• The NAR Quadrennial Ethics Training is required every four years and was to have been completed by March 2, 2009 to continue operating with a license in MD.
• If your license was renewed within the last two years, your Code of Ethics Training Certificate used for renewal will also fulfill the NAR requirement.
• If you have taken an NAR or MAR Ethics Course, please provide HCAR with a copy of your Ethics Training Certificate showing the approved NAR Ethics course via email, certificate upload, or fax to 410.715.1489 ASAP. This information will be added to your membership file noting you've met your NAR Ethics Requirement by taking either the MAR or NAR Ethics Training.
• Even if you have not taken a REALTOR^® Ethics Training Course in the last four years, a NAR-developed online course* is available for completion using a computer and the Internet and should be taken, ASAP to stay current.
• REALTORS^® can stop and restart the course at their convenience within a 30-day time period. Successful completion is recorded in the National REALTORS^® Database System (NRDS) and will satisfy a member's Code of Ethics training requirement. Click here to get started.

*The NAR online Ethics course does not provide MD Continuing Education Credits.

The CARE Award is given to Local Associations in community service and charitable actions. The award is designed to raise the profile of REALTORS^® and the REALTOR^® organization by focusing on Associations that have demonstrated an extraordinary record through direct local Association community service involvement. The activities compiled by the Association may include endeavors by REALTORS^® who are part of a group, team, office, or an individual of that local Association. The winning local Associations will receive the following cash contribution to the charity of their choice:

Winner	--	$10,000
1st Place Recognition	--	$5,000
2nd Place Recognition	--	$1,000

This award will not be given to an individual.
Nominations are submitted by the local Associations.

HCAR Submission Deadline is: May 20, 2009.
Click here for the application form.

The HCAR and MAR Community Service Awards honor individual REALTOR^® members who give their time unselfishly to assist the communities in which they live.
Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2009. Click here for the application form.

The Rookie REALTOR^® of the Year Award recognizes a REALTOR^® in the business four years or fewer, who has demonstrated excellence in knowledge, work production, civic activity, and service to their local, state, and/or national associations.
Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2009. Click here for the application form.

The REALTOR^® of the Year (ROTY) Award criteria requires that nominees must sign the application to verify that it is accurate and complete. The person selected as HCAR REALTOR^® of the Year will also be entered in the MAR competition.
Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2009. Click here for the application form.

For Award Application submissions:
Email to staff@hcar.org (an electronic copy is preferred),
or drop off at HCAR
5501 Twin Knolls Road, Suite 111
Columbia, MD 21045
Questions? Feel free to call the HCAR Staff at 410.715.1437.

For More Information:
Click here.

The regulation increasing fees for license renewals and other services became effective March 1, 2009.

Click here for the Commission Announcement and revised fee schedule.

In the next few weeks, MRIS will launch its new secure Online Payment Service for the benefit of our customers. With this convenient service, MRIS customers will be able to view paid invoices, update billing information or pay outstanding balances on their own accounts through the MRIS/My Account link.

More details of this service and the associated process changes will be coming from MRIS in March.

Feb. 18, 2009--President Barack Obama announced his Homeowner Affordability and Stability plan designed to help up to 9 million families refinance or modify a home mortgage and avoid foreclosure. The plan provides for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac refinancing for borrowers with loan to value ratios above 80 percent as well as a $75 billion Homeowner Stability Initiative and additional Treasury Department investments in Fannie and Freddie to maintain their positive net worth.

Click Here to Read More >>

An improved First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, as originally proposed by the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR), is a major component of the economic stimulus package that President Barack Obama signed into law on Tuesday, February 17. The legislation also includes revised loan limits for FHA, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae as well as funding for states and local communities to use in neighborhood stabilization activities with respect to abandoned and foreclosed homes. For details as to how the improved Homebuyer Tax Credit compares to the existing credit, please Click Here.

Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC)
On December 23, 2008, New York State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (government sponsored enterprises) announced the final agreement of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). The agreement establishes standards on solicitation, selection, compensation, conflicts of interest and appraiser independence. The HVCC is effective May 1, 2009, for any mortgage that will be sold to the GSEs. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) mortgages are not covered in the agreement. HVCC Frequently Asked Questions >>

Fannie Instructs Its Servicers Not to Cut Commissions on Short Sales
On February 24, 2009, Fannie Mae sent Announcement 09-03 to its servicers instructing them not to negotiate commissions on short sales below the amount negotiated by the listing agent (unless the commission exceeds 6 percent). The requirement took effect March 1, 2009. Fannie Mae Policy Changes >>

Mary Calder Installed as President by sister Lyndell Eagan
Ilene Kessler, Past HCAR and MAR President	Senator Ed Kasemeyer receives the Robert H. Kittleman Legislative Excellence Award
Past President's Award presented by Suzi Padgett to Oliver Henderson	2008 Presidential Award Honoree Barb Seely
Suzi Padgett presents Deb Poquette with HCAR's REALTOR® of The Year Award	Dick Caldwell receives HCAR Rookie REALTOR® of The Year Award
Other HCAR Photos
Kelly Renfro, YPN Chair and Rhoda Toback at Inaugural YPN Event: Sold out venue at Victoria Gastro Pub on Fat Tuesday	President-Elect Bianca Smith and Friends Celebrate the 100th NAR Anniversary at Universal Studios