August 8, 2025

MAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTIONS:

The following are among actions at the August 6 MAR Board of Directors meeting:

• Approved the MAR Legislative Committee’s final priority positions for legislative bills at the June 25, 2025 end of the Legislative Session
• Approved forms revisions for the MAR ZipForms library for January 2026 (can be viewed REALTOR® Access Only section of the MAR website (password:codeofethics)
• Approved revisions to the 2025 budget
• Approved the 2026 budget. Note: For 2026, dues will remain at $198 for REALTORS® and non-member assessments; $99 for affiliate members (no change from 2024)
• Received the Nominating Committee report for the 2026 Slate of Officers

NOMINATING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENT

2026 SLATE OF OFFICERS: 

The MAR Nominating Committee will put forth the following 2026 slate of officers at the Maine Association of REALTORS® Annual Meeting in October. Thank you to these dedicated REALTORS® for their willingness to serve our state Association and real estate industry in a leadership capacity – and thank you to the MAR Nominating Committee for its efforts researching, interviewing, and selecting candidates for these positions.

-Judy Oberg, President (Oberg Insurance & Real Estate, Bridgton)



-Raylene Estabrook, President Elect (Signature Homes Real Estate Group, Scarborough)

-Victoria Condon, First Vice President (Dwelling in Maine, Camden)

-Eric Flynn, Treasurer – (Excellence Realty, Portland) Year two of a continuing two -year term through December 2026 

MAR CONVENTION-REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 13 AT 9:00 A.M.

Save the dates! Team Maine – Achieve Together! (the MAR Convention) will be an in-person only event October 7-9 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland. The preliminary convention schedule and registration details will be posted on the MAR website by August 11. Convention registration will open at 9:00 a.m. on August 13. Registrations will be accepted by email only on the first day. No walk-ins or faxes will be accepted on the opening day of registration.

All Holiday Inn By the Bay hotel rooms for the MAR Convention are distributed through the registration process. Please do not call the hotel directly. They will direct you back to the MAR registration process.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS!

Exhibit spaces and sponsorships are filling up! Thank you to our convention sponsors, exhibitors, and industry partners! Contact Tanya for exhibit and sponsorship opportunities.  

SEPTEMBER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:

LUNCH AND LEARN SEPTEMBER 3: ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL UPDATE:

MAR is pleased to be joined by NAR’s Director of Tax Policy, Evan Liddiard, CPA alongside Ryan Rusbuldt, Director of Government Advocacy and Operations on September 3 from noon – 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Evan and Ryan will provide a comprehensive analysis of “The One Big Beautiful Bill”. This wide-reaching federal legislation includes several important tax provisions impacting real estate professional and real estate transactions. Register via the button below.

PLANNING & ZONING: ADVOCATING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE 17 spots left!

DATE: Thursday, September 18, 2025

LOCATION: Augusta Armory, Augusta (Western Avenue)

TIME: 8:30am Registration; Course 9am - 5pm (includes morning coffee & lunch)

COST: $25/person (approved by the MREC for 6 hours of Maine CE credits)

Instructor & Course Sponsor: EJ Demers of Real Estate Institute of New England

Approved by the Maine Real Estate Commission for 6 hours of continuing education credit and also fulfills NAR’s ABR designation elective requirements for current or future ABR designees for a period of 3 years. To learn more and register:

LUNCH AND LEARN SEPTEMBER 22: INSURANCE UPDATES AND EMERGING TRENDS

On September 22 from noon – 1:00 p.m., Cale Pickford, Compass Group Director at Allen Insurance and Financial, joins Maine REALTORS® via Zoom to provide an update on essential insurance industry happenings and what lies on the horizon as it relates to real estate. He will provide insight into what emerging issues to prepare for and how you can best support your clients for the future Register via the button below.

SCAM WARNING:

This week we are hearing that many of you have received an email from the Maine Association of REALTORS® and MAR President Jeff Harris asking for financial contributions for health care for veterans. Please disregard these scam emails. 

MAINE REDEVELOPMENT LAND BANK AUTHORITY:

Founded in 2024, MRLBA partners with local governments and community organizations to accelerate the redevelopment of neglected, abandoned, environmentally hazardous, and functionally obsolete properties within the State of Maine. Learn more here

INVESTIGATE ALL LEADS:

Use your Forewarn app (a NO-COST member benefit provided by Maine Listings).

-Conduct a reverse lookup of the telephone number in FOREWARN and if it comes back with anything other than the expected person – investigate further. 

-Conduct a reverse name search in FOREWARN and call the number(s) provided to confirm the person’s identity and whether they did indeed contact you to list the property. 

In addition, you should verify information about the listing property and owner with the town/municipal tax records and the registry of deeds. 

For prospective sellers who are not physically located near you/the property, ask them to Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime with you for a first meeting – and ask them to show their identification on the screen. While scammers may also have fraudulent identification, they are likely to be unwilling to show their face on a screen. You can use a phrase like, “it’s our office protocol for new customers and clients”. If they’re unwilling, likely a red flag. It is not enough to receive identification via email since scammers are using fake passports and/or drivers licenses.

Recently we have been notified that 224 Smith Road in Windham is NOT for sale by its lawful owners.

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