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Week of October 19, 2007
REMINDER: ALL FLYERS ARE INCLUDED IN THE WEEKLY
BROKER FAX
We’re talking with our
neighbors and we wanted to include you in the discussion. The
Coastal Association of REALTORS® have been talking with the
Sussex County Association of REALTORS® to explore a
partnership arrangement. Leadership from both Associations are
enthusiastic about the opportunities that a partnership would
provide for our members. The associations would share an
Executive Vice President as well as other administrative
services which would mean improved economies of scale for both
associations. Before we go any further, we wanted to hear what
you have to say about this idea.
Click here and let us know your thoughts!
CAR Office Closure
The association office will be closed from
8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 30, to 1 p.m. on Friday,
November 2. This is due to staff training, and we ask for
everyone’s cooperation during this time. Thank you!
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MRIS is hosting seminars for
agents in the coastal Maryland region. The
seminars are free of charge and open only to MRIS
subscribers and includes continental breakfast.
The next one is:
Building on the success of our
recent seminar featuring Terri Murphy, MRIS
proudly offers "Fun with
Lawyers," featuring Oliver Frascona.
Oliver Frascona is a practicing attorney who
specializes in Real Estate Brokerage Law. Now this
may sound dull, but anyone who has heard Oliver
would quickly disagree. He can captivate an
audience with his combination of solid practical
advice mixed with humorous anecdotes that will
keep you laughing while you learn. Don’t miss this
exciting chance to learn from one of the best!
Where: Wicomico
Civic Center in Salisbury, MD (driving
directions)
When:
Friday, October 26, from 8:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m.
Register
now by clicking here |
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4th Quarter MLS Payments Due
ATTENTION BROKERS & OFFICE
MANAGERS!!!—MLS bills for 4th quarter of 2007 were
due by Monday, October 1. Payments are now considered late,
and a $200 reinstatement fee for the office and a $30
reinstatement fee for each member will be applied. Please
either submit your payment, or notify the association office
if you do not intend on renewing your MLS membership. If
you have any questions, please contact the association office
at 410-641-4409.
COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE
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HOLIDAY
PROJECTS: With Thanksgiving and Christmas right
around the corner, it is time to get involved in the
community and spread some holiday cheer. The association’s Community Service Committee
invites you to join them in
filling stockings for the Children’s House by the Sea
(example: books, movies, small toys, games, stuffed
animals). Help them to put some smiles on the faces of these
children! The Committee also invites you to join them in
their upcoming coat drive. Start gathering up any old coats
that are just collecting dust in your closet! If you
are interested in participating in any of these events,
please contact Terry Testani at 443-523-2966 or Pat Terrill
at 443-497-2332. Remember, no donation is too small, and all
are deeply appreciated.
- HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION:
Looking for volunteers to help with the Ocean Pines
Halloween Celebration. White Horse Park, Saturday, October
27, from 1 to 4 p.m. Call Terry Testani at 443-523-2966.
Also, donations of individually wrapped candies are
appreciated.
FREE
ARIS Classes Scheduled
There have been
ARIS classes scheduled for October through December of 2007.
There will no longer be a charge for these classes. Please
refer to the Web
site for registration and further details.
President’s Message—CALL TO ACTION
 The
Governor, as part of his budget proposal, recently proposed
that Maryland sales and use taxes would be increased to 6% and
applied to property management services. That means renters in
apartments that use property management services will pay that
tax through higher rents. This proposal is inconsistent with
the Governor’s pledge to help working families. According to
the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Maryland is already
the 7th most expensive rental market in the country. Maryland
should work to help housing affordability not make it
worse.
The main focus has been on Maryland renters
paying more due to the property management tax; however,
homeowners and condo owners should take note too. Many
homeowner associations and condo boards are also managed by
professional management companies and will also pay a 6% tax
on top of their management fees. Those taxes will ultimately
be paid by the property owners in higher HOA and condo
assessments. This tax is bad enough when considering its
impact on renters, but it will hit homeowners
too.
The property management tax will also hit
small business. Any small business renting space from a
building owner using a property management service will
ultimately pay this tax as it is passed down to them through
higher rents. The property management tax is a bad deal for
small business.
The Governor’s proposal to tax property
management services could have a devastating effect on Ocean
City and the surrounding areas. Therefore, the Coastal
Association of REALTORS® urges everyone affected by this tax
to contact the governor’s office and their legislators to
voice their opposition to placing a sales and use tax of 6% on
property management services.
Governor’s and legislators phone numbers and
e-mail address can be found at: http://capwiz.com/mdrealtor/state/main/?state=MD.
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