January 29, 2025

Every year during the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® Winter Business Meetings in Harrisburg, PA, there is an RPAC Luncheon. This luncheon is a platform for fostering collaboration among REALTORS® committed to advocating for the interests of their profession, and gives a platform for local associations to receive honors for investments raised throughout the previous year. This year, Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® ranked first place in the extra-large board category for highest overall fundraising and highest member participation!

Tri-County Suburban surpassed their investment goal by 186%, ending 2024 with over $255,000 in total RPAC investments.

In 2024, Tri-County Suburban was honored to have 55 RPAC Major Investors (those who invested $1,000 or more), and 3,306 total investors.

Please visit our *new RPAC Website for all things RPAC. 

Please visit our *new 2024 RPAC Advocacy Dashboard for 2024 reports, efforts, and to see a list of investors.

Tri-County would like to honor our members who champion these efforts - the RPAC Fundraising Committee chaired by REALTOR® member Kenneth Enochs, members who participated in our annual RPAC Telethon, members of the RPAC Hall of Fame, 2024 RPAC Sweepstakes sponsor Euro Motorcars Devon, and Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® Chief Advocacy Officer, Sherri Martin. 

Tri-County Suburban extends our gratitude to all of our dedicated members who generously invested in the REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC) throughout 2024, and is proud of the Major Investors who serve as champions for real estate and private property rights through their commitment to RPAC. Your commitment and support has been instrumental in advocating for policies that protect property rights, champion homeownership, and enhance the real estate profession. Your contributions have empowered our collective voice, shaping legislative decisions that directly impact the landscape of our industry. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to the cause, as your investments have played a vital role in safeguarding the interests of REALTORS® and ensuring a vibrant future for the real estate community. 

Tri-County Suburban Members accept awards for their fundraising efforts at the REALTORS® Political Action Committee Luncheon at  the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® Winter Business Meetings in Harrisburg, PA.

The REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) stands as a crucial pillar supporting the real estate industry, relying on the financial contributions of dedicated real estate professionals. These contributions directly influence legislative decisions, ensuring a favorable environment for real estate transactions. By actively participating in RPAC, REALTORS® contribute to shaping the legislative landscape, fostering a business-friendly climate that directly impacts their profession. Investing in RPAC is not merely a financial commitment; it is a strategic decision to fortify the real estate industry, safeguard professional interests, and cultivate an environment conducive to sustained business success.

Annually, Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® members are invoiced for their REALTOR® membership. The Association continues to provide the most benefits for your dues dollars while helping you contain your expenses. 

The final deadline for 2025 dues payment is January 31st, 2025.

As you consider your dues options for 2025, please click here for full information on the payment options or here to access a helpful chart.

How You Can Pay:
(1) Online anytime via Tri-County's Secure Online Portal.
(2) By phone Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm. 610-560-4800 
(3) By check: Mail to 1 Country View Road, Suite 201, Malvern PA 19355. If remitting a check in-person or via mail, please make your check payable to "TCSR".

Questions on membership renewal? Please contact Tri-County Suburban’s Accounting Manager, Tara Lacey, or call the Association office at 610-560-4800.

Managing finances can be challenging, and REALTORS® are facing a long list of tax changes for the 2024 filing year. New and complex rules, annual inflation adjustments, and tedious documentation can impact any taxpayer without a plan or expert guidance. Hear from a real estate tax strategist and get the tips needed to save time and money while reducing your stress this tax season.

As tax season approaches, the February 2025 Virtual Tax Summit, hosted by the Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness and sponsored by IRAR Trust Company, offers a four-part virtual series designed to help REALTORS® navigate the complexities of the 2024 filing year, reduce stress, and retain more of what they earn.

With shifting tax regulations and new challenges for real estate professionals, Greg Antipoff, a CPA and real estate tax strategist, will share practical insights to help REALTORS® stay ahead of the curve.

Session 1:
SMART From the Start: Accounting & Tax Tips for New Agents 
February 5, 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST

Session 2: 
Keep More of Your Paycheck: Tax Strategies for Agents 
February 12, 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST

Session 3: 
Tax Advantages for Agents Investing in Real Estate 
February 19, 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST

Session 4: 
Tax Time Simplified: Essential Updates for REALTORS® in 2025 
February 26, 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST

For a full course guide, registration and more, click here.

The State Real Estate Commission enforces the continuing education rules by randomly auditing licensees after each renewal cycle. The first round of audit letters was sent to licensees in mid-January, and follow-up letters will be sent in the coming months for those who do not respond. 

The letter provides clear instructions on how licensees are to supply copies of transcripts for review (or, for those licensed after December 1, 2023, how they can show that they weren't required to take CE). Since there is no central repository for all CE courses, licensees who didn't save copies of their transcripts will need to contact each school where they took a course to get copies.

Any member who took a course through the Association of REALTORS® School can find transcripts through the Secure Member Portal. Once logged in, under the Events tab, click on My Courses to see a log of completed courses and certificates (transcripts).

Any member who took a course at TriplePlay can find transcripts through their member profile page on PAR's website. For questions about TriplePlay transcripts or trouble logging into PARealtors.org, please direct use their online contact form. 

Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Commercial Chapter is excited to welcome Dr. Kevin C. Gillen, Ph.D. on February 6, 2025 for this special event to be held in the Association’s classroom in Malvern, PA - Market Forecast and Economic
Insights.

In 2025, the commercial real estate sector faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities shaped by economic shifts, technological advancements, and changing consumer and business needs. Dr. Gillen will provide insight for CRE
Professionals looking to understand and thrive in a rapidly shifting market. With a background in urban economics, real estate finance and public policy, Dr. Gillen’s research and consulting practice is concentrated in applied work in the analysis of real estate developments and operation of real estate markets, including their fiscal, economic and financial implications. This work is deployed in advising both public and private sector entities on the costs/benefits of public policy options, as well as the design and implementation of local and regional economic development strategies. His research on urban economic issues appears in numerous publications and is cited in various policy applications.

Dr. Gillen’s research has been cited by the Financial Times, the Wall St. Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg News, The Bond Buyer, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, The Philadelphia Citizen, Philadelphia Magazine and
NBC. He has testified multiple times on matters of real estate trends and related public policy issues to Philadelphia City Council, the Pennsylvania State Legislature and the U.S. Congress.

The event will open with registration, lunch and networking from 11:15am – 12:00pm. Dr. Gillen's presentation will begin promptly at 12:00pm. This event is open to everyone, is free for Tri-County Commercial Chapter Members, $25 for Tri-
County Members, and $40 for Non-Members.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain exclusive market insights and equip yourself with strategies to navigate current challenges, leverage future opportunities and build valuable connections with peers and influencers.

For member registration, click here.
For non-member registration, please call 610-480-5600, M-F 8:00am-4:30pm

 

The National Association of REALTORA® Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun discussed his real estate forecast for the year during PAR’s webinar “Economic Issues and Home Sale Trends,” which included predictions on inventory, home sales, mortgage rates and more for this year. 

Net Worth for Owners Increases 

To start, Dr. Yun noted the overall increase of net worth for homeowners and the gap between homeowner wealth and renter wealth.

Home Price Appreciation Up 

“Pennsylvania is showing a 49% price appreciation from pre-COVID to the most recently available data, which is the third quarter of 2024,” Dr. Yun stated. “This is a dramatic growth in prices, and in such a short span of time.” 

He noted that remote/hybrid work may be impacting home price gains, as more people who work remotely are choosing to buy property without the limitations of work logistics and commute considerations. However, with more employees returning to in-person work, this may change. 

More Contract Signings 

Although YOY pending contract signings remained low throughout most of 2024, Dr. Yun shared data showing they increased from September onward.

Inventory Growing 

“We are beginning to see more inventory showing up on the market, and this may be the key reason as to why we are seeing increased pending contract sales activity,” Dr. Yun said. 

Expecting Fed Rate Cuts and Steady Mortgage Rates 

“Unfortunately, we are not going to go back to 4% or 5% mortgage rates,” said Dr. Yun, though he did note that he expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates two to four times this year and for inflation to decrease. 

“The mortgage rate, I think, is a little high at 7%, but it’s going to settle down at 6% or 6.5%,” he said, telling people to expect the new normal to be around this range. He attributed the only slight decline to the large amount of national debt the United States currently has. 

Better Conditions Ahead 

In general, Dr. Yun indicated that 2025 may be a better year for real estate, with more inventory, more listings and more sales. 

“Overall, I see home sales rising 9% this year and another 13% next year,” he predicted.

“So this is the reason why I think the worst is over for business opportunity for REALTORS®,” Dr. Yun concluded. “You are looking at better conditions in years ahead. This year and next year, and if I were to do another 10 years, probably eight of the next 10 years would be improving years.”

To hear more about Yun’s 2025 housing market forecast, view the webinar recording. 

Lower Providence Township passed Ordinance No. 683 in December, which requires the seller of any property in the township that is connected to the sanitary sewer system to inspect the private sewer service lateral prior to sale. The inspection must be completed by a township registered and licensed plumber, and it requires a video inspection of the private sewer service lateral from the residence or other connected structure to the connection to the system. The ordinance also requires a report of the inspection result. Read the township announcement and access the sewer certification/lateral inspection form here. 

Source: Lower Providence Township Sewer Authority

February 6th | 11:15am-1:00pm 
Commercial Real Estate 2025: Market Forecast and Economic Insights
Association of REALTORS® School, Malvern

February 11th & 12th (two-day course) | 9:00am-4:30pm
ABR: Accredited Buyer Representative
Association of REALTORS® School, Malvern

February 19h | 9:00am-4:30pm
USPAP: Uniformed Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
Virtual via Zoom

February 20th | 1:00pm-1:45pm
MLS Essentials for New Bright MLS Users
Virtual Webinar via Bright MLS

February 27th | 9:00am-4:30pm
Changing Landscape of Appraisal (Includes Required 2 Hrs in Appraisal Statutes)
Virtual via Zoom

Contact Us
610-560-4800
info@tcsr.realtor

Office
1 Country View Road
Suite 201
Malvern, PA 19355