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| May 14, 2012 | |
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Fight to STOP the County's 20% Recordation Tax INCREASE! County Council Votes Next Thursday, May 24 Email your County Executive and Council Members NOW!! >
"Increasing housing costs is counterproductive to rebuilding our local economy and a barrier to stabilizing our local real estate market. The Association opposes policies that discourage housing opportunities and this concept most certainly discourages buyer investment in Prince George's County." President-Elect, Anthony Williams expressed his concerns by stating: "It troubles me deeply to listen to the remarks of PGCAR President Bowles to hear my County characterized as the most expensive in closing costs, transfer taxes and property taxes. People hear statistics like this and they immediately formulate the position that they don't want to purchase a home here. That means they're NOT paying recordation taxes to Prince George's County or transfer taxes, and neither are they contributing to our property tax base. ... Overall, when they buy a home elsewhere, they're NOT contributing AT ALL to our local economy." Council is slated to vote on the full budget, including the recordation fee increase, on May 24, 2012. Until then, we will keep the pressure on! Email your County Executive and Council Members > PGCAR President Alease Bowles May 10th Letter > News Coverage of the May 7 Budget Hearing > Prince George's County Council Members Contact Information > Rally to Protect the American Dream of Home Ownership  
Join us at the Washington Monument!
This Thursday, May 17
 9:30 am - 11 am Thank you for your interest in joining us to prove that Home Ownership Matters.
Your dedication to your industry is appreciated and, thanks to you, PGCAR has a FULL BUS to the Rally! Everyone's participation is still necessary, so if you haven't registered yet,
please do so immediately at
Click here for tips and Information to make the most of this momentous day, including:
Forecast
Metrorail Rally T-shirts & Backpacks Midyear to Rally Transport LogisticsBreakfast & Lunch Program Post-Rally Expo Virtual RallyGiving this one day of support can help ensure a great future for real estate!
2012 NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo FREE to all REALTOR® Members - Going On NOW in DC! 
The REALTORS® Midyear Meetings & Trade Expo is where NAR members come together to take an active role in advancing the real estate industry, public policy, and the association. There will be a variety of meetings and events including: special issues forums, committee meetings, legislative activities, the industry trade show, and a Rally on the National Mall.
Expo: Over 100 exhibitors under one roof showing the latest products and services in real estate. Midyear is FREE to all REALTOR® Members! David Maclin Memorial Scholarship 5K Fun Walk/Run Race Results, Sponsors & Photos
Thank you to everyone who participated in the first annual David Maclin Memorial Scholarship 5K Fun Walk/Run.
RACE RESULTS Click Here for Complete Race Results >
SPONSORS Presented by Prince George's County Association of REALTORS® Inc.
Hosted by Toll Brothers at Marlboro Ridge
K302 Design, LLC
A Special Congratulations and Thank You to RE/MAX® United GRI 200 @ PGCAR Next Month! - Starting Wednesday, June 6 
Presented by the Maryland Association of REALTORS® andSponsored by the Prince George's County Association of REALTORS®
PGCAR Association Office
Just need a few make-up classes, or want to learn in-depth knowledge of specific topics? Hurry! Classes are limited to the first 40 registrants! FREE Webinar Presented by MAR Finish 2012 as Successfully as You Started It! Thursday, June 7 10 am to 11 am
National real estate expert Steve Harney will give you a 3-step plan to guarantee that 2012 will be the best year of your career. In this webinar you will learn how to re-work your annual goals, uncover the hidden opportunities in an improving market, and ride the current momentum to an exceptional 2012 income. Mark Your Calendars for the 2012 Housing Fair Saturday, June 9  9 am to 3 pm
Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex Please come, and invite all of your customers and prospective customers to come! The Housing Fair will allow you . . . and consumers to visit with mortgage lenders & bankers, housing counselors, rental property management, home developers and more! Learn how to avoid housing scams, prevent foreclosure, find affordable housing, and manage your money & credit. Click here to download a Housing Fair Flyer In addition, the Prince George's Housing Fair will have its first-time ever house lottery! One lucky winner will be drawn to purchase a single family home in Prince George's County at a substantially reduced price. Lottery application deadline is this Friday, May 18, 2012.
Click here for more information and to download a lottery application > 203K, My Home and Buy Suitland Homebuyer Assistance Programs FREE Workshops for Homebuyers 
Let your customers know about these 2 FREE, upcoming workshops. Both workshops are specifically for homebuyers, not for REALTORS® or lenders. Saturday, May 19 Prince George's County Offices Homebuyers will learn details of the popular 203K loan programs, applicable to My HOME and Buy Suitland and for any home purchase where you also wish to fund home renovations using the mortgage. This workshop is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for the required 8 hours housing counseling class. RSVP required: HStokes@co.pg.md.us Saturday, June 16
Keller Williams Realty Homebuyers will learn about the My HOME, Buy Suitland and 203K loan programs. This workshop is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for the required 8 hours housing counseling class. RSVP required: LAJONES1@co.pg.md.us
Consumer Tip: Home Maintenance ~ DIY or Hire a Pro? Doing home maintenance yourself can be a great way to save money; however, you need to make sure you choose the right DIY projects or the cost can be high. Over 100,000 people are injured each year doing home improvement jobs. Medical bills, in addition to the DIY budget and the time it takes you to do the job, can all add up. Here are some tips to decide when to do it yourself and when to call in the professionals. Stick to Routine Maintenance It Pays: Seasonal home maintenance, such as sealing decks, painting fences, and general landscaping are ideal DIY projects because they are routine maintenance tasks that are easy to get done on weekends or as your schedule permits. It Costs: Unless you have skill and experience on your side, steer clear of electrical work, operating power saws, and stay off of any ladder over six feet tall (ladder injuries rate high for emergency room visits). Become Your Own General Contractor It Pays: If you find and hire competent carpenters, plumbers and other tradesmen yourself, you can save 10% to 20% of the overall job cost (the typical general contractor fee). It Costs: If you don't have the reliable workers, the time to supervise, the knowledge to spot problems right away, or the skill to negotiate disputes, your project and your budget are at risk. Pitch in on the Big Jobs It Pays: Sometimes you can perform minor demolition, such as tearing out kitchen cabinets, before the contractors get started. Performing this work before they arrive can take a large chunk off the entire construction project. It Costs: By not negotiating cost savings upfront with your contractor well before work starts, or by slowing down the crew by getting in the way while they are working, you could end up costing the contractor and yourself more money. Add the Finishing Touches It Pays: Many finishing touches are simple and DIY-friendly. Painting, tile work, flooring and installing trim are all good DIY jobs if you have skill, patience or someone to teach you. It Costs: If you don't have a sure eye and a steady hand, you'll notice every mistake every time you see them. Make sure not to take on a task that only a skilled tradesperson can get right. Read entire article at houselogic.com >
MAR'S CARE and Special Project Awards Give 10 Minutes to Win $10,000 for Charity 
The PGCAR Community Service Committee realizes that Prince George's County REALTORS® give back to their communities every day in a number of different ways.
You are coaches, mentors and scout leaders. You deliver Meals on Wheels, work on Habitat and Christmas in April Homes. You create March of Dimes walk teams and Scholarship Fun Walk/Run events. So many of our offices raise money each year for their favorite charity, or they collect food, coats and toys. And because you don't do it for the recognition, sometimes we aren't aware of ALL of the wonderful things you are doing. Well now is your chance! PGCAR has an opportunity to win MAR's CARE Award, which gives us $10,000 to use for whatever charity we select. We could use it for another Habitat House; we could increase sponsorship opportunities for our graduating students; we could give it to a food bank or numerous other charities - the possibilities are endless. Please take a few minutes to tell us how you help your community! Nominations are due to PGCAR by Friday, June 15. Click Here for the CARE / Special Project Nomination Form Positively No Late Submissions Will Be Accepted. Market Sen$e: Second Week of Record-Low Fixed Rates 
Results released last Thursday, May 10 are showing average fixed mortgages rates are hitting all-time record lows for the second week in a row. Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist of Freddie Mac, states, "Following April's weaker than expected employment report, and the French and Greek election results raising concerns over the stability of the Euro currency zone, long-term Treasury bond yields declined allowing fixed mortgage rates to ease to new all-time record lows this week. The economy added just 115,000 jobs, below the market consensus forecast and less than in March. And although the unemployment rate declined, it reflected fewer people actively seeking jobs."
Freddie Mac reports the following averages for the week ending May 10, 2012:
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April Home Sales for Prince George's County: March 2012 single family sales saw a 4.8% increase in new contracts and a 23% increase in settlements. April's single family market saw a decrease from those levels. During the month of April, 1062 contracts on single family homes were signed. This is down 3.5% from March. Single family settlements were also down slightly during April, by 1.4% from March. Year-to-date contracts are up 5.1% and settlements down by 4.8% from 2011. The condo market enjoyed another monthly increase from March to April. Contracts increased 1.4%. Settlements increased an amazing 16.1%. Year-to-date condo contracts are up 12.8%. Year-to-date condo settlements are down 5.7%, still showing the effects of slower lending. See detailed statistics for April 2012 at www.pgcar.com/stats > To be the first to see home sale statistics when they're released, like us at www.facebook/pgcar. While you're there, add yourself to the Find a REALTOR® Directory. 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.
REALTOR® Magazine Seeks Good Neighbor Nominations Deadline for Entry is This Friday, May 18
If a REALTOR® you know is putting forth the effort to make a difference in the community, help their cause by nominating them today! Deadline for entry is this Friday, May 18. Click here for more details. Click here for rules and an entry form. WANTED: NAR Committee Volunteers Applications Due Friday, May 25 2013 NAR Committee Recommendations NAR committee recommendations are also open (login required). NAR Committee Details and Nomination Form > Sales Coach: Educate Your Buyers and Sellers 
Did you know that REALTOR® Magazine provides handouts for you to download and give to your customers? They're free, grouped into separate categories for buyers and sellers, and can be easily downloaded into Microsoft Word so they can be personalized and customized to suit your needs. Enforce your value and show off your real estate expertise by informing and preparing your customers.
Samples of Handouts for Buyers Questions to Ask When Choosing a REALTOR® What a Home Inspection Should Cover Samples of Handouts for Sellers Navigating Short Sales: What to Do When the Sale Price Leaves You Short Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate
Some Reasons to Join REALTORS® Federal Credit Union PERSONAL REALTORS® FCU offers its members real partnership built through unique understanding, common goals and innovative solutions. In addition, we are committed to improving the quality of life for our members. BUSINESS By joining the REALTORS® FCU, your business will have access to our diverse portfolio of investment products and services, as well as access to financial education resources and money management solutions. LOANS Whether you're consolidating higher interest debt, investing in home or business improvements, spreading tuition or annual dues payments, or simply opening a line of credit "just in case", you can cover it with a REALTORS® Federal Credit Union line of credit or personal loan. To find out more, go to realtorsfcu.org > PGCAR Membership Application - for New or Returning Agents For new agents, please download, print and use the 2012 membership application at www.pgcar.com > For any returning agents who did not pay 2012 dues, you will need to Renew Online and pay the reinstatement and late fees to regain SentriLock access. If your online access is no longer active, please call the office at 301-306-7900 to renew. Women's Council of REALTORS® Prince George's Chapter - Join Today 
We are a network of successful REALTORS® empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Through our influence as successful business professionals, the women and men who are members of WCR will effect positive change in the profession and in the broader community.
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