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MSBR will be sending out a few quick 3-4 question surveys starting October 1st. Your input & comments will be used in developing the next MSBR Strategic Plan. |
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The return of pumpkin spiced beverages also means NEW Maryland Real Estate Regulations
As of October 1, 2025 these new laws are effective:
CH203 Conventional Home Mortgage Loans- Assumption and Disclosure: requires lenders to include a provision in ALL conventional home mortgage loans that allows existing borrowers to assume the mortgage in the event of a divorce. Applies to new and existing mortgages.
CH490 Pet Policy Transparency Act- Landlords must provide the property's pet policy on the property's website and as part of an application form for a rental unit on the property.
CH519 Funding of Reserve Accounts and Preparation of funding Plans- Grants additional flexibility to meet required reserve funding requirements and creates a financial hardship process to alter approved reserve funding plans for up to 1 fiscal year.
CH196 Land Use and Real Property Accessory Dwelling Units- Requires local governments to enact ordinances allowing for the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units on single-family detached residential properties by October 1, 2026.
CH397 Real Estate Commission Continuing Education Requirements.
CH508 Assignment of Contracts of Sale Disclosure and Rescission- Before entering a contract of sale or before assigning a contract, a wholesaler must provide a written disclosure too both the property seller and the prospective buyer( assignee) if a contract will be assigned. If the disclosure is not provided, the contract to purchase may be rescinded without penalty prior to settlement. Applies only to contracts executed after October 1, 2025 |
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Last Chance to Register for Tomorrow's Session
Rob is a well respected and knowledgeable Associate Broker~~ it will be well worth your time to attend.
Professional Development with Rob Lacaze on Negotiation Tactics October 1st 1-2:15pm In-Person at the Board Office |
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New homeowners are seeing much higher insurance rates. Buyers finding they can not afford to buy due to the Insurance. Here's your chance to find out what is going.
Join Cassie Werner, Homeowners Insurance Agent with Donius Patterson Insurance. Learn how to navigate roofing concerns, understand why underwriting guidelines have become more stringent, and discover how these changes affect the ability to buy or sell a home. Cassie will also share strategies for overcoming common insurance setbacks, choosing the right insurance carrier, and what to expect during home inspections—from the insurer’s point of view. This session will help you build trust in the insurance process and empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. |
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Tax Tips Session with Chuck Ireland Accounting Strategies Group November 13 10-11am MSBR Board Office How to prepare for tax season by organizing income and expenses, ensuring accurate recordkeeping, and identifying eligible deductions specific to real estate professionals, such as vehicle use, home office, and marketing costs. Taught by MSBR Affiliate, Chuck Ireland with Accounting Strategies Group. |
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MSBR will host a Golf Tournament May 2026
Want to help out in some capacity? Join us on Tuesday, October 7 at 9:30am in person or by zoom
Let us know if you are attending: debbie@msbrmd.com |
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Have clients that are still waiting for the Rates to drop?
Check out this article. Realty Times - Waiting, Waiting, Waiting
Mortgage rates typically anticipate any Fed action. By the time the Fed does move, one way or the other, mortgage markets have moved ahead of time. So, are you doing the same? Perhaps you know someone who is also waiting for rates to move downward? |
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Bias Override CE Class was well attended and MSBR welcomed agents from Anne Arundel, Coastal and VA's Eastern Shore Associations.
Thank you to Talbot County's Behavioral Health Center for allowing MSBR to hold the CE Class here. We were able to accommodate everyone who wanted to attend. |
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Why YOU should invest in RPAC? |
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MSBR utilizes our RPAC funds to support and defend at the local level any issues affecting homeownership. Most recently, we were successful in getting Dorchester County to keep the tax differential for the Town of Hurlock and the City of Cambridge. This RPAC WIN affected a combined over 7,000 households in Dorchester County.
If you are lucky enough to have been business for 5 years or longer, you will recall that pivotal day, March 20, 2020 when we were all sent home and our local world stopped. It was because of the efforts of our RPAC dollars, Maryland approved real estate as an essential business and we were able to keep doing what we do every day. NAR, thru its advocacy, was able to fast-track the approval from Congress for remote notarization. Again, this was huge for us who were licensed and working during the pandemic.
From time to time through legislation, we are threatened with taking away our independent contractor status, making changes to taxation laws affecting estates, 1031 exchanges or capital gains or tax on services, just to name a few. 2026 will not be the exception, we expect to have a multitude of housing & brokerage related bills. We need RPAC dollars to fight these issues!
I am a proud Major Investor in RPAC and have been for 10 years. If you have contributed this year, I thank you!
If you have not contributed, please consider a $25.00 donation. If each MSBR member would contribute at this level, this would go a long way toward meeting our RPAC goal for the year.
You may say, I don’t get involved in politics, but I would argue, if you are in the business of real estate, politics is your business. Supporting RPAC isn’t an expense—it’s a business strategy. By investing in RPAC, you’re investing in your business, your clients, and the future of our profession.
Help MSBR reach the 2025 goal. We need $3,300 more in RPAC contributions and with your support, this goal can be achieved.
To invest call the MSBR office at 410-822-8767
Sheila Washburn, Broker with Benson and Mangold |
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Yes, MSBR has an App! MSBR also has the Member INFO Hub to make it faster to pay your invoice, sign up for CE and to add your personal information for the MSBR website.
Info Hub Training for Your Members
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What is VantageScore and why it matters!
Ask the Economist: How Will VantageScore 4.0 Impact Mortgages? |
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Great AI Session in OC on Sunday Oct. 19th from 10am-4pm
The Maryland/DC Chapter of the Residential Real Estate Council is offering a powerful AI Certification Course on October 19th in Ocean City, MD. This course will give attendees 4 hours of Maryland CE, 8 hours CRS credits and an AI Certification. This is separate from the State Conference. Register Here: https://www.crs.com/education/catalog/?10192025---mddc-rrc---classroom |
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BRIGHT MLS Now Offering a Safety App to Agents Check out Tether- it's being offered at a low cost
Tether RE is a recent addition to Bright’s available partner products, and at a discounted rate of just $6 per month for Bright subscribers, it’s a tough one to pass up! This personal safety platform for agents is an effective complement to existing safety tools, boasting active features like 24/7 live safety monitoring, emergency alerts, location sharing, milage tracking, and more to keep you protected in the field.
Per Donna Roberts, "I love Tether! and happy to answer any questions. $6/month or $60 for the year. Regular cost is $90.00
Donna Roberts |
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2026 REALTOR & Affiliate Dues
2026 REALTOR and Affiliate Dues are due December 1, 2025 Avoid the $100 late fee - pay by January 2, 2026 Dues notices will be e-mailed on November 1, 2025
2026 Total REALTOR Dues $850 MSBR $357 (no increase) Maryland REALTORS $242 (increase of $5) National Assoc. of REALTORS $201 (no increase) Down Payment Grant $25 RPAC $25
2026 Affiliate Dues $350 (no increase) Down Payment Grant $25 RPAC $25
Hardship letters must be received by December 1, 2025 in order to be considered Save Money- Pay on Time |
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Attention Commercial Agents
Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc. (CWDI) Request for Proposals (RFP) for experienced commercial real estate brokers to market the development of Cambridge Harbor along the Choptank River.
The RFP was released on Sept. 26, with proposals due by midnight on October 31. CWDI expects to select a broker on November 26. Interested respondents should contact CWDI at info@cwdimd.org to request a nondisclosure agreement (a standard requirement to ensure that respondents have access to detailed project information while protecting sensitive planning and financial data). |
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MSBR Continuing Education October ~ December Maryland Department of Labor's website to view your CE status and |
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Couldn't make the CE Classes? MSBR partners with The CE Shop. Education on your time. For October 35% off discount code: MISSION35 CE Shop Classes available 24/7 |
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RPR’s Next Gen Reports are out of beta—the first step in a major upgrade to how REALTORS® create and deliver reports to their clients.
Webinars with multiple dates to choose from You will love what this can do & it's included in your NAR dues.
With customizable templates, an easy drag-and-drop interface, and dynamic updates every 48 hours, your reports will impress like never before. In this webinar, they will provide detailed instructions on how to make the most of this new reporting option. It will cover:
Next Gen Reports are currently available in your RPR account. Learn more about making the most of this latest RPR feature improvement. |
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Partnering with Anne Arundel Association for the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Designation Class is being offered virtually.
2-Days ~~ Oct 28th & 30th from 1:00pm-4:00pm
The instructor is Cammie Reed and the cost is $109.00. This is being offered by Anne Arundel Association and is open to all Maryland REALTORS.
More Information to follow but if interested you can connect with Chris at 410-822-8767 or chris@msbrmd.com |
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Support Affiliate Member Habitat for Humanity- Hard Hats and Heels fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity on October 18, 2025 from 6-8pm at 447 Venue on 447 Rae Street in Cambridge. Cocktails, Great food, live and silent auction and live music by Everyday People Band. Tickets are $125/per person.
https://habitatchoptank.org/news-events/hard-hats-high-heels/ |
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Show your Community Support and Volunteer:
Sheriffs' Showdown for Safe Homes Oct 25th Tickets are $10 and the proceeds go to Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore. Location is the Queen Anne High School. Doors open at 3pm and Basketball Tip-off is at 4pm. QA vs Kent Sheriff departments.
Waterfowl Weekend Nov. 14-16 Need guides for 2 hour shifts and you get a free ticket to the Festival. Contact Affiliate member Deena Kilmon at 410-822-4567 or dkilmon@waterfowlfestival.org
Festival of Trees fundraiser for Talbot Hospice Nov. 29-Dec. 2nd Contact REALTOR Karla Wieland-Cherry at 410-310-8421 or dkcherry4@aol.com |
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Next Newsletter is October 14, 2025
Copyright © 2025 Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Easton, MD 21601 Want to change how you receive these emails? |