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September 2002 Newsletter
16th Annual Billy Goodall Charity Golf TournamentWith many wonderful sponsors, and over one hundred determined players, the 16th Annual Billy Goodall Charity Golf Tournament on July 15th was a big hit! Not even the heat could keep our golfers from finishing the tournament, held at the Bay Hills Golf Course in Arnold.A delicious lunch was prepared and served by Buddy's Catering following the tournament. While our tired and hungry golfers cooled down, ate, and relaxed, contest prizes and door prizes were handed out by Tom Quattlebaum, AACAR's CEO. Team Captain Kyle McCarthy of Re/Max One in Bowie led his team to victory, capturing first place in the tournament. Also in his team were T. McCarthy, Craig Rohrer, and Kevin Hughes. George Chaney of Re/Max Legend in Odenton, won Closest to the Pin #4, and John Hilbert won Closest to the Pin #14. Women's Long Drive was won by Shelley Steele of Long & Foster in Pasadena, and Men's Long Drive was won by Greg Starkey of the Capital Gazette team. AACAR would like to give a big thank you to the REALTORS® Community Service Committee for all of their hard work in putting together this tournament. Special thanks go to the Golf Tournament Sub-Committee Chair, Ryan Suplee of Countrywide Home Loans, for taking on the extra responsibility, and to committee member Kim Welty of The Capital-Gazette Newspapers for going above and beyond the call of duty! AACAR is very fortunate to have such committed affiliate members. AACAR would also like to acknowledge, and thank our wonderful sponsors, and those companies that donated door prizes, etc., who helped make the 16th Annual Billy Goodall Charity Golf Tournament a huge success!
Southern Trust Mortgage Bank of America Sales Office Managers of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Koons Ford of Annapolis Oxford Funding Countrywide Home Loans NRT Mid-Atlantic Title Services, LLC IVY Mortgage CTX Mortgage Capitol Title Insurance Co. First Horizon Home Loans HMS Warranty Re/Max Experts Sam Lewis Real Estate Appraiser Annapolis Accommodations County National Bank BGE Home/Toshiba City Imports Auto Sales Corbin, Shaffer & Aviles, Attorneys at Law Prudential Carruthers - Eastport Office Warfield, Meredith & Darrah, Attorneys at Law Linowes and Blocher, Attorneys at Law C & F Mortgage Building Specs Universal Title Accurate Pest Arundel Federal Bay Bank Mortgage Massage Mosaics The Great American Car Wash Tom Quattlebaum
Letters to the EditorRonald Strohecker's first impression left an indelible memory for me. Ron's one and only contact with me was a simple, trouble-free transaction of my sale of his listing in Brooklyn Park. It took less than forty-five days. In my nearly fifty years experience as a Broker-REALTOR®, I have had thousands of cooperations with many fine, professional REALTORS®. Ron was a professional of "the old school", never seeking unfair advantage, a man of integrity and a man of his word that you could take to the bank. As "old timers" understand, negotiations between agents are the most critical aspects of the real estate transaction.He stayed "on top" of every detail of the process. He well-represented his seller, without "twisting" disadvantage to the buyer. The transaction was flawless from offer to settlement, and thereafter. It was clearly a "win-win" situation for all parties. Much, of course, was dues to the character of a really kind and gentle man. It was a pleasure to work with him. Ron, I hardly knew you, but I won't forget you.
John J. Dennis, II Ed. Note: Mr. Dennis felt that long-time member Ron Strohecker deserved more than a mere "In Memoriam" mention in the last newsletter, and after reading the moving letter he sent, we agreed with him. Thank you, Mr. Dennis, for sharing this letter with us.
AACAR Website Up and Running!The new AACAR website is now up and running! You can register for Continuing Education, find out about current events, and lots more! Check it out at www.aacar.com.
A Message from Your President Sept 2002Giving of Yourself by Joel PautschSo often I've heard complaints that REALTORS® are only interested in the sale but not the community. Oh how I wish that the people who make these complaints could only have a glimpse of all the hours REALTORS® spend giving back to the community in quiet unassuming ways. Here are some of the stories and people I know about:
There is not enough space to list all the ways REALTORS®, Managers and Offices have given something back to the community but there are many more! Let me challenge you to think of ways in which YOU can be a blessing to others and give back a portion of what you have received. I've seen it time and time again how this comes back to be a blessing to those who gave. What God given talents do you have that you can share with others? What are some creative ways to use them? Look around you and I think you'll find opportunities just waiting for you!!
You Be the JudgeCase #10-4: Use of "Choose Your Neighbor" Marketing Letters (Adopted November, 1987.)REALTOR® A listed a property in a new subdivision. At the instruction of his client, Seller X, REALTOR® A did not file information on the listing with his Board's MLS, did not place a "For Sale" sign on the property and did not advertise the property in the local newspaper. Seller X had told REALTOR® A that he wanted the sale handled quietly, with the new purchasers being people who would "fit into the neighborhood-people with the same socioeconomic background" as the other residents of the subdivision. Based on his conversation with Seller X, REALTOR® A's only marketing effort was mailing a letter to the other residents of the subdivision, inviting them ". . . to play a part in the decision of who your next neighbor will be. If you know of someone who you would like to live in the neighborhood, please let them know of the availability of this home, or call me and I will be happy to contact them and arrange a private showing." REALTOR® A's marketing strategy came to the attention of REALTOR® B, whose mother lived in the subdivision. REALTOR® B filed a complaint charging REALTOR® A with a violation of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics. At the hearing, REALTOR® B told the Hearing Panel of receiving a copy of the marketing letter from his mother, who had recently moved to the subdivision. REALTOR® B advised the panel that he had checked the Board's MLS for information on the property, had driven past the house to look for a "For Sale" sign and had scanned the Sunday real estate section of the local newspaper for information on the property. Finding no mention of the property in either the MLS or the newspaper and noting the absence of a sign on the property, REALTOR® B concluded that REALTOR® A's marketing strategy was to limit access to the property to individuals preselected by the current residents. "In my mind," said REALTOR® B, "this could only mean one thing. REALTOR® A was deliberately discriminating against home seekers from other areas, or those with different backgrounds, who would never have the opportunity to learn about the house's availability. Obviously, REALTOR® A was directing all of his marketing energies into finding purchasers who would not disrupt the ethnic and economic character of the neighborhood." REALTOR® A defended his actions by advising the panel that he was acting on Seller X's instructions. Seller X appeared as a witness for REALTOR® A and confirmed this fact, adding that he and the other residents of his block had an informal agreement that they would try to find "suitable" purchasers for their homes if they ever decided to sell. Seller X felt that by broadening the marketing campaign to include all residents of the subdivision he had increased the chances of finding such potential purchasers. The Hearing Panel found REALTOR® A in violation of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics. In their decision, the panel advised REALTOR® A that no instruction from a client could absolve a REALTOR® from the obligation to market properties without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or country of national origin, as expressed in Article 10. There was no doubt, in the panel's opinion, that the exclusive use of "Choose Your Neighbor" letters to market the property was designed to circumvent the requirements of Article 10.
New MembersCompiled by Carole DavisJune 14, 2002 - August 13, 2002 Affiliate Members
Al Hani, All Star Pest Management, Inc., Glen Burnie Sherry Ann Hinsley, Jack Martin & Associates, Annapolis Sofia Webb, Providence System, Carlsbad, CA REALTOR® Members
Cheryl Amirault, Champion Realty, Severna Park Sydney Ashley, New Canton Properties, Baltimore Jaye Bauckman, Champion Realty, Annapolis Andreas Bauer, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Annapolis Fletcher Bauman, Champion Realty, Annapolis Mario Bonanni, Bay Bridge Realty, LLC, Stevensville Elizabeth Bowman, Riley & Associates, Edgewater Gina Brewer, Long & Foster, Odenton Matthew Brimigion, Century 21/HT Brown, Severna Park Martin Bryant, Long & Foster, Pasadena Karen Burkett, Re/Max Exclusive, Hanover Gregory Cannito, Champion Realty, Annapolis Peter Cannito, Champion Realty, Annapolis Kenneth Chamberlain, Long & Foster, Annapolis Deborah Chambers, Keller Williams Select REALTORS®, Annapolis Jonathan Coley, Prudential Carruthers, Severna Park Albert Cooke, Gemstone Realty, Severna Park Holly Cummings, Long & Foster, Annapolis Richard Dadeo, Champion Realty, Annapolis Gail Dawson, Long & Foster, Elkridge Beth Dawson, Long & Foster, Elkridge Heather DeCarlo, Re/Max Experts, Annapolis Natalie DeVries, Re/Max Exclusive, Hanover Aliene Deale, Prudential Carruthers, Annapolis Sheila Dobbins, Long & Foster, Elkridge Sharon Dumas, Re/Max Exclusive, Hanover Robert Elie, Long & Foster, Odenton Geoffrey Ennis, Century 21/HT Brown, Severna Park John Fontana, Long & Foster, Burtonsville Damon Francella, Re/Max Innovations, Edgewater Bernadette Gallagher, Champion Realty, Severna Park Cara Garside, Help-U-Sell of Severna Park, Severna Park Cheri Gavin, Long & Foster, Annapolis Elizabeth Gibson, Champion Realty, Crofton Nancy Gipe, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Annapolis Cheryl Golden, Champion Realty, Annapolis Timothy Golden, Champion Realty, Annapolis Holly Grell, Champion Realty, Severna Park Elizabeth Gross, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Gambrills Catherine Hamel, Realty Executives/2000, Bowie Jane Hamilton, Champion Realty, Annapolis Robert A. Harris, Re/Max One, Bowie Julie Harrison, Prudential Carruthers, Annapolis K. Valerie Henderson, Long & Foster, Odenton John Hinzman, Century 21/HT Brown, Severna Park Willie Houchens,Jr., Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Bowie Dannan Jones, Long & Foster, Odenton Alfred Kamosa, Jr., Champion Realty, Annapolis Stacy Kornmeyer, Homes & Land Realty, Severn Edward Kowalski, Long & Foster, Elkridge Jennifer Larges, W.F. Chesley Real Estate, Crofton Amy Locke, Homeowner Consultants, Inc., Columbia Judy Lucas, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lutherville Sophia Marx, Re/Max Experts, Annapolis James Mason, Long & Foster, Elkridge Michael McElwee, Prudential carruthers, Severna Park Georgianne McNeirney-Rewalt, Long & Foster, Laurel William Merkle, Champion Realty, Glen Burnie Marshall Milam, Long & Foster, Severna Park Linda Munday, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Annapolis Susan Nealey, Champion Realty, Severna Park Kimberly Nicholson, A.W. Happel, Inc., Baltimore John Nucci, Champion Realty, Crofton Patricia Oertli, Prudential Carruthers, Annapolis Nnamdi Olejemeh, Champion Realty, Glen Burnie Philip Palmisano, Long & Foster, Severna Park Virginia Parsons, Long & Foster, Odenton Marie Pendergrass, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Bowie Heather Powell, Long & Foster, Severna Park Shannon Rashid, Re/Max Innovations, Gambrills Phyllis Robinette, Home Buyers Unlimited, Crofton Ruth Rodgers, Re/Max Experts, Annapolis Doris Savani, Champion Realty, Annapolis David Schisslar, Long & Foster, Pasadena Darby Schmidt, Re/Max Exclusive, Hanover Michael Schroeder, Long & Foster, Odenton Young Song, Re/Max One, Bowie Dennis Squires, Re/Max Exclusive, Hanover Amanda Strong, Long & Foster, Crofton Adrian David Taft, Re/Max Prestige, LLC, Arnold Patricia Thomas, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokers, Annapolis Dennis Thompson, Long & Foster, Annapolis Steve Thompson, Re/Max Acclaimed, Timonium Timothy Tilert, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Bowie Renee Tyson, Prudential Carruthers, Crofton Michael Widmaier, Champion Realty, Crofton Kathleen Wildeman, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Annapolis Robin Winston, Anne Arundel Properties, Inc., Annapolis Jim Wolfe, Re/Max One, Bowie Kimberly Wolfe, Re/Max One, Bowie Benjamin Workman, Long & Foster, Odenton Samuel Zaragoza, Champion Realty, Crofton Darla Ziegler, Champion Realty, Pasadena
2002 Membership MeetingThe 2002 Membership Meeting was held recently at the Chartwell Country Club in Severna Park. Those attending received one and half hours of Legislative continuing education credits for listening to the presentation by Susan Mitchell, Director of Political Affairs, of the Maryland Association of REALTORS®.
Key Servicesby Marta Jones, Communications DirectorThe Superkey is one of the most important tools a REALTOR® needs to sell real estate, and it is also a tool that is only available to REALTORS® (members of the National Association of REALTORS®). It is extremely important that you do not loan that key to anyone - not your partner, your assistant or another agent. There is no such thing as an "Office Key" - each key is registered to one person, and it is that person who has signed a Sale and Use Agreement that states that they risk losing their key service if they let anyone else use that key. I really hate to be tough about this, but we are going to have to start enforcing that rule as of October 1, 2002. If you allow anyone else to use your Superkey, your service will be suspended for a period of 1 month. Second offense will be 2 months, and a third offense will mean your key service is terminated. No exceptions. Everyone should have their own Superkey - we have keys for unlicensed assistants, affiliate members (such as pest control companies and home inspectors), and licensed members. There is no reason for any eligible member to not have their own Superkey, but a very good reason why they should. Each time your Superkey opens a lockbox, that lockbox is registering your name - therefore you are responsible for anything that happens in the home that the key has opened. If you let another agent or assistant use your key, and something turns up missing from the home (for example), you, the registered owner of the Superkey, are responsible because you signed a Sale and Use Agreement that said that you would not allow anyone else to use your key, and your Broker signed that same agreement, which means they are also responsible for that key. I've heard, "Well, I got out there on a Saturday and my key wasn't working and you weren't in the office so I had to use someone else's key…." Hey! Your key is an important tool! Be sure to check your Superkey on Friday (before 5pm please) and if something isn't right, call us! If you need access to an area that you don't already have access to, you must send a reciprocal at least 48 hours before you plan to show in that area, or I can't guarantee you access to that area. If you are getting 2 buzzes intermittently, change your batteries! If you aren't sure if you've updated for a specific area, update it again - it won't hurt your key. And remember, the MARS region on your key is NOT MRIS - it's the Mid Atlantic Realty Service which has the contract to supply keys to Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford, Carroll and those in Howard who got their keys before GCAAR took over management of that Association. MRIS has nothing to do with the keys, and assuming MARS is MRIS, and that by updating MARS you will have access to the whole MRIS region is a costly, and possibly embarrassing mistake! Remember, don't assume. If you misplace your Superkey, you must call us within 24 hours to report it, (also in your Sale and Use Agreement) and you can purchase a replacement key right away (we even hold your check for 2 weeks to give you a chance to find your old key). Don't wait until Saturday to look for your key - and don't expect someone else to loan you their key, or you may risk losing your key service as well. Take care of your Superkey, don't lend it out under any circumstances, and call us if you have a question - or you can e-mail me at marta@aarealtors.org.
GRI 200 Series Coming to AACARAACAR will hold the GRI 200 Series at the Anne Arundel Co. Association of REALTORS® on October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2002, from 8:30am - 4:30pm. The cost for the GRI is $84.00 per module or $295.00 for the whole series. To register, please go to our website - www.aacar.com, or fax completed registration to 410-647-5102.
(Fax registration to 410-647-5102 or mail to AACAR, 555 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, MD 21146) If you have a disability which requires special accomodation, please attach a description to the registration form. Full refund only if you notify AACAR in writing at least five business days in advance.
We're Still Looking for a Few Good MembersThe Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS® is looking for a few good members to serve on the 2003 Board of Directors. All members are strongly encouraged to consider serving a term on the Board of Directors. Applications are now being accepted, so please forward your resume to Kelly Zenzen at the Association Office. Mail to AACAR, 555 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, MD 21146, or e-mail to KellyZ@aarealtors.org, or fax to 410-647-5102.
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