BoardTalk

January 13, 2020
NOTICE: 2020 DUES INVOICES HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE MEMBER PORTAL ON OUR WEBSITE . PAYMENT IS DUE BY JANUARY 31. DUES PAD AFTER JANUARY 31 WILL INCUR A LATE FEE!
Please click here to update your profile - thank you!
PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Happy New Year CCBOR Members,

We have our first Card Exchange scheduled for Wednesday, January 15 taking place at Unwined in North East from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Take some time to stop in and socialize with your peers and discuss what’s happening in the industry. Additional information can be obtained on our website.

Words to think about taken from the NAR Pathways to Professionalism-

“Real estate is a reputation business. What you do today may affect your reputation-and business for years to come.”  
  
Take Care,

Deanna
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INSPIRATION FOR YOU

Saw this sign on the wall at our local coffee shop and wanted to share with you - hope you enjoy it as much as I did - Pam Hawkins.

DREAM more..COMPLAIN less
LISTEN more...TALK less
LOVE more...ARGUE less
HOPE more...FEAR less
RELAX more...WORRY less
BELIEVE more...DOUBT less
PLAY more...WORK less
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS (provisional status until approved at next Board of Directors' meeting)
Laurel Davis
RE/Max Vision
Adam Hutchinson
RE/Max Chesapeake
Dana Manaraze
Keller Williams Realty
REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY NEWS

Consumers Feeling Bullish on Home Buying/Selling

Source: REALTOR® Magazine (1/9/20)

Americans are feeling upbeat about the housing market. More than half of Americans—or 63%—say now is a good time to buy a home, and 74% of sellers say now is a good time to sell, according to the fourth-quarter findings from the Homeownership Opportunities and Market Experience survey, conducted by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Low mortgage rates and a belief that the economy is improving may be helping to ignite some momentum in the housing market and finally motivating consumers to make a move.

“The mobility rate has been very low as many have opted to stay put for longer,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “However, this latest boost—Americans saying now is a good time to move—is good news. With mortgage rates low, the timing is indeed ideal for those who want to enter into homeownership and for those looking to move on to their next home.”

Older adults—those born between 1925 and 1945—appear to be the most eager generation in the buying mood. Respondents from the silent generation were the most likely to say now is a good time to buy, at 73%, followed by younger baby boomers (those born between 1955 and 1964) who also are viewing homebuying favorably at 70%.

Among home sellers, 82% of respondents who earn $100,000 or more say now is a good time to sell. Also, 81% of consumers who live in the western region of the U.S. were the most upbeat about selling.

“The western region has seen home prices increase to the point that costs have outpaced income,” Yun says. “So it is no wonder that those living in the West would think that now is a perfect time to place a home on the market. California especially is seeing some of the highest prices ever.”

Many consumers believe home prices will continue to rise across U.S. markets. Forty-eight percent of respondents said they believe prices will rise over the next six months, with the millennial generation most likely to believe home prices will increase in their communities. Respondents from the South also were the most likely to say home prices would climb over the next six months.
The States That Residents Are Leaving and the Ones They Are Moving To

Source: Forbes / 1/6/20
By: Brenda Richardson

A new study by Atlas Van Lines that tracked migration patterns throughout the country in 2019 found more Americans are moving to Idaho than any other state. The Gem State continued a pattern of drawing new residents, ranking as the survey’s inbound leader for the second time since 2017. On the other hand, more people are looking to escape from New York, the nation’s outbound move leader last year, a designation the Empire State also held in 2014.

The study by the national moving company found that 26 states registered as balanced, meaning that moves in and out of the states and Washington, D.C., were roughly equal. The data also showed a decrease in moves from 2018 to 2019. 

Inbound moves to Colorado last year dominated outbound moves for the first time in a decade, while Oregon lost its inbound status for the first time since 2012 and became balanced. Texas achieved inbound status after spending 2016 to 2018 as balanced. Additionally, Ohio gained a balanced classification for the first time since 2002. 

In addition to Idaho, the list of states that experienced the highest share of inbound moves last year included Washington, North Carolina and New Mexico. The states that saw an exodus of residents at an alarming rate were New York, West Virginia, South Dakota and Illinois. 

Most of the states that are benefiting from an influx of new residents offer job growth, lower costs of living and more temperate climates. For example, Florida continued a pattern of net population gains in 2018 with New York contributing the most to the state’s migration inflow. According to the Census Bureau, 63,722 people moved from New York to the Sunshine State in 2018. The second-highest contributor was Georgia with 38,800 people moving to Florida.
WHAT ABOUT THE ECONOMY?

Cecil Leads Mideast in Economic Growth for Medium-Sized Counties

Kevin Kinnally December 16, 2019 County News / Economic Development / News You Can Use

Cecil County led the Mideast (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania) in economic growth for medium-sized counties (populations of 100,000 to 500,000) with GDP growth of 11.4 percent in 2018.
The data, released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), features every county’s gross domestic product – the value of goods and services produced within the county – and how much the inflation-adjusted GDP grew or decreased from the previous year.

Howard County (GDP growth of 3.5 percent) and St. Mary’s County (GDP growth of 3.3 percent) rank among the top ten for economic growth in medium-sized counties. Anne Arundel County (GDP growth of 3.2 percent) and Prince George’s County (GDP growth of 3.0 percent) rank among the top ten in economic growth for large counties (populations of more than 500,000).

You can explore the data at GDP by County, Metro, and Other Areas on bea.gov and in BEA’s Interactive Data Tables. GDP data also are available by metropolitan statistical areas.
UPCOMING EVENTS
  • In addition to events listed here, the Member Benefits Committee is actively working on scheduling card exchanges in February, March, April, and May. Then in June, a Solstice Sunset Cruise on the canal will take place either on June 17 or 18. If you enjoy scary outings, a bus trip to the Eastern Penitentiary in Philadelphia is being considered for either October 3 or 10. Stay tuned for more details on all of these events!
  • Once again this year, we will be holding our Expo & Convention at the beautiful Rosewood Farms in Elkton. If you did not get a chance to attend last year, take a peak here. Registration is now open for this year's event which takes place Wednesday, April 22. Download the attendee brochure and/or exhibitor brochure to get all of the details. And, always, questions can be posed to CCBOR at 410-398-4844 or via email.
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Register now for the 2-day CE special taking place February 13 and 20 at our facility. Download the schedule and remember, you can verify your credits taken here.

February 13

  • 8:30 am-11:30 am - MD Ethics Including Flipping & Predatory Lending (Type D)
  • Noon-1:30 pm - Fair Housing Law (Type C)
  • 1:45 pm - 4:45 pm - Brokerage Relationships (Type H)

February 20

  • 9:00 am - 10:30 am - HOA & Condo Disclosures (Type F)
  • 10:45 am - 12:15 pm - Comparing Real Estate Transactions (Type F)
  • 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Legal Updates (Type A)
  • 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm - Maryland Mortgage Program (Type F)

The 2020 schedule for BrightMLS training is available here .
ADVERTISING RULES & GUIDELINES

Effective October 16, 2019, BrightMLS has initiated a new policy on Off-MLS Listings. This policy and details on "Coming Soon" and "Office Exclusive" are explained here . In addition, there is a new policy on Coming Soon for Rentals and New Construction - learn more here .

If you are licensed to sell real estate in the State of Maryland, please use this Advertising Checklist  that was prepared by the Maryland Real Estate Commission Note that Maryland does not make any distinction between any method of advertising -- print, electronic, business card, radio, television, etc. -- as far as Maryland is concerned, advertising is advertising and ALL advertising must comply with the requirements of Maryland law.

Also for your use, here is a  document prepared  by Bright MLS explaining the proper use of photographs in advertising.
Help us make our 2020 goal by remitting just $20 with your membership dues. Not familiar with RPAC?

Since 1969, the  REALTORS® Political Action Committee  (RPAC) has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States. The purpose of RPAC is clear: voluntary contributions made by REALTORS® are used to help elect candidates who understand and support their interests. These are not members’ dues; this is money given freely by REALTORS® in recognition of the importance of the political process. The REALTORS® Political Action Committee and other political fundraising are the keys to protecting and promoting the real estate industry. 
FROM THE COUNTY

Here you can listen to current County audio recordings:

CONTINUING EDUCATION

To register for a class, visit www.cecilcountyboardofrealtors.com or call the Board office at 410-398-4844 .
REMINDERS
To keep up-to-date on Board happenings, our calendar can be found here .
COMMITTEE CORNER

CCBOR welcomes participation in our committees by our membership. To learn more or to sign up for a committee, see our Volunteer Committee List.
REALTORS® UNITED IN SUPPORT OF HOME OWNERSHIP!