Sunday, June 1, 2014

Realtors Give Back!

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
9200 Basil Court, Suite 400  •  Largo, MD 20774
301-306-7900 phone  •  301-306-8273 fax  •  pgcar@mris.com



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2014

CONTACT:   
Joan Ostenso, Executive Vice-President – 301-306-7900jostenso@pgcar.com
                        Don Frederick, Chair, Scholarship Committee – 240-601-4690
                        
County REALTORS® Award $8,000 in Scholarships to High School Seniors
The Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS®, the county’s leading advocate for real estate and private property rights, is presenting three Prince George’s County high school seniors with $2,500 college scholarships, and one $500 scholarship through the Association’s David Maclin Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The David Maclin Memorial Fund, is one of the Association’s premiere community service endeavors. In honor of the late REALTOR David Maclin’s contributions to Prince George’s County, the fund recognizes a student’s commitment to community service, based on the theme “How I Made A Difference In My Community”.

At a special “Fun Run” 5K event on April 12th, at the Community of Marlboro Ridge, four Prince George’s County senior graduates were recognized for their scholarship. In addition, over 100 REALTORS and others participated in the run to raise money for the fund to help sustain its future availability to Prince George’s County students.

“It’s not easy reading and picking just a few essays because you want everyone to win”, said  committee member, Linda Simpson.  “Some of these students really work hard and are making a difference in their community and it’s just amazing”, commented Donald Fredrick, Chair of the David Maclin Scholarship Committee.

“I like to hear the stories of how the scholarship has helped each recipient and to see them after they graduate college” said Juanita Maclin, the Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee and the wife of the deceased, David Maclin.

Those that received this year’s 2014 scholarships are:
Dy’Mon Walker of Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School is planning to attend Spelman College – Awarded $2,500
Amarachi Ekekwe from Bladensburg High School will attend Bucknell University –Awarded $2,500
Natassja Pupuma of Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School will attend Morgan State University – Awarded $2,500
Faith Esene of Charles Herbert Flowers High School, will attend The University of Maryland – Awarded $500  
PGCAR is the voice for REALTORS® in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Representing more than 2,800 real estate professionals in the national capital area, PGCAR provides numerous services vital to its members' daily business needs. It also works with lawmakers to ensure public policy that encourages homeownership, promotes an environment conducive to business growth and works to improve the communities in which its members live and work. 

Michael Graziano
Director of Government Affairs
Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS, Inc.
9200 Basil Court, Suite 400
Largo, MD 20774

Monday, May 5, 2014

About Good Neighbor Next Door by HUD

About Good Neighbor Next Door
Law enforcement officers, pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and firefighters/emergency medical technicians can contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners through HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home. In return you must commit to live in the property for 36 months as your sole residence.

How the Program Works

Eligible Single Family homes located in revitalization areas are listed exclusively for sales through the Good Neighbor Next Door Sales program. Properties are available for purchase through the program for seven days.

How to Participate in Good Neighbor Next Door

Check the listings for your state. Follow the instructions to submit your interest in purchasing a specific home. If more than one person submits on a single home a selection will be made by random lottery. You must meet the requirements for a law enforcement officer, teacher, firefighter or emergency medical technician and comply with HUD's regulations for the program.
HUD requires that you sign a second mortgage and note for the discount amount. No interest or payments are required on this "silent second" provided that you fulfill the three-year occupancy requirement.
The number of properties available is limited and the list of available properties changes weekly.
To learn more, please see our Good Neighbor Sales Frequently Asked Questions!

Directly from the HUD web page.

Contact me, Angel S. Brown, directly to get qualified to view homes for this program.


Monday, February 17, 2014

Tax Refunds - FAFSA - College & Career Expo at Wise 2/22/14 9 am-2 pm

ULYSSES CURRIE
25TH Legislative District
Prince George’s County
 Budget and Taxation Committee











 201 James Senate Office Building
11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
301-858-3127 Fax 301-858-3733
Ulysses. Currie@Senate.State.MD.US




February 17, 2014

Important Reminders

College and Career Expo
I am pleased to remind you that Wise High School’s College and Career Expo is coming up this weekend.  It will be this Saturday, February 22nd from 9am to 2pm at the school.

The College and Career Expo will give students an opportunity to talk with college and career experts about what their school has to offer.  Students may be interviewed and accepted on the spot.  Experts in financial aid and scholarships will also be on hand. Remember, the FAFASA is due March 1.  Senatorial Scholarships applications are available.  Contact me by return email at ulysses.currie@senate.state.md.us.


Tax Benefits – Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credit
Every individual who earned income in 2013 should file both a federal and state income tax returns.  Both provide an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which could mean a refund – even if you owed no taxes.  In the 2013 tax year, working families with children that have annual incomes below about $37,900 to $51,600 (depending on marital status and the number of dependent children) may be eligible for the federal EITC. Also, working-poor people without children that have incomes below about $14,300 ($19,700 for a married couple) can receive a very small EITC.
If you qualify for the federal earned income tax credit, you may also be entitled to a Maryland earned income tax credit in an amount equal to 50% of the federal tax credit. The Maryland earned income tax credit (EITC) will either reduce or eliminate the amount of the state and local income tax that you might owe.
Remember – you must file returns to get any EITC.
College Financial Aid - FAFSA
Every family with a high school senior should file a federal income tax form – even if you do not owe taxes.  The federal 1040EZ form and the Maryland 501D are simple to complete.  With those forms filed, your student can complete a FAFSA so that your family’s income can be verified through the tax filing.  You can qualify for a federal Pell Grant of up to $5,500 and other state financial aid that could pay for most of your college tuition. 
The deadline for the FAFSA is March 1st.

I trust this information is helpful.  Please feel free to forward it on to your friends and family for their information.  If I can be of any service please do hesitate to contact me.

                                                                                    Sincerely,
                                                                        Ulysses Currie