maryland dc crs chapter newsletter december 2014
DESCRIPTION
Maryland DC CRS Chapter Newsletter December 2014TRANSCRIPT
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT!December has always been an ending and a beginning for me. Finishing out the year, winding down, but also very much a :me of planning for the coming 12 months. (And I LOVE planning!) In November, I was fortunate enough to be able to aHend the Annual CRS Mee:ngs in New Orleans. And while I did have a chance to take a great Segway tour through the French Quarter with several of your upcoming officers – and none of us crashed! – and enjoyed a wonderful walking tour through the Garden District – We did spend the majority of our :me mee:ng with other chapter presidents, and learning about upcoming changes and processes from Na:onal, which we’ll all be hearing more about soon. If you’ve given thought to aHending the Annual Mee:ngs, I’d highly suggest it. We learn more about CRS every :me we aHend, and meet lots of interes:ng people, grow rela:onships and make friends. Join us next November in San Diego? We have an amazing 2015 taking shape already for the MD DC CRS Chapter, with classes, events, and of course, delicious meals together. Watch the calendar, get our events on YOUR calendar, and get ready for a fabulous year. And if we don’t talk before then, enjoy the holidays with you and yours! !Best regards,GretchenMD DC CRS Chapter President !
MD DC CRS CHAPTER NEWSLETTER2014 MD DC CRS
Chapter Leadership!! !!!Gretchen Conley President 443-‐676-‐1625 [email protected] !Jan Brito President Elect 301-‐646-‐5774 [email protected] !!Mary Ann Morgan Treasurer 301-‐412-‐9601 [email protected] !!Vivian Feen Secretary 443-‐794-‐4106 [email protected] !!Sharron Dorsey Immediate Past President 410-‐937-‐4707 [email protected] !!!
! DECEMBER 2014
! PAGE � 1
THANK YOU 2014 PLATINUM SPONSORS
Thank you to our MD DC CRS Chapter Sponsors! We appreciate your support. If you are looking to be a 2015 Sponsor, please contact Abigial ResJvo at [email protected].
Tina Del Casale, Sr. Loan Officer Embrace Home Loans [email protected] Office: 800.333.3004 x3801 hHp://www.embracehomeloans.com/:na-‐delcasale
Pillar To Post 800.294.5591 www.pillartopost.com
DECEMBER 2014
Page �2
Amy M. Pletz Home Land Sep:c Consul:ng amy@mdwellandsep:c.com 443.995.5385 www.mdwellandsep:c.com
Village SeHlements www.villageseHlements.com Gaithersburg 301.590.9300 Frederick 301.698.9300 Greenbelt 301.486.0799 Potomac 240.750.6818 Bethesda 240.478.6272
JK Moving ServicesOffice: 301-‐340-‐6683 Mobile: 443-‐722-‐0965 [email protected] www.jkmoving.com
THANK YOU 2014 DIAMOND SPONSORS
Terry Crawford Old Republic Home Protec:on [email protected] Office: 800.282.7131 x1227 www.orhp.com
Lewis Hibbs 1st Preference Mortgage Corp. Office: 410.517.0300 Mobile: 443.695.8513 [email protected]
Laurel Santamarina Columbia Bank Office: 410.423.8222 Mobile: 410.707.8695 [email protected] www.LaurelSantamarina.com
Mary Calder mcalder@con:nentaltg.com 10025 Governor Warfield Parkway Suite 100 Columbia, Maryland 21044 Phone: 443-‐201-‐2300 www.con:nentaltg.com
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �3
AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT: CONTINENTAL TITLE GROUP
ConJnental Title Group (CTG) is an aHorney-‐driven firm with lawyers who have special exper:se in real estate maHers managing and overseeing every aspect of the closing process. Our :tle experts can keep a difficult transac:on on pace to close, and they can protect an owner from unforeseen future calami:es such as estate issues, tax liens or dormant partnerships. When the right people oversee your closing, you know your posi:on is solid; your claim is sturdy; and your mind is at ease.
We have chosen to work with the best in the industry because we believe that CTG’s strengths are unparalleled and match our own. Our philosophy focuses on customer service and adding value to our real estate industry.
CTG is a well-‐respected, 30-‐year brand, headquartered in downtown Bal:more. In addi:on to our Bal:more City office, we also have full service offices in Howard, Bal:more and Harford Coun:es as well as Ocean City, Salisbury and Easton. Along with our Maryland loca:ons, we handle closings in Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
We have support from two independently owned law firms. Sopher, Adler and Gibison has several full-‐:me aHorneys that handle 1031 tax-‐free exchanges, commercial lender representa:on, and all types of real estate and business issues. The law firm of Yungmann and Madden, LLP handles and nego:ates short sales and other small real estate needs. We have one of the most highly respected and sought aper commercial :tle divisions in the State – handling Beazer Homes, Ryland Homes, Greenberg-‐Gibbons Commercial, Shelter Group, Enterprise and many other large commercial and builder clients.
In addi:on to providing a broad spectrum of legal and :tle resources, CTG is at the forefront of technology to beHer support our product and our clients.
As a :tle company, we are pioneers and strong believers in virtual processing, digital documents and client promo:on. CTG has developed a mobile app that allows realtors and loan officers to generate GFE’s, HUD’s and seller net sheets from their mobile phone, tablet, laptop and desktop. We are also launching a cuqng-‐edge produc:on sopware applica:on that recognizes the pending CFPB privacy regula:ons.
You can reach all of us on either our cell numbers or the office number. You know that we will always make ourselves available to you and to your clients. We thank all of you for the amazing support over the years and look forward to providing you and your clients with the highest level of service and support.
CONTINENTAL TITLE GROUP 10025 Governor Warfield Parkway, Suite 100 Columbia, MD 21044 Phone: 443-‐401-‐2300 !Erika Madden, Esq. | 301-‐801-‐4762 emadden@Con:nentalTG.com Kevin Yungmann, Esq. | 443-‐722-‐7347 kyungmann@Con:nentalTG.com Mary Calder | 443-‐864-‐6199 mcalder@Con:nentalTG.com Robin Jackson | 443-‐949-‐6217 rjackson@Con:nentalTG.com KaJe Przybyla LaHart | 443-‐210-‐2300 Ka:e@Con:nentalTG.com !
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE 4
UPCOMING CRS EVENTS for 2015! !With the new year, comes new events! !The Educa:on, Programs and Chapter with a Heart commiHees are planning some exci:ng events for 2015. Due to the popularity of several events and classes, we are bringing exci:ng new classes and events to the Maryland/DC area. !-‐ The students from the Ninja III class voted to have Michael Selvaggio, CRS, return to teach Ninja I and II in 2015.
-‐ The sold out Top Producer panel was a huge success. We are bringing a buyer’s consumer panel and a seller’s consumer panel. You can hear from buyers and sellers on their experience of buying or selling a home. As always, you’ll get great informa:on and a terrific lunch!
-‐ Lower Your Taxes! How many real estate agents would love to lower your taxes? Learn how to lower your taxes by maximizing deduc:ons and managing your business.
-‐ Ever really take a real tour of Washington…..at night? See the monuments lit up! A fully guided tour on a private bus. Dine at one of the most famous restaurants – D.C.’s oldest restaurant and bar…The Old EbbiH Grille. Meet fellow CRS members! Contacts…Referrals…all the more reason. May 15, 2015 is the date. Remember: There is a maximum number who will be going…so be sure to sign up when you get the flier! We do fill up!
-‐ Maryland Associa:on of Realtors Conference & Expo -‐ 3rd Annual Bras for a Cause -‐ 4 General Mee:ngs with lunch !Stay tuned for details and dates. You don’t want to miss it!
Become a Member of CRS National & Chapter!As a member of the MD DC CRS Chapter, you receive discounts on classes plus exclusive access to chapter events and more. Don’t miss out! Join us or re-‐join us as a member. Download the Na:onal CRS or the Maryland DC form for more details at h^p://mddccrs.com !
Na:onal CRS annual membership is $150 | Maryland DC CRS annual membership is $40 !Did your membership lapse? Reinstate your Na:onal and Chapter membership in December
and enjoy 13 months of membership benefits.
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �5
MD DC CRS CHAPTER GENERAL MEETING, INSTALLATION & LUNCHEON
The General Mee:ng, Installa:on of officers and luncheon was held on December 4, 2015 at the Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, MD. Special guest speaker, Jessica Lautz, Director, Member and Consumer Survey Research of NAR addressed our chapter regarding the NAR 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. She shared an informa:ve presenta:on on the report. It was a great opportunity to see CRS members from across the state and beyond. A huge thanks to all who were involved in planning, sponsoring and par:cipa:ng in the event including Vivian Feen (Programs Chair), Lisa Clark, Mike Benson (photography), Bobby Lee of Sage Title, and Doqe Crago Faust of Long & Foster. We appreciate the sponsorship of Melinda Topijan of New Windsor State Bank, Rachel Oslund of Pillar to Post, and Terry Crawford of Old Republic Home Warranty. !
The 2015 MD DC CRS Leadership team was installed: President: Jan Brito | President Elect: Jen Ward | Secretary: Vivian Feen !Congratula:ons to Gretchen Conley, MD DC CRS Chapter CRS of the Year!!!!
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �6
CRS ANNUAL MEETINGS -‐ NEW ORLEANS, LA
MD DC CRS Chapter members aHended the CRS Annual Mee:ngs in New Orleans, LA from November 5-‐8, 2014. The CRS Annual Mee:ngs coincided with the NAR Annual Mee:ngs. It gave CRS Chapter leadership from across the country to par:cipate and hear about what is happening with the Council of Cer:fied Residen:al Specialists. In addi:on to mee:ngs, CRS designees par:cipated in a 2nd Line Parade and party hosted by the Louisianna CRS Chapter -‐ true New Orleans hospitality. We aHended the Awards Ceremony to see Jan Brito, MD DC CRS Chapter President Elect and Shirley Matlock, CRS RVP for Texas and MD DC CRS Chapter member, sworn into their upcoming posi:ons.
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �7
Thank you to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Bras for A Cause event a huge success. You helped us make a generous dona:on to The Red Devils, a non-‐profit organiza:on that funds services for breast cancer pa:ents and their families in Maryland. !Linda BeDs, Bras For A Cause Chair, presented a check for $10,177 was presented to Jan Wilson, ExecuQve Director, The Red Devils at the December General MeeQng and InstallaQon. !Would you like to make a difference in the lives of families in 2015? Join Linda Be^s and the Bras For A Cause commi^ee on January 8, 2015 at 12 Noon for the 1st planning meeJng. !The mee:ng will be held at Long and Foster, 10805 Hickory Ridge Road, Columbia, Maryland 21044. Please contact [email protected] or 410-‐615-‐1205 with any ques:ons and how you can help.
SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2015
3RD ANNUAL BRAS FOR A CAUSE
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �8
Connect with us on the MD DC CRS Facebook page. You’ll find photos of our latest events on Facebook. Like Us on the MD DC CRS Facebook page.
Members of the MD DC CRS chapter showed their support by aHending The Red Devils Annual Bull & Oyster Roast on November 15, 2014. The lively fundraiser was held at Columbus Gardens in Noqngham, MD where pit beef plus raw oysters were enjoyed by all. It was a fun night of silent auc:ons, liquor wheel, dancing and more!
The Red Devils Bull & Oyster Roast
It has been a great two years bringing you informaBon, news and photos about the MD DC CRS Chapter. I want to thank all of those who provided arBcles and informaBon for a great newsle8er. Thank you to the many who were willing parBcipants in photos and videos at our events. It has been fun geFng to know you and to share the many great things that have happened in our chapter. The MD DC CRS Chapter is an amazing chapter. The year ahead is going to be great! I invite you to come out and get to know us. If you can’t make it to an event, you can sBll connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twi8er and find current and archived newsle8ers on Issuu.com. If you can’t find us, contact any board member and we’ll get connected with you. Here’s to a great year ahead! -‐Jen Ward
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �9
Linda Kangrga has led the charge in collecJng shoes for Soles4Souls. We have collected another 103 pairs of shoes! Wow! Way to go! !We accept gently worn, pairs of shoes from just one pair to many pairs! Bring them with you at our next CRS event. The recipients of the shoes are so grateful. Please bring your donaBon (shoes paired with rubber bands and placed in a cardboard box) to our next event or contact Linda Kangrga at [email protected]. Linda would like to make quarterly deliveries. !!
Chapter With A Heart: Soles4Souls
Get informaQon and register for our next event at the MD DC CRS Chapter website at hHp://mddccrs.com. We accept PayPal online for class & event registra:ons.
Chapter With A Heart: Get Your 2015 Calendars
Keep company with these fabulous bra models all through the calendar year of 2015. Order your 2nd Annual Bras for A Cause 2015 Calendar. Contact a MD DC CRS Chapter board member for your 2015 calendar. Cost $15.
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �10
Indoor Air Quality !It might surprise you to hear that the air inside your home is open dir:er than the air outside. That’s because indoor air is made up of outdoor air plus all the pollutants and allergens generated from cleaning products, pets, dust, smoke, and so on. Fortunately, you can improve indoor air quality in ways that do not cost a small fortune.
Get the Dust Out
Dust – a major irritant – includes lint, bacteria, pollen, plant and mold spores, pet dander, etc. You can reduce dust par:cles in the air in a number of ways. Here are three: 1. Clean or replace the furnace filter every three months. Pillar To Post® inspectors find that most homeowners do not keep up with this task. Thick-‐media filters, such as the five-‐ and six-‐inch pleated type, last longer than regular filters and filter beHer too. Of course they are more expensive. 2. We all create an invisible dust cloud just walking through our homes. While a high-‐quality furnace filter will reduce dust, frequent cleaning and vacuuming is also necessary, but only if your vacuum cleaner is up to the task. 3. A poor-‐quality vacuum cleaner can also create dust clouds. Before you give up on vacuuming, however, two solu:ons can address this problem: either install a central vacuum system with the canister-‐air discharge piped outside the house, or purchase a high-‐quality, portable vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtra:on system. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Par:culate Air filter. Whichever solu:on you choose, both will effec:vely decrease the amount of dust that spews into the air when you vacuum.
Take Control of Humidity
High humidity levels in your home can significantly contribute to mold and dust mite growth. Dust mites, however, are a fact of life; you cannot eliminate them en:rely. But you can decrease their numbers. Dust mites thrive in humidity levels above 50%. Ensuring the humidity in your home is not higher than 50% will diminish dust mite growth. Here are a few ways to address humidity: 1. Buy an inexpensive hygrometer to measure the indoor humidity level. 2. Ensure that your clothes dryer vents to the outside. 3. Bathroom and kitchen fans should direct shower, bath and cooking moisture outside. 4. Fix basement leaks and deal with condensa:on issues. 5. Air condi:oning systems and dehumidifiers can also remove moisture from the air. Keep in mind that dehumidifiers use a great deal of electricity and don’t provide any cooling. Make sure you deal with obvious sources of moisture first.
Reduce Chemicals in the Air
The chemicals we use in the home contribute significantly to poor indoor air quality. Here are 4 :ps to take control of the chemicals in the air: 1. Get rid of products you no longer need, such as old paint cans and other open and half used toxic chemicals and
poisons. 2. Opened boHles and jars of cleaning products should be contained in an air:ght bin. 3. Consider using less toxic and more environmentally friendly cleaning products. 4. Dry-‐cleaned clothing spews chemicals into the air. If possible, remove the plas:c and hang the stack of dry-‐cleaning outside for a few hours before bringing it into the house. Improving air quality in the home is a goal that is easily aHainable. Start with the liHle fixes and then undertake the more complex remedies as needed. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to improve the air you breathe. !Ar:cle courtesy of Pillar to Post
!
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �11
WE WANT YOU!!!
Have you thought about geqng involved but don’t know which commiHee complements your skills and interests? Not ready for a long-‐term commitment? No worries -‐ we can use your help by the event. It will give you a chance to get to know us and see how involved you want to be. Let Jan Brito know where your interests lie. Contact Jan Brito at [email protected] or 301-‐646-‐5774.
Do you enjoy social media? Are you influenJal in engaging people to talk about the latest and greatest?
Do you enjoy technology? Do you like to write?
Are you able to communicate with a variety of people?
Do you champion a cause and want to help people?
Are you creaJve in problem solving and creaJng new
opportuniJes?
Do you enjoy event planning? Are you great at negoJaJng a great deal?
Do you love learning? Are you the 1st person to tell everyone about a great class
you a^ended or a new instructor?
Do you like seeing growth? Are you someone that likes
strategic planning and meeJng goals?
Do you like sales? Are you the person that likes to create synergy between complimentary groups?
COMMUNIC
ATIONS
SPONSO
RSHIP
PUBLIC RELATIONS
CHAPTER WITH A HEART
PROGRAMS
EDUCATION
MEM
BERSHIP
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �12
!Register for a class anywhere around the country at hHps://crs.com/one-‐day-‐essen:als.
Are you a MD DC CRS Chapter Member? Want people to know that you are a CRS designee? Looking for a lisQng advantage? !MD DC CRS sign riders are available to market your property. It’s just $10/sign rider and proceeds will be donated a charitable organiza:on. The proceeds of sign riders will be donated to Chesapeake Habitat. Limited quanBBes available. !Contact Jan Brito at [email protected] or 301-‐646-‐5774 to reserve your sign riders.
MD DC CRS Sign Riders -‐ Start markeJng your CRS designaJon!
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �13
Get Involved with CRS! We’d love to see your face! !!!
CommunicaJons: Jen Ward at [email protected] !!!!EducaJon: Sharron Dorsey at [email protected] !!!!Programs: Vivian Feen at [email protected] !!!!!!!!!!!
!!! !!!Sponsorship: Abigail Res:vo at [email protected] !!!Chapter with A Heart: Linda Kangrga at [email protected] !!!!Public RelaJons: Ka:e Rubin at ka:e@ka:ekatz.com !!!!!!
Area Vice President Coordinator: Sherry Young at [email protected]
Maryland DC CRS Chapter Upcoming Board MeeQngs !December 9, 2014: Board MeeJng to be held from 1-‐3 PM at Gretchen Conley’s Office:
Keller Williams 6230 Old Dobbin Lane, #150, Columbia, MD 21045 !2015 Board MeeJngs to be held from 1-‐3 PM
January 13 | February 10 | March 10 |April 14 | May 12 | June 9 | July 14 Keller Williams 6230 Old Dobbin Lane, #150, Columbia, MD 21045
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �14
We LOVE Your Referrals
ADVERTISING: NEWSLETTER 2014 Get a jump start on 2015. We are accepJng adverJsers for 2015 -‐ it is your opportunity to get addiJonal exposure in our newsle^er plus you can get terrific CRS referrals! It’s EASY! Fill out the Newsle^er Referral AdverJsing Form -‐ here. !
Sykesville & Westminster Columbia & EllicoH City
Bethesda & Washington D.C. Columbia & EllicoH City
Elkridge & Columbia
DECEMBER 2014
PAGE �15