Under the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (Title X) and the Maryland Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, sellers and landlords of housing built before 1978 must:
Provide the EPA-approved pamphlet on lead hazards.
Disclose known lead-based paint or hazards and supply any available records.
Allow buyers a 10-day inspection period (unless waived).
A licensee's duty is to ensure that the sellers comply with these disclosure requirements and to remind them to deliver the proper forms and pamphlet.
The licensee is not responsible for testing or remediation but must ensure all disclosures are completed prior to ratification of the contract.
Reference (Maryland Source):
- Maryland 60-Hour Principles and Practices of Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course, Environmental Issues and Disclosures section.
- 42 U.S.C. 4852d (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act).
- COMAR 26.16.02 (Maryland Lead Poisoning Prevention Program).

The financing module defines a Growing Equity Mortgage (GEM) as a fixed-rate loan with scheduled payment increases applied directly to principal, accelerating amortization and reducing total interest over the life of the loan. This differs from negative amortization (where payments don't cover interest and the balance grows), blanket mortgages (cover multiple parcels with a release clause), and pledged account mortgages (use a pledged savings account to subsidize payments).
References: Maryland 60-Hour Principles and Practices of Real Estate - Financing: mortgage types and characteristics; GEM structure, payment increases, and accelerated amortization.

Downzoning occurs when a local government changes zoning classifications to reduce the density or intensity of land use, such as rezoning an area from multifamily to single-family residential.
It can limit development potential and may lower market value but is typically done to control growth, preserve open space, or maintain community character.
The Maryland course explains downzoning under local land-use authority topics governed by county and municipal zoning ordinances.
Reference: Maryland 60-Hour Principles and Practices - "Land Use Controls and Property Development"; Maryland Land Use Article, 4-102 - Zoning Authority of Local Governments.

A sole proprietor in Maryland may operate under their personal legal name or under a trade name that has been properly registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
If a trade name is used, it must be clearly disclosed in all brokerage advertising and license registration records with the MREC.
This ensures public transparency and compliance with Maryland's real estate advertising and licensing requirements.
Reference: Maryland 60-Hour Principles and Practices - "Brokerage Operations and Business Entities"; Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Article 17-316 - Trade Name Registration.

Courts commonly consider (1) method of attachment (annexation), (2) adaptation to the property's use, and (3) agreement of the parties to determine whether an item is a fixture (real property) or personal property. "Acknowledgement," "accessory," and "reimbursement" are not part of the legal fixture tests.
Reference: Maryland pre-licensing curriculum - Real Property and the Law (fixtures; annexation, adaptation, and agreement tests).