October 30, 2024

Over 250 REALTORS® members and guests joined Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Association for the 2024 Annual Meeting at Springfield Country Club last Wednesday. Political Analyst and national speaker David Wasserman delivered his presentation, “Roadmap to the 2024 Election,” with a blend of wit and insight, providing a compelling overview of the candidates, the evolving election landscape, and the potential impact of commercial real estate on voter behavior. He made complex topics both relatable and data-driven, turning a talk on politics into an engaging and enjoyable experience. The Annual Meeting celebrated exceptional individuals that Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® is honored to call members.

During the Business Meeting portion of the program, Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Chairman of the Board, Michael Maerten recognized REALTOR® member Dominic Cardone who achieved the honor of REALTOR® Emeritus, an honor extended to dedicated REALTORS® who have held Association membership for 40+ years.

REALTOR® member Helen Miernicki was honored as REALTOR® of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of REALTOR®. Additionally, the tenth and largest graduating class of the Leadership Development Program was recognized. Thirteen REALTORS® completed this year's program, designed to provide members with education and training to enhance and develop their leadership skills.

Finally, Tri-County honored the winners of the 2024 "Making a Difference" Community Service Awards. REALTOR® Kathy Opperman was awarded the grand prize, a $10,000 grant, to Pillars of Light and Love. Additional winners were 2nd place ($4,000) Lori Rogers for Pockets of Hope; and 3rd place ($3,000) Jasmine Tate for the Shafir's Journey. Honorable mentions were also recognized in Isaiah Martin for Empowered CDC, Candy Manning for I Choose to Win, and Lauren Stafford for Rise Together Cancer - each was awarded a $1,000 grant. 

Thank you to our attendees, our Affiliate sponsors, and members of leadership who
helped make this event so incredible.

Event sponsored by: Platinum Sponsor - The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® Education Fund, 1031 Corps., A&M Friendly Movers, Big Centric Appliances, Boro Home & Building Inspections, Citadel Credit Union, Comparion Insurance, CK Capital Management, Customers Bank, Germantown Title, Happy to Help, LLC, Home Team Inspections, MC Electrapark, Mortgage America, Ocean 1031, SunEast Federal Credit Union, Toll Brothers, TruMark Financial Credit Union, & TS Executive Abstract. 

Article 6 of the REALTOR Code of Ethics mandates that if a REALTOR® or the REALTOR®’s firm might receive a financial benefit from making a recommendation to a client for a product or service, you must disclose it to the client. Even when allowing the client to choose from a list of service providers, we must alert the consumer to any vendor on that list with whom we have a relationship.

For more on this, read this Ethics and Professionalism tip from NAR.

Seller’s Disclosure Law is all about making sure no one gets tricked by unexpected “treats” in their new home. The law in Pennsylvania is that sellers must disclose material defects with a residential property that would have a significant, adverse impact on the property’s value or that involves unreasonable risk to the people on the property. However, there are several instances where a seller does not have to disclose certain information. Click here to read about them!   

Growing market demand with Americans aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060. Senior clients represent a rapidly expanding demographic in the real estate market, particularly in Pennsylvania which has the second largest senior population of any state in the U.S. This creates a strong need for REALTORS® with specialized expertise to meet their unique housing needs (NAR®, Census Bureau).

Additionally, according to NAR®'s data, seniors are among the most active groups in real estate, often looking to downsize, relocate, or invest in retirement-friendly housing. REALTORS® with the Senior Real Estate Specialist SRES® designation gain insight into senior-specific financial and lifestyle needs, equipping them to offer personalized services that can greatly enhance client satisfaction and loyalty (NAR®). 

Starting Tuesday, November 5th, the Senior Real Estate Specialist course begins through the Association of REALTORS® School in Malvern. To help serve this large demographic, this 2-day course will help students become the specialist that seniors in the marketplace will turn to for their real estate needs. 

Begin earning credits toward the 2024-2026 continuing education cycle, earn broker elective credits, get a leg up on the industry and ear a designation all at a discounted price. For a limited time only the Association of REALTORS® School is offering this 2-day course for only $189.00 (previously $235). To register, click here.

For questions please contact, Director of Student Services, Michelle Leister at mleister@tcsr.realtor or call 610-560-4900. 

Bright is pleased to announce a new data share agreement with Williamsburg MLS (WMLS) in Virginia. Data integration is expected to be live by the end of the year. Once completed, Bright subscribers will have access to Williamsburg MLS listings, while Bright’s Virginia listings will benefit from more exposure through WMLS. Here are the areas covered by WMLS, encompassing a historic and growing area of Virginia, the “Old Dominion” state.

This new data share is only the first of several initiatives Bright expect to announce over the coming weeks focused on providing subscribers greater access to data and the benefits that come with it. This collaborations ensures they can serve
their clients with ease across city and county boundaries and tap into key business opportunities across a wider service area. Access to WMLS listings will be included in Bright’s subscription price. Get the latest via BrightMLS.com/WMLS.

Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Saltz ruled that Upper Pottsgrove Township’s plan to build a municipal complex on the Smola Farm would violate the state’s Open Space Act. The township had broken ground on the project earlier this year. In his ruling, Saltz imposed an injunction on the township to prevent the project from moving forward. Saltz rejected the township’s argument that open space funds were not used to buy the 36-acre Smola Farm because the bond used to raise the money was refinanced with general funds. According to the township’s reasoning, the Open Space law did not apply. Saltz went on to say the evidence does not show the commissioners acted in bad faith, but rather on advice that the construction of the municipal complex would be legally permissible. Saltz supported the wishes of Upper Pottsgrove voters who voted to enact an earned income tax to support the acquisition and protection of open space at the polls in 2006. “If a municipality could acquire land by using this open space revenue, but then decide to develop the land for another purpose, it would betray the decision of the public to be subject to an additional tax for a single limited purpose,” he said. 

Source: Pottstown Mercury; 10/19/2024 

November 5th & November 8th (two-day course) | 9:00am-4:30pm (each day)
Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
Association of REALTORS® School, Malvern

November 13th | 9:00am-5:00pm
Pricing Strategy Advisor: Mastering the CMA and BPO (PSA)
Association of REALTORS® School, Malvern

November 14th | 11:00am-11:45am
Understanding Bright MLS Reports I Virtual Webinar
Virtual Webinar

November 20th | 9:00am-4:30pm
Real Estate Investing: Build Wealth Representing Investors and Becoming One Yourself
Association of REALTORS® School, Malvern

November 20th | 5:15pm-8:15pm
Commercial Chapter – 2024 Joint Networking Event & Holiday Dinner
Harry’s Savoy Ballroom

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

Office
1 Country View Road
Suite 201
Malvern, PA 19355