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| March 3, 2014 | |
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Commit to helping more students reach their dreams by joining us now!
Register or Donate > Become a Sponsor >
Then, please post this flyer in your office lobby and share the event link from facebook.com/pgcar. Better yet - print out some copies and ask to post them at the next five places you visit. Office Lobby * Coffee Shop * Sporting Goods Merchandiser * Book Store * Community Mail Box
Let's post the David Maclin 5K Scholarship Fun Walk/Run all over Prince George's County and Flyer & Printable Registration > Printable Sponsorship Contribution Form > Runner Sponsor Form > Earn the Maryland Short Sale Certification Thursday, March 20 at PGCAR Our one-day program, The New Maryland Short Sale Certification, will give you the knowledge you need to successfully navigate short sales while staying compliant with the new regulations including the MARS Act. The MARS Act has been effective in Maryland since July 1, 2013. ALL real estate licensees involved in short sales MUST COMPLY with the Act. How do you know if you're in compliance? How do you protect yourself and avoid penalties of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment? (Yes, you read that right!) PGCAR is here to help! Attend Thursday, March 20 9 am - 3 pm at PGCAR Only $195 through March 17 / $225 after March 17 Register Today at www.pgcar.com > Learn More, Earn More in 2014 - GRI 100 Series Begins April 9  
Improve your industry knowledge and your income!
You can earn your GRI by taking the GRI 100, 200 and 300 Series in any order. Also earn 3 MD Ethics hours, 3 MD Fair Housing hours and 10.5 MD elective hours with GRI 100. Register for the entire GRI 100 or individual classes at www.pgcar.com.
Top 10 Things for REALTORS® to Know About Tax Reform Proposal REALTORS® Oppose Plan to Limit MID 
Last Wednesday, February 26, House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) released his long-awaited plan to reform the federal tax system. NAR president Steve Brown expressed the association's strong opposition and extreme disappointment in a statement released shortly after the proposal was unveiled. . .
"NAR supports reforms that promote economic growth, but we strongly oppose severely altering the rules that govern ownership and investment in real estate. Real estate powers almost one-fifth of the U.S. economy, employs more than 17 million Americans, and contributes a quarter of all federal and state tax revenue and as much as 70 percent of local taxes."NAR's Legislative Policy Team has reviewed the 2,000+ page document to evaluate the potential impact on real estate, both on residential and commercial, contained in the "discussion draft." Maryland Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Overturn 2012 "Pit Bull Legislation" 
The Maryland Senate unanimously passed S.B 247 that overturns the 2012 ruling that deemed pit bulls to be "inherently dangerous."
S.B. 247 passed by a 45-0 vote. On Friday, the Senate unanimously approved a bill to hold dog owners liable if their pet (regardless of breed) bites someone, unless they can prove they did not know it could happen. Similar legislation (H.B. 73, introduced by Del. Luiz Simmons, D-17) is awaiting action by the House of Delegates. Humane Society, February 28: MD Senate Praised for Passage of Compromise Legislation for Maryland Dogs > Flood Insurance Bill Still Awaiting Action in House Vote is Expected This Week On Thursday, January 30, the Senate voted 67 - 32 to pass the bipartisan-sponsored Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (S. 1926). This new legislation calls for a 4-year timeout on rate increases triggered by a property's sale or a flood map update for a property with previously grandfathered rates. The Senate vote sent the measure to the House of Representatives, where Reps. Grimm (R-NY) and Waters (D-CA) had built an impressive list of 181 co-sponsors in favor of the bill; a total just 30 votes shy of a House majority. The House vote was anticipated last week, but on Wednesday, February 26, House Speaker John Boehner announced that voting would be delayed as work on the legislation continued. The bill is now expected to come to a vote this week. Temporary delays (until 2015) on limited portions of the original Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, were inserted into January's omnibus spending bill and passed. Read more:
The Role of Real Estate in Maryland's Economy An independently conducted research report by Sage Policy Group, Inc., sponsored by MAR, finds that nearly 464,000 jobs, $28.7 billion in associated employee compensation and benefits, and $71 billion in output are supported by Maryland's real estate industry. Download and read the entire report > REALTOR® Party Convention & Trade Expo is May 12th - 17th Registration Now Open! 
The REALTOR® Party Convention & Trade Expo (renamed from NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo) will be Monday through Saturday, May 12th through 17th in Washington, DC. The Trade Expo will be open Wednesday and Thursday, 10 am to 6 pm both days. Come together and take an active role to advance the real estate industry, public policy, and the association. Join fellow REALTORS® for a variety of meetings and events including: special issues forums, committee meetings, legislative activities, and the industry trade show. Registration is still FREE to REALTOR® members. For more information, to plan your Convention Schedule, and to register, click here. Consumer Tip: Don't Fall into These 6 Home Deduction Traps 
It's tax time, and while we're all poring over documents, numbers, and deductions, it's important to pay close attention in order to avoid miscalculations and possibly an audit.
On Form 1040, Schedule A is where you list your deductions. There are some common points on Schedule A where those preparing their own taxes most frequently make mistakes. Look carefully at these 6 common pitfalls when preparing your taxes:
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: Gradual Upward Climb in Fixed Mortgage Rates Continues 
Results released by Freddie Mac last Thursday, February 27, reflected upward movement in fixed mortgage rates for the fourth consecutive week.
According to Frank Nothaft, Vice President and Chief Economist for Freddie Mac, the rise was a response to January's better-than-expected new home sales figures. "The 9.6 percent increase in new home sales for January followed an upward revision of 13,000 units in December," Nothaft stated. "The S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-city composite house price index [PDF] rose 13.4 percent over the 12-months ending in December 2013." Freddie Mac reports the following averages for the week ending February 27, 2014:
February home sales stats will be released this Thursday or Friday. Like us on Facebook to be among the first to see them! Commercial Real Estate Investors Cautiously Optimistic for 2014 Commercial real estate investments are expected to produce generally solid returns in 2014, according to the authors of Expectations & Market Realities in Real Estate 2014 - The Future Unfolds, an annual forecast report released by Deloitte, NAR, and the Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC). Research findings indicate that although uncertainties remain, the economy is expected to continue to grow slowly and improve modestly in 2014. Ample liquidity is creating investment potential. Furthermore, commercial real estate investment has expanded beyond the primary markets (big cities such as New York, DC and San Francisco) to the secondary and tertiary markets (suburban areas and inland cities). In addition, the report carefully analyzes and offers a research-based assessment of the office, industrial, apartment, retail, and hotel property sectors. The report also provides an outlook for the three most likely economic and investment scenarios for 2014 and beyond. Download the full report > Read the news release > Read a short intro > Sales Coach: How Pinterest Can Help Raise Interest 
You already know that your marketing plan should have many facets in order to reach the widest and most diverse population. So have you considered Pinterest as part of that marketing?
As Pinterest gains in popularity within the realm of social media, REALTORS® are finding it a valuable tool for raising interest in their businesses. As a very visual site, Pinterest is where you can highlight your excellence in home staging, décor suggestions, and home improvement ideas. Imagine being the go-to source for decorating or renovation tips, even customized by geographical area or budget! Really, the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination. Naturally, a benefit to posting photos of rooms or features in your listed houses is the potential for generating business. Perhaps a viewer isn't looking at house listings yet, but if interest is piqued by the kitchen layout or street view of a home, he or she may want to look further. That's a great way to start a conversation, and possibly sell a home. For more information and tips on marketing through social media sites like Pinterest, please visit Realtor.org >
HANDS-ON MRIS TRAINING FREE at PGCAR Tuesday, March 18 @ 9:30 am MATRIX 301: Success with Stats Tuesday, March 18 @ 1:00 pm MATRIX 102: CMA's, Present Listings with Confidence Tuesday, March 18 @ 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 Another Reason! 
Save throughout the year, and make future dues or other annual payments using your debit card. Dues Savings Acount details and application > 2015 NAR Leadership Academy Applications Accepted Through March 31 
Are you already actively involved, have a passion for the industry and a vision for the future of real estate? If this describes you, consider applying for the 2015 graduating class of the National Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academy.
Details and application > November 2014 - May 2015 Academy Sessions > Application deadline is Monday, March 31, 2014 Some people dream of great accomplishments, while others stay awake and do them. - Author Unknown |
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