SEPTEMBER IS SAFETY MONTH AND EVERY DAY IS SAFETY DAY

REALTOR® SAFETY NETWORK:

Through the REALTOR® Safety Network, the National Association of REALTORS® will deploy REALTOR® Safety Alerts via social media when a physical or cyberthreat to REALTORS® warrants national attention. For example:

• A REALTOR® or the immediate family member of a REALTOR® goes missing
• NAR learns that the association name or the names of its programs are being used fraudulently to attempt to collect money or information from REALTORS® or others
• A physical threat to REALTORS® warrants national attention

For incidents that don’t meet the criteria for a national alert, the REALTOR® Safety Team will ensure the local association is informed. Learn more and report any incidents

IDENTITY THEFT:

Check out these resources compiled by the Office of the Maine Attorney General to protect against identity theft and what to do if a theft has occurred.

STAY SAFE ON THE JOB: NAR’S SAFETY MONTH WEBINAR:

Register and attend this no-cost webinar on September 18 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. to learn best practices for staying safe during showings, how to conduct client meetings safely both in and out of the office, and hear real-life safety scenarios and learn effective response strategies. Register Now!

UNACCOMPANIED ACCESS TO PROPERTIES:

We’re hearing about this again, so here’s a reminder about the prohibition against giving buyers or potential buyers direct unaccompanied access to properties: It is absolutely prohibited to give access to a potential buyer or buyer to visit or view a property on their own – even vacant properties. To do so is a violation of the Code of Ethics (subject to sanctions and fines), and Maine Real Estate Commission laws and rules (subject to sanctions and fines, including suspension or revocation of real estate license). It is never ok and there is no excuse which is good enough to undertake this behavior.

SETTLEMENT RESOURCES FOR CONSUMERS:

The National Association of REALTORS® is developing a series of written resources that can be shared with consumers to help bring clarity to the recent practice changes and reiterate the value of working with a REALTOR®. All of these resources are available for download on facts.realtor, and can be found at the following links:

-What Veterans Need to Know About Buying a Home

-Why Am I Being Asked to Sign a Written Buyer Agreement?

-Open Houses and Written Agreements

-REALTORS’® Duty to Put Client Interests Above Their Own 

-Consumer Guide: Offers of Compensation

Check back weekly at facts.realtor for additional resources. 

MAR CONVENTION: 16 SLOTS AVAILABLE

Challenge, Change, Opportunity (the MAR Convention) will be an in-person only event October 8-10 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. Sixteen full registration slots remain available which will be filled first-come, first-served. There are additional registration slots available for the Officer Installation and REALTOR® of the Year banquet only. You can view the preliminary convention schedule, registration details and deadlines here.

REASONS TO ATTEND THE MAR CONVENTION:

Earn up to 15 hours of Maine continuing education credits including national educator Kimberly Allard, attend the MAR Annual meeting and trade show, get hands-on training with FlexMLS and Maine Listings’ suite of products, celebrate our 2025 officers and local Board REALTORS® of the Year, and network with your colleagues and industry partners!

Register here.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Maine’s 2024 local Board and Council REALTORS® of the Year!

REGISTRATION CONFIRMATIONS:

All convention registrations are processed based on the date and time that the registration is received. Confirmation emails are sent from bonnie@mainerealtors.com. Read your confirmation closely.

SAMOSET HOTEL IS SOLD OUT:

The Samoset hotel rooms and suites are sold out. There are numerous inns and motels within a few miles of the Samoset with beautiful amenities. Find complete list of nearby lodging options here.

CONVENTION EXHIBITS AND SPONSORS:

Exhibit spaces are sold out. We have a few sponsorship opportunities remaining for the 2024 convention. Please reach out to Tanya for additional information and to maximize your company’s exposure to our Association’s membership.

Hope to see you at the Samoset!

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS!

The support of these industry partners is most appreciated!

Gold ($2,500 level):

-realtor.com

-Red Door Title

Silver ($2,000 level)

-Camden National Bank

-CMG Home Loans

-Gateway Title of Maine

-Great East Title

-Treworgy & Baldacci

Bronze ($1,500)

-Bay Area Title

-First National Bank

ED GARDNER IS A FINALIST! GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD:

The National Association of REALTORS® Good Neighbor Awards recognize REALTORS^® who have made an extraordinary impact through volunteer work. Ed Gardner, Broker/Owner of Gardner Real Estate Group in Portland and 2016 President of the Maine Association of REALTORS® is one of 10 finalists from across the U.S. to be honored in 2024. Congratulations Ed!

Ed founded the Equality Community Center (ECC) in Portland, which houses 18 LGBTQ+-focused nonprofits under one roof with below-market rent. This arrangement fosters collaboration and increases operational efficiency between the organizations. Additionally, Ed is spearheading the ECC’s latest project, the development of a 54-unit affordable housing complex for seniors.

Read more about Ed’s work and nomination

VOTE TODAY (and through October 2) to support Ed’s nomination and the Equality Community Center below!

**No limits to votes per day!

VOICEMAIL GREETINGS ARE ADVERTISING:

The Maine Real Estate Commission considers your voicemail greeting (the message a consumer hears when they call your phone, and you are not available) to be advertising for any phone number that you release to consumers for your real estate business. Therefore, your voicemail greetings on all phone numbers (business line that rings at your desk, cell phone, home phone) need to comply with MREC advertising rules which require your full name and the trade name of your agency as licensed.

Also, be sure that you are using an email footer/signature block that includes your full name and the trade name of your agency as licensed to conduct your real estate business.