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What Does It Cost to Be a Real Estate Agent in Maryland?

Do you wonder what it costs to be a real estate agent?

For the state of Maryland, startup costs are outlined here: Best Real Estate Licensing Courses in Maryland and Beyond.

Once you have gotten your license, it’s time to join a real estate brokerage. Each brokerage has its own fee structure.

Essential service providers also have fees.

To be a member of brightMLS, where you can access and share listings of homes for sale, currently costs $120 per quarter. (verified 5/1/2022)

To be a subscriber to the Sentrilock service, which you use to access lockboxes when you show homes, currently costs $169 per year. (verified 5/1/2022)

Realtor association dues, for the Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors, Maryland Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors, are currently $673 per year. (verified 5/1/2022)

And renewing your Maryland real estate license every two years costs $70. (verified 5/1/2022) Continuing education classes are also required, and the cost depends upon where you take them. More details are on the Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR) web site.

If you are wondering what is the best real estate brokerage, let’s talk and find out if eXp Realty is a fit for you! You can find out more about eXp Realty here.

We have agents across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, and can assist you with getting your real estate license and starting your real estate career anywhere.

P.S. Considering a move? Please call for a confidential chat. Your personal needs, wants, and finances are my priority and my passion and my specialties run from waterfront luxury estates to distressed properties.

Call me today for your Annapolis real estate needs, or for an introduction to a great real estate agent anywhere.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, eXp Realty, Annapolis Real Estate, Annapolis Waterfront Homes, Annapolis Luxury Homes, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 443-569-3977 or 888-860-7369 x146

Local web sites in and around Annapolis, Maryland

Anne Arundel County Real Estate Market Statistics November 2018

As you may have heard in the news, our real estate market is shifting rapidly. In Anne Arundel County, while the Average Sales Price rose in November 2018, and Average Days on Market declined, home sales were down from the prior month of October and also the prior November, and inventory was up. Here are some market statistics for you for the year to date through the end of November in Anne Arundel County, compared to last year:

Average Discount Off Original Price: 4.9% (was 4.6%)
Average Days on the Market: 75 (down 17.58%)
Number of Homes for Sale: 2,305 (up 5.11%)
Total Sales: $243,785,349 (down 5.32%)
Average Sold Price: $422,505 (up 9.29%)
Real Buyers (Home Sold): 577 (down 13.36%)

Anne Arundel County Market Statistics, November 2018

Per Mortgage News Daily, the average interest rates on 30-year fixed loans are still under 5 percent (averaging 4.72% on Friday).

Mortgage Rates Preserve Most of Last Week’s Gains

Yet forecasts are for a continued slowdown. “The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) added a little more evidence to the pile indicating a rather rapid slow-down in the housing market. MBA’s Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for November shows mortgage applications for newly constructed home purchases falling by 14 percent compared to October. The MBA data is not adjusted to account for seasonal variations, and while sales nearly always decline this time of year, applications were also down 11 percent compared to November 2017.”

Not Just the Season; MBA Predicts New Home Sales Down Sharply

This means that it’s a great time to get a great buy on a home. Buyers are more scarce, sellers are more flexible, and the average interest rates are still low. It also means that it is becoming harder for sellers to find real buyers, and get to closing. It’s more important than ever for sellers to get good advice, to stage and price their homes well, and thoroughly manage the process from contract to closing.

I love to help clients succeed in this challenging market.

Who do you know who would like to make a move within the next year? Let’s set up a time to talk and plan for success.

Also, would you like to receive listings of homes for sale, either to buy, or to keep an eye on what’s going on in your neighborhood? If so, let me know. We have upgraded our Multiple Listing Service to a new platform, and all previous email broadcasts of listings have been suspended. If you have enjoyed receiving this information and would like it to continue, or if you would like to get started, just let me know and I’ll make sure to turn on the emails for you.

Call me today for your Annapolis real estate needs, or for an introduction to a great real estate agent anywhere.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, eXp Realty, Annapolis Real Estate, Annapolis Waterfront Homes, Annapolis Luxury Homes, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 443-569-3977 or 888-860-7369 x146

Local web sites in and around Annapolis, Maryland

Anne Arundel County Local Market Insight November 2018

Annapolis Waterfront Living

For Annapolitans, it’s time for fun on the water!

Who do you know that would like to live on the waterfront? Or closer to the water?

While we have a major inventory shortage in most price ranges in the Annapolis area, the higher end is slower to move. This means that good deals can be made now, especially on Annapolis waterfront homes!

As of the end of April, we had 3.39 months of homes for sale in Annapolis, a seller’s market. And, in the price range of $1M to $2.5M, we had 11.14 months of inventory – it’s a buyer’s market. It’s a great time to sell a house and move up!

Months of Housing Supply – Annapolis Maryland – April 2018

Great Pacific Race 2018

Recently, I was in Monterey, California. What a beautiful coastline! And it was fun to see the waterfront activity. The Great Pacific Race, a race of small human-powered high-tech rowboats was getting ready to depart for Hawaii. In fact, they leave Saturday! I shared some photos on Facebook earlier. (And if you would like to stay in touch on Facebook, if we’re not Facebook friends yet, click here and friend me!)

When you go out on the water in California, in most places, there aren’t a lot of convenient local destinations. In most places, it’s either day-sailing or heading out on the Pacific Ocean (or both!).

The Chesapeake Bay has so many fun places to go and things to do, like docking at restaurants on Kent Island for crabs, trolling for rockfish, or anchoring on Whitehall Creek for a picnic. And, sailboat racing, from fun races for the kids, to international regattas!

What are your plans to get out on the water this summer?

And, who do you know that would like a new home that makes that easier? Last week I went to a broker’s open house at a spectacular home on the South River with a gorgeous view and six deep-water slips. And this weekend, I’ll be visiting a luxurious estate on Childs Point. It’s good to know what’s available. Would you like to join me?

Call me today for your Annapolis real estate needs, or for an introduction to a great real estate agent anywhere.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, eXp Realty, Annapolis Real Estate, Annapolis Waterfront Homes, Annapolis Luxury Homes, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 443-569-3977 or 888-860-7369 x146

Local web sites in and around Annapolis, Maryland

Anne Arundel County Real Estate Market Statistics April 2018

Here are some market statistics for you for the year to date through the end of April in Anne Arundel County, compared to last year:

Average Discount Off Original Price: 3.3% (was 3.9%)
Average Days on the Market: 74 (down 5.13%)
Number of Homes for Sale: 2,131 (down 10.6%)
Total Sales: $985,064,163 (up 3.12%)
Average Sold Price: $387,668 (up 5.96%)
Real Buyers (Home Sold): 2,541 (down 2.68%)

Anne Arundel County Year To Date Market Statistics Through April 2018

It’s a seller’s market. Inventory is low, with just 2.9 months of supply on the market. And, as you may have heard, the Fed has been slowly raising interest rates
Mortgage Rates Back at 4-Year Highs Ahead of Inflation Data
The uncertainty is causing many savvy buyers to move more quickly than they might have otherwise. We can see that the news is getting out – per Mortgage News Daily,
Optimism Over Selling Sends Housing Index to Record High
Yet the inventory shortage is still in place.

This means that homeowners have the opportunity to take advantage of the situation. It’s the time to sell for top dollar and get a good buy on the next home. Now is the time to get started, in order to complete a move this year. Who do you know who might be interested in making a move?

If you know someone who is curious what their house would fetch in today’s market, and what else might be available, please introduce us. I’m happy to help them find that out!

Call me today for your Annapolis real estate needs, or for an introduction to a great real estate agent anywhere.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, eXp Realty, Annapolis Real Estate, Annapolis Waterfront Homes, Annapolis Luxury Homes, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 443-569-3977 or 888-860-7369 x146

Local web sites in and around Annapolis, Maryland

Anne Arundel County Real Estate Market Statistics April 2018

REAL Trends Recognizes eXp Realty!

Top reviews and rankings of eXp Realty keep coming in!

People are asking…
What’s the best brokerage for agents?
What’s the best brokerage for home sellers and buyers?

The REAL Trends 500 Report was just released, saying:

Congratulations to the 2018 REAL Trends 500. You are the elite-performing brokerages in the industry!

According to REAL Trends, comparing 2017 to 2016:

eXp is now the #7 brokerage in the US by units closed!

eXp is the #4 largest independent brokerage in the US!

eXp was the #4 Top Mover in increased closed sales volume, with a 209% increase to $5,896,993,794 from $1,905,633,748!

eXp was the #2 Top Mover in increased closed transaction sides to 24,655 from 7,905!

eXp was the #1 Top Mover with the largest percentage increase in closed transaction sides with a 211.9% increase!

Note this authoritative source:

The REAL Trends 500, now in its 31st year, remains the undisputed leader in ranking the performance of residential real estate services firms. Due to the requirement of independent verification, the REAL Trends 500 is The Trusted Source for information about the performance of these firms.

What will it look for 2018? Why is this movement happening? What does it mean for Clients? How is it helping our business? Ask me for details!

We do it all for you! Don’t hesitate to let me know how we can serve you, now and in the future!

Call me today for your Annapolis real estate needs, or for an introduction to a great real estate agent anywhere.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, eXp Realty, Annapolis Real Estate, Annapolis Waterfront Homes, Annapolis Luxury Homes, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 443-569-3977 or 888-860-7369 x146

Local web sites in and around Annapolis, Maryland