January | 2026

Newsletter

We are excited to announce our Second Annual Ignite Event which is scheduled for February 23 at the Hyatt Place Kent Narrows. This event will feature educational classes, our annual awards ceremony, and valuable opportunities to connect and engage with our affiliates. Chessie Knapp and Tricia Wilson are spearheading this event. Be sure to visit our Events Calendar to register. Affiliates interested in participating in the Affiliate Showcase can find additional information below. Please contact the BAAR office with any questions regarding sponsorship opportunities.

Speaking of the awards ceremony, please remember that all award nomination forms and production numbers must be submitted by Brokers and Office Managers. An email requesting this information was sent to Brokers and Office Managers on December 30. We kindly ask all materials be submitted by January 15 so we can properly recognize the outstanding members of our Association.

Finally, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Kevin Waterman for his service as President last year and to outgoing Board member Linda Austin for her dedication, energy and leadership -- particularly with the building renovation and BAAR reorganization.

We look forward to a fantastic 2026 and appreciate your continued support.

📣 ATTENTION AFFILIATE MEMBERS:

Your membership is due for renewal in

January 2026. Your invoice was sent on December 30, 2025.

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Thank you to all Primary and Secondary

members who paid their dues!

Membership Dues Schedule and Payment Information:

• November: Renewal month for BAAR Primary & Secondary Memberships 
• January: Renewal month for BAAR Affiliate Memberships
• March: Renewal month for SentriLock Memberships

Please note:

• BAAR does not store credit cards on file and does not offer any autopay options.
• To make a dues payment, members must pay by one of the following ways:
  • Online with a credit/debit card through their BAAR member account
  • Online with a credit/debit card by clicking the link provided on the bottom of the dues' invoice
  • Over the phone with a credit/debit card by calling the BAAR office during business hours

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@bayarearealtors.com 

Winter General Membership

Meeting & Installation

On December 3, BAAR hosted its Winter General Membership Meeting and Installation Luncheon at the Hyatt Place in Grasonville, where new office members were officially installed.

Maryland REALTORS® Immediate Past President Cheryl Abrams Davis conducted the installation ceremony, swearing in Ken Roderick as the new President of BAAR and Biana Arentz as Vice President. Kevin Waterman, who was unable to attend the event, now assumes the role of Past President.

From L - R: Biana Arentz, Ken Roderick,

Cheryl Abrams Davis

Welcome Our Newest Members!

Ianna Zaroubine Arenas

Samantha Grimes

Jose Matos

Margaret McCabe

Tracey McCallum

Michele Williams

New BAAR Members!

Check out our Membership Directory via our

Info-Hub to make sure all of your contact information is up to date.

We encourage ALL Members to

upload a current picture of themselves.

New Agents - Don't forget to check our Education Calendar and sign up for the next 

New Member Orientation on March 2.

2nd Annual Ignite 2026 - Awards, General Meeting and Education Conference

📍Hyatt Place Kent Narrows -- Monday, February 23, 2026

Registration for Ignite 2026 is now open for both members and affiliates. Click HERE to register today.

Check out the flyers below for the full Schedule of Events, including details on all CE classes being offered.

Affiliates: Three sponsorship levels are available. Please refer to the flyer below for more information. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the office—we’re happy to help! You can sign up for your preferred sponsorship level by clicking HERE.

*If you need to cancel your registration for a course, please do so

24 hours prior to the start of class to avoid a $25 No-Show fee*

You can unregister for a course online through your BAAR member account or through the link received in your registration/confirmation email. Otherwise, you can cancel via email or phone.

Here are helpful links regarding CE Course Requirements and License Renewals:

• Check the CE Verification page to confirm what CE classes you have taken.
• Information regarding license fees can be found HERE.
• Need to contact the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC)?
  • Email: dlmrec-labor@maryland.gov
  • Telephone: 410-230-6200

• Continuing Education Requirements can be found HERE.
• Information regarding renewing or reinstating your license is HERE.

Broker Open Tours are weekly on Tuesdays!

January 6, 2026: Kent Island/ Grasonville

January 13, 2026: Queenstown, Centreville and North QA

January 20, 2026: Chestertown (QA)/Kent County

January 27, 2026: Kent Island/ Grasonville

February 3, 2026: Queenstown, Centreville and North QA

📅 To view the Broker Open Tour schedule for 2026, click here.

“Freddie Mac reported that mortgage rates fell to 6.19% last week, the lowest level since late October. Rates are now a half of a percentage point lower than a year ago and feel very close to hitting 6%.  
 
Lower rates are bringing some buyers off the sidelines. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that purchase applications were up 17%, compared to the same week a year ago. The drop in rates and the increase in inventory are prompting some buyers to get into the market before the end of the year. 
 
Other buyers may be waiting for ... Read more here.

Bright Research released their Housing Market Report which provides detailed information regarding housing market trends, market outlook and much more. Here is one graphic from the report about key statistics for counties here on the Eastern Shore. You can find the full report by clicking HERE. And for data on surrounding areas in the Mid Atlantic Region, you can click HERE.

Hilton Garden Inn Kent Island Marina has discounted Realtor Rates available for BAAR members to share with clients who are coming in from out of town!

Scan the QR Code or enter 3494349 as the "Corporate account" in the Special rates on their booking website.

For assistance, contact Joy Wemmer at Hilton Garden Inn (410-827-3877 Ext. 705)

Recommended Apps

 MLS-Touch!

MLS-Touch puts all the tools you need to run your business in the palm of your hand. It is an advanced mobile app designed to work the way you do and it is now available and included with your Bright MLS subscription.

Read more and find out how to install the app HERE!

BAAR has an APP!

Bay Area Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

1712 Main Street, Suite 100, Chester, MD 21619

443-249-3442 | Info@bayarearealtors.com

Office Hours the week of January 5: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Office Hours the week of January 12: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm