Maryland

Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS® Uses Advocacy Everywhere to Oppose Increased Connection Fee for New Developments

Brandon Maddox — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:46:53 +0000

With the power of the REALTOR® Party’s Advocacy Everywhere program, the Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS® led the successful opposition of a new budget provision that would raise connection fees for developers. A proliferation of emails to county council members made it clear that this was not a good look for lawmakers supposedly committed to creating more affordable housing.

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Maryland REALTORS® Support State Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024, Codifying Missing Middle Housing

Brandon Maddox — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 00:00:14 +0000

In the recent legislative session, Maryland REALTORS® scored a major victory for affordable housing: The Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024 addresses multiple facets of the state’s housing crisis; a targeted Call for Action helped propel it over the finish line.

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Maryland REALTORS® Successfully Oppose Sales Tax on Services

Brandon Maddox — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:16:15 +0000

Faced with a legislative proposal that would have instituted a sales tax on services, Maryland REALTORS® launched a strong opposition focused on how the measure would increase the cost of housing at each step of development, construction, and sales. In consultation with REALTOR® Party staff, they created a Call For Action campaign that helped to kill the bill in committee.

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Carroll County Association of REALTORS® and Maryland REALTORS® Successfully Oppose a Sharp Increase in Real Estate Recordation Tax

Brandon Maddox — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 17:05:40 +0000

The Board of Commissioners in Carroll County, Maryland had proposed an increase in the Recordation Tax that would add $1,100 to the closing costs of the median home sale. The Carroll County Association couldn’t let that dampen the prospects of aspiring homebuyers who were already facing a difficult market, so with help from the Maryland REALTORS® and the REALTOR® Party, they convinced the board to take the rate hike out of the budget.

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Coastal Association of REALTORS® (MD) Uses Housing Opportunity Grant to Promote K-12 Financial Literacy

Brandon Maddox — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 22:45:49 +0000

On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the Coastal Association of REALTORS® is working to equip the next generation with the critical thinking, collaboration, and financial planning skills that are essential for any community’s economic viability. With support from a Housing Opportunity Grant, it has established a three-year partnership with Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, hosting a mock storefront in the JA Biztown and JA Finance Park programs for young students in nine area counties.

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For Maryland REALTORS®, Legislative Wins are the Result of Advocacy, Engagement, and Support from the REALTOR® Party

Brandon Maddox — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:50:42 +0000

An ambitious effort to address housing supply and housing opportunity issues was given wings by two Issues Mobilization Grants to the Maryland REALTORS®, who used the funds for a new website, database, and publicity campaign to help get important new laws on the books. With a strong new foundation in place, the advocacy continues…

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Howard County Realtors® Contest Closing Fee Increases in Trying Times

racenter — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:01:56 +0000

The last thing that property owners and prospective buyers in Howard County, Md., needed was a steep increase in recordation and transfer taxes – but that’s what the County Council was proposing. With help from the REALTOR® Party, a REALTOR® Champion, and a strong message sent by nearly 30% of its membership, the Howard County Association of REALTORS® forced the governing body to reconsider.

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Frederick County REALTORS® Maintain its Focus on Fair Housing

racenter — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 13:29:39 +0000

Undaunted by the forced cancellation of its annual Fair Housing Conference, the Frederick County Association of REALTORS® moved the message online in a colorful upbeat video highlighting the results of a Fair Housing Art Contest, complete with a mayoral proclamation.

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Maryland’s Coastal Association of REALTORS® Battles Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals

racenter — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 11:40:08 +0000

Short-term rentals are naturally a major issue in coastal communities. When Worcester County, Maryland proposed severe restrictions in its rental code overhaul, the local REALTOR® association got to work with a Land Use Initiative review and a call for action. The County Commission heard the message loud and clear, and sent its proposal back to the drawing board.

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Local Maryland Association Takes Bold, Successful Step into Politics

racenter — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:10:49 +0000

This past election cycle, the Bay Area Association of REALTORS® decided it was time to take a more active role in choosing their politicians. With the help of the REALTOR® Party, it developed a savvy selection committee that interviewed dozens of candidates, endorsed several, and achieved a whopping success rate.

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