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Membership / Office Terminations
for Members with Non-Paid 2012 - 2013 Dues |
 
Brokers and Non-Paid Agents - A $100 reinstatement fee was added to unpaid accounts on Saturday, January 12. January 31 was the deadline to pay 2012 - 2013 dues or remove any unpaid agents from your office roster. All new licensed agents in your office were also required to join by January 31. Suspensions are now taking effect for offices with non-paid members.
Reinstate your membership, SentriLock key privileges, MRIS discount, ZipForms and other REALTOR® membership benefits at www.pgcar.com.
- Click here
- Log in
- Pay and receive an itemized receipt for your
2012 - 2013 PGCAR, MAR and NAR membership renewals.
RENEW IMMEDIATELY at www.pgcar.com, or if your account has already been suspended, please call the office at 301-306-7900 to renew.
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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
FREE to Members This Thursday!
Stunning, eye-catching listing photographs or ho-hum photographs. Which do you prefer?
Why not catch a few tips from Professional Photographer Joseph Pruden?
Joseph is teaching "Photography for REALTORS®" at the Association Offices classroom this Thursday afternoon, 1:30 - 3:30 pm.
Free to members!
Please visit pgcar.com to register before the class fills up!
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In December 2012, PGCAR revised and/or created the following listed forms.
The form changes were necessary as a result of County legislation. The forms have been available since early December. This notice is in response to inquiries asking for specific details on the changes.
NEW FORM #1336 - Utility Cost Disclosure - Notice To Buyer/Seller:
(Prince George's County Notice to Seller / Buyer - Utility Costs)
Prince George's County now requires disclosure of utility consumption. PGCAR Form 1336 may be used to accommodate the disclosure. The requirements of the law are clearly stipulated within the form. Please note, to correct some minor application of this law there was an amendment (CB 111-2012) which clarifies the time frame applicable to the disclosure. The law now requires disclosure of usage "for the 12-month period proceeding the date the contract is signed". This change greatly improves the law by clarifying the start date applicable to the previous 12 months. Also added by amendment is disclosure of water consumption. Form #1336 with the revision date of 12/12 will accommodate all aspects of the disclosure.
CB 111-12 also establishes mandatory disclosure of deferred water and sewer assessments or "so called" front foot benefit assessments. This was a not a concern to the industry because REALTORS® have been disclosing FFB fees since they became commonplace in the mid 1980's. CB 111 basically codified the language already used in PGCAR forms.
Revised Form #1206 - Jurisdictional Addendum To The Exclusive Right To Sell Residential Brokerage Agreement:
Latest revision date is 12/12
- Item 2.C - New paragraph added RE: Special Taxing District Notice
- Item 4 - Revised to add reference to "approximate number of years remaining on the assessment"
- Item 5.C - New paragraph added RE: Utility Usage
- Item 5.C - New paragraph added RE: Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Revised Form #1302 - Disclosure and Notice Addendum (DNA):
Latest revision date is 12/12
- Item 8 - New paragraph added RE: Utility Usage
- Item 9 - New paragraph added RE: Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Item 10 - New paragraph added RE: Proximity To Agricultural and/or Forestry Operations
- Item 11 - Revised to add reference to "approximate number of years remaining on the assessment"
Revised Form #1303 - Jurisdictional Addendum To The MAR Residential
Contract of Sale:
- Item 6 - New paragraph added RE: Utility Usage
- Item 7 - New paragraph added RE: Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Item 8 - New paragraph added RE: Proximity To Agricultural and/or Forestry Operations
- Item 9 - Revised to add reference to "approximate number of years remaining on the assessment"
Revised Form #1331 - Jurisdictional Addendum To The Regional Sales Contract:
- Item 39 - New paragraph added RE: Utility Usage
- Item 40 - New paragraph added RE: Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Item 41 - New paragraph added RE: Proximity To Agricultural and/or Forestry Operations
- Item 42 - Revised to add reference to "approximate number of years remaining on the assessment"
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2013 Legislative Priorities
Budget and Transportation
MAR opposes additional real estate taxes that would jeopardize the housing recovery. Real estate is already taxed in several ways: annual property taxes, as well as transaction levies like transfer taxes, recordation taxes and impact fees. MAR supports legislation that provides additional protection for the transportation trust fund so that it cannot be diverted toward other priorities.
Growth and Rural Development
Just in the last year, new septic system requirements, mandatory fire sprinklers, and Watershed Implementation Plan requirements will add thousands of dollars to the cost of many new homes. Additional regulations under consideration (greenhouse gas offsets and general growth offsets) could add tens of thousands of additional dollars. MAR opposes additional costs on new construction.
Lead Paint
MAR supports additional liability protection for landlords and property managers affected by the 2011 Court of Appeals case that threw out the liability cap in the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. MAR also opposes any change to current lead paint inspection requirements for existing homes. There is more information included in existing real estate contracts on lead paint than on how the home is financed.
Pit Bulls
MAR supports legislation that protects landlords from strict liability when dealing with a tenant that owns a pit bull.
Comparative Fault vs. Contributory Negligence
MAR supports the current legal standard (contributory negligence) for determining negligence in lawsuits.
Credit Services Business Act Corrections
The Credit Services Businesses Act regulates any person providing credit repair services for consumers. The law exempts certain classes of professionals working within the scope of their licenses, including real estate brokers. MAR supports a clarification to the current exemption to make clear it applies to brokers AND agents.
Interest Rate on Security Deposits
Currently, property owners are required to return a security deposit to a tenant with at least a 3% annual interest rate. Unfortunately, most savings and checking accounts are well below 3%. MAR supports legislation that would require a security deposit to be returned to a tenant with a rate equal to the higher of a 1.5% flat rate or a rate comparable to the U.S. Treasury Daily Yield Curve Rate as measured by the first of the year.
For more information contact Mike Graziano, PGCAR Director of Government Affairs, at 301-306-7900 or mikeg@pgcar.com, or contact MAR Government Affairs at 800-638-6425.
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GIVE BLOOD - SAVE LIVES - New Date |
| PGCAR is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive® Wednesday, February 20th
9 am to 3 pm
at the
PGCAR Office
ALL ARE INVITED
FRIENDS ~ FAMILIES ~ MEMBERS
COME GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE!
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DC Broker License Renewal Deadline
Avoid penalties - Renew before February 28
DC Broker and Property Manager licenses expire every two years. They must be renewed by February 28, 2013 in order to practice real estate in DC. ALL CE Hours must be completed and reported, and Renewals must be submitted and paid by February 28, 2013 in order to renew without penalty.
Register now to meet your required topic CEU before the license renewal deadline!
Thursday, February 14
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
DC Legislative Update |
Register here > |
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
DC Fair Housing & Predatory Lending |
Register here > |
Friday, February 22
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
Financing Issues / Update |
Register here > |
Also earn the required 6 hours of general elective hours by registering for 2 of the following 3 classes:
Wednesday, February 13
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
MD Legislative Update |
Register here > |
Tuesday, February 19
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
Contracts |
Register here > |
Thursday, February 21
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
MD Code of Ethics |
Register here > |
Complete CE Schedule >
Online DC Elective CE >
License Renewal CE Requirements >
Online Renewal for Brokers and Property Managers >
DC Sales Agent licenses expire, and must be renewed before August 31, 2013.
RPAC Presents: Las Vegas Casino Night
Coming Tuesday, May 7th
Casino games, an open bar, music, dancing, food, prizes, and much more will be available at the RPAC Las Vegas Casino Night party. This is a great chance to network and mingle with your fellow real estate professionals in a casual atmosphere, all while helping our business.
So please, don't miss out. Come on out Tuesday night, May 7, to support RPAC, our industry and economy, and have FUN doing it!
The RPAC contribution is taken care of simply by registering for tickets.
Register online at www.pgcar.com >
Share the flyer >
| David Maclin Memorial Scholarship |
Do you know a Prince George's County Public High School Senior who wants to further his/her education and is already making
a difference in the community?
Then have them complete a David Maclin Memorial Scholarship application before Thursday, February 28. Winners will receive a $2,500 scholarship to be used toward further education in any community college, university or trade school.
Please also share this with Principals and Teachers at your local schools, so you may enable someone who may not have received the materials to share this opportunity with their class.
You can make an important difference in the life of a student!
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Scholarship Letter • Scholarship Application • Permission Slip
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Scholarship Applications are Due Thursday, February 28, 2013. |
David Maclin Memorial Scholarship Fund
Second Annual 5K Fun Walk/Run - Saturday, April 20
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HUGE SENTRILOCK LOCKBOX SALE
Extended for Limited Time |
Back by popular demand, PGCAR is pleased to announce the continuation of the sale on SentriLock Lockboxes. 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 |
Also, SentriLock has lowered the cost of power paddles to $55, but only for a limited time. Power paddles must be ordered through PGCAR. If you would like to purchase one or more at this reduced price, please contact Shirley at the Association office.
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NEW HOMEBUYER SAVINGS for the City of Laurel:
Buyers of Foreclosed Homes Receive Tax Credits!
The City of Laurel recently passed legislation adopting a tax credit program for purchasers of foreclosed homes within the City of Laurel, Maryland.
Now in effect, the legislation offers a five-year descending City tax credit of up to $3500 for buyers purchasing their primary residence within Laurel City limits. Under the program, eligible buyers will receive credit for 100% of their City property taxes up to $3500 for two years following purchase. In subsequent years, three to five, the credit will decrease to 75%, 50%, and 25% respectively.
If the property is deemed to be a "distressed property" the purchaser may be eligible for an extended credit. As with similar programs, the credit terminates when the initial purchaser ceases to occupy the home as their primary residence.
To learn more and obtain application forms please visit:
City of Laurel
8103 Sandy Spring Road
Laurel, MD 20707
301-725-5300
www.cityoflaurel.org
Laurel Tax Credit Information >>
Baltimore Sun Coverage >>
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- Maryland Homefront: The Veterans and Military Family Program
Historically low reduced interest rates starting at 2.875% (APR 3.675%) and increased payment assistance for qualified current and former military members. Program Details >>
- $30 Million Targeted Areas Initiative for Homebuyers
First-Time Homebuyers Can Gain Same Benefits in ANY Prince George's County Area
Reduced interest rates starting at 2.875% (APR 3.675%) for qualified homebuyers purchasing a new primary residence. Program Details >>
- Buy Suitland Initiative - Savings in 11 Census Tracts!
Up to 5% of home purchase price to first-time homebuyers; Up to 7% for local civic employees. Program Details >>
- Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB Atlanta)
Up to $15,000 towards a foreclosure purchase; Up to $7,500 toward the purchase of a property located in area approved for NSP funds.
Program Details >>
- American Dream Downpayment Assistance (ADDI)
Up to $10,000 to County Homebuyers who have not owned a home within the last 3 years.
Program Details >>
- Freddie Mac HomeSteps SmartBuySM
Offers up to $500 for purchase of a home warranty.
Home listings and incentive details >> Sign up for homesteps.com buyer leads >>
Most of these programs can be used in combination. Information on these and other homebuyer savings are available at pgcar.com.
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Consumer Tip: Home Improvements - Best Value for the Dollar
According to Remodeling Magazine's 2013 Cost vs. Value Report
Remodeling Magazine's 2013 Cost vs. Value report shows some of the best home improvement projects for increasing the value of your home. Here are a few of the selections:
- Fiber-Cement Siding - An increasingly popular siding option, fiber-cement siding has a high initial price and is difficult to install. But, it's low maintenance, takes paint well, is fire proof, and rot-resistant. The average cost is $13,083 with a $10,379 value at resale for a 79.3% recoup on the investment.
- Steel Entry Door - Installing a new steel door in place of a lesser entry door is the most cost-effective project in the report. Cheaper than a fiberglass door, it might be susceptible to denting, but is a strong security feature. The average cost is $1,137 with a $974 value at resale for an 85.6% recoup on the investment.
- Wood Deck - If you Do It Yourself, you can actually make money on resale with a well-built deck put together with pressure-treated lumber, especially if you clean and seal your deck annually. The average cost for a professionally built deck is $9,327 with a $7,213 value at resale for a 77.3% recoup on the investment.
- Wood Replacement Windows - Replacing old leaky windows with new wood windows not only is a style-booster, it can also save energy. According to some experts, it can save you as much as $450 a year to swap out single-pane windows for double-pane windows (based on a 2,150-sq-ft. house). The average cost to replace 10 windows is $10,708 with a $7,852 value at resale for a 73.3% recoup on the investment.
- Upscale Garage Door - Stylish garage doors can make an average home look like something special. Fiberglass or steel doors can be made to look like they are made of exotic woods, replete with iron fixtures. Adding windows can add a lot of light to garage interiors. The average cost is $2,720 with a $2,046 value at resale for a 75.2% recoup on investment.
Visit HouseLogic.com for a slideshow with these projects and more.
TAX-FREE ITEMS - President's Day Weekend in Maryland!
Tax Free Weekend on Energy Star Products — February 16 - 18
Share the news with your homebuyers!
Marylanders, mark your calendars. The weekend of Saturday, February 16 through Monday, February 18 (President's Day) will be a tax-free three-day weekend during which the sales and use tax will not apply to the sale of selected Energy Star Products, or solar water heaters.
Eligible Energy Star Products include: air conditioners, clothes washers or dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, standard size refrigerators, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, or programmable thermostats that have been designated as meeting or exceeding the applicable Energy Star Efficiency requirements developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
PGCAR Legislative Guide - Updated with 2013 Leadership and Committee Changes
Don't forget to get your copy of the PGCAR Guide to Prince George's County Government 2011 - 2014, available at the PGCAR.com legislative page.
The guide includes names, contact information, and district maps for local leaders - as well as committee listings and tips for casually communicating with legislators.
Click here to get a copy >>
Earn All MD and DC Required CEU at PGCAR
All classes are held at PGCAR offices. There's plenty of parking.
Earn your required CE in ALL 3 required DC topics (DC Legislative Update, DC Fair Housing and Financing Issues / Update) before the February 28 DC license renewal deadline -- at reduced pricing!
Sale on All PGCAR Classes
Special Pricing Extended Through June 2013
All PGCAR Members and REALTORS® Save Huge on ANY CEU offered at PGCAR!
Register for ANY 3 CE class for $18 early bird, $33 regular.
Register for ANY 1.5 CE class for $11 early bird, $26 regular.
Hurry to www.pgcar.com/real-estate-ceu today >>
Market Sen$e: Rates Trending Slightly Higher
Results released last Thursday, January 31st, showed fixed mortgage rates continuing to rise slightly.
Freddie Mac Vice President and Chief Economist Frank Nothaft said rates continued to trend upwards this week amid a growing economy led in part by the recovering housing market.
"For instance, new home sales totaled 367,000 in 2012, the most in three years and reflected the first annual increase in seven years. Pending home sales in 2012 averaged its highest reading since 2006," Nothaft said. "And the S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-city composite house price index rose 5.5 percent over the 12-months ending in November 2012, the largest annual growth since August 2006. All of these factors helped residential fixed investment to add nearly 0.4 percentage points to real GDP growth in the fourth quarter alone."
Freddie Mac reports the following averages for the week ending January 31st, 2013:
- The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.53%, up from 3.42%.
- The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.81%, up from 2.71%.
- The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid ARM averaged 2.70%, up from 2.67%.
- The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.59%, up from 2.57%.
Freddie Mac's Weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey >>
Detailed Home Sales Statistics for Prince George's County
Available online, announced on PGCAR Facebook
County Statistics for December 2012 are available at www.pgcar.com/stats >>
Settlements on condo and co-ops were up over December 2011 and average prices for both condo and co-ops and single family coops were up in 2012.
The year saw prices rise on single family homes from an average of $194,417 in 2011 to $202,459 in 2012. Prices are still lower than previous years, offering good value to buyers -- but are on the rise, signalling a turnaround in the housing market.
The outlook continues to look brighter and mortgage rates are remaining low and stable. Now is a great time to buy in Prince George's County!
Like us on facebook to be the first to see January 2013 home sales statistics when they're released this week.
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Sales Coach: Where the Design Experts Go For Inspiration
Top Places to Check for What Home Buyers Will be Looking for in 2013
The International Builders' Show was recently held in Las Vegas - gathering together design gurus whose influence will determine much of what savvy homebuyers will be looking for in the next couple years.
A recent article in RealtorMag gathered a list of where these industry leaders look for inspiration. Take a look to see if you can't deepen your own knowledge for staging and selling high-end homes.
- Science - Believe it or not, fungal mycelium is being used as a building medium and packaging material -serving as an inspiration for Sherwin William's "honed vitality" color palette.
- Shoes - Another Sherwin Williams expert said they look to the shoe department for inspiration. She said she looks at materials and decorative elements used on the latest shoe styles for ideas. Really, this is no surprise when you consider the intense energy spent by the fashion industry on predicting and creating the latest trends.
- The Auto Industry - According to one expert, the matte black finish on Kohler's new faucet designs was drawn from looks seen in the luxury car market in recent years.
- Pinterest - A huge number of designers look to this social media website for ideas of what's trending and where tastemakers are drawing their inspiration from.
- Custom Home Designs - According to RealtorMag, "home buyers who are deciding what they want in their own new-construction homes can be a fashion-forward reflection of the market as a whole."
For even more details and ideas, visit the RealtorMag website >
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Case #2-15: Refusal to Divulge Source of Fraudulent Information
An official of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) called on REALTOR® A to enlist his cooperation in solving a problem. As the official explained, FHA had reason to believe that there had been a number of "dual contract" transactions in the area involving FHA mortgage insurance. In a typical instance, a prospective buyer was induced by a broker to sign an offer to purchase a house at a figure several thousand dollars higher than the listed price of the house, so that the signed offer might be used as an evidence of value in obtaining a mortgage loan higher than would be available if the true selling price of the property was stated in the offer. In this procedure, the broker, after having thus fraudulently arranged for a mortgage loan, executed another contract, stating the true price offered, for presentation to the seller of the property.
The FHA official further explained that such conduct involved misrepresentation and law violations, and distorted FHA's market data. FHA lacked documentation, but believed that this type of procedure had been used by some brokers, builders, and to some extent had been condoned by persons approving mortgage loan applications.
He asked for REALTOR® A's assistance in documenting specific instances. REALTOR® A replied that persons in the real estate business had "common knowledge" that such practices were in use; that through business activities he knew of specific persons who had practiced it and had in his files legal evidence of fraudulent offers that were used to obtain mortgage loans in two instances. However, he took the position that much as he deplored such unethical conduct, he had no inclination to play the role of informer and did not believe he should be asked to. He refused to divulge information that he acknowledged he had in his possession.
It came to the attention of the Grievance Committee of REALTOR® A's Board that he had refused to cooperate with the FHA in bringing instances of alleged fraud and unethical conduct to light. The function of the Grievance Committee includes review of undocumented or hearsay reports of unethical conduct, and if definite evidence were found, making the evidence the subject of a complaint before the Board's Professional Standards Committee.
Fulfilling its duty, the Grievance Committee called in REALTOR® A and requested that he divulge the information in his possession to the Committee. REALTOR® A refused, and upon his refusal and statement of his position, the Grievance Committee referred the matter to the Professional Standards Committee of the Board for hearing charging REALTOR® A with having violated Article 2.
Based on your understanding of the Code of Ethics Article 2, what do you think the hearing panel concluded? Click her to find out >>
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REALTORS® Federal Credit Union
Why Join REALTORS® FCU?
It's the 24/7 credit union designed for your unique needs as a REALTOR®!
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Open 24/7! |
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FREE ATMs Nationwide |
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FREE Checking w/ FREE debit card |
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Scan check deposits using your computer |
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Transfer funds between financial institutions online |
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Flexible lending that understands a REALTOR®'s income |
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Earnings go back to benefit YOU and your fellow REALTORS® |
Join Online >> It only takes 15 minutes!
Free MRIS Training at PGCAR
Tuesday, February 26
MRIS 301: Cozy Up to the New MRIS Products and Features
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Let MRIS help light your fire to success with the new products and features we have to offer! Learn about MRIS Homes, School Boundaries, Transaction Types and Showing Assist.
Keystone 101: Entering Listings Correctly. The Key to a Fast Sale
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Learn how to add or edit a listing in Keystone. We will go over Rules & Regulations, Compliance, entering accurate information open houses and photos.
Visit www.mris.com/training for details and registration. Advance registration with MRIS is required.
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PGCAR Offices will be closed on Monday, February 18
in observance of Presidents' Day. |
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