. Homebuyers may have an annual household income up to 80% of the area median, adjusted for family size. Single household buyers can have between $38,811 and $61,800 annual income. A household of five can have between $59,823 and $95,350 to qualify.

Share information on this great program while funding is still available >

For information on program income limits, buyer contribution, area median income, debt requirements, and other application details:

• Read the Pathway to Purchase Program Guidelines >
• Communicate with an Approved Mortgage Lender >
• See the Pathway to Purchase website >
• Call the Redevelopment Authority at 301.883.5300

Early bird pricing for ALL CEU classes!
$11 for 1.5 CEU
$18 for 3 CEU

Register for YOUR choice of Maryland and DC CEU >

Effective immediately, as a result of staffing changes and to more efficiently process SentriLock keys, the REALTOR^® Resource Center, our room with a computer and printer for members to use, is closed until further notice. The Center will reopen in the near future.