Real Estate
FEBRUARY 2017
THE COASTAL REAL ESTATE RESOURCE Coastal Association of Realtors/Ocean City Today
Members and staff from the Coastal Association of Realtors recently participated in the 2017 Maryland Association of Realtors “Lobby Day” in Annapolis. Pictured at the state capital, from left, are Mickey Lobb, Government & Public Affairs Director Sarah Rayne, board member and Government Affairs and RPAC Committee Chair Joseph Wilson, board member Grace Masten, Sen. Jim Mathias, Past-President Vicki Harmon, President Don Bailey, Vice President Terrence McGowan, and board member Brandon Johnson.
Realtors confer with legislators
New year sees contracts up, inventory too
Annual ‘Lobby Day’ brings industry reps, senators, delegates together
Single-family home listings also increase in Worcester County
ANNAPOLIS – Members and staff from the Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR) traveled to Annapolis on Tuesday, Jan. 24, to participate in the Maryland Association of Realtors (MAR) 2017 “Lobby Day.” This annual event is an opportunity for Realtors and affiliate members to meet with their individual state senators and delegates to discuss real estate and homeowner issues. ‘It’s our CAR joined more than 350 Realtors and affiliates from responsibility to across the state to meet with be the voice of legislators and discuss issues real estate not and bills that affect Mary- only on the lower land’s real estate industry. Eastern Shore, Before meeting with their but also in our legislators, “Lobby Day” parstate capital.’ ticipants were addressed by Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, — DON BAILEY deputy chief of staff for Gov. CAR PRESIDENT Larry Hogan. Brief meetings then occurred in individual legislators’ Annapolis offices, during the 437th session of the Maryland General Assembly. Realtors stressed support for open house legislation, a tax-free homebuyer savings account, a tax credit or grant for fire sprinkler installation and the continued restriction of “Best Available TechnolContinued on page 6
LOWER SHORE, MD. – The local real estate market kicked off the new year with a slight bump in inventory and a healthy boost in contract starts, according to the latest figures from the Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR). January 2017 saw a 1 percent increase in new local listings compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Individually, Worcester single-family home listings increased by 14.1 percent, Wicomico decreased by 10.6 percent and Somerset decreased by 12.5 percent. New contract starts, or pending sales, increased overall by 23 percent compared to the same time last year. Individually, Worcester Continued on page 6