December 17, 2025

As I reflect on this incredible year for Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® (TCSR), I am filled with gratitude and genuine pride. This year wasn’t just about keeping things moving — it was about raising the standard, expanding opportunities for leadership, and making sure our Association remains strong for years to come.

From day one, my focus as Chairman was simple, to help others grow in their leadership & be the change they want to see in the industry. Leadership has always been about service — lifting others higher, empowering future leaders, and making sure we leave every space better than we find it. That belief shaped every decision, every conversation, and every initiative we pursued together this year.

TCSR continues to provide the value, advocacy, and resources our members deserve. Looking back, 2025 was truly a remarkable chapter for our Association.

One of my greatest honors was continuing to help expand and elevate our Leadership Development Program, creating space for more REALTORS® to step into their potential. Watching this particular graduating class of professionals grow into their calling,— including my own son — has been one of the most meaningful and humbling parts of this role.

We also saw tremendous momentum in our advocacy efforts. TCSR raised $249,217 for the REALTORS® Political Action Committee, reaching 191.9% of NAR's Goal. TCSR is proud to have 56 members as Major Investors, this is what commitment to our industry looks like.

Lastly, a major highlight was strengthening our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This year, we intentionally built strategic partnerships with four local chapters of national multicultural partners: Asian Real Estate Association (AREAA), the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) as well as our colleagues at the Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS® and The Bucks County Association of REALTORS®. With the support of PAR, we helped plan Making Diversity Work in Your Real Estate Business, a historic event that brought all these organizations together for the very first time. It wasn’t just symbolic, it was a powerful reminder that real estate thrives when every voice has a seat at the table.

But above all, what stands out most to me are our members. None of this progress would have been possible without your dedication to our mission and your commitment to excellence. Serving you this year has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. Your professionalism, passion, and willingness to grow have inspired me every step of the way.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve as your Chairman. I am confident that because of the foundation we’ve built together, 2026 and the years ahead will be filled with even more growth, unity, and excellence. 

- Michael Howell, 2025 Chairman

Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® will be closed beginning at 12pm on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and remain closed through Friday, December 26, 2025. Business hours will resume at 8am on Monday, December 29, 2025.

The remaining closures for the month begins at 12pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and remain closed through Friday, January 2, 2026. Business hours will resume at 8am on Monday, January 5, 2026.

We wish our members, affiliate partners, and REALTOR® community a safe and happy holiday season.

Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® continues to help members communicate the latest real estate market conditions with a set of Monthly Residential Market Statistics for area counties and their respective school districts. Note that these monthly statistics cover all school districts in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Philadelphia, and select Berks County & New Castle County school districts are also available. The reports are updated between the 10th and the 12th of the month for the previous month’s statistics.

If you have questions or requests, please contact Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Director of Marketing and Communications, Lauren Davis.

An assortment of reports is also available to Bright MLS subscribers at BrightMLS.com such as a monthly Market Report, and a Marketing ToolKit to coincide. The Philadelphia Metro November 2025 Housing Market Report will also offer monthly market data in that region with infographics, charts, and more. Tri-County's major counties (Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery) are included in this report. For more detailed report, once logged into Bright MLS, click the "Market" tab and choose the "Market Statistics Report" button in the drop-down menu to access various reports.

As the new year approaches, seasoned REALTORS® can make continuing education fit their busy lives with an expanded lineup of evening and Saturday continuing education courses hosted by The Association of REALTORS® School.

These instructor-led Zoom sessions meet members where they are—offering professional education at night starting at 6pm, and on Saturdays so you can earn required and elective credits without disrupting your weekday schedule.

The current offerings beginning in February 2026 include a variety of virtual CE options that help you stay sharp and on track toward Pennsylvania license renewal while balancing work and life commitments.

More courses will be added throughout the renewal cycle—take advantage of these convenient opportunities and register today via your Secure Member Portal to save your space.

All of these offerings are MCE Season Pass eligible.

Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® members have until December 31, 2025 to take advantage of the Cycle 2 dues billing. Members may choose to pay in full, or via installment plan. Please note that Cycle 2 is the last opportunity that members have to enroll in an installment plan. Click here to access a helpful chart.

Your Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® membership continues to deliver unmatched value—providing access to tools and resources like Lone Wolf Transactions ($425 value), DocuSign ($240 value), Municipal Information Database ($200 value), Tech Helpline ($250 value), RISMedia ($249 value), FOREWARN ($300 value), and more—all included with your dues.

If a Primary REALTOR® member chooses to remit their dues at a later date, please note the following Cycle option and deadline below. Please note that there is no automatic bill pay for membership dues.
Cycle 3 (1/1/26 – 1/31/26) – $658

Members can access their dues invoice and pay their dues online via their Secure Member Portal. Once logged in, visit the My Orders tab. where you will find an Unpaid Order for your 2026 Membership Dues titled, “2026 Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Annual Dues.” All membership dues (Tri-County Suburban REALTORS®, the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®) are NOT refundable or transferrable. Please visit tcsr.realtor/membership/duesbilling2026/ for all REALTOR® membership dues information.

For questions, please email duesbilling@tcsr.realtor or call 610-560-4800. 

As temperatures drop, the risks to your home rise—and many of the most common winter hazards start long before the first snowfall. From cracking foundations to overworked heating systems, even small issues can turn into expensive repairs if ignored. Recent insights from Hippo Home Insurance highlight the real impact of freeze–thaw cycles, strained plumbing, aging roofs, and increased fire risks during the coldest months of the year.

Before winter fully settles in, now is the ideal time for homeowners to take stock of potential trouble spots around the house. A few preventive steps can make the difference between a smooth season and a stressful one—and save thousands in unexpected repairs.

In the full story, via PAR's JustListed blog, there is a break down of four key areas from foundation to drainage where winter weather can take a toll on a home. Learn the top risks—and the simple, proactive steps every homeowner should consider before temperatures plunge.

For many agents, the holiday hustle marks a seasonal slowdown as buyers and sellers press pause on their real estate activities. However, if you’re looking to set yourself up for a strong start in 2026, this quieter period can be a valuable time to sharpen your skills, build your network, and fill your sales pipeline.

A Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court judge has ruled that Pottstown’s ordinance allowing officials to enter rental homes using “administrative warrants” without showing probable cause is unconstitutional. The decision stems from a lawsuit brought by residents Dottie and Omar Rivera and their landlord, Steve Camburn, with support from the Institute for Justice, who argued that the ordinance that forced tenants and landlords to open their doors for random inspections, often in search of code violations, was illegal. Judge Stacy Wallace found that the administrative warrants were based only on general suspicions and violated Article 1, Section 8, of the state Constitution. Federal courts have previously upheld similar searches of rental units by code inspectors, but the Pennsylvania Constitution is more restrictive of privacy rights than the U.S. Constitution. The ruling overturns years of local practice and follows earlier legal challenges dating back to 2017. Read more at Pottstown Patch.
Source: Pottstown Patch; 12/9/2025

December 18th | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Creating a CMA in Bright MLS
Virtual Webinar via Bright MLS

December 19th | 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Understanding Non-Qualified Mortgages
Association of REALTORS® School, Malvern

January 6th | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Win or Lose: The Art of Negotiating the Agreement of Sale
Virtual via Zoom

January 6th | 1:00pm - 4:00pm
The Epic Homebuyer Experience
Virtual via Zoom

January 7th | 9:00am - 12:00pm
PA Req Agency Relationship Education 2024-2026
Association of REALTORS® School, Malvern

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

Office
1 Country View Road
Suite 201
Malvern, PA 19355