MSBR Legislative Luncheon Recap
Our Legislative Luncheon was well attended and packed with valuable insights!
We were reminded that while our local issues aren’t partisan, they are political — and REALTORS® need to stay informed and engaged in the conversations shaping our communities.
It’s not every day we get to hear directly from elected officials across our region. This year’s panel included:
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Caroline County: Commissioner Larry Porter
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Dorchester County: Council Member Mike Detmer
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Talbot County: Council Member Keasha Haythe
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Queen Anne’s County: Commissioner Philip Dumenil
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State Senator: Johnny Mautz
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State Delegate: Tom Hutchinson
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Maryland REALTORS® Director of Advocacy: Lisa May
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NAR REALTOR® Relief Fund Director: JoAnne Poole
MSBR President Shandell Green, President-Elect Petra Quinn, and Government Affairs Director Susie Hayward also shared updates.
Key topics discussed:
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Solar installations in Caroline and Dorchester Counties
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Water and septic allocations in Queen Anne’s
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Housing affordability in Talbot County
Lisa May highlighted that housing is an economic driver — generating $140,000 in economic activity for every home sold. Maryland is estimated to lose 40,000 residents each year due to housing shortages — a strong reminder of why REALTOR voices matter in these discussions.
MSBR President, Shandell Green presented a $500- check to JoAnne Poole for the REALTOR Relief Fund.
A heartfelt thank you to all who attended, to our speakers for sharing their expertise, and to the VFW for providing a delicious lunch and warm hospitality.
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Let's Celebrate the Holidays
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 5:30-7:30pm
Channel Marker: 8865 Glebe Park Dr. in Easton
Pull out your holiday attire and enter the Holiday Hat or Holiday Outfit contest. Each winner receives a $50 Target Gift Card.
We are supporting Channel Marker. No cost to attend but bring toiletry items for the 5-7 residents and/or gift cards in $5-$10 amounts from Walmart or Target for their other clients.
RSVP HERE- HO Ho HO
Open to all REALTOR and Affiliate members
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Holiday Party Sponsors
Bar Sponsor: Skipper Marquess with Coldwell Banker
Food Sponsors:
Andy Beaven with Wright Real Estate
Jenn Dudley with Title Excellence
Denise & Bill McCormick ~ CK Capital Management Corp.
Dave Whaley with National Property Inspections
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ATTENTION ALL COMMERCIAL AGENTS - REQUIRED CE
December 5th from 10 am to noon
This class will satisfy your Fair Housing or "Topic P" requirement
As of October 1, 2025, Commercial Licensees are required to attend a Topic "P" Americans with Disabilities Act class. This class ("P" 1102-1604, 2 hours) has been approved to fulfill that requirement.
This FREE online course is only available for Maryland REALTORS® members. Sign in to the website to register.
Online CE Policies: This class is held online and runs from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. You must have a camera, the camera MUST be on, and you must be in full face view at all times. All sessions will be recorded as required by the Maryland Real Estate Commission. A desktop or laptop is recommended and you should be in a learning environment away from distractions for the best possible learning experience. Maryland REALTORS® is not responsible for any technology/internet issues you may encounter. You will receive a zoom link to join this class prior to the class date.
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Tax Updates for REALTORS
Chuck Ireland Accounting Strategies Group
November 13th 10-11am MSBR Board Office
Register Here
Prepare for tax season by organizing income and expenses, ensuring accurate recordkeeping, and identifying eligible deductions specific to real estate professionals, such as vehicle use, home office, and marketing costs. Taught by MSBR Affiliate, Chuck Ireland with Accounting Strategies Group.
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MSBR Golf Tournament at Hog Neck
Tuesday, May 19 2026
Want to help out in some capacity?
Join us on Tuesday, November 18th at 9:30am in person or by zoom
Let us know how you want to attend debbie@msbrmd.com
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SENTRILOCK UPDATES
Got a new phone? Let MSBR update your account!
When you get a new phone, MSBR needs to update your Sentry Lock account. If not, you may see a message saying you have 5-courtsey times to open and use before you will be shut out.
RPR Market Charts now Integrated into your SentriLock App
This new feature brings hyper-local market intelligence directly into the app at no additional cost.
REALTORS® can now view real-time market trends without switching apps, making it easier than ever to guide pricing conversations, set client expectations, and stay competitive.
With just a tap on “RPR Market Charts,” agents can access:
- Market Type Snapshots (Seller, Balanced, or Buyer markets)
- New, Active, Pending, and Sold Listings with pricing and volume insights
- Median Days on Market and Sold-to-List Price Percentage
- Months of Inventory to gauge supply versus demand
- Median Estimated Property Values for orientation before comps
SentriLock is proud to integrate RPR’s chart service, reinforcing their commitment to innovation and to delivering solutions that go beyond access. This enhancement is being provided free of charge as a value-added benefit to all SentriKey® users, helping them spend less time switching between systems and more time serving clients and closing deals.
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MSBR Government Affairs AREA REPORT brought to you by your RPAC Contributions and MSBR Government Affairs Director Susie Hayward.
Caroline County- Caroline- The County Commissioners are working on Bill 2025-011 Compensatory Fee for Solar Farms and Land Preservation Fund. This bill, if passed, would establish a Fund to purchase land preservation easements, with funds derived from fees imposed on future Solar Farms.
Ridgley- The County’s Day Springs Town House complex, with 46 units and currently under contract, is about to change ownership. The new owner does not plan to maintain it as low-income housing. The complex has faced numerous issues, including unrepaired damage, mold and mildew in many units, and unpaid rent. The purchaser is undergoing their due diligence phase.
Caroline- Despite the objections of the County, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved the solar farm project located outside of Federalsburg. The property is 42 acres, but the solar panels will occupy about 20 acres. The project would connect exclusively to the Delmarva Power grid. They plan to begin construction of the community solar project in the second or third quarter of 2026. The uniqueness of this project is that it is in an R1-zoned property, designated for residential development and served by public water and sewer.
Federalsburg- Due to financial problems, the town has very few employees; there are none in the Planning and Code Enforcement Department. If you need assistance, contact Maggie McConnell at 410-754-8173 Ext. 104 or m.cconell@federalsburg.org
Talbot County-Easton- To see the Residential Units in the pipeline- check out Engage Easton https://engage.eastonmd.gov/
Short Term Rental Bill 1622 was introduced and the County is accepting public comment until Nov. 25th. The hearing is Nov. 25th 5:30pm at the Bradley Meeting Room in the Talbot Courthouse.
Dorchester County- Cambridge- The Planning Commission has approved a Zoning text amendment to add (conditionally) three permitted uses in the Maryland Avenue “Gateway” zoning subdistrict. These uses are: Cafe-coffee shop, Commercial retail sales, service and repair, and Personal services such as salons and barberships. Some of the “Conditions are: be located on a corner lot, total floor area not to exceed 1,000 sf, among other conditions.
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Real Estate Commission Answers question on Dual State Licenses
Regarding licensees from other states requesting a waiver of education requirements in order to take the Maryland exam.
Maryland requires a current certificate of licensure from the agents first state of licensure to qualify. If the licensee took the National portion of the exam in another state that uses the same National portion we use (The ARELLO Examination Accreditation Program), then Maryland will only require them to take the State portion and pass it to obtain their MD license.
Only six states do not use the same National portion, so licensees from those states will be required to take both the National and State portions.
Those six states are: Arizona; California; Florida; New Jersey; New York &
Wisconsin
Per Scott Lederer, Executive Director, Maryland Real Estate Commission 410-230-6200 (Office)
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Maryland Fair Housing Symposium 2025
Maryland Commission on Civil Rights is hosting an event JUST for REALTORS on Dec. 12, 2025, from 9am-5pm
at 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044
Overview: Let's focus on how REALTORS can play a leading role in advancing equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all Marylanders.
Equity in Every Zip Code: Advancing Fair Housing Across Maryland
Join real estate professionals, housing partners, and community leaders from across Maryland for a dynamic day of learning, collaboration, and action.
This year’s symposium focuses on how realtors can play a leading role in advancing equity, inclusion, and opportunity ensuring that every Marylander, in every zip code, has fair access to housing.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for licensed Realtors® who participate in designated fair housing sessions.
Free To Attend Register Here
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In September 2025, foreclosure activity across the U.S. edged down slightly from the previous month but remained higher than a year ago.
- Total filings: 35,602 properties with default notices, scheduled auctions, or bank repossessions
- Monthly change: Down 0.3% from August 2025
- Year-over-year change: Up 20% from September 2024
- National rate: One in every 3,997 housing units had a foreclosure filing
States with the worst foreclosure rates: Florida, Delaware, Nevada, Indiana, and South Carolina.
Maryland is #11.
- Maryland – 1 in every 3,314 housing units (768 filings / 2,545,532 units) Counties: Caroline, Charles, Baltimore City
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2026 REALTOR & Affiliate Dues
Dues notices were e-mailed on November 1, 2025
REALTOR & Affiliate dues are due December 1, 2025
Avoid the $100 late fee - pay by January 2, 2026
2026 Total REALTOR Dues $850
2026 Affiliate Dues $350 (no increase)
Hardship letters must be received by December 1, 2025 in order to be considered This will give you until Feb. 2, 2026 to pay without a late fee.
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RPR’s Market Trends AI ScriptWriter Gets a Major Upgrade - Realtors Property Resource (RPR)
Your clients want to know: What’s really going on in the market?
That’s where RPR’s (Realtors Property Resource) Market Trends AI ScriptWriter steps in. This AI-powered tool takes your local market data and transforms it into clear, relatable stories, so you can explain what’s happening (and why it matters) to buyers, sellers and everyone in between.
And now, the ScriptWriter has some powerful new output options! We’ve added brand-new formats that make sharing market updates easier, faster and more impactful than ever before. Whether you’re all about social posts, prefer polished presentations or want to stand out with attention-getting videos, the Market Trends AI ScriptWriter has you covered.
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Don't Unclick the Box
RPAC is working for you. Your $25.00 keeps it working.
When paying your dues, include RPAC.
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Leftover food from the legislative luncheon was
donated to the Talbot Interfaith Shelter.
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REALTORS who attended the Legislative Luncheon also contributed food for the Maryland Food Bank.
Couldn't make the event but want to contribute?
MSBR will be accepting food until Thanksgiving.
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Couldn't make the CE Classes? MSBR partners with The CE Shop. Education on your time.
For November 35% off discount code: CLOSE35
CE Shop Classes available 24/7
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Stevie Brummel member of the IDEA committee presented a $250 donation from MSBR to Alex and Lisa Green with the Harriet Tubman Freedom Center in Cambridge.
Lisa and Alex warmly welcomed the I.D.E.A. Committee for a private tour, sharing the Center’s powerful history, valuable community resources, and ongoing outreach work. The committee was deeply inspired by the Center’s mission and wanted to contribute to its continued impact.
To learn more about this incredible organization and its work in our community: www.htccea.com.
This committee is accepting new members. Let Myisha Walker or Holly Anderson know if interested.
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Show your Community Support and Volunteer:
Waterfowl Weekend Nov. 14-16
Need guides for 2 hour shifts and you get a free ticket to the Festival. Contact Affiliate member Deena Kilmon at 410-822-4567 or dkilmon@waterfowlfestival.org
Festival of Trees fundraiser for Talbot Hospice Nov. 29-Dec. 2nd Contact REALTOR Karla Wieland-Cherry at 410-310-8421 or dkcherry4@aol.com
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Next Newsletter is November 25, 2025
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Our mailing address is: Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS 8615 Commerce Drive, Suite 2
Easton, MD 21601 410-822-8767
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