Why should I use a REALTOR®?
REALTORS® aren’t just agents. They’re professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict code of ethics. This is the REALTOR® difference for home buyers:
- An expert guide. Selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved, so you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.
- Objective information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They also have objective information about each property. REALTORs® can use that data to help you determine if the property has what you need.
- Property marketing power. Property doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. A large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts with previous clients, friends, and family. When a property is marketed by a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
- Negotiation knowledge. There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. A REALTOR® will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows you the flexibility you need to take that next step.
- Up-to-date experience. Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS® handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their career.
- Your rock during emotional moments. A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.
- Ethical treatment. Every REALTOR® must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a REALTOR®’s client, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters.
Easily search homes directly through the MLS service used by our REALTORS®. Bright MLS service area includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C, and West Virginia.
Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Under the Fair Housing Act, it is against the law to engage in the following based on one’s identification, or perceived identification as a member of a protected class:
- Refuse to rent or sell you housing
- Indicate that housing is unavailable when in fact it is available
- Show you apartments or homes in certain neighborhoods only
- Advertise housing to preferred groups of people only
- Refuse to provide you with information regarding mortgage loans, deny you a mortgage loan, or impose different terms and conditions on a mortgage loan
- Deny you property insurance
- Conduct property appraisals in a discriminatory manner
- Refuse to make certain modifications or accommodations for persons with mental or physical disability, including persons recovering from alcohol and substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS-related illnesses
- Fail to design and construct housing in an accessible manner
- Harass, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising or assisting someone else with their fair housing rights
Additional resources on fair housing can be found on the HUD website.
Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Color: Pertaining to a person’s skin color
Familial Status: Families in which one or more children under 18 live with: a parent; a person who has legal custody of the child or children; or the designee of the parent or legal custodian, with the parent or custodian’s written permission. Familial status protection also applies to pregnant women and anyone securing legal custody of a child under 18.
National Origin: Refers to country of birth.
Physical or Mental Disability: In reference to you or someone close to you who: has a physical or mental disability (including hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, chronic mental illness, AIDS, AIDS-related Complex and mental retardation) that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such a disability; or is regarded as having such a disability.
Race: Categories of physical characteristics and/or genetic groupings of human populations.
Religion: Participation with one of the world’s structured religions; one’s spiritual beliefs; inference of religion by place of worship.
Sex: Male or female.
: Includes all federal protections listed above PLUS:
Marital Status: The state of being single, married, separated, divorced, or widowed.
Sexual Orientation: The identification of an individual as to male or female homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.
Gender Identity: (Effective 10/1/2014) A person’s consistent and sincere expression of gender-related identity based on appearance, expression or behavior, regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth.
: Includes all federal and state protections listed above PLUS:
Age: Generally referring to adults 18 yrs. & over. (Baltimore City, Cambridge, Hagerstown, Rockville; Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties)
Ancestry: Line of decent. (Baltimore City, Cambridge, Rockville and Montgomery County)
Creed: A person’s beliefs; also, a summary of principals or opinions to which someone professes or adheres. (Cambridge, Rockville; Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Montgomery Counties
Family Responsibility: Refers to decisions based on an assumption of a person’s care giving responsibilities, either childcare or care of another family member. (Montgomery County)
Lawful Income: See below, ‘Source of Income’. (City of Annapolis)
Occupation: The principal lawful activity of one’s life, generally including students, welfare recipients and retired persons. (Harford, Howard and Prince George’s Counties)
Personal Appearance: The outward appearance of any person, irrespective of sex, with regard to hair style, facial hair, physical characteristics or manner of dress. Such term shall not relate to the requirement of cleanliness, uniforms or prescribed attire when uniformly applied for admittance to a public accommodation or to a class of employees for a customary or reasonable business. (Harford, Howard and Prince George’s Counties)
Political Opinion: The opinion of persons relating to government, the conduct of government, political parties, candidates for election or elected office-holders. (Harford, Howard and Prince George’s Counties)
Presence of Children: Households that include the temporary custody or permanent occupancy of persons under the age of 18 years. (Rockville and Montgomery Co.)
Source of Income: Any lawful source of money that is paid to or for the benefit of a renter or buyer of housing and includes grants, government assistance, alimony, child support, pensions, annuities, legal gifts, or investment earnings. (City of Frederick, Annapolis; Frederick, Howard and Montgomery Counties)
If you feel that you’ve been discriminated against, you may file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.
Top Five Benefits of Home Ownership
- Builds equity over time.
- Stable Payments
- Tax Benefits
- Pride in ownership
- Ownership improves your community
What is HouseLogic.com?
HouseLogic.com is a site for homeowners who want smart solutions to enjoy, improve, and maintain their home; for buyers ready to find their happy place; and for sellers ready for their next chapter.
No matter where you are in your home ownership journey, HouseLogic is the place to dive deep into such topics as home improvements (building equity!), the best ways to save on home expenses, house-hunting insights, and tips for prepping your home to sell — fast.
On Common Ground Magazine
On Common Ground semi-annual magazine published by NAR, On Common Ground presents a wide range of views on smart growth issues, with the goal of encouraging dialog among REALTORS®, elected officials, and other interested citizens. Hard copies of this magazine can be picked up at your local REALTOR® Association, located at 136 B North Mechanic Street, Cumberland MD 21502.