Southern Maryland Association of Realtors

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Member Government Affairs Notices:

Did you miss the email?.
If you've missed a recent government affairs or legislative update email, click the SMAR NEWS link on the left side of the page. All recent SMAR email to members is archived there.

Charles County Commissioner President Wayne Cooper resigns
Commission VP Edith Patterson assumes Presidency--Click here for the vids.

Watch out for the 419 Real Estate Scam!

New Charles County Sign Ordinance
On Tuesday, both St. Mary's and Charles County Boards of Commissioners held hearings to revise the zoning ordinance regulations governing signs. Click here for more information.

Wine Tasting Fundraiser
$100 per person
Friday August 6
6-9 PM
Prime Rib Room
1055 Theodore Green Blvd
White Plains, MD 20609
click here for details

ELECT BOBBY RUCCI

County Commissioner 2010

Information from USDA Rural Development
Click here for more information about the 502 Single Family Guaranteed Loan Program as described in the recent email from SMAR Goverment Affairs Director Paula Martino.

Agency Disclosure at the Open House
The Maryland Real Estate Commission has recently formally adopted an interpretation of the current agency disclosure under Maryland law applicable to residential real estate transactions. Click here for a synopsis in question and answer format of the three issues covered by the Maryland Real Estate Commission's adopted interpretation.

MAR and RPAC: A summary of Success
The Maryland Association of REALTORS® and SMAR would like to remind our members of the critical role RPAC has played in protecting REALTORS® and homeowners from legislation that could be harmful to the real estate industry. Your RPAC contributions are more important now than ever before. Please click here for a summary of the MANY important ways RPAC has acted to protect REALTORS® in the past 10 years. Your RPAC contribution is a worthwhile investment in your profession.

SMAR GAD Paula Martino's Message About Appraisers, HVCC and Short Sales.
Click here for message to the membership from SMAR GAD Paula Martino sent March 2, 2009 concerning Appraisers, HVCC and Short Sales.

Check out the NEW SMAR "Members Only" web site!

www.smarmember.org

It's strictly for SMAR Members and it's FREE!

From Paula Martino, SMAR Government Affairs Director:
Please follow the link below to find out what the new county level FHA loan limits are for the rest of the calendar year based on the recently passed stimulus package. Open the page and Click on "NAR chart of new FHA and GSE loan limits" to see an easy to read chart outlining these changes. Click here for details.

MAR Legal Hotline
Free authoritative legal advice is available to SMAR members by calling the MAR Legal Hotline. Questions on all aspects of real estate law are answered. Sales agents may call the hotline up to four times per year; designated REALTORS® Brokers and Managers), have unlimited calls. A written response to all callers and their brokers is sent within 48 hours. Hours of operation 10:00AM - 12:00 Noon and 2:00PM to 4:00PM Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 1-800-888-1272.