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What is the bottom line job of a REALTOR®? In one word: ADVOCACY. Buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords: Agents advocate for their clients. But behind the scenes, advocacy is a much broader term to describe what REALTORS® are doing to help promote and protect the rights of property owners. Their advocacy to preserve our rights is an on-going nationwide effort.

Locally, Data Centers and The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP) have been the hottest topics affecting real property. There are other crucial real-estate related issues relative to our area as well: ADU (accessory dwelling units) legislation, PFAs in our water supply, housing affordability, and something that has affected so many of our senior population, the federal capital gains tax on primary home sales*. To combat all these issues, REALTORS® have consistently stepped up and made it their mission to make a difference.

Upon learning about the proposed power line project, MPRP, Frederick County resident Kris Alcorn, Associate Broker of RE/MAX Realty Plus and Frederick County Association of REALTORS® 2024 President, began collaborating in order to protect and preserve our valuable agricultural land, residential properties and businesses. In 2025, Kris approached MD REALTORS® and successfully secured a grant to support the Stop MPRP group efforts. She stays informed and vocal on this project and volunteers countless hours to aid its efforts.

Dan Iampieri, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Aspire, who resides in Frederick County along the proposed MPRP path, has announced his candidacy for the Frederick County Council to succeed current Councilman Steve McKay. He believes, as I do, that we understand the value of the data-center industry, but we value our way of life and our environment more. “We must preserve our agricultural charm and businesses. We must honor commitments like Rural Legacy and Priority Preservation, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our farmers,” said Dan in a recent campaign speech, adding: “This campaign is about protecting what matters – our kids’ future, our land, and our homes.”

Rob Krop – not just the co-owner of The Machine Gun Nest – but a well-known Frederick County REALTOR® at Keller Williams Realty Centre, was recently announced as running mate to Dan Cox who is running for governor of Maryland. Their platform: Advocating for Maryland families, Maryland retirees, for reasonable taxes and fees, for affordable home ownership, fiscal accountability and reliable energy.

No matter your political affiliation, those that step up to advocate for all of us and our property rights deserve a round of applause. It is not limited to the 3 local agents I’ve mentioned, it is widespread throughout every community in Maryland and throughout our nation. REALTORS® step up. As a former FCAR President, I have been involved with advocacy on behalf of our local counties, our state and our nation, and I have experienced the time and effort it takes to keep up with and fight for property rights and related issues. I for one appreciate, respect and admire each and every REALTOR® who volunteers their time and resources – especially now during this time of political discord. It makes me proud to be a REALTOR®.

For more information on REALTOR® Advocacy, please visit the following sites:

• National Association of REALTORS®
• Maryland REALTORS®
• Frederick County Association of REALTORS®

There are pros and cons to selling your home during the holidays. November through January is often considered the worst time to be on the market because buyers have other priorities and a lot of distractions. But there are advantages – real holiday buyers tend to be more serious! Generally speaking, there should be less competition in the marketplace as some homes on the market will go off expecting the spring to be a better time to sell! This year, add in the dampening effect of the government shutdown during the highly marketable time period of October as an advantage to the holiday sales forecast. Once the government reopens, buyers who have had to or wanted to wait will be ready to make a move.

If your home has been on the market for any length of time, if your To-Do list is finally done and you’re ready to go on the market, or if you just got a job promotion in another state and now you’re committed to the challenge of selling, here are some tips to get your home sold:

1. Hire a local, reputable, reliable REALTOR®! You want an agent who understands the market your home is located in, an agent who will go above and beyond to be available during the holidays, an agent who will answer the phone, respond to emails, schedule showings, meet with you when the offers come in and turn on the lights for the shows if you’re not available to do so! You want an agent who will provide professional photos, staging advice and a solid pricing strategy.
2. Price it Right! We are still in a good enough market to price a little low up front to stimulate buyers as soon as the listing hits the market. This is the best way to gain an over-asking offer. Pricing at market will take a little longer and pricing it too high for too long will ultimately backfire, often with an end price less than the “little low up front” price.
3. Staging, Photos, Floorplans & Videos! Staging is crucial. Photos must be professional and engaging. Floor plans are a huge plus and in today’s high tech world, easy to create. Aerial views of the surrounding area really make your home stand out. Don’t forget videos! Shooting a video tour and posting it on Social Media will draw extra attention. No matter the time of year, but especially in colder months, buyers start and maintain their search via the internet. Make the first impressions impressive!
4. Decorate – but don’t go all out. You want buyers to feel cozy hominess and the spirit of the holiday, but not be overwhelmed by holiday decor. Put a nice evergreen wreath on the front door, but save the giant Santa and flashing lights for your next house! It is also more comfortable for buyers to keep decor general rather than religious.
5. Maintain the Curb Appeal! If your home is occupied or vacant, this is incredibly important – and something your real estate agent can assist with. Might be snowy and dreary outside, but keep the walkway tidy and safe for buyers coming to view. For showings, turn on all the lights, make sure everything is tidy and the heat is working!

If you’re selling a home during the holiday season, following these practical tips will help facilitate the sale and ultimately ease the stress of the transaction. We believe this year the holiday season will be uniquely busy, and we hope to find buyers and sellers who will take advantage of the opportunities that await!

The Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 went into effect October 1, 2024. This Maryland law is the first of its kind nationwide, established to provide tenants the opportunity to purchase their rental unit in the event the owner decides to sell. It also established the maximum security deposit an owner may charge and increased the cost to file for an eviction.

This year, I’ve had three owners of tenant occupied properties contact me to tell me they are ready to sell their rental property. We discussed things like – Is it more difficult to sell a tenant-occupied unit? Should the landlord terminate the lease before marketing? Normal, smart questions. In these cases, I have always first asked – because it’s the easiest, least expensive solution for the owner: Have you asked your tenant if they’d like to purchase? The answer is almost always “no” because owners are afraid of tenants leaving before the owner wants them to leave, or they worry that the tenants will get mad at the owner because the owner intends to sell, so they might take it out on the property or worse, stop paying their rent. But now – now there is a law that says an owner of (most) residential rental property intending to sell, MUST ask the tenant first. It is called The Right of First Refusal.

You may think this sounds easy – a quick call to the tenant, they say no, off you go. Or they say yes, you agree to a price, and the deal is done. Not so fast. Not so easy. Part of the law created a new Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs to act as its caretaker, so now what might have been a simple process is complicated by the involvement of a government department to make sure landlords are following the rules and tenants are protected and yes, there is a lot of paperwork and a mandated timeline involved!

Check out APPENDIX A NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL AND TENANT’S EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION PERIOD.

I’m all for the protection of tenants, for abiding by the terms of the lease, for putting all notices in writing, including any offer to a tenant to purchase a unit I own and want to sell. But I don’t need the State of Maryland telling me how it must be done, like they already know it’s my intent to harm the tenant in some way, shape or form. It’s over reach and the time line and caveats are, in my opinion, unreasonable.

Tenants already had a solid Bill of Rights! Every June 1, the Tenant’s Bill of Rights in Maryland must be updated. And guess what – in research for this article ( I’m a landlord!) I just learned something new: “Landlords must attach the latest version of this document to every residential lease.”

Do any other REALTORS® in Maryland know this? Do any other landlords in Maryland know this? Do the property managers in Maryland know this and do this and tell their owners about this?

So far, I’ve not found any owners of residential rental property who are aware of the new laws.

Resources for the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024

• https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Tenant-Landlord-Affairs/pages/default.aspx
• https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Tenant-Landlord-Affairs/Documents/Tenant-Bill-of-Rights-V1.pdf

By all indicators, 2025 should be a great year for sellers to sell and buyers to buy! Whether you are a first time buyer, a repeat buyer, a seller looking to downsize or upsize or an investor needing a good investment, there will be opportunities. The economists predict an increase in transactions, which equates to more opportunities for all!

For most of us, buying a home is the most expensive investment we will make. Selling a home is selling our largest, most critical asset. In most fields, and real estate especially, if you are not an expert yourself, you need a guide – a REALTOR® – who meets basic common sense criteria.

Criteria #1:

Choose a REALTOR® local to the area you’re looking to buy in or the area you are selling in. Someone who helps buyers buy and sellers sell homes like the one you want to buy or sell.

Many REALTORS® will tell you they don’t need to be “local” to assist you due to the data available in our Multiple Listing Service and the information they and their clients can find online. Since our licenses are issued by the state, we can (legally) help buyers and sellers throughout the entire state. As long as we don’t cross an ethical line, this is true. However, I am a licensed Maryland REALTOR®, but if I were to buy a house in Ocean City – I’m going to hire an Ocean City agent to help me!

Criteria #2:

Find a REALTOR® with experience. For buyers and sellers, true experience means the agent has earned a reputation for professionalism. Experience is enhanced by education: Agents have an abundance of educational opportunities at their fingertips.

For buyers, experience means the agent has sold homes to the type of buyer you are, and can tell you what issues may arise during a tour of the home and how to navigate from offer to closing.

For sellers, experience means instinctively knowing market values and how to illustrate how that market value is determined. Experience means the agent has the pulse of the market, and a strategy specialized for the type of market you’re selling in. Experience means knowing how to manage issues.

Criteria #3:

Check out the REALTOR®’s Marketing!

Sellers want to know what the agent will do to market their home. An absolute must have, in my opinion: Professional photos!! Quickly becoming “must-haves” are the add ons like floor plans, video tours, aerial photos and glossy brochures. Look at a copy of some of their published MLS listings and make sure those listings are complete, and the remarks descriptive and easy to read.

For both sellers and buyers – check out the agent’s website. Can you easily find contact information for the agent? Is it professional and informative?

Criteria #4:

Trust your instincts! Find an agent you click with, someone you know you will be able to rely on throughout the transaction.

Criteria #5:

Ask about terms and commission.This is a key “ask” at any buyer or seller consultation. Terms and costs are important for both buyers and sellers to know and understand.

Agents should not only discuss commission and normal buyer and seller costs, they should provide an example of a Seller closing cost “Net Sheet” or a Buyer closing cost “Worksheet” so there is a broader understanding of all costs associated with buying and selling. In addition, the agent should review and explain the Buyer Agency Agreement and the Listing Agreement.

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in our Four-County Mount Airy market, you will have a wide variety of local REALTORS® to choose from! If you’re buying, we hope for the lowest possible price with the strictest of terms and if you’re selling, we hope for the highest possible price with no contingencies!