Real Estate
JUNE 2018
THE COASTAL REAL ESTATE RESOURCE Coastal Association of Realtors/Ocean City Today
April listings up, inventory rises as well Condominium listings gain, as do contracts in region
New members (from left): Albert Gjoni of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty in West Ocean City; Ann Scanlon of Coldwell Banker Commercial in Ocean City; Zachary Watkins of Condominium Realty in Ocean City; Stephen Brown of Re/Max Coast & Country in Delmar, Del. Eka Suryadi of Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City; Kelly Hemmings of Coldwell Banker Residential 120th Street in Ocean City; Robert Baer of Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Salisbury; Amanda Forsythe of Shamrock Realty Group in Ocean Pines; James Coode of Beach Real Estate in Berlin. Karla Oass of Long & Foster Real Estate in Ocean City; Christopher Lane of Long & Foster Real Estate in Salisbury; Kimii Leizure of Coldwell Banker 64th Street in Ocean City; Michael LeCates of Whitney Wallace Commercial in Salisbury; Carolyn Page of LakeShore Realty in Lewes, Del.; Maria Baldwin of Re/Max Advantage Realty in Ocean City; Sara Bianco of ERA Martin Associates in Salisbury. Carrie Cosgrove of Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Selbyville, Del.; and Taylor Bakke of Resort Real Estate in Ocean City. Not pictured: Michael Fulton of EXIT Shore Realty in Salisbury; Kimberly Jones of Safe Harbor Realty in Salisbury; Colleen Kellner of Long & Foster Real Estate in Bethany Beach; and Brandon Tyre of Kelark Real Estate in Fruitland.
Coastal sees 22 join ranks in May
BERLIN, MD. – The Coastal Association of Realtors welcomed 22 new members during new member orientation on Thursday, May 3. New member orientation is a requirement for all members of the association. Attendees are introduced to services provided by the association. New member orientation is held quarterly. “It’s great to see so many new agents, because it shows that our local market is strong and thriving,” said CAR President Joel Maher.
LOWER EASTERN SHORE, MD. – The second quarter of 2018 kicked off with increased housing inventory, according to the latest numbers from the Coastal Association of Realtors (Coastal). April 2018 saw an overall 4.6 percent increase in residential listings, compared to the same time last year in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Individually, single-family home listings increased by 3.4 percent in Wicomico and by 3.6 percent in Somerset, but decreased by 5.8 percent in Worcester. Condominium listings increased by 11.5 percent in Worcester and by 66.7 percent in Wicomico, but were down by 50 percent in Somerset. Contract starts were also up, showing a 2.5 percent increase in April throughout the Tri-County area. Individually, single-family home contracts remained the same in Worcester, and increased by 2.9 percent in Wicomico and by 86.7 percent in Somerset. Condominium contracts increased by 36.4 percent in Wicomico and by 100 percent in Somerset, but decreased by 8.7 percent in Worcester. Settlements were down overall by 23.4 percent in all three counties. Individually, single-family home settlements were down by 43.8 percent in Worcester, by 16.2 percent in Continued on page 8
Realtors talk legislation at reception for officials SALISBURY, MD – The Coastal Association of Realtors (Coastal) held its annual legislative reception on Wednesday, May 10, at the Ward Museum. More than 60 Realtor and affiliate members, state elected officials, and local elected officials attended the event in the Thomas F. Mullan Jr. Legacy Center. Attendees partook of hors d’oeuvres and drinks from Vittles Catering while listening to guest speakers, Chief Legislative Officer for Gov. Larry Hogan’s Office Chris Shank, Sen. Jim
Mathias, Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, Delegate Chris Adams, Delegate Johnny Mautz, Delegate Charles Otto, Delegate Carl Anderton, and Delegate Mary Beth Carozza. The elected officials provided an update on what they accomplished during the 2018 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly. “We greatly appreciate the elected officials taking time out of their busy schedules to attend our reception,” said Coastal President Joel Maher. Continued on page 8
Coastal Association of Realtors members and legislators at May reception in Annapolis.