September 4, 2024

Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® will host its 2024 Annual Membership Meeting at Springfield Country Club on October 23rd, 2024!

The Association will welcome David Wasserman, senior editor and election analyst. David has served as an analyst for the NBC News Decision Desk in every election since 2008 and has also appeared on Fox News, CNN, C-SPAN, and NPR. In a lively, entertaining and strictly non-partisan presentation, Wasserman will cut through the spin and offer a data-driven forecast of how the upcoming election might unfold. Wasserman draws on his extensive interviews with both parties’ candidates and strategists to shed light on the top issues on voters’ minds and even how retail habits can predict voting behavior.

“Sure to leave audiences of business leaders, grassroots advocates, and non-political junkies alike buzzing!”

The event will feature a plated lunch, a short Association business meeting and will also highlight:

Don’t miss this premier membership event on October 23rd in Springfield.
Register today as tickets will sell out!

All members are welcome. 

Dear Members,

As we navigate the changes resulting from the NAR settlement, I want to assure you that Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® is here to support you every step of the way. This is a significant transition for our industry, but together, we can adapt. I encourage you to take full advantage of the resources available, designed to help you stay informed and confident in your business practices.

In response to the settlement, our association has focused on equipping members with actionable insights and practical tools.

We know that the recent settlement and its resulting changes have been challenging. Grappling with the complexities and uncertainties that these changes have introduced has made real estate a daunting landscape.  Please remember that Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® is committed to guiding you through these changes, and providing the tools and information you need to continue delivering exceptional service to your clients. If you have exhausted all the resources available, and still feel uncertain about how to navigate these practice changes, remember that the PAR® Legal Hotline is a member benefit to you as a REALTOR® in Pennsylvania. 800-727-5345.

We urge you to maintain a high level of professionalism when discussing these changes, whether with clients, colleagues, or on public platforms. Your clients trust you to be their guide in real estate, and it's crucial that we continue to uphold that trust by addressing their concerns with the expertise and calm they expect from us.

We’re here to support you through this transition. Please reach out with any questions or concerns, and remember that your association is committed to providing the resources and information you need to navigate these changes confidently.

Michael Maerten
Chairman of the Board
Tri-County Suburban REALTORS®

In the real estate industry, ensuring the safety of REALTORS® is not just a priority—it's a necessity. REALTORS® often find themselves in unpredictable situations, whether showing properties to strangers, hosting open houses, or meeting clients in unfamiliar locations. These scenarios can present unique risks, making it crucial for every 

REALTOR® to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to stay safe. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recognizes this and has established the REALTOR® Safety Program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing safety incidents and ensuring that every REALTOR® returns home safely to their loved ones.

This year to honor REALTOR Safety Month, NAR is offering a free webinar to members titled "Stay Safe on the Job: Essential Safety Tips for REALTORS®," on September 18, 2024 at 1pm EST. The webinar is designed to educate REALTORS® on prioritizing personal safety by covering essential protocols for in-person showings and client meetings. Led by experts in the field, including Lamont Breland, 2024 Chair of NAR’s REALTOR® Safety Advisory Committee & a founding member of the Louisville Metro Police Foundation, and Chris Garrett, 2024 Vice-Chair of the Committee, recognized as a Subject Matter Expert for NAR’s Safety Course and a former Reserve Deputy with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

The goal of the REALTOR® Safety Program is to reduce the number of safety incidents that occur in the industry, so every REALTOR® comes home safely to his or her family every night.

Top 5 Safety Action Items for REALTORS®

Plan Your Safety Strategy

Tips and Best Practices

On-Demand Webinars & Training Videos

Personal Protection Resources

Take the REALTOR® Safety Pledge

Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® members have access to a free account with REALTOR® Safety Application - FOREWARN. FOREWARN offers members the ability to have instant due diligence on prospective clients. With as little information as a phone number or name, REALTORS® can verify a prospect’s identity, criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history, and property records all in one place.

Verifying your prospects in FOREWARN is not only critical for your personal safety and efficiency but also a benefit to your listing homeowners, providing an added layer of protection for their homes and families. To activate your free FOREWARN account, please click here for activation instructions. 

TCSR Member Theresa Kehler, Chairperson of the Diversity and Inclusion committee,  PHRC Member Stacey Waters, Outreach Coordinator, PHRC Member Sheryl Meck, Supervisor for the Civil Rights Outreach Coordinators Division, TCSR Member Aaron Gray, Vice-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion committee, & PHRC Member Joshua Nix, Civil Rights Outreach Coordinator.

Last week's Diversity and Inclusion Committee meeting featured guest speakers from The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC): Sheryl Meck, Supervisor for the Civil Rights Outreach Coordinators Division, Joshua Nix, Civil Rights Outreach Coordinator, and Stacey Waters, Outreach Coordinator.

The PHRC is a state agency responsible for enforcing Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination laws, which protect people from discrimination in employment, housing, commercial property, education, and public accommodations. The PHRC handles enforcement and education on the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA). There are more protected classes under the PHRA than in federal law. In Pennsylvania it is illegal to discriminate in education, employment, housing & commercial property, and public accommodation based on any of the following: race; color; religious creed; ancestry; age (40 and over); sex; national origin; familial status (only in housing); disability; the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for disability; or retaliation. The purpose of the Civil Rights Outreach Division of PHRC is to provide facilitation, conflict resolution, training, and outreach services to address and prevent community tensions related to discrimination and bias, while proactively promoting civil rights and anti-racism initiatives in Pennsylvania.

The speakers encouraged committee members to use the PHRC website as a resource, to consider getting involved in the communities where they work and live, and join the PHRC Advisory Councils within their county of choice. Advisory Councils were created under the PHRA to bring statewide PHRC resources to local communities. They are groups of 8-24 nonpartisan and nonpolitical volunteers who meet regularly and serve.

Thank you to Theresa Kehler, Chairperson of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee &  Aaron Gray, Vice-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for coordinating this effort to bring these voices to TCSR. 

As fall settles in, members find a valuable opportunity to invest in their careers by earning a designation through the Association of REALTORS® School. With the market entering a more reflective season, it's the perfect time to enhance your skills, stay ahead of industry trends, and elevate your expertise. Designations not only distinguish you from the competition but also equip you with specialized knowledge that can lead to increased client trust and business success.
Take advantage of the opportunity to commit to professional growth, positioning yourself for greater achievements in the year ahead. To support your continuous learning, the Association of REALTORS® School is offering discounts on designation  and certification courses. Two-day courses, normally $235, are $189 for a limited time, and one-day certificate courses, normally $159 are $125 for a limited time. These discounts make it more affordable to advance your education and gain the credentials that will propel your career forward. View the full calendar of upcoming courses, here. 

MLS-Touch users, the app received an update this week which includes a few new features. What's new for version 4.1?

Personalized SMS and default email text templates.
Customize your email text templates from the app under the Settings/Preferences in MLS-Touch. 

New and improved Hotsheets.
Now includes expanded search locations for more comprehensive results.

Vision Pro compatibility.
Enjoy an immersive experience with your Vision Pro device.  

How to Get the Updated MLS-Touch:
Existing MLS-Touch users who currently have their mobile device set up to receive automatic app updates, will automatically receive the new version installed this week. You can also to download the latest version directly from the App Store or Google Play.

MLS-Touch is a comprehensive mobile app that puts everything you need to run your real estate business in the palm of your hand. It integrates with your most-used tools—Bright Search, Schedule a Showing, Public Records—and is optimized for all screen sizes on Apple and Android devices.

Upper Darby Township Council will hold a public hearing to consider imposing an earned income tax (EIT) on residents and nonresidents who work in the township. Proposed Ordinance No. 3169 would impose an EIT of 1%. Township officials say the purpose of the new tax is to meet the need for additional revenues for the general fund and to avoid raising real estate taxes. Economic projections indicate that the township will enter into a deficit without increases in tax revenues. The amount of revenue estimated to be derived from the EIT is approximately $18 million. A public hearing on the proposed EIT will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 100 Garrett Road, and streamed via Youtube. A copy of the proposed ordinance can be found in the Aug. 7 council meeting documents.
Source: Daily Times; 8/13/2024

September 11th, 18th, 25th & October 1st | 9:00pm-4:30pm
Valuation of Residential Real Estate
Association of REALTORS® School, Malvern

September 19th | 11:00am-11:30am
Getting to Know Bright's Financial Tools
Virtual Webinar

September 24th | 10:00am-12:00pm
From Likes to Leads: Social Media Marketing Strategies for REALTORS®
Tri-County Suburban REALTORS®, Malvern

October 7th | 10:00am-12:00pm
CRE Boot Camp - ABC's of Commercial Real Estate
Tri-County Suburban REALTORS®, Malvern

October 11th | 8:15am-9:30am
Commercial/Industrial Marketing Exchange – Hybrid – With Guest Speaker Jeff Metzger, Food Trade News
Tri-County Suburban REALTORS®, Malvern & Virtual Via Zoom

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

Office
1 Country View Road
Suite 201
Malvern, PA 19355