Realtors Do More Than Just Sell Houses
January 10, 2008 As many of you are all-too-aware, once you volunteer to serve on one committee, it's like a sign hovers over your head that says, "Ask me! I don't know how to say no!" Then you're on two committees, then three, then your chairing committees and it can all get overwhelming.
That happened to me several years ago and now I have it down to the ones that really mean something to me. I serve on the PGCAR (Prince George's County Association of REALTORS) Forms Committee, where our goal is to make the 3 pounds of contract paperwork actually cover all the necessary bases. Right now, we're working on a new disclosure that goes into effect here in Prince George's County on January 22nd. Any seller who lives in a Special Tax District must disclose that to a potential buyer before the ink is dry on the contract. It's a good disclosure, aimed primarily at new construction, that only affects three communities, one in Bowie, one in Laurel and one in Greenbelt.
The two committees that are nearest and dearest to my heart are the PGCAR Legislative Committee and the MAR (Maryland Association of REALTORS) Legislative Committee. This year, MAR was very active on a number of issues that affect homeowners. MAR defeated a proposed a sales tax on property management services that would have hurt those least able to afford housing and would have "worsened Maryland's ranking as the 7th most expensive rental market in the country" (this from the current issue of Maryland REALTOR).
Another bill that would have had a major impact on Maryland homeowners who were planning on selling would have created a Maryland Resident Real Estate Withholding Tax. All Maryland residents would have had a 4.75% withholding tax on any gain from the sales of their real estate, if the net proceeds exceeded $250,000 or $500,000, based on the seller's tax filing status. MAR successfully worked to defeat this legislation. Since most sellers are using their proceeds towards another property, this could have created a real money crunch.
These are just a couple of the bills that we worked on last year. I think that the general public isn't aware how much we REALTORS advocate for homeowners, buyers, landlords and tenants.
(C) Susan Pruden.
A lifetime Maryland resident, Susan Pruden has the ideal foundation for selling and buying homes. After 8 years working in just about every facet of the mortgage industry, and several years with her own company specializing in marketing for real estate agents, Susan got her real estate license in 1994. Susan has earned several industry awards. The CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Award is based on reviews from Susan's clients and is earned by a very small percentage of agents. She has earned that coveted recognition since 2012
Two others were awarded by the Prince George's Association of REALTORS®. The Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year Award is based on a mixture of community involvement, association involvement and real estate education and designations. The other, the Distinguished Service Award, is for "exceptional meritorious service."
Susan is involved in her local community. She was named Cheverly Volunteer of the Year in 2018, even having June 25th designated "Susan Pruden Day" in the Town of Cheverly. She is also a Commissioner on the Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission and President of the Cheverly American Legion Auxiliary.
Susan Pruden has lived in Cheverly lived with her husband, Joseph, for almost 30 years.
