In the real estate business, getting your name out to the public is everything.
The Maryland Association of Realtors hopes to do that by offering its 21,000 members a Maryland license plate with the group's name on it. The plate is available through the state Motor Vehicle Administration.
"We thought it was a good way to promote the Realtor name," said Donna Heavener, a spokeswoman for the MAR. The group also hopes that agents and brokers will think it's a good way to promote themselves.
The National Association of Realtors had suggested to local chapters that they sponsor license plates; Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware already have Realtor plates.
The plan was first publicized at the MAR's convention in September, and again at the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors convention last month. At each, about 200 agents and brokers showed interest. Noting the response, the Motor Vehicle Administration agreed to offer the license plate, Ms. Heavener said.
The plate will contain a number up to four digits, with the logo of the Realtors group and the words "Maryland Association of Realtors" at the bottom.
All real estate agents and brokers are licensed by the state and may join the Realtors group. The license plate is available only to members of the Realtors group.
The MAR license plate is the latest in a growing number of "organizational" plates.
The MVA now offers 203 such plates and has added 45 this year, according to Bridget Bartlett of the MVA.
Those interested in the Realtors license plate can call the MAR at (410) 841-6080 and ask for an application, which will be sent out in about six weeks.
The form, along with $15 and a set of old plates, can be exchanged for the new plates.
The first 10 MAR plates will be sold in a silent auction that will begin in December and run for about a month.
In Delaware, the first license plate sold for $1,800 in an open auction in September, Ms. Heavener said.