Did you know... Nov. 16, 1961 (HCAR's official NAR charter date) - Howard County Real Estate Board is approved as a member organization in the National Association of Real Estate Boards (NAREB, as NAR was called at the time). Howard County had 18 original members, and was founded on March 21, 1961. March 22, 1967 - Name changed to Howard County Board of Realtors. Nov. 12, 1975 - Name changed to Howard County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. Dec. 28, 1987 - Name changed to Howard County Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

In This Issue
MAR Diversity Day - This Thursday Midyear Meetings - Starting May 9 Legislative Updates May CEU Offerings MRIS Training at HCAR - FREE! Jerry Ford - REALTOR® Emeritus Honoree Tudy Adler Appointed to General Plan    Task Force		Three HCAR Members Recognized at     MAR Leadership Ceremony Apply for MAR and NAR Committees Grassroots Crisis Center Outreach Help Win $10,000 for Charity Annual Award Applications - Now Open! MAR Conference - Register in May to Save MAR Annual Poster Contest Winners Save the Date - Legislative Breakfast

MAR Diversity Day

This Thursday, May 5 at Maryland Association of REALTORS® 200 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, Maryland 21401 9:30 AM: Registration & Coffee 10:00 AM - 12 NOON: Panel Discussion: Real Estate Issues in Diverse Communities 2 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement 12:00 - 1:00 PM: FREE Festive Networking Lunch (open to both morning and/or afternoon attendees) Special guest - Kyle Lambert London, NAR Coordinator, At Home with Diversity program 1:00 - 2:30 PM: Special Issues in Fair Housing 1.5 hrs. CE for Fair Housing Attend the morning, afternoon or both programs. Registration for each program is a $5 sponsorship contribution for the 2012 MAR Fair Housing Calendar. If you fail to attend WITHOUT giving 48 hrs notice in advance, you will be charged $25. To register: Contact Kara Ardison at kara.ardison@mdrealtor.org or 800-638-6425. SEATING IS LIMITED. Class details are at hcar.org.   Back to Top >

Midyear Meetings and Trade Show

The 2011 Midyear Meetings will be held May 9 - 14 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, DC. The Trade Expo is Wednesday, May 11 through Friday, May 13. Complete schedule and an exhibitors list are online at realtor.org. A few Midyear highlights are industry forums and committee meetings, legislative activities, Tuesday afternoon's 59 1/2 Minutes member update, and the Trade Expo! Midyears are FREE, as always, to REALTOR® members. RSVP now to save time (no standing in a registration line) at the event. Midyears are close by, and convenient to the Woodley Park-Zoo Metro Station (red line)! Registration Now Open >   Back to Top >

Legislative Updates

Have you visited the hcar.org Legislative section lately? Visit today for important information about the Mortgage Interest Deduction, and the economic value it brings to Maryland homeowners. Also access short articles on the Secondary Mortgage Market, Affordable Mortgage Products, and other items which will be presented to our members of Congress during Midyear legislative meetings. Just added! A large number of bills affecting real estate were considered during the 2011 Maryland General Assembly. Click here for a complete run-down on 2011 Real Estate Legislation that Affects YOU (login in Members Only required).   Back to Top >

May CEU Offerings

Visit the Education & Events calendar at the new HCAR.org to register for all your required and elective Maryland CEU hours. Here's just a sampling.   Register for YOUR choice  at hcar.org >   NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION and Ethics 3 hours Ethics (Category D) This Thursday, May 5 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register Here > Ethics 3 hours Ethics (Category D) This Thursday, May 5 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register Here > MD Contract Law 3 hours Legislative Update (Category A) Wednesday, May 11 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon Register Here > New MREC Agency* 3 hours Agency - Residential (Category H) Monday, May 16 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Register Here > Reverse Mortgages 1.5 hours Professional Enhancement (Category F) Thursday, May 19 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Register Here > *3-hour Agency Education Requirement - Effective January 1, 2012 — House Bill 83 (2010 Legislative Session) requires all real estate licensees to take a 3-hour continuing education course in agency principles and disclosure as part of the 15 hours of education required for license renewal. The agency course requirement must be fulfilled once every 4 years for license renewals that occur after January 1, 2012.   Back to Top >

MRIS Training @ HCAR

Join MRIS trainers at the HCAR Association Office for FREE hands-on training classes. What's New with MRIS, Hands-on Training All the new features added to MRIS, Matrix and Keystone and how to use them. Tuesday, May 17 • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Getting Started with MRIS, Hands-on Training The information new agents should learn about our MLS system. Monday, May 23 • 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Matrix, Hands-on Training How to use Matrix, with a featured section on all the new Matrix changes. Monday, May 23 • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm To register, go to www.mris.com/training, select the desired class title, click "go" and you will see the link to register. For training questions or inquiries, please email training@mris.net.   Back to Top >

Congratulations! Jerry Ford Honored as REALTOR® Emeritus

Suzi Padgett, Jerry Ford, Kenny Smallwood   Jerry Ford was recognized as a REALTOR® Emeritus at the April 13 Spring Fling 2011 celebration. Jerry has been a REALTOR® and served his profession, clients and community with distinction for over 40 years. He was HCAR President in 1978. Congratulations Jerry! Jerry accepted the award from Long & Foster Hickory Ridge office manager Suzi Padgett and HCAR President Kenny Smallwood. See more photos from Jerry's award and Spring Fling in the hcar.org Photo Gallery.   Back to Top >

HCAR Member Tudy Adler Appointed to General Plan Task Force

Howard County plans for the future Ulman Names General Plan Task Force to Help Guide the Next 20 Years On Monday, April 11 Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced his appointments to the General Plan Task Force. Approximately every 10 years, Howard County updates its General Plan, establishing a Task Force to provide guidance to the County as it plans for the opportunities and challenges of the future. "We have selected a diverse group of residents representing a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and interests to serve as members of the Task Force," said County Executive Ulman. "We believe this is the best way to represent Howard County residents' rich and varied perspectives as we craft a vision for our County for the next 20 years." The Department of Planning and Zoning oversees the General Plan update, and has been researching and preparing background information for several months. The Task Force will help develop the guiding principles and framework for the General Plan. Although the Task Force members have many different professional and community affiliations, each is being asked to serve as an individual resident, not as a representative of any group or organization. Ned Tillman, Task Force Chairman added, "It will be the Task Force's job to help guide the Department of Planning and Zoning in balancing our economic, environmental and community needs to ensure that we create a sustainable future for all of us here in Howard County." Congratulations Tudy Adler! We wish you and the Task Force much success.   Back to Top >

Three HCAR Members Recognized at MAR Leadership Ceremony

HCAR members Marilyn Rhodovi, David Vane, and Gretchen Conley were honored at a MAR Leadership Academy Graduation ceremony Tuesday, April 19. All three completed a year-long series of leadership exercises and training classes. Marilyn is the 2011 HCAR Treasurer, David is the 2011 HCAR President-Elect and Gretchen Conley is Chair of the HCAR Legislative Committee. David Vane was also awarded the David E. Maclin Humanitarian Award. Congratulations Marilyn, David and Gretchen! We appreciate all that you do for HCAR and our communities. See more photos from the event at the hcar.org photo gallery >   Back to Top >

Volunteer for a MAR Committee - Deadline May 11 Volunteer or Nominate for a NAR Committee - Deadline May 25

Help build an even stronger MAR in 2011 - 2012, while working and learning with fellow REALTOR® members. Complete and submit an easy online form with your top 2 - 3 committee choices. There's 19 committees to choose from. All current MAR committee members who wish to continue serving must also complete a form. Committee selections will be prioritized by qualifications and date received. Click here to volunteer for a MAR committee > The NAR Committee Recommendation Database for 2012 is also open. Submit NAR committee recommendations for yourself or other members at www.realtor.org >.   Back to Top >

Food Donations and Help Needed Monthly

HCAR Members will be preparing dinner for the 51 residents of the Howard County Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Our next dinner is Next Thursday, May 12! If you're interested in donating food or helping with preparation, please email deb@thecampinscompany.com.   Back to Top >

The Community Action and REALTOR® Excellence (CARE) Award

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: Friday, June 10, 2011. Click here for the application form.   Back to Top >

HCAR Awards - Application Deadline Extended

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. All submissions for the HCAR Rookie ROTY will also be entered into the state-wide MAR competition. 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. All submissions for the HCAR Service Award will also be entered for MAR award consideration. 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. Application form > All Award Applications are due at HCAR before 5 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011. 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.   Back to Top >

2011 MAR Annual Conference & Tradeshow Save $80. Register by June 1.

September 12th - 14th Ocean City, Maryland EARLY BIRD RATE! Register by June 1 for $195. Saves $80 on full 3-day conference price. Up to 15 hours of premier Continuing Education (CE) Monday Keynote & light lunch with Steve Harney, Keeping Current Matters FREE Conference Gift - ABS flashlight with auto tool kit Rookies (up to 4 years since licensed) receive $50 off 3-day registration YPN event ($10), more "Learning Labs", more grand prize winners! More value–National Speakers–Networking–Exciting Tradeshow Conference Homepage      Hotel Information      Schedule (PDF)   Back to Top >

MAR Annual Poster Contest Winners

Olivia Sload was the Howard County winner. Olivia's proud mother, Amy, is an HCAR member. Pictured above is Olivia's winning entry. Olivia and the other county winners from Maryland will have their drawings (pictured below) featured in the 2012 MAR Fair Housing calendar. Congratulations Olivia!     Back to Top >

HCAR Legislative Breakfast

Save the Date! The 2011 HCAR Legislative Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, June 2 at the Slayton House, Wilde Lake Village Center   Back to Top >