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December 2002 Newsletter
A Message From Your President
Change If you remember, one of the first articles I wrote was about change. I thought it appropriate to end on that theme as well as my time as your president draws to a close. Change will always be part of our lives, so we need to know how to deal with it. Whether it be in changes in our lives or in real estate be it changing market conditions, new legal requirements or technological challenges etc, life will continue to challenge us. One way to deal with change is to not be caught off guard. The best way to do that is stay informed. There are many sources of information available to you as REALTOR®'s from the web sites for NAR, MAR and AACAR to the many periodicals that you receive. The key in this day and age is not in getting information but in managing the overwhelming amount of it! They say that the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time! I would suggest the same in managing information. Set aside just a small portion of your time to glance through these magazines and only stop on the ones that interest you. After you are done, save what you want and toss the rest. Otherwise you end up with the leaning tower of Pisa on your desk and a feeling of being overwhelmed. On the real estate front, changes are coming to the key lock box system. Either we will be upgrading with Supra or switching over to another vendor. Look for this to occur probably in the winter of 2003/2004. MRIS is eventually going to be switching over to a new program that will replace REALTOR® Workstation. No firm date on when this will occur, but it will happen in the next couple of years. You can test out some new programs MRIS is offering, such as TaraSoft Titan and soon TaraSoft Matrix. Look for classes MRIS is offering by checking their web site. They have a lot of good tools, training and information to offer. The Maryland State Legislature has enacted some new laws that take affect now (e.g. nicknames) and some in Oct 03 (e.g. name size etc). Be sure to know what these laws say and how you can be in compliance. The real estate market has been red hot, but will it continue? No one knows for sure but it appears that at some point things will slow down. Are you ready for change? Like a storm that can buffet us, change can sometimes put a severe test on the foundations of our lives. What is the foundation that holds you steady? You need one! For myself, my faith in God is what gives my life meaning and a firm foundation to help me through those times of change and testing. Remember what change does to the lowly caterpillar. Without change we would never have the beautiful butterfly! What butterfly is waiting inside you? P.S. Thank You! My term as president of the association will be done as of the beginning of December, and I just wanted to take a minute to thank all the people who were of such an encouragement to me this year. I really appreciated all your notes and comments. Thanks also to all who volunteered their time to help our great association in so many ways. We couldn't operate without you! Thanks also to the association staff who consistently amaze me in what they can do in so little time, and who have to deal with so many different personalities but do it so well. Finally, thank you, Tom, for your help during the year and answering ALL my many questions. I've learned a ton and have a greater appreciation for how well the association is run and all that you do!
You Be the JudgeCase #13-1: Preparation of Instrument Unrelated to Real EstateClient A dropped in to see his friend, REALTOR® B, who had recently provided professional services to Client A's company. Client A said the company was sending him on business to the Far East; that the trip would involve a good deal of air travel in remote areas; and that he would like to leave a power of attorney with his wife while he was gone "just in case." He asked REALTOR® B if he would prepare a power of attorney for him and REALTOR® B said, "It's a simple document. I'll be glad to prepare one for you," and did. This action came to the attention of the Grievance Committee of the Board of REALTORS®, which, after review, filed a complaint with the Board's Professional Standards Committee, charging REALTOR® B with a violation of Article 13 of the Code of Ethics. REALTOR® B's defense was that he understood Client A's request to be essentially for a real estate service since from his general knowledge of Client A's personal affairs, he knew that Client A could have no reason for giving his wife a power of attorney except to put her in a position to act in real estate transactions. He contended that because his preparation of a legal document was directly related to real estate matters, he had rendered real estate, not legal, services to Client A. It was the judgment of the Hearing Panel that REALTOR® B's defense was without merit; that by preparing the power of attorney, he had engaged in the practice of law in violation of Article 13 of the Code.
HARVEST FOR THE HUNGRYby Marta Jones, Communications DirectorThe annual Harvest for the Hungry Campaign to aide the Anne Arundel County Food Bank is now in full swing. The drive began on December 1, and will continue until January 13, 2003. This year our goal is to have every member of the Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS® donate at least one grocery bag of non-perishable food items that will be distributed by the Anne Arundel Food Bank to local families this winter. I have a personal interest in Harvest for the Hungry, because years ago, I was helped by Bruce Michalec and the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. I was young, married, and had four small children, including my beloved Jackie, who is multi-handicapped. We had medical bills piling up, and it had come down to paying rent, and utilities, or risking turn-off notices to buy groceries. A friend told me about the Food Bank, but I was too ashamed to go at first. "Heck, the Food Bank is for people on welfare, not working people!" I told my friend, but she insisted, and I sheepishly entered the small building which was then in Shady Side. With help from Bruce and the Food Bank, I was able to feed my family and pay my bills, and once I was back on my feet financially, I began to donate back to the Food Bank. Bruce's philosophy is that our residents shouldn't have to choose between feeding their families and paying their bills. There are many families in Anne Arundel County who are barely making it due to the ridiculously high cost of living in this county. The Anne Arundel County Food Bank is there to lend a hand to those families, but it's up to us to be sure that Bruce and the Food Bank have the necessary items to distribute. I ask you to open your cabinets and fill up a grocery bag. A jar of peanut butter, a can of vegetables, a box of cereal, or a sealed bag of dried beans - whatever you can spare - just fill up that bag! And if you have an extra bag of disposable diapers or a bag of dog food, or even kitty litter - the Food Bank will be sure to distribute them where ever they are needed. Still not sure you want to bother? Well, go to the Anne Arundel County Food Bank's website - www.aafoodbank.org, and check out the different programs that the Food Bank offers in our county. Have you heard of Wheels for Work? The AACFB Furniture Program? The Adopt a Pantry Program? The Food Bank is helping people get jobs, keep jobs, and give back to the community - it's a wonderful cycle, and you can help keep it going! Thanks to the leadership of Rich Dobry, along with many other dedicated volunteers, the REALTOR® community has been making a difference since 1987. Let's make this the best year so far - open up your heart, and your cupboard, and help Anne Arundel County residents who find themselves in need this winter. Please take your non-perishable food donations or cash donations to any Harvest for the Hungry drop off site, including most real estate offices or here at the Association at 555 Benfield Road in Severna Park. If you have any questions, would like to add a pick-up site to your office, or just make a donation, please call Rich Dobry at 410-544-8800. Thank you for giving!
New Board of DirectorsOn December 6th, the 2003 AACAR Board of Directors will be sworn in. Serving as officers on the board are:
President - Ron Anderson
AACAR is proud to announce that three of our members recently earned their GRI designation after completing the GRI 300 series. Those members are:
Norma D. Courtois of Century 21/HT Brown in Deale
New Members
Compiled by Carole Davis, Membership Secretary Affiliate Members
REALTOR® Members
John Agim Re/Max One , Bowie Brian Arnold Prudential Carruthers REALTORS, Crofton Jennifer Arnold Prudential Carruthers REALTORS, Crofton Sydney Ashley Ashley Land Company, Baltimore Cyndee Borneck Reynolds Long & Foster R.E. 32, Pasadena George Boxley Long & Foster R.E , West River April Burch Coldwell Banker Red. Brk, Hanover Raymond Caswell Long & Foster R.E., Laurel Michelle Cochran Coldwell Banker Res. Brk. Lin, Linthicum Nichol Conley Champion Realty, Annapolis Jan Cort Coldwell Banker Red. Brk Anna, Annapolis Joseph Crawford Homefinders.Com, Inc, Columbia Deborah Crowder-Johansen Long & Foster R.E., Pasadena Lynda Dawson Champion Realty, Pasadena Marco DeCesaris SDS Properties, Landover Jason Donovan Re/Max One, Bowie Patricia Edmond Long & Foster R.E., Crofton Dorte Engel Coldwell Banker Resid. Brk., Bowie Shari Evans Re/Max Experts, Annapolis Christine Ferris Long & Foster R.E., Odenton Susan Ferris Long & Foster R.E., Odenton Christian Figneroa Long & Foster R.E., Odenton Dorian Fisher Champion Realty, Crofton Stacey Fitzgerald Champion Realty, Crofton Michael Foundos Foundos Realty, Annapolis Yolonda Freeman Long & Foster R.E, Crofton Barry Freeman Champion Realty, Severna Park Jacklyn Gable Long & Foster R.E., West River Bryon Gilbert Champion Realty, Annapolis Tim Gorske Prudential Carruthers REALTORS, Annapolis Ronald Graf Long & Foster R.E., Odenton Jennifer J Green Berkerbile Long & Foster R.E., Severna Park Johanne Greer Prudential Carruthers REALTORS, Annapolis Jayne Griffith Riley & Associates, Edgewater Carrie Hammock Prudential Carruthers REALTORS, Severna Park James Harper, Jr. Long & Foster R.E., Severna Park Susan Harrison Champion Moss Realty, Odenton David Helmecki Coldwell Banker Res. Brk., Odenton Stephanie Hodges Long & Foster R.E., Pasadena Michele Hughes Coldwell Banker Resid. Brk, Bowie Stacy Jackson Long & Foster R.E., Odenton Natasha Jameson-Randolph Champion Moss Realty, Odenton Jung Kay Long & Foster R.E., Odenton Jean Keister Bay Bridge Realty, LLC, Stevensville Elizabeth Koletty Prudential Carruthers REALTORS, Annapolis Stephen Kulig Coldwell Banker Red. Brk, Annapolis Kelly Laye Coldwell Banker Red. Brk, Annapolis Bridgett Lee Long & Foster R.E., Odenton Kyung Lee Long & Foster R.E., Elkridge Jillian Lord W.F. Chesley Real Estate, Inc, Crofton Tina Lucas Keller Williams Select REALTORS, Annapolis Roxanne McGowan Asset Realty, Temple Hills Bonnie McGowan Coldwell Banker Res. Brk, Laurel Bevin McManus Coldwell Banker Red. Brk, Annapolis Margaret Michael Champion Realty, Annapolis Christina Molter Champion Realty, Annapolis Kevin Mooney Prudential Carruthers Realtors, Severna Park Julie Morrone Anne Arundel Properties Inc, Annapolis Nghia Nguyen Champion Realty, Crofton Martin O'Callaghan South River Properties, Edgewater Sean O'Donnell First Home Mortgage, Millersville John Orbell Coldwell Banker Res. Brk., Glen Burnie Thomas Orth Coldwell Banker Res. Brk., Linthicum Frank Peterson Champion Realty, Severna Park Linda Peterson Champion Realty, Severna Park William Pitkin Coldwell Banker Res. Brk., Annapolis Luis Pizarro Re/Max Prestige, LLC, Arnold Sheila Queen Help-U-Sell, Riva/Annapolis Tammi Reeder Long & Foster Real Estate, Baltimore Paul Robinson Champion Realty, Crofton Stephanie Robles Long & Foster R.E., Severna Park Stanley Rodgers Long & Foster R.E., Odenton Salvador Rodriguez Champion Realty, Crofton Robert Rogers Long & Foster R.E., Crofton William Rogers, Jr. C21/Schwartz,H.T. Brown, Deale Lauren Schott Homefinders.Com, Inc, Columbia Deborah Schumann Coldwell Banker Res.Brk, Severna Park Eric Schwartz Real Property Analysts, LLC, Pasadena Gregory Scott Long & Foster Real Estate, College Park Laura Silveira SDS Properties, Landover Chad Smith Re/Max Classic, Pasadena Christy Staruk Long & Foster R.E., Elkridge Linda Stewart Long & Foster R.E., Crofton Marcie Taylor C21/ Finesse Marketing, Inc, Severna Park Joseph Tchani Long & Foster R.E., Elkridge Linda Thackston Coldwell Banker Res. Brk., Linthicum Nadine Vauthier Long & Foster R.E., Severna Park Carol Ward Keller Williams Select REALTORS, Annapolis Anita Weaver Champion Moss Realty, Odenton Charles Weinstein River Realty, Sherwood Forest April Winsheimer Long & Foster R.E., Elkridge Brian Worsham Champion Realty, Annapolis Karin Wyatt Long & Foster Real Estate, Mt. Airy
Masters Club Applications Being AcceptedApplications are being accepted through the month of January 2003 for membership in The Masters Club (formally the Five Million Dollar Club). The purpose of the Masters Club is: "Creating Excellence Together". To join, simply log on to the Matsers Club website: www.themastersclub.org, or complete the application found in this newsletter and mail to Joan Schellhase, Membership Chairman, at the address on the form. Dues of $200.00 should accompany the form. You will be notified by e-mail when your application has been processed. If you have any questions, please contact Joan Schellhase at 410-647-2222, or joanschellhase@mris.com.
Holiday Open House at AACARPlease join us for the Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS® Holiday Open House on Friday, December 20th, from 3:00 - 5:00pm. Stop by for a cup of Carole's famous eggnog while you chat with fellow REALTORS® and your AACAR staff. Please let us know if you will be joining us so that we can have plenty of food and drink for all! Call Carole Davis at 410-544-4554 or e-mail her at cdavis@aacar.com.
2003 Daytimers to be distributedThe 2003 Daytimers are being printed and should be distributed soon. We will be notifying each office to schedule a pick-up date and time. We will give a representative from each office the daytimers for each member in that office who has paid their dues for 2003. The policy is very clear; only dues paying members of the Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS® are entitled to receive a free daytimer. The daytimers are one of the perks given to our members. We ask the office representatives to be very careful in distributing the daytimers this year. Please give the books to the people on the accompanying list only, or give the books to the office manager. If someone in your office should get upset because their name is not on the list, please have them call Carole or Marta at 410-544-4554. If a member pays their dues after the books are distributed, they may pick their copy at the Association. Please try to utilize the services of our advertisers - it is through the generousity of our advertisers that we can distribute the daytimers at no charge to our members. Take a moment to liik through the pages of advertisements when you receive your book. Loyal advertisers such as Bay Area Tree Care, Keys by Ed, Jack Martin & Associates, etc. deserve your business if you need their services. And don't forget to let them know that you saw their ad in the daytimer!
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