Representing non-English-speaking clients can offer a number of challenges for REALTORS. Communication issues as well as cultural differences add an additional layer to already complex relationships and transactions. Given the extremely important factor that clear communication plays in real estate transactions, for the protection of all parties, agents should work with an interpreter in those situations that necessitate it.

The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS has compiled a list of translation services. Click here to find translation and interpreting services located around the state through their Legal Resource Library (found under the "specialty" section).

The $5.1 billion Mariner East project, which aims to deliver 675,000 barrels a day of propane and other highly volatile gas liquids across Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook through three pipelines, has produced considerable anxiety in some neighborhoods in Chester and Delaware counties, the most densely populated areas along its 350-mile route.

The project has unsettled the residential real estate market, as some fearful homeowners sold out ahead of construction and some buyers moved in unaware of the forthcoming disruption. Some homeowners said they were aware their property contained an easement for an 87-year-old Sunoco fuel pipeline but did not know that the easement was refurbished in 2014 as the Mariner East 1 to transport gas liquids from the booming Marcellus Shale region. And others said they had no clue that Sunoco planned to build two new pipelines — Mariner East 2 and Mariner East 2X — to expand the system’s capacity, though the project had received media coverage and opposition groups formed to challenge it. Read more.