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MSBR Newsletter February 3, 2026
National Association of REALTORS
Stay Connected with MSBR on these Social Media Platforms Instagram - msbr9067 Facebook - MidShoreBoard Tik Tok - @msbr.easton LinkedIn - MidShoreBoard |
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Heat Up the Night when you join us on Feb 21st |
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80's Fundraiser Dance Supporting the Down Payment Grant Sat. Feb. 21, 2026 VFW in Easton, MD 7-10pm
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, 50/50, Fun and DJ Included
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. |
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 80's Dance Sponsors Include:
$500 Footloose DJ Sponsor Petra Quinn with REALTY Navigator
Take On Me Sponsors at $250 Jenn Dudley with Title Excellence Shore United Bank
Hungry Like a Wolf Sponsors at $100 Karla Wieland Cherry with Meredith Fine Properties Meredith Fine Properties
Looking for 1-$500 sponsor; 2-$250 and more $100 sponsors so 100% can go towards the Down Payment Grant Program |
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Welcome New Agents From left to right is: Maria Mattos Butler with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake in Easton Kara McCoy with Meredith Fine Properties Mae Nordhoff with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake in Chestertown |
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SentriLock is implementing a required mobile app update. Effective Feb. 2, 2026 all users need to be running the most secure & reliable version of the SentriKey® Real Estate app.
Unlike other updates, this one requires moving to a newer version that has not yet reached 95% adoption in order to improve consistency and enhance critical features.
Required Version: Beginning February 2, users who are not on version 5.116.0 or higher will need to update before continuing to use the app.
What’s Included: Version 5.116.0 delivers important stability improvements and event‑logging fixes across both iOS and Android.
What to Expect-
How You Can Help: keep your app updated and enable automatic updates to avoid any service interruptions. |
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Schedule for Updating all SentriLock Boxes
MSBR's 7-year lease on these boxes expires March. MSBR will be collecting all the original boxes & distributing the newest version.
As a MSBR member, you do not pay for nor own these boxes, they are leased. At a cost of $110 per box this saves you hundreds of dollars. The Brokers were given boxes and they will be asking for them back. If you have any boxes that are not on properties, return them to your Broker or call the Board office (410-822-8767) to find out where to return them. More information in future correspondences. |
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AI can benefit your real estate business Learn how on Feb. 3rd 10-11:30am and of course it's Virtual! No CE but you will gain knowledge
This virtual session introduces new and seasoned REALTORS who want to save time, win listings and grow GCI with AI - includes the practical use of AI in today's real estate industry, with a focus on setting up and customizing ChatGPT for everyday business use. Learn how AI tools can support marketing, client communication, and workflow efficiency while maintaining professional standards and personal brand voice. Includes a guided demonstration showing how REALTORS can customize ChatGPT to align with your role, tone and business goals. Taught by Lorie Woodruff, Real Estate entrepreneur and coach. |
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Still Time to join members of the Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) Committee on Thursday, Feb. 5th at 10:30am and tour the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore. Followed by lunch (lunch on our own) at a local restaurant.
Let us know if you want to carpool, we will be leaving at 9am from the MSBR Board office. Expect to return to the MSBR office around 3pm. Reginald F. Lewis Museum https://www.lewismuseum.org/ |
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March 1, 2026 there will be changes in Title Companies Reporting Rules for non-financed Residential Real Estate and it may affect your next transaction.
Attend on Feb 10th from 1-2pm at the Board office and learn more from Lori McDonald.
To crack down on Anti-Money Laundering, Title Companies will have additional paperwork for certain cash transactions. Lori noted that about 1/3 of her settlements in 2025 would have been affected.
FinCEN published the Residential Real Estate Rule, which requires title companies to report non-financed transfers of residential real property to legal entities and trusts. Most transfers of residential real estate are associated with a mortgage loan or other financing provided by financial institutions subject to AML/ CFT program requirements. As non-financed transfers do not involve such financial institutions, such transfers can be and have been exploited by illicit actors of all varieties, including those that pose domestic threats, such as Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers.
To see all the new regulations & form: https://www.fincen.gov/rre-newsroom |
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RPR: tools that made you more efficient, confident and noticeably more competitive.
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In just 2½ years, because of your generosity and participation, MSBR has helped 56 families achieve homeownership through the Love Down Payment Grant Program.
Each of these families worked with MSBR REALTORS®; Title Companie and Lenders, turning the dream of homeownership into a reality—right here in our communities. Let’s keep the momentum going.
You can make a difference by: Making a one-time donation, or Choosing a recurring donation to extend your impact all year long. Every dollar matters. Every contribution helps open the door to homeownership. Together, we can help even more families take that life-changing step. |
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Raven & Tyrone Sampson are the recipients of the 56th MSBR Down Payment Grant
Pictured above: Buyers agent was Connie Loveland with Benson and Mangold Homebuyers Raven & Tyrone Sampson Lender: Tom Draper First Home Mortgage MSBR President: Shandell Green
The Settlement was with Venture Title Sellers Agent was Craig Linthicum with Benson and Mangold |
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BRIGHT Feb. Webinars
02-12-2026 Prospecting with Bright MLS Public Records Webinar 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Learn how to effectively use Bright Public Records to identify properties for prospecting and export that data. We will review how to identify target markets so you can reach potential sellers, buyers and investors to help build your business.
02-12-2026 Avoiding Violations in Bright MLS Webinar 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM Join us to review important policies, common violations, and a review of the processes for learning more about our rules and regulations. We will review how to reach out with questions, the appeal process and how to submit office exclusives. Questions? Call MSBR Customer Success Coach: Donna Roberts |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BRIGHT multi-factor authentication starting In FebruaryStarting in Feb., Bright will begin rolling out multi-factor authentication as an added layer of protection for subscriber accounts. Recent phishing attempts targeting real estate technology platforms—including Cotality, which powers Bright Search—highlight the need for stronger account security to safeguard the sensitive information stored in Bright.
We will provide more details, including your rollout timing and setup instructions, in the coming weeks via email and at BrightMLS.com/MFA. |
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REALTOR EMERITUS REALTOR Emeritus is a status awarded to REATOLRS who have had continuous membership and once granted they do not pay State or National dues.
To receive REALTOR Emeritus status: NAR- 40 years as a REALTOR and at least 1 yr. on a National NAR Committee.
Maryland REALTORS- 50 years as a Maryland REALTOR and no committee service required.
NAR is currently accepting REALTOR® Emeritus applications for eligible members. This honorary status recognizes long-term commitment and service to the National Association of REALTORS®, with honorees receiving a permanent waiver of the NAR portion of board dues. Please Note: Applications must be submitted by April 2, 2026 by the member's local association in order to be reviewed for approval at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in June. For more information or to submit applications, click here. |
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The 2027 Dues Pre-Payment Plan Is NOW OPEN! That’s right—MSBR offers a lay-away plan for your 2027 REALTOR® dues, making it easy, flexible, and stress-free.
💡 Start today by sending in a check or stopping by the office with cash—any amount helps you get ahead! ✔️ Pay at your pace
Ready to get started or have questions? |
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Sharpen Your Edge —Complimentary MSBR Training |
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Delaware Licensed? Your Renewal is April 30, 2026 35% discount code: NEWYEAR35 (unlike Maryland, all Delaware agents renew at the same time every two years) |
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MSBR Continuing Education February 2026 ~ April 2026 Maryland Department of Labor's website to view your CE status and |
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Education on your time with The CE Shop.
CE Shop has classes for Appraisers, Lenders and Title as well as classes for REALTORS!
Promo Code 35% off NEWYEAR35 CE Shop Classes available 24/7 You have 30 days from the day you register to complete the class. |
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Links - get there faster!
BRIGHT Training Sessions: https://support.brightmls.com/s/article/New-Agent-Start-Here-On-Demand-Tutorials
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Next Newsletter is February 17, 2026
Copyright © 2026 Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Easton, MD 21601 Want to change how you receive these emails? |