| ALERT - Capitol Heights Imposes Sign License Fee |  |  |
The Town of Capitol Heights is beginning to enforce a business license fee law requiring real estate licensees to pay an annual $250 Real Estate Services - Sign Permit. The fine for violating the license requirement is $500.
PGCAR is seeking greater clarification on the ordinance. We will provide further details when we have them. In the meantime please be advised that you may be subject to the ordinance and license fee if you have listings within the town limits.
For information please contact the Town of Capitol Heights at (301) 336-0626.
| 2010 - 2011 Officer and Director
Elections - Voting is Now Open |  |  |
Voting is now Open, and will continue until midnight, September 21 using our secure online service.
| The 2010 / 2011 Candidates are as follows: |
| President: |
Joanne Darling, Darling Real Estate |
| President-Elect: |
Alease Bowles, RE/MAX Specialists |
| Secretary: |
Anthony Williams, Long and Foster Real Estate |
PGCAR Director Candidates are as follows
(4 to be elected): |
| Directors: |
Cheryl Abrams,, RE/MAX Specialists
Sonata Camara, Camara & Company - The Real Estate Group
George Mitchell, Real Estate Around America
Yolanda Muckle, Long and Foster Real Estate
Chris Richardson, RE/MAX Professionals
Willie Rhone, Weichert, REALTORS®
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Click here to Vote!
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED AT PGCAR
by 5 p.m. TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 8th.
2010 Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year
Nominations for selection of Prince George's County's 2010 Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year are due today.
Any licensed sales agent or associate broker holding REALTOR® membership is eligible for consideration. Candidates must have not held an active broker's license any time during 2010 and may not hold any percentage of ownership in the firm they represent. Also, managers, owners and salaried officers are not eligible to enter this competition.
Three standards are used in the selection process:
Local Board / Association Activity (50%)
Community / Civic Activity (30%)
Business, Education, Designations (20%)
Please fill in details under each of the three standards and submit your entry along with ONE (1) COLOR PHOTO (any size) now for consideration. REMEMBER, individuals may nominate themselves. To encourage participation you may submit your entry unsigned or anonymously, so if you think you qualify, why not nominate yourself!?
Distinguished Sales Associate Nomination  
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2010 Affiliate of the Year
Nominations are also being sought for the 2010 PGCAR Affiliate of the Year. Which one of our many distinguished affiliates will be named the 2010 Affiliate of the Year? Please nominate yourself or one of our many active Affiliate members. We appreciate you and your contributions to PGCAR!
Affiliate of the Year Nomination
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DEADLINE TOMORROW ~ APPLY NOW
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2011 Dues Renewals are Now Online!
Primary REALTORS®: Paying by Installment?
Second Installment is Due Thursday, September 30 |
Don't wait until the last minute to pay this year's dues.
Use our fast and secure Online Dues Payment!
Whether making one complete payment, or paying by installment, paying online is easy, secure, and supplies you with a receipt.
Renew as Easy as 1-2-3:
- Click here
- Log in
- Renew online and receive receipt !
The Board of Directors has voted to allow 2011 dues to be paid in installments. The 2011 dues in the amount of $503 have been invoiced and are payable no later than October 1th, 2010 in order to prevent late charges. Installment payments are due as follows:
| Installment 2: Due September 30 |
$125.75 |
| Installment 3: Due October 31 |
$125.75 |
| Installment 4: Due November 30 |
$125.75 |
Please note: If dues payments are not made online, they may not be reflected in your private, online History portal.
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6 CEU SFR Designation Class
This Thursday, September 9
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Maneuver the complexities of short sales, master the opportunities, learn how to evaluate options for distressed homeowners, and counsel buyer-clients in purchasing foreclosures.
- Earn your Short Sales and Foreclosures Resources (SFR) certification with just this core class,
3 FREE 1-hour webinars plus your application
- an ABR designation elective
- worth 6 elective MD CEU if you score at least 80% on the test at end of class
Only $75 for this full-day designation class.
Register today. Class is almost sold out!
Registration & Details >>
PDF Flyer >>
| Primary Elections Next Tuesday, September 14 |  |  |
Are you attending the MAR Conference in Ocean City during next Tuesday's Primary Election? If so, today is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot for the Maryland Primary. Another option is early voting. Early voting centers are open from
10:00 am to 8:00 pm today through
this Thursday, September 9.
Please refer to the listed links for complete election information, including specific details on early and absentee voting.
Maryland State Board of Elections:
http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/early_voting.html
Prince George's Locations - Early Voting Centers:
http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/early_voting_sites.html#princegeorges
How to obtain an absentee ballot:
http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/absentee.html
Download a voter registration form here:
http://elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/index.html
Voting, Forums & Other Important Election Dates:
https://pgcar.com/calendar.htm
| REALTORS® Running for Elective Office | | |
Please make every effort to exercise your right to vote in the Maryland Primary Election next Tuesday, September 14th and the General Election on November 2nd. Furthermore, you may be interested to learn that members of your association, PGCAR, have filed their candidacy for the listed elective offices:
- Jerry Anzulovic, Democratic Central Committee At Large District 21
- Beverly Ball, Democratic Central Committee District 47
- Mia Baytop Russell, Board of Education District 5
- Del. Aisha Braveboy, House of Delegates District 25
- Sonatta Camara, Democratic Central Committee District 25
- Sydney Harrison, County Council District 9
- Del. Marvin Holmes, House of Delegates District 23B
- Del. Jolene Ivey, House of Delegates District 47
- Toni Jarboe Duley, House of Delegates District 27A
- Casey Lewis, Democratic Central Committee District 23B
- Jerry Mathis, County Council District 8
- Carla McClinton, Register of Wills
- George Mitchell, Board of Education District 9
- Michael Oputa, House of Delegates District 24
- Trevor Otts, County Council District 8
(Please note: PGCAR does not endorse candidates)
| PGCAR Announces RPAC Support | | |
As an added benefit to our members, during election cycles, the Association puts together a Political Tracking Task Force to interview candidates for County Council and County Executive. The Association sends questionnaires to all registered candidates and the Task Force then interviews the candidates that took the time to respond to our written questionnaire. The questionnaires and interviews concentrate on real estate and property rights related issues as well as other issues that have an impact on real estate.
This year, the Task Force has interviewed many of the candidates for Prince George's County Council and Prince George's County Executive 2010. All of the candidates who were interviewed offer a wide range of personal and career experience. However, elective office is limited to one, so difficult choices had to be made.
With such strong candidates, there were many issues to consider during our discussions. However, after thorough debate and careful deliberation, the Task Force believes that the candidates listed below best share the REALTOR® vision. These candidates demonstrated that they understand the issues of concern to the real estate community, homebuyers, sellers and property owners in Prince George's County.
PGCAR does not endorse candidates; however, the Task Force has recommended RPAC support for the listed candidates:
- County Executive - Rushern Baker
- County Council D1 - NO Recommendation
- County Council D2 - Incumbent Will Campos
- County Council D3 - Incumbent Eric Olson
- County Council D4 - Incumbent Ingrid Turner
- County Council D5 - Incumbent Andrea Harrison
- County Council D6 - Candidate Leslie Johnson
- County Council D7 - Candidate Karen Toles
- County Council D8 - Unable to reach consensus
- County Council D9 - Candidate Sydney Harrison
PGCAR Political Tracking Task Force Members 2010:
Linda Simpson, Chair
Desiree Callender
Boyd Campbell
Joanne Darling
Gloria Farrar
Donald Frederick
Desmond Harley
Patricia Long
Susan Pruden
Bea Rodgers |
The Maryland and DC Primary Elections are next Tuesday, September 14 and one forum remains.
FREE and open to the public.
Laurel Board of Trade
Meet the Candidates Night
District 1 Laurel
This Thursday, September 9
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Quality Inn and Suites
2 North Second Street, Laurel , MD 20723
Information @ 301-483-0838
If real estate is your profession, politics is your business.
| Post Purchase Homeownership Series | | |
Beginning Tomorrow September 8, 7 - 9 pm
The United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP), Prince George's official community agency since 1978, is launching a 6-workshop program to help homeowners become more knowledgable about homeownership and reduce or eliminate the possibility of foreclosures. Workshop topics:
- hands-on home maintenance instruction
- green behaviors
- energy conservation
- budgeting
- good credit maintenance
- foreclosure prevention and other important subjects.
Registration fee is only $35. Space is limited. Interested homeowners should contact Nathaniel McDonald at (301) 322-5700 X107 or nmcdonald@ucappgc.org.
UCAP has a county-wide reputation and has empowered the lives of tens of thousands of residents with job readiness training, placements, skills upgrades and esteem empowerment. UCAP staff members say that "in order to positively sustain communities, dedication to recovery and reinvestment is vital."
More details about UCAP and the Homeownship Series >
UCAP website >.
NSP APPLICATION DEADLINE
THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010 |
All applications for borrowers with income at or below 50% of the
Area Median must be submitted by this Friday, September 10, 2010.
Funding will be awarded on a first come first completed basis and
MAY BE DEPLETED PRIOR TO THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2010 DEADLINE.
When funds are depleted, for applications received by the September 10, 2010 deadline, NSP will establish a waiting list, for funding allocation in the event that previously funded applications fail to close.
Because funds are awarded on a first come first completed basis, NSP does not guarantee funding for applications received by the September 10, 2010 deadline, or for applications placed on the waiting list.
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GUIDELINES FOR REMAINDER OF NSP APPLICATION PERIOD:
INCREASED LOAN LIMIT OF UP TO $60,000 FOR HOUSEHOLDS
AT OR BELOW 50% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME LEVELS ONLY
To increase housing affordability for applicants at or below 50% of the area median income levels, a NSP loan limit of up to $60,000 is available for down payment and closing costs assistance on foreclosure and short sale purchases in all 33 NSP eligible zip codes. The following new guidelines will apply until the September 10 , 2010 NSP Application deadline or until funds are depleted.
APPLICABLE ONLY TO HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOME AT OR BELOW LEVELS OUTLINED BELOW
2010 Income Levels
Effective 5/14/10
| Very Low Income |
| 50% |
| 1-Person Household | $36,250 |
| 2-Persons Household | $41,400 |
| 3-Persons Household | $46,600 |
| 4-Persons Household | $51,750 |
| 5-Persons Household | $55,900 |
| 6-Persons Household | $60,050 |
| 7-Persons Household | $64,200 |
| 8-Persons Household | $68,350 |
REQUIREMENTS
- Up to $60,000 per household (note that $60,000 is not automatic). The amount approved is what will be needed to achieve requirements for back end ratio, and minimum LTV for 1st Trust.
- Maximum back end ratio 45% - no exceptions, no compensating factors
- Minimum LTV for the 1st Trust loan is 65%.
- Maximum of 2 points, including loan origination
- Additional points up to a total of 4, including loan origination, approved only if buy down of rate is documented.
- Minimum applicant contribution of $1,000
- 15 year primary residency requirement
- 15 year loan term
- 0% interest, deferred payment
REPAYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Length of Time Purchaser Retains Home
as Primary Residence | Balance Due
(As % of Total DPCCA Loan Received) |
| Less than 5 years | 100% |
| At Least 5 years but less than 15 years | 70% |
| 15 or more years | 50% |
If you have any questions, please contact Rosalyn B. Clemens, NSP Program Manager at 301-883-3288 or Yetta Stokes, NSP Senior Loan Processor at 301-883-7409 or HStokes@co.pg.md.us.
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NSP FORMS AND DETAILS AVAILABLE
IN PGCAR.COM MEMBER'S ONLY >>
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| New Rules Regarding Teams and Groups - Effective October 1 | | |
A new law will take effect on October 1, 2010, which is quite expansive and creates duties and obligations with respect to the operation of teams or groups within a real estate brokerage company.
New, specific requirements of disclosure and document retention should be taken in advance of the October 1 effective date. These new requirements affect all team members and leaders, brokers and managers.
Please login for a detailed article by Al Monshower >
| Send Us Your Customer Success Stories | | |
As you know, the core values of homeownership have come under fire recently from critics that would eliminate or reduce programs and incentives that make owning a home more affordable and accessible to more Americans. To counter these attacks and reinforce the benefits of homeownership for individuals, communities, and the nation's economy, NAR is conducting a comprehensive Value of Homeownership campaign, and we need your help.
NAR is gathering real-life stories from homeowners across the country to put a human face on the true values of owning a home. Do you have customers who benefit from the Mortgage Interest Deduction, and would like to speak on behalf of continued support of the Mortgage Interest Deduction? Click here for a variety of individual and family profiles being sought for interview. NAR is also seeking recent home buyer to discuss their personal experience and the value they see in owning a home. Here are potential profiles for that.
Please send the following information by Friday, September 24 to awarenesscampaign@realtors.org:
- Homeowner name(s)
- Phone and email
- Brief description of what profile they fit and why they might make a good human-interest story
Members of the NAR Media Team will follow-up and determine which homeowners might work for feature stories in local and national news outlets, with the objective of placing positive articles about the benefits of homeownership and how reducing government support of various programs would affect these people.
Thanks in advance for your help and support - working together, we must ensure that anyone who is able and willing to assume the responsibilities of owning a home has the opportunity to pursue that dream.
| REALTORS® Dental Insurance: Smile Today, Sell Tomorrow | | |
National Association of REALTORS® and REALTORS® Benefits® Program is pleased to introduce REALTORS® Dental Insurance (RDI), an affordable and valuable benefit for NAR members nationwide. RDI offers dental plans designed exclusively for NAR members and their families. Unique benefits include: orthodontia, professional whitening, dental rewards, and more.
| Market Sen$e: August Pending Sales Improve, Interest Rates Fall | | |
Mortgage rates continue to fall, setting another round of record-breaking rates for the week ending September 2. According to Freddie Mac:
- The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.32 percent, down from 4.36 percent a week ago.
- The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.83 percent, down from 3.86 percent.
- The five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid ARM averaged 3.54 percent, down from 3.56 percent.
- The one-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 3.50 percent, down from 3.52 percent.
2010 Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey >>
July local market statistics are now online at pgcar.com REALTOR® Resources >>. Increases were seen from July to August in Condo/Cooperative settlements and Single Family contracts. Condo/Cooperative contracts held steady from July to August. 2010 year-to-date County home (single-family and condo/co-op) contracts and settlements still show significant improvement from 2009 levels. 32% of 2010 single family home sales to date are in the $200,000 to $299,000 range.
NAR also reports an increase for Pending Home Sales in Northeast and national levels. Realtor.org article >>
| See You in Ocean City Next Week! |
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- Sunday, September 12 Golf Tournament Details >
- Trade Show and 15 hours of CE in 2½ days - Starts Monday!
- Nationally known presenters – Terry Watson, Gee Dunsten, Amy Cherow
- Technology courses every day
- Expanded Commercial offerings
- Full-day NAR GREEN Commercial & Residential Elective Courses ($70 fee applies)
Full Details > |
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It's Back to School !
SUPPLIES FOR COUNTY CHILDREN
Give a little. Help a lot! Invest in a child's future by helping the PGCAR Community Service Committee collect school supplies for Prince George's County students. If you are able to supply some of the items, you can bring them to the Association office. Some of the most needed items are:
Washable Marker Sets
Composition Books
Zip Pouch Pencil Case |
Crayons
Pencils
Pencil-Top Erasers |
Tissues
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Soap |
We also have one school with students in need of uniform shirts. The shirts are the three button polo-style in black and/or white ranging in sizes from 6-20. The shirts can be purchased online at www.frenchtoast.com or at Kids for Less.
Kids for Less has two locations in Maryland:
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| Habitat for Humanity Completing Home in Capitol Heights | | |
Help Prince George's County Habitat for Humanity complete their current home build in Capitol Heights.
Please click here to contribute online - OR - you may mail a check payable to Habitat for Humanity to:
PGCAR
8400 Corporate Drive, Suite 225
Landover MD 20785
Thank you for your generosity!
| REQUIRED TOPICS CEU AND MORE! | | |
Earn ALL of your required Continuing Education hours for Maryland and DC license renewals -- and the SFR and GRI designations -- here at PGCAR.
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Code of Ethics Case Study: Case #10-5: Use of
"Choose Your Neighbor" Form Letters as Part of a Marketing Campaign
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The ABC Board of REALTORS® received a complaint from a local fair housing group alleging that REALTOR® A was using discriminatory marketing techniques, in violation of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics, as the listing broker for a property in a new subdivision.
In support of their complaint, the fair housing group provided copies of "Choose Your Neighbor" form letters sent by REALTOR® A to current neighborhood residents. The letters announced that the property was on the market and invited neighborhood residents to contact REALTOR® A if they knew of anyone who they thought might be interested in purchasing the home.
At the hearing, REALTOR® A defended his use of "Choose Your Neighbor" form letters by demonstrating that they were just one element of his marketing campaign, and were not an attempt to restrict access to the property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or country of national origin as prohibited by Article 10. REALTOR® A produced copies of advertisements run in several newspapers, "OPEN HOUSE" flyers distributed at supermarkets throughout the town, and a copy of the property data sheet submitted to the Board's MLS. REALTOR® A remarked, " In my experience, the current residents of a neighborhood often have friends or relatives who have said that they would love to live in the neighborhood. It just makes sense to me to include contacting these folks in any marketing campaign!"
Based on your understanding of the Code of Ethics Article 10, how do you think the Professional Standards Panel ruled?
Find out here >>
You Be the Judge
Compare this week's scenario and verdict with details of the REALTOR®'s advertising campaign in Case #10-4 from the last issue of REALTOR® Connection. What are the differences in advertising details and intent which leads to different verdicts in these two cases?
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Join REALTORS® from across the nation and the world in New Orleans this November, and learn about changing issues affecting the industry, share ideas with colleagues outside your local marketplace, and see the incredible innovations that are shaping the future of real estate.
For best lodging rates, reserve your hotel room when you register for the Conference & Expo.
Click here for hotels, rates, and a map!
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