MSBR Newsletter January 6, 2026

Start 2026 with a recurring contribution to the

Down Payment Grant Program.

In 2.5 years, MSBR, with your contributions and fundraisers, have helped 55 families purchase a home. These families used MSBR REALTORS and Affiliates to make their homeownership dream come true.

Let's keep it going!

Make a one-time donation or better yet,

make a recurring donation.

Every dollar supports homeownership.

Be one of five $100 gift cards Winners-

Complete the MD REALTORS Survey

Deadline is January 9th, 2026

Maryland REALTORS® is asking its members to take part in a short, 10-minute survey to get important feedback on the industry and your state association.

As a member, you are invited to take part in this survey. To show our appreciation, members who complete this short survey will be entered in a drawing to win one of five $100 gift cards.

80's Fundraiser Dance Supporting the Down Payment Grant

Sat. Feb. 21, 2026 VFW in Easton, MD 7-10pm

Registration is Open

Gather with friends, family, and neighbors for a lively, feel-good celebration inspired by the mixtapes we all loved.

All your favorite 80s hits—rewound and ready to dance!

$35/pp and $40 at the door

Cash Bar

Light Food, Fun and DJ Included

Looking for Sponsors - Brokers, Affiliates, Agents and non-Members if you want to help out we are happy to include you.

Enjoy a night packed with music, dancing, themed activities, and plenty of retro fun. Come ready to make memories and support a great cause— 80s style!

Funds go to support the Down Payment Grant Program.

Maryland General Session Preview Webinar

Thursday, January 8th @ 1:00 PM

Legislative session is right around the corner! Join our Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, Lisa May, and Grassroot Advocate, Christa McGee, as they lay out Maryland REALTORS advocacy focus for 2026. They'll delve into the bills we are supporting, the priorities we are pushing, and what we are hoping to accomplish this session.

What is the Graduate REALTOR® Institute or GRI?

The REALTOR® Institute is a series of courses designed to advance your education and help grow your business. Each class is taught virtually. GRI does not require annual renewal as long as you remain an active member in good standing.

The 100 and 200 series each contain 6 courses and cover topics that will enhance your business skills from running your business operations and marketing to staying on top of current regulations and issues.

Series 100 starts February 3rd - March 3rd

Series 200 starts March 19th - March 31st

Complete both 100 and 200 series and you have the GRI designation!

The 300 and 400 series each contain 4 courses and cover topics to elevate your knowledge on taxes, appraisals, commercial, and investments. Complete all four series, and you will have earned the credits necessary to take the Maryland exam to obtain the broker or associate broker license.

Mid-Shore Counties received revitalization grants

Projects include:

Easton: Site development for the mixed-use, mixed income housing development on the former Perdue Agribusiness site.

Denton: removing old, outdated equipment at Fourth St Park and replacing it with an open green space and walking trial.

2027 Dues Pre-Payment Plan Now Open

YES MSBR has a lay-a-way plan for your

2027 REALTOR Dues

Send in a check or stop by with cash and start your Pre-Payment 2027 Dues plan TODAY.

100% funds back if you decide not to renew.

Questions? Call 410-822-8767

Looking for a Tenant Screening Service-

MSBR has one!

https://www.tenantreportx.com/msbr/

PROMO CODE: MSBR

We are excited to announce TenantReportX.com has proudly partnered with the Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS® to provide members with comprehensive tenant screening services at a direct cost savings on our most popular products and packages.

Since 1992 TenantReportX has been a trusted national leader in delivering fast, reliable, and secure tenant background checks designed to help you make informed rental decisions with confidence. We have the knowledge and know how to help our clients protect their investments for both the short and long term. With several customizable solutions and round the clock access, TenantReportX provides its clients with convenience, the fastest turn-around times, security, and unparalleled customer support all at the lowest costs available! Enrollment is simple and we handle all account set up, processing, support, and billing. There are no annual fees, no subscriptions, or volume requirements!

To take advantage of this exclusive partnership savings, register a new account here: https://www.tenantreportx.com/msbr/
Signup Code: MSBR

Why Choose TenantReportX?

Flexibility in Workflows
Fastest Turn Around Times
Compliant Reporting
Secure Encrypted Access
Competitive Costs and Volume Discounts
No Time Service Contract Obligations
All reports reviewed for fair housing compliance
Custom Applications and more!
Free API

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to serving you! Every call to TenantReportX.com is answered by a live friendly service professional who will begin processing your request immediately.

Pending home sales show upward momentum

Contract signings climbed 3.3% in November compared to October and also are up 2.6% from a year ago, according to NAR's newly released Pending Home Sales Index. The strongest growth occurred in the West. "Home buyer momentum is building," says Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. "The data shows the strongest performance of the year after accounting for seasonal factors, and the best performance in nearly three years, dating back to February 2023."

We are all looking forward to seeing the

December contract signing numbers!