We hope you're enjoying a
happy and safe Labor Day weekend!
PGCAR is closed today, September 5,
in observance of the Labor Day holiday. |
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Annual Award Nominations
are Due Tomorrow, September 6
Could you, or someone else in your office,
be this year's Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year?
Which of our many deserving Affiliates will be this year's Affiliate of the Year?
APPLY BEFORE 5 PM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Click below for details and application forms:
- Affiliate of the Year Award application (
  )
- Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year Award application ( )
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HUGE SENTRILOCK LOCKBOX SALE |
PGCAR is pleased to announce a special sale on SentriLock Lockboxes for PGCAR Members.
Between NOW and OCTOBER 1, 2011, lockboxes will be sold as follows:
1 - 9 Lockboxes
10 - 19 Lockboxes
20 - 29 Lockboxes
30 Lockboxes or more |
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$65 each + tax
$60 each + tax
$55 each + tax
$50 each + tax |
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2012 PGCAR Officer and Director Candidates
PGCAR is pleased to announce the following candidates for the 2011 - 2012 PGCAR Board of Directors.
| The 2011 / 2012 Candidates |
| President: |
Alease Bowles, RE/MAX Specialists |
| President-Elect: |
Anthony Williams, Long & Foster Real Estate |
| Secretary: |
John Lesniewski, RE/MAX United Real Estate |
Directors:
(4 to be elected) |
John Allen, SellState Dominion Realty
Patricia Dowtin, Long & Foster Real Estate
Arthur F. Greene, Long & Foster Real Estate
J. C. Hooker, Inkscale Realty
Fredericka A. Lloyd, Lloyd & Associates
Kevin L. McAfee, Meinc Realty
George Mitchell, Real Estate Around America
Lorence "Chuck" Ottley, SellState Dominion Realty
Veera Phillips, Keller Williams Preferred Properties
Howard M. Phoebus, Century 21 Trademark Realty, Inc.
Eugene N. Wright, Century 21 Trademark Realty, Inc.
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Read the candidates' bios by clicking on the links above, or clicking here,
Then Vote online at www.pgcar.com > |
All active Primary and Secondary REALTOR
® members are eligible to vote. Voting closes at 12 midnight on Tuesday, September 20. If you do not wish to or are unable to vote online, please contact Joan Ostenso at the Association office at 301-306-7900 Extension 223 or email her at
jostenso@pgcar.com as soon as possible to have a paper ballot mailed to you. All paper ballots must be received at the PGCAR office no later than 12 noon on September 20.
The Prince George's County Association of REALTORS®
cordially invites you to attend its
 |
| Reception: |
11:30 a.m. |
Dress: |
Business Attire |
| Lunch: |
12 noon |
Tickets: |
$35 per person |
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There's even more on Sale this month!
Specials are Good Through September 30. |
| OPEN HOUSE BROCHURE STANDS |
|
$12.50 |
| ALL GROUND SIGNS |
|
$6 |
| SIGN RIDERS 6 X 24 |
|
$5 |
| SIGN RIDERS 5 X 17 |
|
$2.50 |
| YARD MARKERS |
|
$21.50 |
| SIGN FASTENERS |
|
$4 per 12 pack |
| |
Come visit us at:
9200 Basil Court, Suite 400
Largo MD 20774
(301) 306-7900 |
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MAR Annual Conference & Tradeshow
Next Monday - Wednesday
September 12 - 14
in Ocean City, Maryland
- Up to 15 hours of premier Continuing Education (CE)
- Monday Keynote & light lunch with Steve Harney, Keeping Current Matters
- FREE Conference Gift - ABS flashlight with auto tool kit
- Exhibit Hall - with Monday grand opening, Tuesday happy hour, Wednesday brunch
- YPN event ($10), more "Learning Labs", more grand prize winners!
- Free bus transportation within Ocean City with your attendee badge
More value–National Speakers–Networking–Exciting Tradeshow
You may still register
by fax or onsite.
Onsite registration opens at the Convention Center next Sunday, September 11 at 4 pm.
Conference Homepage
Hotel Information
Schedule (PDF)
September is REALTOR® Safety Month
Every day REALTORS
® are put at risk while fulfilling the requirements of their jobs. To help protect members, NAR emphasizes simple habits that REALTORS
® can employ to reduce their risks on the job. To access a wealth of safety information and tips from NAR, visit
www.realtor.org/safety.
FREE REALTOR® Webinar: Social Media and Cyber Safety
Next Monday, September 12, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Today's environment includes social networking, smart phones, email and on-line everything. But how safe are you when using all this technology?
Don't miss this opportunity to learn safety tips for protecting yourself in today's viral world.
- Learn how today's criminals are using your social media information for illegal activities.
- Identify the pitfalls and rewards of social media and other cyber tools.
- Learn what your tweets and posts could be telling the world.
- Discover how you could be tracked through geotags.
- Decrease the opportunities of criminals to hack your laptops, smart phones and office systems and files.
- Identify what you need in your safety plan to reduce cyber attacks.
Register for this FREE webinar today >
Buy Suitland Initiative - NEW!
Program Open to Household Incomes up to 120% AMI
Up to 5% of Home Purchase Price to First-Time Homebuyers
Up to 7% for Local Civic Employees
Suitland is home to the Suitland Federal Center employing over 12,000 and a Metro station, is slated for a 22-acre mixed-use development project, and now has its own First-Time Homebuyers Program. The Buy Suitland Initiative will award 0% interest grants to households who have not owned a home within the last 3 years, and are buying a home as their principal residence.
Homebuyers can receive these 0% grants for buying:
- Foreclosure and Short Sale properties
- In 7 Census Tracks: 8018.02, 8019.02, 8020.01, 8020.02, 8021.05, 8024.05, 8024.06
- Where Appraisal vs Contract Price = 1% Discount
Similar to the first NSP Program, the sale price of property under contract must be at a 1% discount of the most recent appraised value.
Additional Homebuyer Qualifications:
- Qualifying Households May Earn Up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- Borrower's Minimum Cash Contribution
Purchaser's Income Level
(as % Area Median Income) |
Minimum Purchaser's
Required Cash Contribution |
| At or below 80% |
$1,000 or 50% of liquid assets over $3,000 whichever is greater. |
| 80% - 120% |
$1,500 or 50% of liquid assets over $3,000 whichever is greater. |
Buy Suitland Grant Amounts:
| Maximum 0% Interest Grant Amount |
Applicant Qualifications |
| 5% of the purchase price of home |
An applicant with household income between 80 - 120% of the area median income. |
| 7% of the purchase price of home |
An applicant currently employed at the Suitland Federal Center, Police Office, Firefighter, Nurse or Teacher. |
35% of the purchase price of home or $40,000
Whichever is greater, as needed, to meet the
45% Debt-to-income requirements |
An applicant with a combined household income of 50% or below the area median income. |
The County's Department of Housing and Community Development will soon have a website dedicated to the Buy Suitland Initiative. When it is released public, we will link to it from facebook.com/pgcar and pgcar.com.
More details are at www.pgcar.com >
Maryland Mortgage Program Interest Rates Lowered to 3.5 Percent As State
Moves to Stimulate Housing Market
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Raymond Skinner announced that interest rates are dropping to the lowest level in the history of the Maryland Mortgage Program. Click here for the press release >
Demand for the state's premeire initiative for promoting homeownership for eligible families had already been growing. Maryland Mortgage Program loan reservations more than doubled during the first half of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, thanks in part to competitive interest rates and generous downpayment and settlement cost assistance for eligible homebuyers.
The Maryland Mortgage Program offers a variety of low-interest, fixed-rate mortgage loan options with downpayment and closing cost assistance primarily targeted to first-time homebuyers, and purchasers of foreclosed homes and homes involved in eligible short sale transactions. Loans are administered by a network of more than 35 private lending institutions across the state. Potential homebuyers who participate in the program also are eligible for an assortment of downpayment and closing cost assistance programs such as the Downpayment and Settlement Expense Loan Program, which offers up to $5,000 in assistance in the form of a zero percent deferred loan.
Visit www.pgcar.com and www.mmprogram.org for more information about the Maryland Mortgage Program and DHCD's newest loan products, the Acquisition/Rehabilitation Mortgage Program and Homeward Bound. The interest rate on those products was lowered to 3 percent, Secretary Skinner announced.
Learn how to successfully utilize all MMP products for your customers at a FREE 3 CEU CDA workshop. The next training date is Thursday, September 22 at 8:30 a.m.
NAR Legislative Report - Debt Ceiling Analysis
On Tuesday, August 2, President Obama signed S. 365 into law, known as the Budget Control Act of 2011, or the Debt Ceiling Bill. After careful analysis of the bill we can report that it contains NO DIRECT IMPACT ON REAL ESTATE TAX RULES OR SPENDING PROVISIONS. No tax laws of any kind were changed, nor were any housing programs cut. The bill passed the House and Senate on strong bipartisan votes: 269 - 161 in the House and 74 - 26 in the Senate. A potential debt default has been averted. Click here for a complete analysis.
Bottom Line
Now through October could be the most important part of the battle over Mortgage Interest Deduction and Carried Interest. The Super Committee is required to identify and vote by November 23, 2011 on $1.5 Trillion in additional deficit reductions over 10 years.
Two additional and vitally important measures, FHA Loan Limits and National Flood Insurance Program expiration, were NOT acted on by Congress in advance of the five-week summer recess. Congress reconvenes this Wednesday, September 7, and must act quickly to avoid a reset in FHA Loan Limits and a lapse in the NFIP.
Endangered: 3 Critical Homeownership Programs
Mortgage Interest Deduction
Status: Elimination or Reduction Still Under Consideration
FHA / GSE Loan Limits
Status: Expires September 30, 2011
National Flood Insurance Program
Status: Expires September 30, 2011
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives to request urgent action on preserving these 3 homeownership programs. Share why these 3 programs are critical to America's future and our economic recovery. Relay stories from your personal experiences of how homeownership is making a positive difference in the lives of Prince George's County and Maryland families. The last few months have tragically underscored the importance of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Maryland U.S. Senators >
Representative Donna Edwards - district map and website link >
Representative Steny Hoyer - district map and website link >
With the Mortgage Interest Deduction still hanging in the balance for elimination or reduction, and FHA Loan Limits and the NFIP both expiring in 25 days, we must act now. Bankers know that settlements can take 90 days from the time they start processing a mortgage loan request. REALTORS® across our nation have already reported a number of contract cancellations due to banks setting their loan requirements to the scheduled October 1, 2011 FHA standards.
For complete details, see "Time is Running Short" in the August 8 REALTOR® Connection.
- - - My HOME Updates - - -
$1.2 Million Awarded to My HOME Program
The My HOME Program has been awarded an additional $1.2 million for homebuyer assistance, bringing the total funding to $2.2 million. Thank you for helping the My HOME program be successful. Learn about this program, and let even more potential homebuyers know about it.
Eligible Income Limits are Increased
Effective Immediately
As of July 13, 2011 households with slightly higher incomes are eligible to participate in
the My HOME program. Click here for the new income limits.
My HOME 203K Loan Addendum
The My HOME office issued a loan addendum which is mandatory for any My HOME purchase utilizing a 203K loan. The new loan addendum is included in www.pgcar.com Members Only and here.
Take advantage of the County's FREE training on the My HOME program for REALTORS®.
Next offering is Next Tuesday, September 13 at 10:00 am.
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- Freddie Mac 3.5% + Agent Bonus Ends September 30 - Freddie Mac is offering 3.5% toward closing and a $1,200 selling agent bonus on www.HomeSteps.com primary residence home purchases, but escrow must close by September 30, 2011. Complete details >
- Fannie Mae 3.5% + Agent Bonus Ends October 31 - homebuyers purchasing a www.Homepath.com property as their primary residence can also receive up to 3.5% in closing cost assistance. Eligible sales must close by October 31, 2011. A $1,200 selling agent bonus is also available! Complete details >
- Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB Atlanta) - 2 new programs - The first offers up to $15,000 towards a foreclosure purchase. The second offers up to $7,500 to homebuyers earning up to 80% AMI and buying within NSP targeted areas in MD or DC. These two programs do NOT require you to be a first-time homebuyer.
Consumer information page > Details & webinars for REALTORS® >
- My HOME Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance - up to 5% of Home Sale Price Offered to County Homebuyers who have not owned a home within the last 3 years. $2.2 million in total funds is now available.
Consumer information page > Details (in Members Only, updated July 21) >
- American Dream Downpayment Assistance (ADDI) - up to $10,000 to County Homebuyers who have not owned a home within the last 3 years. Details >
- The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) offered through the state's Community Development Administration (CDA) has announced 2 loan products for distressed properties. All MMP products have low, fixed interest rates and some offer matching funds. These 2 new products will assist in revitalizing communities burdened with foreclosed and rundown properties.
The Acquisition / Rehabilitation Mortgage Program helps purchase a single-family home as a primary residence and obtain funds for needed repairs and renovations.
The Homeward Bound Program offers eligible buyers of foreclosed or short sale property a lower rate mortgage.
Program Details > Training Details >
Most of these programs can be used in combination. Information on these and other homebuyer savings are available at pgcar.com. Sales agents - please study up and stay familiar with current homebuyer incentives, and send links to your contacts from these public information pages. For more My HOME program details, members can login to pgcar.com Members Only.
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Updated Sales Contract Addendum
An update to PGCAR Form 1301, Addendum of Clauses for Prince George's County was released in August. Download and save the revised addendum dated 08/2011 from PGCAR.com Members Only.
Please discontinue and destroy any other printed or electronic copies of Form #1301 that may be accessible to sales staff.
2012 Dues Renewals
Choose Installments - Second Monthly Payment is
Due September 30 |
Don't wait until the last minute to pay this year's dues.
Use our fast and secure Online Dues Payment!
Paying online is easy, secure, and supplies you with a receipt.
Renew Online as Easy as 1-2-3:
- Click here
- Log in
- Renew online and receive receipt !
2012 dues are in the amount of $625. The due date is October 1, 2011. They must be paid no later than November 30, 2011 in order to prevent late charges.
| Prince George's County Dues |
$300 |
| Maryland Association Dues |
$170 |
| National Association Dues |
$155 |
| Voluntary 2012 RPAC Contribution |
$ 35 |
| Voluntary Scholarship Fund Contribution |
$ 5 |
Pay by Installment - Members may also choose to pay 2012 dues in 4 installments of $156.25 each, due by August 31, September 30, October 31, and November 30, 2011. Members using the installment plan can make their second payment anytime this month. The due date is Friday, September 30, 2011. If you wish, you may also make voluntary RPAC and Scholarship contributions during any installment. It's your choice!
| September 30 |
$156.25 |
| October 31 |
$156.25 |
| November 30 |
$156.25 |
Please note: If dues payments are not made online, they may not be reflected on the website.
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Market Sen$e: Mortgage Rates Fall to Historic Lows
The 5-year Adjustable Rate Mortgage has fallen for eight consecutive weeks, setting another all-time record low. Average fixed mortgage rates rose slightly from their all-time record lows of August 18. This is amidst 1) the Federal Reserve's August 9 policy statement which included a decision to keep the federal funds rate below 0.25 percent, with expectation that the rate would be kept low at least through mid-2013, and 2) ongoing market concerns over the European debt market. The 1-year ARM average continues to hover under 3 percent. Freddie Mac reports the following averages for the week ending September 1, 2011:
- The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.22 percent, equal to a week ago.
- The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.39 percent, down from 3.44 percent.
- The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid ARM averaged 2.96 percent, down from 3.07 percent.
- The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.89 percent, down from 2.93 percent.
Freddie Mac's Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey >>
July Activity Sees Modest Decreases in Prince George's County
After two months of gains, the number of contracts and settlements in Prince George's decreased for July.
1,012 single family contracts were signed (75 less than in June 2011). 111 condo contracts were signed (28 less than in June 2011).
Year-to-date comparisons. Condos continue their 2011 surge. Year-to-date settlements in the condo market are up 38.5% from 2010. (Last month's number was 29.1%.) Year-to-date contracts signed are up 31.5%.
In the single family market, year-to-date contract signings are about even with 2010, up 3.4%. Settlements are down 5.5% from 2010 to 2011; however, the largest differential was from June 2010 to June 2011 and these numbers are now improving again. Most economic forecasts warned of larger decreases for early 2011, in comparison to January through June 2010 when homebuyers were rushing to close before the June 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credit settlement deadline.
Visit www.pgcar.com/stats for detailed statistics.
Median Sales Price of Existing Homes
For the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) which includes Washington, DC, Alexandria / Arlington, VA and much of Prince George's County, the average Single Family home price was $340,900 for second quarter 2011, an increase of 2.7% from second quarter 2010. For condominiums and coops it was $234,300 for second quarter 2011, a decrease of 5.7% from second quarter 2010.
Pending Home Sales Slip in July but Up Strongly From One Year Ago
Pending home sales declined in July but remain well above year-ago levels, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. After rising 8.2 percent in June, the Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, slipped 1.3 percent to 89.7 in July from 90.9 in June but is 14.4 percent above the 78.4 index in July 2010.
NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun listed factors needing to be addressed for healthy expansion: returning mortgage underwriting standards to normalcy, assuring proper comparables are used in appraisal valuations, and streamlining the short sales process.
"Looking at pending home sales over a longer span, contract activity over the past three months is fairly comparable to the first three months of the year, and well above the low seen in April," Yun said. "The underlying factors for improving sales are developing, such as rising rents, record high affordability conditions and investors buying real estate as a future inflation hedge. It is now a question of lending standards and consumers having the necessary confidence to enter the market."
Complete REALTOR.org article >
Like us on www.facebook.com/pgcar to see August home sales statistics when they are released.
REO Online Mapping Tool
HUD now hosts a web-based mapping tool that displays the location of all foreclosed properties owned by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. The portal also provides consolidated listing for user-defined neighborhoods with details such as list date, price, number of bedrooms, and bathrooms. It includes links to Fannie Mae's Homepath, Freddie Mac's Homesteps, and the HUD Homestore to connect potential buyers to each property's listing details.
Visit the portal at www.huduser.org/REO/reo.html
PGCAR Committee Volunteers - Thank You!
Thanks to everyone already serving in PGCAR Committees, and for the
wonderful response to 2012 PGCAR Committee Sign Ups!
While committee leadership and membership decisions are already being made for the year beginning October 1, many committees do accept volunteers throughout the year. For anyone who still wants to sign up, please do so. The earlier the better. For most committees, you'll still be able to join us for the first meetings of the new membership year. Click here to sign up >
Sales Coach: Turn Your Passion into Profits
Many real estate professionals are underearning, and a major reason is that they procrastinate and keep putting off the number one activity needed for profits. What is that dreaded activity? Prospecting!
More prospecting, done right, equals more business. Marry your passion to your business, and you'll find that prospecting comes easier because when you're excited, it's not prospecting anymore - it's sharing your excitement!
Read tips on finding and engaging your passion >
Earn All MD and DC Required CEU at PGCAR
All classes are held at PGCAR offices, just off the Route 202 / Landover Road exit of I-495. Find our NEW association office at 9200 Basil Court, Suite 400, Largo, MD 20774. There's plenty of parking.
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#16-8:
Unauthorized Use of Information Received from Listing Broker for the Purpose of Creating a Referral Prospect to a Third Broker or for
Creating a Buyer Prospect
REALTOR® A filed a listing with the Board MLS which bulletined the information to all Participants. In the "Remarks" portion of the property data form, it was noted that the seller was moving out of state. Shortly thereafter, REALTOR® A received a call from REALTOR® B, requesting permission to show the property to a prospective purchaser. REALTOR® B's request was granted and the property was shown to the prospect. During the showing, REALTOR® B started a conversation with Seller X regarding his proposed move to another state. REALTOR® B told the seller that he was acquainted with a number of real estate brokers in the city to which Seller X was relocating and suggested that he be allowed to refer Seller X to one of these brokers. Seller X responded that REALTOR® A, the listing broker, had previously mentioned the possibility of a referral and that Seller X felt obligated to be referred by REALTOR® A, if by anyone.
Several days later, Seller X received a phone call from REALTOR® B who again asked permission to refer the seller to a broker in the city to which the seller was moving. The seller indicated that he was not interested in REALTOR® B's offer and that if he wished to be referred to another broker, he would do so through REALTOR® A. The seller then called REALTOR® A and asked if there was anything REALTOR® A could do to stop REALTOR® B from requesting that he be allowed to refer the seller to another broker. Upon learning of REALTOR® B's attempts to create a referral prospect, REALTOR® A filed a complaint with the Grievance Committee of the Board alleging a violation of Article 16 of the Code of Ethics and cited Standard of Practice 16-18 in support of the allegations.
In accordance with the Board's established procedures, the Grievance Committee reviewed the complaint and referred it to a panel of the Professional Standards Committee for hearing. The appropriate notices were sent to all parties and a hearing was scheduled.
At the hearing, REALTOR® A produced a written statement from Seller X in support of his testimony and concluded that REALTOR® B had violated Article 16 of the Code of Ethics in attempting to use confidential information received through the Board's MLS to attempt to create a referral prospect to a third broker.
REALTOR® B responded that, as a subagent of the listing broker, he was attempting to promote the seller's best interest by referring the seller to a reputable broker whom he knew personally in the city to which the seller was going to relocate. REALTOR® B indicated that the seller had not accepted his offer of referral and, based on such refusal, REALTOR® B had not, in fact, made any referral and, therefore, had not acted in a manner inconsistent with his obligations as expressed in Standard of Practice 16-18.
Based on your understanding of the Code of Ethics Article 16, how do you think the Professional Standards Panel ruled?
Find out here >>
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Save BIG with REALTORS® Federal Credit Union
Are you, or someone in your family, paying too much interest on your car or home loan? REALTORS
® FCU offers auto loan rates and 30-year fixed rate mortgages, both currently at 4.25%.
- Home Mortgages - Fixed and adjustable rate mortgages of various terms are all offered at competitive rates, and with zero points!
- Auto Loans - Refer a friend or family member, or close on an auto loan yourself, between now and October 31, 2011 (includes refinance loans) and receive an extra $50 cash.
Apply for
home or
auto loans online at
REALTORSFCU.org.
DC Salesperson Licenses - Expired August 31
Please remember that it is unlawful to practice real estate in the District of Columbia without a current DC real estate license. If you missed the August 31 deadline, you may still renew with a late fee; however, you may NOT conduct real estate activities in DC until doing so.
Click here for the DCREC license renewal website.
