Social media presents REALTORS with opportunities to bring attention to their business. It is critical to be aware of potential risks and take steps to mitigate them to avoid unwanted attention from legal and regulatory authorities. The National Association of REALTORS legal team has produced a video as part of their Window to the Law Series that addresses some of the risks presented by social media.

In addition to common legal issues such as antitrust and product or services endorsements, the video discusses the seemingly innocent request for advice. When seeking advice or making comments about a current client relationship, the video warns "even if you're careful not to mention a client by name, your local competitors may have information that would allow them to figure out the client and deal you're referencing. If that's the case, your "seeking advice" post could be a breach of confidentiality. It could also put your deal (and your reputation) at risk." Read more.

All Suburban West members now have access to our Tech Helpline - an unlimited technology support service offered as part of your membership dues, courtesy of the Association. The Tech Helpline is available Monday-Friday (9:00am-8:00pm) and Saturdays (9:00am-5:00pm), toll-free at 800-897-0873. Their live chat service is available to members as well. Contact the Tech Helpline if...

• your computer is running slow
• you are ready to move to a paperless office
• you need help removing a virus or spyware
• you need help hooking up your printer
• you have questions about software, hardware, networking or digital services

Please note that when you call, your NRDS ID will be required to designate you as an active member. You can look up your NRDS ID by clicking here. We trust you will find this membership benefit useful in your business!

Local REALTORS pitched in last Friday to make Lansdowne Borough a little brighter. A group of volunteers spent the day making improvements to Lansdowne Landing, a new community gathering place in the borough's downtown. Volunteers sanded and sealed wooden furniture and helped decorate a series of tall metal poles that will support lights to illuminate the colorful space during evening hours. Among the REALTORS that volunteered were Tom Lowy, Susan O'Hagan and Mike Carpenter, who brought daughter Isabella. Their on-the-ground efforts complement a $4,000 placemaking grant from NAR that Suburban West helped to secure for the Lansdowne Landing project.

The 2016 Housing Report published by the Chester County Planning Commission provides a summary of residential real estate trends. Data are presented primarily for the years 2015 and 2016, with some historical data included for county trends. The report displays median sales prices of residential properties on three aggregate levels: county, school region and municipal. County data include the prices of all transactions occurring throughout Chester County. Click here to read the report.