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DCAR Advocates for Safe Neighborhoods

Posted by & filed under For REALTORS.

What’s the story?
The DC Council’s Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Committee (which handles DCRA) recently held a hearing at the Wilson Building on the bill related to posting requirements for vacant properties. The topic of the hearing centers on legislation called the “Nuisance Abatement Notice Act of 2015,” which is intended to clarify posting requirements of notices on blighted or vacant properties.

What’s the deal with vacant properties?
When the District registers a property as vacant or blighted, it must notify the owner of record and post a notice to the building. The goal is to ensure the owner receives proper notification that their property has been classified as vacant or blighted.

What’s DCAR’s position?
We attended Monday morning’s hearing and gave testimony for our positions on the bill. Primarily, we made our point to the Council that posting requirements should be satisfied by non-publicly visible signage. The intent of the law is not to notify the public at-large that there is no one occupying a property.

Sounds like a recipe for trouble…
While we understand the DC government’s necessity to notify owners of vacant or blighted property, there are better ways to handle these notifications. We believe this legislation in its current form attracts unnecessary attention to vacant properties, and the notice should only receive the recorded owner’s attention.

What is DCAR’s plan moving forward?
DCAR pledged to work with DCRA on alternative solutions which would maintain the security of the property while effectively contacting the owner of record. We will continue advocating for safe neighborhoods to the Council and make sure legislation keeps these communities in mind.

Relief for First-Time DC Home Buyers

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

What was accomplished?

DCAR’s advocacy efforts continue to make waves in DC’s government and real estate community! DC Councilmembers David Grosso, Anita Bonds and Jack Evans have re-introduced the “First-Time Homebuyer Tax Benefit Amendment Act of 2015 (Yvette Alexander and Charles Allen co-sponsored),” which would cut the recordation tax rate from 1.45% to 0.725% for first-time buyers in the District.

How does qualification work?

To qualify, buyers must have never purchased a home in the District, and the property must be a primary owner-occupied residence. Basically, new home buyers in DC are getting a huge win.

What’s DCAR’s position?

We couldn’t be happier to see Councilmembers Grosso, Bonds and Evans take such a giant step to make home ownership a reality for many DC families. We thank them for their continued focus on DC families. Reducing the recordation tax rate will leave a positive impact for years to come.

Where can I find more information?

Read the full text for the “First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit Amendment Act of 2015” and watch Councilmember Grosso discuss the legislation at the 10:25 mark of this video.

What happens next?

The Bill must still make it through the Council’s (lengthy) legislative process. For now, we say CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who participated in DCAR’s advocacy efforts towards lowering the barriers to homeownership. If you by chance bump into your ward’s council member, give them a little nudge to support this bill!

Meet DC’s First And Last Line of Defense Against Rats!

Posted by & filed under For Homebuyers & Renters, For Policymakers & Media, For REALTORS.

DOH Rodent and Vector Control Program Manager Gerard Brown spoke to members of DCAR about how they help stem the tide of DC's rat issues.

DOH Rodent and Vector Control Program Manager Gerard Brown spoke to members of DCAR about how they help stem the tide of DC’s rat issues.

He is in charge of clearing your rat and rodent problems. Find out how his team can help you. (Watch the video)

On Thursday, October 08, 2015 DC DOH Rodent and Vector Control Program Manager Gerard Brown visited our members about the importance of rodent control. Rodents and other pests can be a big issue for DC residents and REALTORS®, which we wanted to address with this session. The informative and entertaining discussion covered a whole range of topics, but we took away a few pointers you would appreciate.

  • DC DOH rodent control services can be reached through dialing 311 or accessing theirwebsite.
  • There is a difference between rats and mice. While both can be nuisances, DOH’s rodent and vector control only deals with rats and rodents outside the home.
  • DC DOH is very customer-friendly, and DC residents who request service will receive a follow-up to make sure the job was completed.

We would like to thank Gerard for sharing his expertise while also answering the many questions our members asked.

DCAR’s monthly speaker series connects DC REALTORS® to the top officials in the City. To learn more about DCAR events and issues, follow DCAR on the web and social media!

Closing Time for DC’s Massive Zoning Re-write?

Posted by & filed under For Homebuyers & Renters, For REALTORS.

 

There’s a big chance for you to speak out, and the deadline is September 25th.

Have you been following the District’s massive zoning re-write? If you fell off the wagon at some point, we don’t blame you. The Zoning Commission kicked off the revision back in 2008 to make comprehensive changes to a code dating back to 1958! Of course, it had seen its fair share of amendments over the years, but certain elements just didn’t hold up to modern standards.

The Zoning Commission’s re-write process has been an arduous process. What the commission originally saw as a five-year plan to finish the re-write, it has stretched well beyond that point. Through it all, local blog Greater Greater Washington (GGW) has followed the process for most of its lifetime. Pages on pages of content has been written on the process, and the blog’s founder David Alpert has boiled it all down in GGW’s interpretation to a convenient summary before the final approval.

DCAR  has also  kept  a watchful eye  on the process, focusing on the provisions in the Zoning Commission’s proposal affect residential units. We submitted public comments particularly on accessory apartments. As the Commission has taken preliminary action to approve new regulations for   accessory apartments, here is what you should be aware of moving forward:

  • Removing the requirement for a Special Exemption and allow them by-right;
  • eliminating a public hearing process, and;
  • adding a Special Exemption to waive up to two requirements.

You can see more about the Zoning Commission’s action on accessory apartments here>>. Other topics we kept our eyes on included vehicle parking and alley lot rules.

Ultimately, what the Zoning Commission has recommended is near its final version. But there is still one last period to send your comments to the Zoning Commission. To send your comment, you can fill the Office of Zoning’s comment module. Accessory Apartments can be found under “Subtitle U-Use Permissions,” while parking can be addressed at “ Subtitle C-General Rules.” Alley lot comments can be addressed at “ Subtitle B-Definitions, Rules of Measurements, and Use Categories.”

This comment period ends on Friday, September 25th. After that, we’ll have to wait to see when the dust settles.

Living in DC and Earning Less Than 500K? You’ll Pay Less in Taxes

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Dupont Circle

The District’s Fiscal Year 2016 Budget recently passed with the Council accelerating the Tax Revision Commission’s recommendations to lower taxes in September 2015.

Okay, that’s not the most exciting news in the world, but this could be a big deal for DC residents. What’s the big deal? If a DC taxpayer earn less than $500K, their DC taxes will more than likely decline next year.

Here’s a breakdown of the tax brackets* for the nerds:

* $25-50K = 33% DC tax reduction

* $50K-100K = 16% DC tax reduction

* $100K-200K = 10% DC tax reduction

* $200K-$350K = 5% DC tax reduction

* $350-500K = 2% DC tax reduction

*Numbers are approximations. See a licensed tax professional for exact tax calculations.

Residents earning over $500K will see a slight increase in their taxes paid.

What does that mean for REALTORS®?

More money in residents’ pockets, more money in the economy, and more funds available for housing!

image

Originally posted by iimarzia

DCAR will continue working to reduce recordation and transfer taxes. Mention the issue to your local elected officials every chance you get!

Tony Duncanson (August 5, 1948 – June 28, 2015)

Posted by & filed under For REALTORS.

The DC real estate community lost one of its most important members when longtime DC Real Estate Commissioner Tony Duncanson passed away June 28th. The DC real estate community lost one of its most important members when longtime DC Real Estate Commissioner Tony Duncanson passed away June 28th. The loss of Tony was felt far and wide, and we shared our thoughts and condolences.
In Memory of Tony Duncanson
It is with a profound sense of sadness that I inform you of Tony Duncanson’s passing. The sudden loss has caused a widespread and heartfelt ripple through DC’s real estate community. He was a soulful and immensely talented musician, and an inspiring force of nature to real estate professionals both local and far away. He will be missed terribly.
Tony spent over 20 years in the real estate business in the DC metro area. He was a consummate professional who truly saw it all. His charisma and sense of humor made him an endearing person. His expertise and no-nonsense, no-excuses work ethic made him a leader. He combined those qualities to become one of the best real estate sellers and instructors in the business. A personality too grand to keep in DC, Tony touched the lives of real estate professionals across the nation.
He was also an accomplished musician and performing artist. His talent led to tours through the US and abroad in concert and television. Tony’s brother, Eric, said Tony “literally defines the term ‘good vibrations.'” I can personally attest to that sentiment having known him for quite some time; moreover, he was warmly received by members of DCAR last year during our Speaker Series. Nobody left that room without a smile on their face.
Words truly cannot express how empty the world feels after losing Tony. And I am saddened to have to deliver this news. As of now I do not have information about services, but you will know as soon as that information is made available. Please join with me in expressing sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Ed Krauze,
CEO, District of Columbia Association of REALTORS

Brace Yourselves: Real Estate License Renewal Season is Coming

Posted by & filed under For REALTORS.

We are fired up this week, because August is the month of real estate license renewals for agents and REALTORS® in the District of Columbia. It’s kind of a crazy time, so we want to make sure the stress is cut out with this handy little guide. 

image

First thing’s first, here are some details that you need to know: 

  • The license renewal deadline is rapidly approaching, and must be fulfilled by Monday, August 31st.
  • Effective July 1, 2015, all Sponsor Broker Changes for Salesperson license applications cannot be processed before your license is renewed with your existing broker company.
  • All new license applications must be submitted online.
  • All duplicate license and letter of certification requests must be submitted online.
  • Paper service requests will no longer be accepted and will be returned to the address indicated on the application.

Right now, you may have one of two thoughts going through your head:

Thanks, but I’m a seasoned and/or grizzled veteran of this licensing process. I’m just going to click out and keep looking at silly cat videos on Youtube.

Wait! Okay, we know that you know the ropes, but this article is supposed to be a super helpful guide for those who aren’t as in-the-know. Could you please be a good sport and share this page with your lightly or un-seasoned colleagues? 

Sweet, thank you! Now you can get back to those cat videos.

Or you’re thinking…

Ahh, jeeze, I’m new, and this stuff is so confusing! Can you break the process down for me?

Absolutely, Joe (or Jane!) Realestate Agent. Have a moment to take a breather. We’re going to get through this together. First, take your little arrow guy on the screen and click on the link below:

http://bit.ly/RealEstateLicense2015

All set? Fantastic. On that page you should see three columns of content. Do you see that one on the way-right labeled “Licensing?” That’s your ticket to a good future in this business. 

Are you having trouble finding the licensing section, or still reading? Below are the links you need for your reference:

Online licensing services are a quick, convenient, and environmentally responsible way to manage your licensing needs. All of the functions listed below can be accessed through the Online Services – PULSE Portal link below.

Now that you have the general lay of the land, let’s talk about the PULSE Portal. PULSE Portal is where you can renew your license. When you click on that link, you will come to a page with a drop-down menu, which expands as you enter your information. 

It’s a fairly straight forward process, but if you catch any snags along the way, here are some helpful contacts: 
http://www.pearsonvue.com/dc/Licensing_Questions.pdf

Okay, so you may be feeling better about renewing your license, but hold the phone! You may not have met your Continuing Education requirements. If that’s the case, time may still be on your side. Our wonderful local organization, the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® is still running CE courses throughout the month. You can find the calendar by clicking here.

Feeling better now? Great. Once you complete the renewal process, please share this page with your colleagues and fellow agents. Together, we can help DC’s 12,000-ish agents renew their license.

DC REALTORS® Get the 411 on Education and Ethics

Posted by & filed under For REALTORS.

Recently DCAR hosted Leon Lewis from DCRA and the DC Real Estate Commission for an in-depth discussion (Video) about several topics pertaining to licensing regulations along with education and ethics standards, which the Commission oversees for over 12,000 licensees in the District. The afternoon “lunch & learn” was a great opportunity for our members to catch up on what’s happening at the Real Estate Commission, and pick Leon’s brain for valuable information.

Lewis provided a great atmosphere for a casual, yet informative discussion about licensing and CE courses, and even provided a few nuggets of fun trivia. For instance, did you know Frederick Douglass was the District’s first Recorder of Deeds? You can use that fact to become the most interesting person in the room at your next happy hour. In brief, the group discussed the Commission’s relationship with ARELLO, the Real Estate Guaranty Fund and Online courses for pre-licensing, CE and Core curriculum. We would like to thank Mr. Lewis for sharing his expertise while also answering the many questions our members sent to them.

DCAR’s monthly speaker series connects DC REALTORS® to the top officials in the City. To learn more about DCAR events and issues, subscribe to our newsletter at: http://bit.ly/DCAR_Newsletter. You may also follow DCAR on the web at: About.me/dcarealtors.

Non-Paying Tenant Holds Up Sale for 2 Years

Posted by & filed under TOPA Stories.

A single-family home was split into two smaller properties awhile back. A couple was interested in buying both properties and restoring it as a single-family unit. When they put in their bid, one of the properties was vacant, and a single tenant resided in the other.

The seller attempted to evict the tenant, who had stopped paying rent, via Landlord and Tenant Court, to no avail. After months of the tenant living in the unit rent-free, the property was finally foreclosed on. The tenants were renting a house at the time, and it took them nearly two years to close on the property.

#FixTOPA

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