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| January 20, 2014 | |
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David Maclin Memorial Scholarship Fund Third Annual 5K Fun Walk/Run - Saturday, April 12
New Certification Helps REALTORS® Serve Relocating Military Families Coming to PGCAR February 12!  
Military Relocation Professional (MRP) CertificationWednesday, February 12 9 am - 4:30 pm at PGCAR $150 through February 8; $175 after Also approved for 6 MD Elective CEU The MRP is a new certification from NAR's Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council, to help real estate professionals better meet the unique needs of relocating military members and their families. The Military Relocation Professional Certification is available to practitioners who complete a one-day course and two one-hour webinars that detail housing solutions, timetables, military background, and ways to help service members. The one-day course is also an approved elective for REBAC's Accredited Buyers Representative designation. "Home ownership is an important part of the fabric of America, and having a stable home environment is vital when men and women of the military are called away to serve their country," says 2013 NAR President Gary Thomas. "Working with a REALTOR® who understands specific needs and timetables related to military service will help make their transfers easier, faster, and less stressful. The Military Relocation Professional Certification will help REALTORS® hone their knowledge and skills for working with veterans and active duty military buyers and sellers to ensure that home ownership remains affordable and accessible to them." Visit the MRP website > Register today > Cost of Postal Stamps Increases This Sunday, January 26 
Are "thank you" notes or other personal letters in your marketing plans for this year? The cost of first-class postage stamps will increase from 46 cents to 49 cents this Sunday, January 26. To lock-in at current prices, you can buy "Forever" stamps now. This week is also a good time to find nice stationary and cards at great discounts at local stores and malls.
The U.S. Postal Service sells stamps online at www.usps.com. Details > The Role of Real Estate in Maryland's Economy A study of real estate-related activities in Maryland released November 2013, demonstrates that Maryland's real estate industry directly and secondarily supports nearly 464,000 jobs in Maryland, approximately $28.7 billion in associated employee compensation (includes value of benefits), and $71 billion in output. The real estate industry also directly generated $887 million for the State of Maryland in individual income taxes and $7.3 billion in local government real estate-related tax revenues. The industry now supports roughly three-fifths of local government general fund revenues, significantly higher than the 49.2 percent of the 2011 report. In other words, despite representing 20 percent of statewide output, the industry supplies approximately 60 percent of local government general fund revenues. Any economic or tax policies considered in Maryland should carefully evaluate the potential effects on the real estate industry engine that so powerfully affects the state's fiscal health at all levels. Above is but a brief synopsis of key conclusions. Click here for this very informative report > New Ability-to-Repay Mortgage Rule Now Effective; FHFA Decides to Delay Fannie, Freddie Fee Increases The Ability-to-Repay rule and Qualified Mortgage standards went into effect Friday, January 10. The new criteria are meant to provide consumer protections against irresponsible lending that ends up financially harming the homebuyer and the economy, while preserving needed access to mortgage credit. Qualified Mortgages cannot be made to a borrower with a debt-to-income ratio greater than 43 percent, cannot require interest-only payments, and cannot negatively amortize or require more than 3 percent in fees and points. Read more > Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt has decided to delay increases in guarantee fees on loans purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In a September 2013 letter, NAR called on FHFA to refrain from changing its fee structure until completing an analysis to determine the effectiveness of its fee pricing policy at bringing private enterprise back into the market. Other mortgage news:
2014 REALTORS® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice The 2014 Code of Ethics is now available at www.pgcar.com, with a few updates from the 2013 Annual NAR Conference. REALTOR® members are bound to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice in fulfilling their duties to clients and customers, to the public, and to other REALTORS®. Our Code of Ethics is one of the many factors setting us apart, and allows the public to have high confidence that the REALTOR® they hire will protect and promote their interests. REALTORS® pledge to that. See Article 1. Please take this opportunity to review the recent updates to the Code of Ethics, and the entire Code of Ethics. It's good business! 2014 Standard Mileage Rates 
As of January 1, 2014, the standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes have changed to:
TAX-FREE ITEMS - Presidents' Day Weekend in Maryland! Tax Free Weekend on Energy Star Products — February 15 - 17 Share the news with your homebuyers! Marylanders mark your calendars: the weekend of Saturday, February 15 through Monday, February 17 (Presidents' Day) will be a tax-free three-day weekend during which the sales and use tax will not apply to the sale of solar water heaters and selected Energy Star Products. Energy Star Product means an air conditioner, clothes washer or dryer, furnace, heat pump, standard size refrigerator, compact fluorescent light bulb, dehumidifier, or programmable thermostat that has 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. For more information on Energy Star items, click here > Also, remember to mark your calendars for Shop Maryland, August 10 - August 16, where qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less will be exempt from the Maryland 6% sales tax (accessory items are not included).
Thank You for Participating in MAR REALTOR® Lobby Day 
Many thanks to those of you who joined us in Annapolis last Tuesday, January 14, to meet our Maryland State legislators and their staff and discuss real estate issues with them. It's important that they know we're involved and interested. Your voice matters! Learn More, Earn More in 2014 
PGCAR is offering GRI Series 100 in April.The dates for this 5-day series are April 9, 11, 17, 23 and 25. Also earn 3 MD Ethics hours, 3 MD Fair Housing hours and 10.5 MD elective hours. Sign up now! Consumer Tip: Up on the Rooftop Must Snow be Removed after Significant Snowfall? 
This winter has shaped up to be a whopper (though, to be fair, the whole year has been extraordinary, hasn't it?). Many areas of the country have already "enjoyed" - to use the term loosely - a higher-than-average snowfall, and the arrival of spring is not even close.
With significant snow, one question on homeowners' minds is, "Do I need to do anything about all this snow on my roof?" We've all heard tales of roofs collapsing under heavy weight, and no one wants to become another tale. So how do you know what to do? Consider the following when wondering about snow on your roof:
You certainly want to protect the investment of your home, but if you do have a heavy snowfall, be sure to take proper precautions and heed warnings. For more information on rooftop snow and evaluating what to do about it, please visit Houselogic.com. PGCAR and WCR Membership Applications for 2014 New Agents? Looking for a PGCAR or Local WCR Membership Application? Download the New 2014 PGCAR Membership Application from www.pgcar.com > Women's Council of REALTORS® Prince George's Chapter Membership Application > Earn All MD and DC Required CEU at PGCAR All classes are held at PGCAR offices. There's plenty of parking!
 INCLEMENT WEATHER / SNOW POLICY:
SNOW POLICY: PGCAR classes will be conducted as scheduled unless the Prince George's County Government offices are closed. If you are registered for a class and it is cancelled, your registration fee will be returned or transferred to a future class.
Please be safe and use your best judgment with regards to driving. If unable to attend due to weather, please e-mail Scott Miller or call Scott at 301-306-7961 and you will not be charged. If you will not be attending class, please indicate whether you would like to reschedule or if you would like a refund. PGCAR committee meetings: If Prince George's County Public Schools are CLOSED, all PGCAR committee meetings will be cancelled. If Prince George's County Public Schools are on a delayed schedule, committee meetings will be held as scheduled. PGCAR offices will be open unless the Prince George's County Government is closed. Remember! Enjoy Savings on CEU at PGCAR! 
PGCAR Members and REALTORS® - Enjoy steep discounts on ALL classes held 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: Fixed Mortgage Rates Take a Dip 
Freddie Mac released results last Thursday, January 16, showing a decline in fixed mortgage rates.
The Vice President and Chief Economist for Freddie Mac, Frank Nothaft, indicated that the downward movement is a response to signs that the economic recovery is weakening. "The economy added 74,000 jobs in December, less than the market consensus forecast," Nothaft stated. "Retail sales [PDF] rose 0.2 percent in December, which was nearly half of November's 0.4 percent increase. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 6.7 percent which was the lowest since October 2008." Freddie Mac reports the following averages for the week ending January 16, 2014:
Like us on Facebook to see monthly Prince George's County home sales and weekly mortgage reports as soon as they are released!
Sales Coach: Sticks and Stones... The Words You Use Can Make or Break Your Sales 
When you're talking with clients - either existing or potential - or even with colleagues, it's important that you help them feel confident in your abilities as a REALTOR®. Bear in mind that the words you choose can inadvertently undermine your message, and leave others questioning your professionalism or integrity. Be thoughtful about word selection to ensure that you're conveying the message you want.
Beware these 7 phrases that should be avoided:
For more information on thoughtful phrasing, visit visit Realtor.org >.
FREE HANDS-ON MRIS TRAINING AT PGCAR Tomorrow at PGCAR Tuesday, January 21 @ 9:30 am MATRIX 301: Success with Stats Tuesday, January 21 @ 1:00 pm MRIS 301: What's New & What's Coming MRIS reports that agents who take advantage of their FREE workshops, also tend to seldom receive complaints and fines for misuse of the MLS. Visit www.mris.com/training for details and registration. Advance registration with MRIS is required. Why Join REALTORS® FCU? - Here's One Reason!
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