Capital Area REALTOR® January/February 2021

CAPITAL AREA

REALTOR

®

Setting the stage for 2021

Official publication of the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®

January/February 2021

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CAPITAL AREA REALTOR • Sept/Oct 2016 ®

R E ALTOR

CAPITAL AREA

®

Setting the stage for the new year - p.12

January/February 2021

2021 GCAAR calendar - p. 13

GCAAR's Emergency Relief Program - p. 16

Welcome, new REALTOR® members! - p. 32

FEATURES

in every issue

8

Special Report: NAR’s Code of Ethics

4

A Letter from the President

10

The 2021 GCAAR Board of Directors

6

Association News

12

Setting the stage for the new year

20

From the GCAAR Classroom

13

2021 GCAAR events calendar

21

Member Services Corner

14

Public policy update: Setting the political stage for 2021

24

Economic Outlook

16

GCAAR’s Emergency Relief Program: Ready to serve in 2021

26

Legal Hotline

28

RPAC investors

29

State Association Updates

30

NAR Director’s Report

31

Bright MLS

32

Welcome, new REALTOR® members!

34

Welcome, new affiliate members!

22 Meet GCAAR’s new C2EX-endorsed members 22

Congratulations to our newest NAR Emeritus Status member

22 Congratulations to our GCAAR

members serving on 2021 NAR committees

President Jan Brito

Secretary Avi Adler

Immediate Past President Danai Mattison Sky

As the new year gets underway, I continue to marvel at how we’ve all come together to support each other and keep our local real estate industry thriving, despite the impossible circumstances. Because of our resolve, we are emerging as a stronger association than ever before.

President-Elect Harrison Beacher

As your 2021 GCAAR president, I’m making it my resolution—my mission—to focus on professionalism: to empower you, as GCAAR members, to take advantage of the many continuing education and professional development opportunities available through GCAAR and all your REALTOR® associations. I encourage each of you to seek out opportunities to take classes, pursue certifications and to use the tools you have at your disposal as a GCAAR member.

Why not set out to earn your Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation or the Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) certification? Or expand your mind through the National Association of REALTORS® Fairhaven fair housing training simulation? Dedicating yourself to becoming a better real estate professional will set you apart from your colleagues—and make you stand out among prospective clients.

Treasurer Samantha Damato

I also resolve to continue what we started with the “History & Power of Real Estate” webinar series, which we began in 2020, in order to keep a spotlight on the history of our nation’s legislative barriers to homeownership based on race—and to further examine how those barriers still affect people today.

Chief Executive Officer Edward Krauze

Directors M. Jacqueline Bennett Russell Brazil Marilyn Emery Carlos Evans Marcus Jaffe James T. Kim

Perhaps now more than ever, we know that even a seemingly small effort can transform the lives of our clients, our colleagues and our communities. Which leads to my final resolution as your president this year: to encourage each of you to get more involved and use your considerable knowledge and skills to help our association, and region, flourish.

Craig Rosenfeld Daniel Schuler Sandra Stewart Dick Stoner Christopher Suranna Kirsten Williams

R E A LTOR

CAPITAL AREA

®

Managing Editor Rachel Cromidas

Advertising Representative Arlene Braithwaite

Design & Layout Sharon Thorpe 4 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

The world is changing. It’s up to us to change with it, and to help others as we ourselves grow. I believe that each of us has the power to make a lasting difference in our profession and in our community. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I am proud to be your 2021 president, and I’m eager—and optimistic—to see what 2021 will bring.

Jan Brito

R E ALTOR

CAPITAL AREA

®

Capital Area REALTOR® Volume 8, Issue 1, January/February 2021 (USPS 017-467) is published five times a year by the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (GCAAR), 15201 Diamondback Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850-3779.

Corrections can be sent to communications@gcaar.com.

Periodicals postage paid at Gaithersburg, MD and additional mailing offices.

Member subscriptions account for $10 of each member’s annual dues. Annual subscriptions are available to non-members for $25.

Subscription inquiries may be sent to Capital Area REALTOR® at the above address.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Capital Area REALTOR®, ATTN: GCAAR, 15201 Diamondback Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850-3779.

The Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers, directors, or staff of the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®.

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The Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® accepts submissions of articles and photographs and the items become the property of the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®.

The publisher reserves the right of full editorial authority and to decline publication of any article not deemed proper. Reprint with permission only. Reprints may be obtained by contacting the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® at 301-590-2000, or send an email to communications@gcaar.com.

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies and may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its Code of Ethics.

Copyright© 2021 by the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS®.

All rights reserved.

STAY IN TOUCH

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 5

See your name in lights! Apply for the annual GCAAR Recognition Awards Celebrate your success in 2020 by applying for GCAAR’s annual Recognition Awards! The awards are given to applicants based on the number of transactions or volume of sales made by an individual or team in 2020.

All individual and team applicants must be GCAAR primary members in good standing to qualify; application information will be verified through Bright MLS. Here are the award categories:

Individual awards: Award entrants will be recognized for their individual Bright MLS transaction volume based on the below referenced awards categories.

• • • •

Bronze Award - At least $5,000,000 in volume or 12 transactions.

Silver Award - At least $10,000,000 in volume or 40 transactions.

Gold Award - At least $20,000,000 in volume or 60 transactions.

Platinum Award - At least $50,000,000 in volume or 100 transactions.

Team awards: All team members MUST be GCAAR members to enter. Team production will be recognized as a “Team” award. GCAAR members who have reported to their Broker that they are a team are not eligible to participate as an individual in the Individual General Brokerage category.

• • • •

Bronze Award - At least $10,000,000 in volume or 40 transactions.

Silver Award - At least $20,000,000 in volume or 80 transactions.

Gold Award - At least $30,000,000 in volume or 120 transactions.

Platinum Award - At least $50,000,000 in volume or 180 transactions.

GCAAR will host a virtual event to celebrate this year’s Recognition Award winners on Monday, March 1.

Winners will also receive the following perks: • A marketing badge to use in your email signature • Recognition as an award winner on the GCAAR website • The opportunity to have your headshot placed on a Recognition Award graphic for use on social media • A Zoom virtual background with your award level listed on it • Your name listed as a winner in an upcoming issue of this magazine, Capital Area REALTOR®

• The opportunity to purchase a physical award for your home or office Don’t wait to enter—award entries are due on Monday, Feb. 15!

Apply at gcaar.com/recognitionawards.

This award and badge could be yours!

6 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

Dan Cumberland

Cassidy Burns

Sheena Saydam

Koki Adasi

A virtual evening: Recapping GCAAR's 2021 Board Installation GCAAR proudly installed its 2021 Board of Directors and celebrated the successes of its 2020 board and staff during a virtual evening on Dec. 9. Before an audience of almost 200, GCAAR’s outgoing president, Danai Mattison Sky, reviewed her year as president, focusing on two programs she’s most proud of leaving as a legacy: The GCAAR Cares Emergency Relief Program and the History & Power of Real Estate webinar series.

We also recognized our annual award winners:

● Affiliate of the Year Dan Cumberland ● Rookie of the Year Cassidy Burns ● Good Neighbor Award winner Sheena Saydam ● REALTOR® of the Year Koki Adasi Additionally, we acknowledged GCAAR’s own Greg Masucci as one of the five winners of the National Association of REALTORS®’ Good Neighbor Award.

Finally, GCAAR installed its 2021 Board of Directors, Executive Committee and 2021 President Jan Brito. You can take a look at Jan’s inaugural “Letter from the President” at the beginning of this magazine for details on her priorities.

Did you miss the event? Watch it now at gcaar.com/installation.

Thank you to our 2020 GCAAR Installation sponsors Gold sponsors: Beautiful Home Services, Classic Settlements, Compass, Eastern Title & Settlement, Keller Williams Capital Properties, KVS Title, Lexicon Title Services, Paragon Title & Escrow, Real Living at Home, & Title Town Settlements Silver sponsor: Columbia Property Management Bronze sponsors: Adams, Morris, & Sessing, Interstate Moving & Storage, JK Moving & Storage, Junk King, and Moyer & Sons Moving & Storage

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 7

SPECIAL REPORT

NAR’s Code of Ethics now extends to discriminatory behavior outside of real estate practices The National Association of REALTORS® recently voted to strengthen REALTORS®’ commitment to upholding fair housing ideals. During its Annual Conference in November, the association approved a series of recommendations from NAR’s Professional Standards Committee that extend the application of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics to discriminatory speech and conduct outside of members’ real estate practices.

Why was NAR looking at this issue?

During the social unrest throughout the nation in late spring and summer of 2020, NAR received an unprecedented number of complaints about REALTORS® posting discriminatory speech and conduct online, especially on social media. Local and state associations experienced a similar influx of these complaints. A local association of REALTORS® wrote to NAR President Vince Malta requesting that NAR consider the Code of Ethics’ applicability to this type of speech and conduct.

A special meeting of the NAR Professional Standards Committee was held that included a panel discussion on race, real estate and association leadership. The committee ultimately referred the issue of the code’s applicability to discriminatory speech and conduct to the Interpretations and Procedures Advisory Board for their review.

The Advisory Board met virtually five times, and engaged in numerous discussions on the Hub, in order to create a package of recommendations. The Professional Standards Committee met in a special meeting on Oct. 5, 2020 and approved all the recommendations of the Advisory Board. Six of the eight recommendations approved by the committee required approval by the NAR Board of Directors, who considered and approved the recommendations during their meeting on Nov. 13, 2020.

The new or amended policies can be grouped into three broad categories: 1. Changes to the Code of Ethics’ applicability to a REALTOR®’s activities 2. A new Standard of Practice under Article 10 prohibiting discriminatory speech and conduct, and 3. Revisions to the definition of “Public Trust.”

Get familiar with NAR’s Code of Ethics changes Demonstrate your commitment to NAR’s Code of Ethics by attending a monthly training session.

Visit bit.ly/3ojp2tQ to register.

Are you prepared to prevent discriminatory housing?

Use your fair housing knowledge to navigate challenging real estate scenarios in this training simulation available at fairhaven.realtor/.

8 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

How changes to the Code of Ethics apply to a REALTOR®’s activities Previously, Policy Statement 29 in the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual limited the applicability of the Code of Ethics to real estate-related activities and transactions involving REALTORS®. As such, members could engage in conduct and speech that was discriminatory and abhorrent, but unless it could be tied to a real estate-related activity or transaction, the Code of Ethics, specifically Article 10, did not apply. The revised policy approved by the Board of Directors expands applicability to all of a REALTOR®’s activities.

While the code’s applicability has expanded, most articles and standards of practice remain specific to real estate transactions and other real estate-related activities.

These policy changes became effective immediately.

A new Standard of Practice under Article 10 prohibits discriminatory speech and conduct The Board of Directors approved a new Standard of Practice under Article 10: Standard of Practice 10-5: REALTORS® must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets or slurs based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.

This new standard of practice directly flows from the requirement to not deny equal professional services or be parties to a plan to discriminate. Specifically, bias against protected classes revealed through the public posting of hate speech could result in REALTORS® not taking clients from certain protected classes or not treating them equally, which would lead to violations of the Fair Housing Act due to overt discrimination or disparate impact.

The Board voted for this new Standard of Practice to become effective immediately.

Revisions to the definition of 'Public Trust' The Board of Directors approved expansion of the definition of “public trust” to include all discrimination against the protected classes under Article 10 of the Code of Ethics and all fraud.

Previously, the following offenses fell under the definition of “public trust”: demonstrated misappropriation of client or customer funds or property, and willful discrimination or fraud resulting in substantial economic harm. The Board’s recommendation expanded this definition to include all discrimination against the protected classes under Article 10, and all fraud. As a result, associations are now required to share with the state real estate licensing authority final ethics decisions holding REALTORS® in violation of the Code of Ethics in instances involving real estate-related activities and transactions where there is reason to believe the public trust, as expanded, may have been violated.

This policy change became effective Jan. 1, 2021.

The Board of Directors further approved enhancements to the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual that are consistent with the three broad categories above.

For additional details about the changes to the Code of Ethics, visit nar.realtor and type “Code of Ethics & Professional Standards Policies” into the search field.

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 9

Welcome, 2021 GCAAR Board of Directors!

Congratulations to our 2021 GCAAR officers and Board of Directors, who were voted in during GCAAR’s annual election in November. We look forward to working with you this year!

Officers

President: Jan Brito

Treasurer: Samantha Damato 10 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

President-Elect: Harrison Beacher

Secretary: Avi Adler

Immediate Past President: Danai Mattison Sky

Directors

M. Jacqueline Bennett

Russell Brazil

Marilyn Emery

Carlos Evans

Marcus Jaffe

James T. Kim

Craig Rosenfeld

Daniel Schuler

Sandra Stewart

Dick Stoner

Christopher Suranna

Kirsten Williams CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 11

GCAAR: Setting the stage for you in the new year

I

n 2020, we all know just how much the world changed—in so many ways. As we’ve adapted to these changes, we’ve been fortunate to continue to provide needed real estate services, thanks to the advocacy efforts of GCAAR and your state and national REALTOR® associations.

Our REALTOR® and affiliate members all have worked tirelessly in the face of the past year’s unpredictable challenges. All the while, GCAAR has been right by your side, continuing to support you through this global pandemic as we keep moving forward, together.

With the beginning of the new year, it’s time for renewed hope—and new opportunities. And we’ve set the stage for a productive 2021.

In this issue, you’ll learn about some of the ways GCAAR has resolved to make 2021 a beneficial year for you. In addition, we’re:

● ● ● ●

Providing more virtual continuing education opportunities and certification courses Offering new History & Power of Real Estate webinars and Profession Sessions Building upon last year’s record-breaking, virtual REALTOR® Fest Keeping our GCAAR Cares Emergency Relief Program available to members who still need help in the face of the pandemic

● And so much more.

With our 2021 President Jan Brito and our new Board of Directors at the helm, we remain committed to being here for you, every step of the way, throughout 2021 and beyond. We look forward to serving you!

12 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

2021 GCAAR events calendar Save these dates for upcoming (virtual) events in 2021:

January 25

2021 Economic Outlook: How the Pandemic has affected Buyer & Seller Behavior (9:30-10:30 a.m.)

January 28

Profession Session: Bright MLS Updates (9:30-10:30 a.m.)

February 10

Broker/Manager Forum: Forms Release (10-11 a.m.)

February 18

Profession Session: SentriLock (10-11 a.m.)

February 24

Profession Session: Forms Release (1-2 p.m.)

March 1

GCAAR Recognition Awards event

March 3

Profession Session: Preparing for Tax Season (10-11 a.m.)

March 8

Profession Session: Market Stats with Bright MLS (1-2 p.m.)

March 18

History & Power of Real Estate (1-2 p.m.)

March 29

Profession Session: Q&A with GCAAR’s Government Affairs Team (3-3:30 p.m.)

For details and to register for any of these events, visit gcaar.com/events. For a list of GCAAR’s upcoming continuing education classes, please visit gcaar.com/classes.

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 13

Public Policy Update

Setting the political stage for 2021 Despite its many challenges, 2020 was a successful year for GCAAR’s legislative and political campaigns.

GCAAR worked diligently with legislators and regulatory bodies to provide a smooth transition into these unprecedented times for the real estate industry, and now we are looking toward 2021.

Here is a look at a few local, state and federal issues that percolated in 2020, and how they will affect our industry moving forward.

Issue rewind: County ballot measures GCAAR ran a robust campaign during the November election, with the help of both Maryland REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), for and against important local ballot measures.

• The passage of Question A will modernize our property tax rate and allow for a more equitable assessment system that fluctuates based on growth and development in Montgomery County.

• The failure of Question B (stagnating property tax rate increases permanently to inflation) and Question D (creating a nine-district Council body) was a resounding rejection of policies that would have harmed our communities and regressed our public policy for years to come.

Looking ahead: The passing of Question A will bring in more revenue for the county general fund from the proper sources, instead of current or prospective homeowners.

Issue rewind: County Council considers recordation tax changes In 2020, the Montgomery County Council considered a proposal by the Montgomery County Planning Board to increase the recordation tax rates to fund school construction, as well as add another recordation tax premium to fund rental assistance and other housing programs. GCAAR, with the help of NAR’s issues mobilization program, mounted an informational campaign and a Call for Action to let councilmembers know how detrimental this would be to homeowners and prospective buyers, as well as the housing landscape in Montgomery County. This effort was successful, as the increases were rejected and full deliberation of the legislative proposal postponed until at least Spring 2021.

Looking ahead: GCAAR will be working with our County Council and staff to assess the entirety of the revenue landscape in our county to keep onerous taxation and fees on homeowners at bay.

14 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

Issue rewind: A growing divide in our housing landscape In recent years, we’ve seen first-time homebuyer rates go down, while younger generations are forced farther away from realizing their dream of homeownership. Maryland REALTORS® has looked at the landscape of issues and is undertaking a campaign to help stem the tide. The campaign is called “Open Doors to Stronger Communities,” and it aims to raise the profile of housing issues so that we can confront them together.

Going into the 2021 Maryland legislative session in Annapolis, we are encouraging REALTORS® like you to focus legislators’ attention on policies that will expand housing opportunities for all Marylanders, including: • forming a working group with the Department of Housing and Community Development to help close the homeownership gap • pushing to strengthen homebuyer assistance programs • expanding local accessory dwelling unit laws • increasing residential density for certain commercial properties • providing tax incentives for existing homeowners who free up affordable housing units

Looking ahead: Maryland REALTORS® will keep you informed as they continue to work with and educate our state legislators. You can be on the lookout for Calls for Action on these priorities as we continue the 2021 legislative session.

Issue rewind: Small business aid and COVID-19 response efforts grip NAR federal advocacy After the pandemic began, NAR mobilized to provide guidance to REALTORS® and other industry-specific businesses nationwide so that business could continue in a safe and secure manner in 2020. With real estate being one of the strongest supports of our nation’s economy, it’s vital that we keep your businesses moving in a positive direction. NAR focused on: • • • •

funding and extensions of small business loan programs urging pandemic unemployment assistance pushing for remote notarization to be made standard instead of extraordinary advocating for forbearance, increased mortgage liquidity and rental/eviction assistance

Looking ahead: NAR continues to work with its congressional partners, as well as the president and his new team, to strengthen the real estate industry during this difficult time.

Our REALTOR® federal political coordinators and NAR political representatives will keep you informed with up-to-the-minute information.

Collaborating to support the industry GCAAR will continue to work hand-in-hand with Maryland REALTORS® and NAR, as well as with our local REALTOR® association colleagues, to make progress on all these issues and more. Despite how the pandemic has continued into 2021, we will maintain our efforts to ensure our industry comes out stronger and more nimble than before.

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

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GCAAR’s Emergency Relief Program is ready to serve even more members in 2021

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live and work in our community as we try to keep each other safe and well. For members or their family members who have contracted COVID-19, we understand the effects can be personally and financially devastating.

GCAAR made it our mission to support members through an unprecedented year, and in the summer of 2020 we launched the GCAAR Cares Emergency Relief Program. Since then, we’ve helped more than a dozen members who have been directly affected by the tragic COVID-19 pandemic, and that number continues to grow.

16 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

Updated eligibility requirements This year, GCAAR is committed to providing financial assistance to even more members who could use some help after being adversely affected by COVID-19. We recently expanded the program’s eligibility requirements to achieve this goal.

The program is now open to GCAAR primary and affiliate members who have remained in good standing with GCAAR for a minimum of three of the past five years and have experienced a financial hardship related to the virus because of one or more of the following challenges: ● You and/or a family member contracted COVID-19; ● you have a pre-existing condition (e.g. asthma, cancer, auto-immune disorder, etc.) identified by your medical professional that could be exacerbated by contracting COVID-19; or ● you have other significant, disruptive and unusual familial obligations due to a COVID-19 diagnosis or fatality, such as funeral expenses, unexpected obligations to care for family members, etc. This excludes work challenges related to caring for children due to school closures.

If you meet any of the above criteria, you can apply for between $500 and $3,000 to help pay for health or medical needs, such as medical bills or prescriptions, family emergencies such as housing, memorials or other vital necessities for your well-being.

How the program has helped GCAAR members The relief program remains confidential, meaning we do not share the details of who specifically receives aid and why. Several of our members who have already received assistance say it was the extra boost they needed at the right time, because it can be hard to keep moving forward when faced with unexpected tragedy.

“GCAAR Cares came along and helped me to survive a little longer,” says one recipient, a cancer survivor considered high-risk for COVID-19. The member says he was facing homelessness and was urged by his doctor to quarantine, “With unemployment about to run out and my savings going down each month.”

Another member sought assistance from GCAAR after she was hospitalized for nine days due to a rare blood cancer diagnosis. She was in a high-risk category for COVID-19 after this setback, and struggled to keep her business running at its typical pace while also taking precautions to avoid contracting the virus.

“My wellness and treatment had been my main focus and as such, business suffered and my savings was being depleted rapidly,” she says. “When I saw the email from GCAAR about the grant I was excited and responded immediately. I truly appreciated the simplicity of the application process and the quickness in the decision-making. This shows that [GCAAR] cares about members and our well-being, especially in this unprecedented time.”

For more information and details on how to apply for the program, visit gcaar.com/emergencyrelief.

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

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COMPANY IN THE INDUSTRY

FIND OUT WHY WWW.JOINSAMSON.COM

From the gcaar classroom

District of Columbia brokers, property managers and salespersons: 2021 is your license renewal year!

As you’re making plans for 2021, don’t forget when broker, property manager and salesperson licenses are up for renewal in the district. Also be aware that, after the state of emergency in the district ends, you will have until 45 days after that date to renew your license.

• Brokers and property managers: Your renewal date is Feb. 28, 2021 • Salespersons: Your renewal is Aug. 31, 2021 Please check our current continuing education schedule at gcaar.com/calendar to register for your 15 hours of continuing education to meet your licensing requirements. If you have questions about your license status, visit the DC Real Estate Commission’s website at dcopla.com/realestate, email licensing@dcopla.com or call 866-270-9817.

GCAAR offers At Home with Diversity courses March 25-26 As part of our continued commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within the real estate industry, GCAAR is proud to subsidize the At Home With Diversity® (AHWD) certification course for 2021—members can take the class for $45! The next class will be held virtually on March 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to noon, both days.

REALTORS® know the importance of adapting to remain relevant in today’s multicultural marketplace.

AHWD covers how to work effectively with diverse populations by developing business practices rooted in inclusion and equality to help buyers of all cultural backgrounds achieve the dream of homeownership.

We are offering this course to GCAAR members at a subsidized rate of $45 (early bird price; $60 after March 12)! Non-members will be charged the regular price of $99. Visit gcaar.com/calendar to sign up.

NAR Code of Ethics training cycle REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training with at least two hours, thirty minutes of instructional time. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. Failure to complete training during any cycle will lead to suspension of membership for the January and February immediately following the cycle deadline, with termination of membership starting March 1 after the cycle deadline.

The current cycle runs from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2021. Visit nar.realtor and type “Code of Ethics training” into the search box for all the details.

20 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

Member services corner Important SentriLock updates you’ll want to know

Payment for SentriLock service fees is due by Feb. 28, 2021.

The easy way to submit payment is online at lb.sentrilock. com/lbs or by paying via phone at 513-518-5800. As of March 2, 2021, SentriLock will suspend outstanding accounts and assess a $50 reinstatement fee to the account. Suspended accounts will be immediately reactivated upon full payment to SentriLock.

As of Jan. 1, 2024, the SentriCard will be fully disabled! If you haven’t used the SentriKey app, please download it and become familiar with it. If you run into any issues, please contact SentriLock’s customer service representatives at 513-618-5800. We also ask that you email us at memberservices@gcaar.com to let us know what issue(s) you ran into. We want to advocate for your SentriLock needs, and will follow up with them in hopes that they find resolutions to any current challenges you’re having—prior to going cardless.

SentriCard will be fully disabled in 2024

Reminder: Don’t share your credentials!

Plan ahead! Payment is due in February 2021

Remember that you should NEVER give your SentriCard or SentriKey app credentials to anyone else— not your assistant, your colleague or a client. If you do, your SentriLock services will be terminated, as doing this is a violation of your agreement terms.

2021 SentriLock services fee deadline—Feb. 28, 2021 Plan ahead! Payment is due in February 2021

Effective Jan. 1, 2022, SentriLock users will no longer have the ability to use the SentriCard for lockbox access.

If you own a lockbox, you will be able to use your current SentriCard for basic ownership functions until Jan. 1, 2024.

Those functions include: • Taking or transferring ownership • Releasing the shackle • Assigning the lockbox to a listing

Working on taxes? Need receipts? Visit ‘My Account’ Last year, GCAAR upgraded our website to allow members access to their receipts. To see your paid and unpaid invoices, visit My Account at gcaar.com and click on Invoices & Receipts in the menu options. If you are unable to access your receipts, please email our Member & Billing Services team at membershiprecords@gcaar.com.

Need REALTOR® Store products?

Our Member Services team is here to help GCAAR’s REALTOR® Store has SentriLock products, sign riders, open house marketing tools and more. GCAAR can either ship products via UPS to you or you may pick up products at either one of our two office locations (Rockville, MD or the District of Columbia). Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, our stores are exclusively open for curbside pickup, by appointment only. Appointments must be made in advance. To schedule an appointment during one of our available time slots, please contact our Member Services team at 301-590-8769 during our normal business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If we don’t have what you need, please check out NAR’s REALTOR® Team Store at narteamstore.realtor.

Calling all GCAAR affiliate members!

You are an important member of the GCAAR family, and we want to make sure your business gets noticed.

Help us spread the word about what sets you apart. If you haven’t yet done so, please complete and submit the Affiliate Contact Form located at gcaar.com/memberforms.

Are you maximizing your NAR membership?

Visit nar.realtor/right-tools-right-now for the following services: • Webinars to help you manage your finances

• Timely market reports to inform your business and clients

• Education courses to expand your skills

• Digital tools for transactions and marketing CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 21

Koki Adasi

Meet GCAAR’s new C2EX-endorsed members C2EX is a program designed to help REALTORS® showcase their professionalism and gain a competitive edge.

Since the National Association of REALTORS® launched the program in 2018, it has served more than 60,000 NAR members. Earning and maintaining the C2EX endorsement fulfills the NAR Code of Ethics training requirement. Visit C2EX.realtor for more information.

Shanda Cox Vincent Ekuban Heather Embrey

George Johnson Sherman Ragland Bryan Waters

Board of Directors: Liaison Professional Development Committee: Liaison Commitment to Excellence Committee: Liaison Multicultural Real Estate Leadership Advisory Group: Liaison REALTOR® Safety Advisory Committee: Liaison Meeting & Conference Committee: Liaison Consumer Communications Committee: Liaison Executive Committee: Attendee Young Professionals Network Advisory Board Committee: Liaison Member Communications Committee: Liaison

Stacey Barton REALTOR® Party Member Involvement Committee: State Representative

Meet our newest National Association of REALTORS® Emeritus Status member, Carole Maclure Carole Maclure was awarded Emeritus Status at NAR's 2020 Annual Conference. She has actively served at all levels of her REALTOR® associations over the years, including NAR. NAR awards Emeritus Status to applicants who have been a member of NAR for 40 or more years, and have completed at least one year of service on a committee at the national level. NAR is taking applications for 2022 Emeritus Status through April 2, 2020. They will review them at NAR’s mid-year conference in May 2020. To see if you are eligible or to have an application submitted on your behalf, please email memberservices@gcaar.com.

Fred Bates RPAC Participation Council: State Representative

Harrison Beacher RPAC Major Investor Council: Vice Chair

David Bediz Data Strategies Committee: Member At-Large

Russell Brazil Conventional Financing & Environmental Committee: Member At-Large

Jan Brito Federal Financing & Housing Policy Committee: Member At-Large

Quintaria Brunson Fair Housing Policy Committee: Member At-Large

LaCrisha Butler Broker Engagement Council: State Representative

22 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

Congratulations to our GCAAR colleagues who are serving on 2021 NAR Committees!

Lindsay Clark Multiple Listing and Policies Committee: State Representative

Thomas Daley REALTOR® Safety Advisory Committee: State Representative Data Strategies Committee: Chair

Nina Daoud Commercial Real Estate Research Advisory Board: Committee Representative Research Committee: Member At-Large

Aylin Gokce Leading Edge Advisory Board: Member At-Large

George Anthony Graham Housing Opportunity Committee: Member At-Large

Harold Huggins Credential & Campaign Rules Committee: Regional Representative

Colin Johnson

Kymber Lovett-Menkiti State and Local Issues Mobilization Support Committee: Regional Representative

Carole Maclure Broker Engagement Committee: Member At-Large Board of Directors: State-Allocated Director

Multiple Listing Service: Forum Chair Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee: Forum Chair

Dale Mattison

Angela Jones

Samuel Medvene

Diversity Committee: Member At-Large Board of Directors: State-Allocated Director

Kwame Joseph Professional Standards Committee: State Representative

H. Fred Kendrick Risk Management Issues Committee: State Representative

Edward Krauze REALTOR® Party Trustees for Campaign Services Committee: Association Executive

Peta-Gay Lewis Conventional Financing & Policy Committee: Member At-Large

Strategic Thinking Advisory Committee: Member At-Large

Member Communications Committee: Committee Representative Young Professionals Network Advisory Board: Member At-Large

Gerard Occhiuzzo Professional Standards Committee: State Representative

Jessica Olevsky Fair Housing Policy Committee: Member At-Large

Frank Pietranton Membership Policy and Board Jurisdiction Committee: State Representative

Kimberly Rice

Bonnie Roberts-Burke Board of Directors: Regional Vice President Executive Committee: Regional Vice President

Dianah Shaw Housing Opportunity Committee: State Representative

Brenda Small Consumer Advocacy Outreach Advisory Committee: Immediate Past Chair Public Policy Coordinating Committee: Immediate Past Chair

Sandra Stewart Diversity Committee: Member At-Large

Christopher Suranna Meeting & Conference Committee: Immediate Past Chair Board of Directors: State Allocated Director

Shawna Swann Public Policy Coordinating Committee: Member At-Large

Bryan Waters Leading Edge Advisory Board: Member At-Large

Federal Financing & Housing Policy Committee: Member At-Large CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 23

Nadia Evangelou, NAR Research

What we’re expecting from the year ahead

W

hile nobody can say how long the pandemic will last, it has inspired some lasting changes, both to the world at large and real estate in particular. And some of the trends that arose in 2020 are likely to remain even after the end of the pandemic.

Teleworking hit record high levels, saving many jobs during the pandemic, and it’s likely to maintain its current popularity. One in three adults substituted some or all of their typical in-person work for telework in the height of the pandemic, compared to one in twenty adults that worked remotely before the pandemic, according to the U.S. Census. And after a year full of challenges and changes, expect 2021 to be a kind of transition year, as we watch the current “new normal” blend in with lasting changes, impacting various sectors and areas of the economy in different ways.

Job market Twenty-two million jobs were lost across the country in the first couple of months following when the pandemic hit the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Eight months later, more than half of these jobs have been recovered.

In the meantime, the unemployment rate also recovered more than halfway to 6.9% in October compared to 14.7% in April, moving closer to the pre-pandemic level of 3.5% in February.

Job growth has slowed toward the end of 2020, but it’s still promising to see that most of the key labor market indicators are more than halfway back to pre-pandemic levels. The unemployment rate is projected to drop to 6.2% in 2021, with a further decline to 5.0% in 2022, based on current labor stats.

However, recovery of the labor market varies by area. In the District of Columbia metropolitan area, nearly 50% of the jobs that were lost between February and May of 2020 have already been recovered. Montgomery County experienced a faster recovery than most counties across the country; nearly 70% of the jobs that were lost in April have been recovered, although a second wave of job losses did occur in September. Nevertheless, both the district and Montgomery County had a higher unemployment rate than nationwide in October: those numbers were 8.2% in the district and 7.5% in Montgomery County.

24 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

Housing market There is no doubt that the housing market has been a bright spot in the national economy. We no longer talk about a recovery of the real estate market from the pandemic; in fact, home sales activity hit a 14-year high with home sales reaching nearly 6.9 million homes in October, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, which represented a 27% increase of home sales from a year earlier. That provides cause for hope in 2021.

The housing market in both the district and Montgomery County is even stronger than nationwide. Data from Bright MLS shows that home sales in November rose 23% and 30% compared to a year earlier in the district and Montgomery County, respectively. While inventory continues to drop in both areas, housing supply cannot meet housing demand, pushing up home prices by 10% in the district and 5% in Montgomery County. There was a limited inventory before the pandemic, and it is even more limited now.

Although home prices are rising, housing is more affordable than a year earlier in both areas. Mortgage rates are hovering into record lows stabilizing below 2.9% for the last three months. Though these ultra-low mortgage rates significantly lower the borrowing cost, they do lead to an increase in price. Specifically, the current monthly mortgage payment for the typical home in the district dropped by $85 to $2,490 from $2,560 a year earlier, and it dropped $140 in Montgomery County from $1,930 to $1,790.

Expect rates to hike no higher than 3.1% in 2021, and the strong momentum in the real estate market in the district to continue this year, with existing home sales growing by more than 10%.

Teleworking post-pandemic Teleworking is already much more popular in the district, where more than 50% of the jobs can be done remotely. In 2020, 64% of adults reported that they work remotely in the district, compared to 35% nationwide, according to the U.S. Census. While teleworking is more popular for millennials—the largest cohort of population and homebuyers—74% of millennials work remotely in the area. While many companies already provide telework as a permanent option for their employees, expect telework to continue long after the pandemic, even if that means people are teleworking two or three days per week.

The rise of telework is also impacting how people decide where they want to live.

Some are seeking out bigger houses with bigger yards for their kids to play in and dedicated office spaces where they can work. Others seek more affordable homes in less dense areas, away from large city centers, with less concern for how their daily commute will look. Studies show that suburbs are gaining population during the pandemic. While housing is more affordable in the district than other large cities, expect more people to relocate out of the city.

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 25

Legal Hotline

By Chris Darby, Tom Muldoon and John Nalls of Counselors Title, LLC, and Pardo & Drazin, LLC, General Counsel

DISCLAIMER: The answers provided here are the opinion of the authors, are for informational purposes and are only for GCAAR members. Neither Counselors Title, LLC, nor Pardo & Drazin, LLC, is providing legal advice, but rather providing a general statement of law. No lawyer/client relationship is–or will be–established as a result of this material. Readers are encouraged to retain their own counsel for their specific questions. Answers may have been edited for formatting purposes.

26 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

QUESTION: I have a question about the

District of Columbia’s disclosure statement law. If there is minor damage to a property in the district after it's gone under contract, and the seller repairs the damage to return the property to the same condition as before the damage occurs, does the seller have to disclose this to the buyer? The damage is a leaky faucet that caused floor damage, and the leak and floors are both repaired.

ANSWER: There is no law now that I am

aware of that would require the seller to disclose this matter; however, similarly to other disclosures, failing of the seller to disclose any material defect or a change in property condition as the matter has been “fixed” puts the seller in a spot they really don’t need to be in.

Failing to disclose creates a situation whereby the seller is effectively warranting the repairs.

I don’t believe that to be in anyone’s best interest. The most prudent course is to disclose what has been repaired and to provide receipts for such. That allows the seller to effectively wash their hands of that matter, should the “fix” not have been a real fix.

QUESTION: Are buyer's agents required

to be present for the inspection, or are buyers permitted in the property with the inspector and no agent on site? I thought that we never let the buyers or sellers be unaccompanied to a property, but was told by a buyer’s agent that that was not the case.

ANSWER: From a contractual perspective, Paragraph 2 of Addendum of Clauses-A (GCAAR Form 1332) allows for inspections “by Buyer, a home inspection firm and/or other representative(s) at Buyer’s discretion or expense.” If the buyers are entering through the use of the lockbox, the question as to whether the agent is required to be present would be subject to any regulations applicable to the use of the lockbox.

QUESTION: Prior to becoming a REALTOR®,

I was a consultant. I do understand that the real estate sales commission (buying, selling, leasing properties) needs to be processed through my brokerage. Before engaging in consulting, I'd like to make certain I am following the guidelines concerning compensation. Please clarify what streams of income must be processed through the brokerage and what streams of income do not need to be processed through the brokerage (e.g. consulting fees, government contracts related to services outside of sales and leasing, etc.).

ANSWER: Below is the Maryland statutory defini-

tion for providing real estate brokerage services, which must be processed through the brokerage.

(l) “Provide real estate brokerage services” means to engage in any of the following activities: (1) for consideration, providing any of the following services for another person:

(i) selling, buying, exchanging, or leasing any real estate; or

(ii) collecting rent for the use of any real estate;

(2) for consideration, assisting another person to locate or obtain for purchase or lease any residential real estate; (3) engaging regularly in a business of dealing in real estate or leases or options on real estate; (4) engaging in a business the primary purpose of which is promoting the sale of real estate through a listing in a publication issued primarily for the promotion of real estate sales; (5) engaging in a business that subdivides land that is located in any state and sells the divided lots; or (6) for consideration, serving as a consultant regarding any activity set forth in items (1) through (5) of this subsection.

QUESTION: Can the seller who is occupying pursuant to a Post-Settlement Occupancy Agreement, giving notice, vacate the property prior to the "Specified Date" without penalty?

ANSWER: There is no penalty for the seller

vacating the property prior to the “Specified Date” in the Post-Settlement Occupancy Addendum (GCAAR Form 1309). However, Paragraph 1 specifically provides that “The amount paid for this license is non-refundable in the event Seller vacates the Property prior to the end of the Occupancy Period.”

Accordingly, the seller may not seek a refund of any previous amounts paid for leaving early.

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 27

Realtor Party ®

Thank you to our 2020 Major and Large RPAC investors

Golden “R“

Sterling “R“

Ed Krauze Carole Maclure Bonnie Roberts-Burke Christopher Suranna

Catherine Czuba Lisa Bosse Jan Brito Katherine Gordon Katalin Peter Philip Raskin Marjorie Rosner Bradley Rothstein Rob Rothstein Danai Mattison Sky Marty Stanton

Capital Club ($250-$999)

Wendy Banner Christine Barnhart Stacey Barton Conrad Bennett M. Jacqueline Bennett Mary Bowen Lori Connor Samantha Damato Suzanne Des Marais Joe Detrick Anthony DeVol

Michael Fowler Jennifer Frewer Peter Locker KT Maclure Anthony Mancuso Barbara Nalls Arelis Perez Constance Rader Brian Smith J. D. Teitelman Seth Turner

What is the REALTOR® Party, and what does it do for GCAAR members?

The REALTOR® Party, or RPAC, is a non-partisan alliance of REALTORS®, GCAAR affiliates and real estate associations working to advance public policies and political candidates that are about building stronger communities, protecting property interests and promoting a vibrant business environment.

These are unusual times, but RPAC has continued fighting for modernized property taxes, holding the line on recordation taxes, advocating for economic relief for REALTORS® and their businesses in the face of the pandemic, pushing for affordable housing and ensuring fair representation in our local legislature.

RPAC INVESTOR TESTIMONIAL:

d

“I purchased my first property in the District of Columbia at the age of 25 and quickly realized the power of real estate to galvanize goodwill within communities, as well as to build economic stability for my own family. As both a REALTOR® and a licensed attorney in the district, I’m keenly aware that good public policy, both federal and local, is critical to both the health of the real estate industry and my ability to best serve my clients. RPAC enables REALTORS® such as myself to support candidates who understand the issues that are important to our profession and livelihood.”

— JENNIFER FREWER, REALTOR®, KELLER WILLIAMS CAPITAL PROPERTIES

28 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

Maryland Maryland REALTORS® presents its new financial wellness initiative An initiative of Maryland REALTORS® President Dee Dee Miller is to provide engaging educational opportunities for REALTORS® to improve their financial wellness. Dee Dee will host three webinars with special guests (all starting at 1 p.m.) on Feb. 4, March 4 and April 1. Each webinar touches on a different aspect of financial wellness crucially important to REALTORS®. Plus, on June 18, Maryland REALTORS® will be hosting an all-day, live event on financial wellness at Maryland Live! Casino. Save the dates! Detailed information to help you in your planning is coming soon.

District of Columbia DCAR installs 2021 Board of Directors On Dec. 16, the District of Columbia Association of REALTORS® installed its 2021 leadership team, with Fred Bates as its new president. In his remarks, he shared a few of his priorities for the year, including: • Continuing to advocate with the mayor and City Council for real estate to remain essential, regardless of tightening COVID-19 restrictions.

• Working on getting commercial REALTORS® to join DCAR. As the challenges of expanded rent control and radical changes to the Comprehensive Plan are looming, it is imperative to work together to protect private property rights.

• Continuing to aggressively push back on rent control. The district is at a turning point, and it’s vital that all the gains the city has made in the last couple of decades—achieving fiscal sustainability and security— not be lost through new taxes and regulations.

Fred Bates, 2021 DCAR president

DCAR is proud to welcome Fred as its 2021 president, in addition to the 2021 DCAR Board of Directors:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President: Fred Bates President-elect: Tom Daley Secretary: Tony Mancuso Treasurer: Colin Johnson Immediate Past President: Kymber Lovett-Menkiti

PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES Sam Hollman Alex Waters

DIRECTORS Stacey Barton Harrison Beacher Andi Fleming Jennifer Frewer Samuel Medvene Jean Poitevien Ansa Tyus

PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR Betty Pair

GCAAR PRESIDENT Jan Brito

NAR DIRECTORS Angela Jones Christopher Suranna

NAR REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Bonnie Roberts-Burke DCAR thanks 2020 President Kymber Lovett-Menkiti and the 2020 board for their contributions, and looks forward to another productive year.

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 29

NAR director's report

NAR’s Code of Ethics, the housing inventory shortage and more

By Bonnie Roberts-Burke

Lately, the talk of our industry has been recent changes to NAR’s Code of Ethics.

In 2020, NAR’s Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly to strengthen our commitment to fair housing by approving a series of recommendations from NAR’s Professional Standards Committee to extend the application of Article 10 of the Code of Ethics to discriminatory speech and conduct that occur outside of a members’ real estate career.

A new Standard of Practice under Article 10-5 prohibits the use of harassing speech, hate speech, epithets or slurs against the protected classes and expands the code’s applicability to all of a REALTOR®’s activities.

These changes were all effective immediately. This will help protect the reputation of our industry from the few bad actors out there.

For additional details, see our "Special Report: NAR’s Code of Ethics now extends to discriminatory behavior outside of real estate practices," earlier in this issue.

Other important Code of Ethics changes The NAR Directors also approved new rules to bring more consistent standards to REALTOR®-owned MLSs across the country. These rules require participants to correct inaccuracies in their MLS listings, and require the MLSs to put processes in place to flag, and notify brokers of, potential fair housing violations. The new rules went into effect Jan. 1, 2021, and the local implementation deadline for them is March 1, 2021.

Additionally, the directors approved amendments to the association’s Core Standards, which are the guidelines associations must meet annually to ensure all our members are receiving full benefits for their membership.

Included among the changes are requirements to include a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and fair housing, which necessitates annual certification and leadership training.

The amendments also require associations to have the ability to interact with members in a remote work environment via a virtual meeting platform.

A legislative note In legislative matters, the Board approved the Federal Taxation Committee’s recommendations to update our federal tax priorities by updating the capital gains exclusion on the sale of a primary home by indexing the limits (meaning that, as housing prices rise, so would the tax deductions).

The current limits of $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a family have been frozen in place since we first helped to pass the law in 1997. The current limits exacerbate our housing inventory shortages and force people to stay in a home even when it no longer meets their needs in order to manage their tax payments.

The Board also called for increasing the residential housing inventory through incentives such as tax credits for converting commercial properties to residential units and training or hiring residential construction workers.

NAR membership update NAR membership has hit an all-time high, surpassing the previous record set in 2007, and projected 1,424,000 members by the end of 2020. The association has provided $25.5 million in free programming to members through the Right Tools, Right Now program.

30 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

bright mls Driving your business forward in the new year with Bright 2021 has already been a big year for Bright, bringing exciting updates and new tools. We’re just getting started, and all year you will hear about new features and options to drive your business forward and work more efficiently in Bright.

With many updates coming soon, now is a great time to make sure you’re taking advantage of the time-saving features already available in Bright now. Here are four to get you started:

1. View the most important information in one place with your new Workspace.

When you log in to the new BrightMLS.com, you are brought into your new Workspace. This new space helps organize all the critical information your business depends on, making it easier to search for MLS numbers, see critical alerts and manage your Hot Sheets and other widgets.

2. Copy your previous listings to save time. Entering a listing as Residential Lease and Residential Sale? Previous sellers ready to sell again? Use Copy to save time entering the same details again.

Simply find the listing you want to copy and click on the “Copy” button to the right of the main photo.

Select the category from the dropdown menu at the top of the page.

3. Let Homesnap Pro help you search faster on the go. Homesnap Pro, Bright’s mobile app, makes

it easier for you to search for homes, schedule showings and create CMAs from your phone or tablet. You can even search multiple areas at once and save the search for clients who are considering homes in a few different neighborhoods. Download Homesnap from your app store and register your Pro account to get started.

4. Add an online rental application to your listing through Rentspree. This function can make it

easier for interested renters to apply for your listing. Choose “RentSpree Online Application: Yes” when you enter your next Residential Lease listing in Bright. The application will be available on the listing in Bright, and through Rentspree you’ll have access to a link to share on your website or social media accounts.

Visit BrightMLS.com/news or check your Workspace to make sure you always have the latest news and information from Bright.

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 31

Welcome, new REALTOR® members!

We are pleased that you have chosen to join our association. GCAAR is your voice for real estate issues in Montgomery County, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

We offer venues for networking to enable you to connect with your peers and exchange best practices. We invite you to take full advantage of your benefits as a member.

Adetokunbo Abayomi Agoro

Maella Bouchard

Kiara Diaz

Derrick Funderburk

Leyla Hoji

Samson Properties

Keller Williams Capital Properties

eXp Realty LLC

Bennett Realty Solutions

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Aluin Acheampong

Connie Brown

Ryan Donnellan

Rajinder Gahunia

Eston Howard

Weichert REALTORS®

Samson Properties

Thomas D. Walsh Inc.

Keller Williams Realty

Grateful Real Estate Inc.

Adeyemi Adeyemo

Charles Brown

Andrew Dyer

Anna Galecki-Tomar

Matthew Howell

Altruist Realty LLC

Coldwell Banker Realty

Taylor Properties

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Rory S. Coakley Realty, Inc.

Nadia Ahmed

Malcolm Brown

James Dyson

Miguel Garcia

James Hyatt

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

KW Metro Center

KW Metro Center

Exit Results Realty

Kalena Alam

Janet Brown

Etienne Eaton

Kamille Gardner

Katarina Idhen

The ONE Street Company

Bennett Realty Solutions

Keller Williams Realty Centre

Coldwell Banker Realty

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Mike Alfaro

Reid Brown

Ian Edwards

Jaime Gonzalez

Shate Jackson

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

RLAH Real Estate

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Coldwell Banker Realty

Fayssal Ali

Marqell Broxton

Jeremy Eggleston

Renata Gorman

Kelly Jackson

Bennett Realty Solutions

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Redfin Corporation

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Suzanne Alila

Beverly Caceres

Stephen Ellis

Anthony Grant

Keller Williams Capital Properties

The Rockville Real Estate Exchange

Argent Realty LLC

Samson Properties

Michele JacksonWilson

Tro Allen

Claudia Carcamo

Oluwaseyi Falana

Amina Haidara

Weichert REALTORS®

Samson Properties

eXp Realty LLC

Taylor Properties

Angela Allison

Francine Carroll

Nathaniel Fields

Maurice Harley

Houwzer LLC

Bennett Realty Solutions

Branches Realty

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

John Allevato

Jason Carson

Mathew Fields

Jonathan Harris

Keller Williams Realty Falls

Exit Flagship Realty

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Ezebunwo Amadi

Marc Cashin

Keller Williams Realty Chantilly Ventures LLC

Fairfax Realty Elite

Cummings & Co. REALTORS®

Samantha Fields Foreman

Hatch Property Management and Sales, LLC

Sheila Jean

Samson Properties

Eugene Fisher

Haythem Hedda

Colle Jemibewon

Pearson Smith Realty

Pearson Smith Realty

RE/MAX Allegiance

Latarsha Fisher

Guillermo Herbozo

Abraham Jimenez

Century 21 Redwood Realty

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Forum Properties Inc.

Abigail Amaya

Erica Casillas

RE/MAX Allegiance

Coldwell Banker Realty

Michael Anderla

Shuo Cheng

RLAH Real Estate

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Angelique Andrae Weichert REALTORS®

Jennifer Baca McEnearney Associates Inc.

Teayana Battle Keller Williams Realty

Betty Best Key Home Sales and Management

Sandra Bonilla Dubon Impact Real Estate LLC

Yelena Sokolova Chernov

Sarah Hatch

Jackson-Wilson Realty & Associates LLC

Raha Jafari Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Chantel James Exit Realty Center

Mariah Jardine Pearson Smith Realty Compass

Erika Fleitz

Edis Hernandez

William Johnston

Century 21 Redwood Realty

Coldwell Banker Realty

Argent Realty LLC

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Asure Contee

Kate Fralin

Caroline Hersh

Anthony Jones

McEnearney Associates Inc.

Compass

Pearson Smith Realty

Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Kerry Costello

Kristin Francis

Deependra Hiranwar

Ashley Jones

Compass

KW Metro Center

Realty Pros

Expert Realty LLC

Gari Cruz

Rachel Fray

Kher-Khuan Ho

Heidi Jones

Forum Properties Inc.

Fairfax Realty Select

Pearson Smith Realty

Modern Jones LLC

Candace Dantzler

Mikel Frazier

Spencer Hodgson

Marissa Jones

Fairfax Realty Select

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Coldwell Banker Realty

Keller Williams Capital Properties

32 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

Sharon Jordan

William Mathis

Renita Purvis

Angela Shelton

Jabari Thomas

Tracy Wiggs

Samson Properties

Bennett Realty Solutions

Reis McCullough

Bay Property Management Group

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Realty One Group Performance

Monique Kaplan

Keller Williams Capital Properties

eXp Realty LLC

eXp Realty LLC

Esly Ramos

Jackson Shumaker

Pamela Townsend

Keller Williams Legacy

Maxus Realty Group

RE/MAX Allegiance

Washington Fine Properties

Liliana Klein

Lynnea McGee

RE/MAX Allegiance

Keller Williams Capital Properties

William Register

Kyle Simmons

Charlene Traylor

Keller Williams Realty

RE/MAX United Real Estate

Coldwell Banker Realty

Kelly Renfro McNeill

Christian Reinertson

Torrence Sinclair

Izim Tinas Tuncer

Maryland Real Estate Network

The ONE Street Company

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Heather Millard

David Reumont

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Compass

Fairfax Realty Elite

Lolita Smith

Heymann Realty LLC

Samuel King King Real Estate Inc.

Anastasia Krapivina Lagret Real Estate LLC

Scott Krause RE/MAX Gateway

Angela Kruklis Redfin Corporation

Marcus Kyriacou Hagan Realty LLC

Julian Lang

Myra Riddick

Exit Results Realty

Samson Properties

Erin Socia-Hernandez

Compass

Tsion Mollalgne

Michael Riggins

Deirdre Vo

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Marielys Montero RE/MAX Excellence Realty

Gabriela Rivas Smart Realty LLC

Erica Murfree

Christopher Lee

Keller Williams Realty Chantilly Ventures LLC

Tacuma Robinson

Brian Myles

Ines Rojas Arellano

Compass

RLAH Real Estate

Thao Nguyen

Jacob Romanek

Kylin Realty Inc.

Streamline Management LLC

Marion Lemay Thomas D. Walsh Inc.

Bruce Leon Exit Right Realty

Roselynn Lewis Samson Properties

Brian Lieberman Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Alison Lockwood Washington Fine Properties

Abaris Realty Inc.

Tyler Norris

Karla Romero

Showcase Real Estate LLC

Impact Real Estate LLC

Jimmy Padilla Diaz

Natalie Roy

CLIMB Properties Real Estate

KW Metro Center

Kristie Taylor Palmer

Lynn Rubens

Coldwell Banker Realty

Compass

Orantes Patrick

Zac Rushton

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

United Real Estate HomeSource

Coldwell Banker Realty

James Love

Odelys Payano Alvarez

Elizabeth Lorenz

Realty One Group Assets

Mauricio Lozano Redfin Corporation

Tara Manson RLAH Real Estate

Eduardo Manus KW Metro Center

Elizabeth Martin Evers & Co Real Estate, Inc.

Asael Martinez eXp Realty LLC

Danielle Masica Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Janet Peak Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Ana Pedroso Coldwell Banker Realty

Michael Sogunro Coldwell Banker Realty

Jeremia Soza Salgado Weichert REALTORS®

Daniel Sperling-Horowitz Taylor Properties

Robert Staub Century 21 Redwood Realty

Jordan Stouch Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Rahman Stringfield Samson Properties

Reginald Stuart Weichert REALTORS®

Guangjie Sun Metro Star Realty LLC

Seletra Sutherland

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Darius Walton-Coates Coldwell Banker Realty

Linda Watson Compass

Michael Wayne Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Andrew Webber KW Metro Center

Carrington Wells

KW Metro Center

Syam Tadavarthy

TTR Sotheby's International Realty

Catherine Santiago Iron Valley Real Estate

Robert Scott

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Kenneth Taylor

Charles Severe

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Kinaro Phung

Exit Realty Center

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Ranjana Brooks Terrell

Carter Shaffer

Washington Fine Properties

Metropol Realty

Darcey Thomson

Century 21, The Real Estate Center

Jade Walls

Danielle Salters

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Jessica Pollom

Century 21 New Millennium

Angela Whitaker

Samson Properties

MXW Real Estate

Donte Wade

Keller Williams Capital Properties

Daniel Segrest

Chereese Phillips

Compass

Pejman Tabaie

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Living In Style Real Estate

Marcelo Von Glehn

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Taneesha Tate-Robinson

Dianys Peguero

Pearson Smith Realty

Keller Williams Preferred Properties

RLAH Real Estate

Coldwell Banker Realty

Ian Velinsky

Elizabeth Road, Inc.

Michael Rutkowski

Sherry Young

Perla Vasquez

Saeed Mohebbi

eXp Realty LLC RLAH Real Estate

Samson Properties

Elena Woods

Ashlee White

Jamon Wiggs Realty One Group Performance

Richard Willet McEnearney Associates

Ann Wilson KW Metro Center

Jamia Hopkins Wilson Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Compass

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 33

Welcome, new affiliate members!

Andrew Blate Beautiful Home Services LLC

John Cowherd Cowherd PLC

Ali Manzoor GPN Title Inc.

John Ansell MBH Settlement Group LLC

Lauren Freitag Covenant Title & Escrow LLC

Nicole Monsees GPN Title Inc.

Hayley Butler ProTec Inspection Services

Eric Jones Junk King

Charles Wilson Draper & Kramer Mortgage Corp.

34 CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021

OUR OUR OUR

NO MONTHLY FEES

($450 TRANSACTION FEE)

NO MONTHLY FEES

($450 TRANSACTION FEE)

NO MONTHLY FEES

($450 TRANSACTION FEE)

ANA SOTO ANA

DAVE MICHALSKI DAVE

Founder | CEO MICHALSKI

Fairfax Realty

Fairfax Realty Premier

3190 FAIRVIEW PARK DR.

Fairfax Realty Premier 10770 COLUMBIA PIKE

FALLS CHURCH, 3190 FAIRVIEW PARK DR.

Sales Manager SOTO

Sales Manager SUITE 250

SILVER SPRING , MD 20901 10770 COLUMBIA PIKE

Direct:

SUITE 250

301.437.4348

SILVER SPRING , MD 20901

Direct:

301.437.4348

GERARD OCCHIUZZO Fairfax GERARD Realty Premier Branch Manager OCCHIUZZO

Fairfax Realty

Founder CEO SUITE |100

Fairfax Realty Premier

10770 COLUMBIA PIKE

SUITE Manager 250 Branch

VA 22042 SUITE 100

SILVER SPRING , 10770 COLUMBIA PIKE

FALLS CHURCH,

MD 20901 SUITE 250

703.585.8660

Office: SILVER SPRING ,

703.585.8660

Office:

VA 22042

301.439.9500

IN BUSINESS SINCE 1989

MD 20901

301.439.9500

IN BUSINESS SINCE 1989

10770 COLUMBIA PIKE, SUITE 250, SILVER SPRING, MD 20901

DAVE

www.fairfaxrealty.com

CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — January/February 2021 35

10770 COLUMBIA PIKE, SUITE 250, SILVER SPRING, MD 20901