Doreen Smith has made it her mission to ensure that senior dogs are not forgotten. As a dedicated volunteer for Frosted Faces Foundation (FFF), a nonprofit organization that provides loving homes and comprehensive veterinary care for aging pets, Doreen’s compassion has become a lifeline for many dogs in need. Her ongoing commitment has earned her a well-deserved place as one of the first-quarter Good Neighbor Award finalists.

Frosted Faces Foundation relies on community support to carry out its mission, and Doreen’s involvement touches nearly every part of the organization. She regularly volunteers her time at events and open houses, fosters and adopts senior dogs - five so far - and contributes both funds and supplies to help meet the foundation’s needs. Doreen also uses her voice to spread awareness, promoting FFF’s cause on social media, sponsoring their local chamber membership, and encouraging others to get involved. Thanks to her efforts, more volunteers have stepped forward, and more people in the community now understand the critical need to support senior pets.

Doreen’s dedication to Frosted Faces Foundation has had a lasting impact on both the organization and the dogs it serves. Her generosity, advocacy, and hands-on support exemplify what it means to be a good neighbor. Through her work, Doreen has helped ensure that many senior dogs find comfort, care, and companionship in their golden years, showing that it’s never too late for a second chance at love.

Learn more about the PSAR Good Neighbor Award and submit nominations HERE

 Days on Market (DOM) is now Days Active in MLS (DAM) 

 CRMLS is continually evolving, which occasionally means we rethink the names and terms we use to better reflect the reality of what they represent. As such, we have retitled two common CRMLS statistics to more accurately describe what the numbers represent.   

Effective June 3, 2025, the following terms have changed:

• Days on Market (DOM) is now Days Active in MLS (DAM)
• Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) is now Cumulative Days Active in MLS (CDAM)

The calculation method for these terms will stay the same, so the way DOM was calculated previously is the same way DAM is calculated now. You are not required to take any action; this change has been made in the backend of the MLS. If you view a listing in CRMLS, you will see the new terminology reflected.

If you have any questions, please contact the PSAR staff.  We're here to help! 

Here’s a quick overview of how DAM is handled in CRMLS and how we understand it works in SDMLS.

CRMLS

• DAM Reset: When a property is relisted, the DAM resets to zero.
• CDAM Reset: CDAM resets to zero only if the property has been off the market for 90 consecutive days or if there is a change in ownership.
• Immediate Relisting: Agents can relist a property immediately after canceling or withdrawing it.
• Display: Both DAM and CDAM are shown in CRMLS. This includes listings input through SDMLS, even though SDMLS itself does not calculate CDAM.

• DOM/CDOM Reset: If a listing is canceled or withdrawn, it may not be reentered as a new listing by the same brokerage for 30 days.
• Relisting Rule: No relisting within 30 days.
• Display: Only DOM appears to be shown. There’s no evidence that SDMLS calculates or displays CDOM.

Key Takeaway for REALTORS®
Be prepared to explain listing history to your clients. While DOM may reset in some systems, public-facing sites may still show previous activity. CDOM is visible to agents in CRMLS, even for SDMLS listings, which can help you give better context to your buyers and sellers.

Congratulations to PSAR REALTOR® Veronica Hosey, a PSAR Good Neighbor Award quarterly finalist! Her dedication to helping those in need through Multi Family Moguls has provided life-changing housing solutions for individuals and families displaced by recent natural disasters in San Diego.

As the founder of Multi Family Moguls, Veronica has taken a proactive approach to addressing homelessness by bridging the gap between temporary displacement and long-term stability. Her organization collaborates with key partners, including the San Diego Housing Commission, VASH, ADJOIN, Home Start, Interfaith, the American Red Cross, STOP, Youth for Justice, and the Jewish Foundation. These partnerships allow for a holistic approach, ensuring that vulnerable individuals not only receive immediate shelter but also have access to critical support services.

In 2024 alone, MULTI FAMILY MOGULS has successfully housed over 350 individuals. Beyond securing shelter, the organization provides referrals to credit repair agencies and financial assistance programs to help residents regain financial independence. By focusing on both housing and economic stability, Veronica’s work fosters long-term success for those facing hardship.

Her efforts exemplify the spirit of the PSAR Good Neighbor Award, which recognizes REALTORS® who go above and beyond in their communities. Veronica’s work reminds us of the power of real estate professionals to make a meaningful impact beyond transactions—helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.

Learn more about the PSAR Good Neighbor Award and submit nominations HERE

Congratulations to PSAR REALTOR® Terri Dillon, a quarterly finalist for the PSAR Good Neighbor Award!

Rescue Fenix is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer, all-breed rescue dedicated to helping animals in need. Driven by compassion, the organization rescues animals that are in danger, sick, abused, or neglected. Every rescued animal receives medical care and rehabilitation before being placed in a loving, permanent home. Rescue Fenix operates solely on donor support and does not receive government funding.

Terri is a passionate advocate for pet adoption and foster care, consistently opening her home to dogs in need. While the number of animals she has helped is immeasurable, her dedication to the cause is evident in her ongoing efforts within the community. In addition to her work with Rescue Fenix, she volunteers at various events and programs for other organizations whenever needed.

Support Terri’s mission by visiting Rescue Fenix, or reach out to her directly to learn how you can help by caring for one of the dogs in her care.

Visit Rescue Fenix A.C. https://www.rescuefenix.org/ to support Terri's advocacy. 

Good Neighbor Information and Nominations can be found HERE

The real estate industry thrives on communication, and reaching potential clients is crucial. But the digital age has brought with it a wave of unwanted calls and texts, leading to frustration and distrust. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has stepped in with new regulations to protect consumers, and these rules have significant implications for how real estate professionals connect with leads.  For detailed information from the FCC follow this link.

Understanding the Key Changes

• One-to-One Consent is Paramount: Forget blanket opt-ins! The new rules demand that consumers provide individual, specific consent to each business that intends to contact them via robocalls or "robotexts." This consent must be "logically and topically associated" with the website where they provided it. For example, someone signing up for home valuation on your website can't be assumed to consent to calls about mortgage offers from your affiliated lender.

• Lead Generation Under Scrutiny: Lead generation companies can no longer rely on broad consent obtained through third-party websites. They must ensure consumers explicitly consent to each business receiving their information.

• Existing Leads Need a Check-Up: Don't assume your current contact list is good to go! Leads obtained before January 27, 2025, may not meet the new consent standards. Review your database and re-obtain consent where necessary.

• Manual Outreach Remains Viable: While the new rules focus on automated communication, you can still make manual calls and send texts without prior consent. However, you must adhere to the Do-Not-Call Registry and avoid using pre-recorded or artificial voices.

• Legal Challenges on the Horizon: The one-to-one consent rule is facing legal challenges, and its future may be influenced by court decisions. Stay informed about any updates or changes to the rule.

Actionable Steps for Real Estate Professionals

1. Review and Revise Consent Forms: Ensure your website and other lead capture forms clearly state that the consumer is consenting to receive calls/texts specifically from your brokerage or agency.
2. Obtain Express Written Consent: Always get written consent (electronic is acceptable) before initiating robocalls or "robotexts."
3. Scrutinize Lead Generation Practices: Work only with lead generation companies that comply with the new FCC rules.
4. Stay Updated on Do-Not-Call Regulations: Regularly check the Do-Not-Call Registry and promptly remove any listed numbers.
5. Educate Your Team: Ensure all agents and staff understand the new rules and their implications.

Important Disclaimer:

This blog post is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The FCC regulations are complex and subject to change. While we strive for accuracy, it is crucial to consult with an attorney for professional guidance on how to ensure your business practices are fully compliant. Final decisions regarding your business practices should be made after seeking legal counsel.

In the aftermath of emergencies, the real estate industry in California faces unique challenges. Understanding the state's anti-price gouging laws is crucial whether you're a sales agent, broker, or property manager. These laws not only protect consumers during crises but also guide professionals in maintaining ethical standards.

Here's what you need to know: 

The Essence of Price Gouging in Real Estate
Price gouging occurs when prices for housing, rentals, or other essential services are significantly increased to exploit an emergency. For real estate professionals, this typically relates to the pricing of rentals, homes for sale, and emergency lodging. The goal is to prevent undue strain on those affected by disasters, ensuring access to housing remains fair and equitable.

California’s Stance on Price Gouging
California law, specifically Penal Code Section 396, restricts increasing the price of housing and other essential services by more than 10% following an emergency declaration. This applies to sales, rentals, and services across the board, ensuring that real estate professionals are aligned with legal and ethical pricing standards during critical times.

Timing and Application of the Law
These protections activate immediately upon an emergency declaration by federal, state, or local authorities and are initially set for 30 days. For real estate-related services, like reconstruction and cleanup, the period extends to 180 days. Importantly, officials can extend these timeframes to meet ongoing needs, affecting how properties are marketed and managed.

Staying Informed on Declarations
Real estate professionals should closely monitor emergency declarations to comply with legal requirements. This includes staying updated through the Governor's website and local government channels. Awareness of state and local declarations is key to ensuring your practices align with current regulations. The following locations are under price gouging protections.

Who and What Is Covered?
The statute broadly applies to all entities within the real estate sector, including individuals and companies involved in selling, renting, or managing properties. It covers a wide range of necessities, notably including rental housing, hotels, and motels, ensuring that the industry's response to emergencies is comprehensive and compliant.

Addressing Cost Increases and Violations
If your costs increase due to supplier price hikes, the law allows the cost to be factored into pricing, provided it can be justified. However, compliance with the statute is closely monitored, and violations can lead to severe penalties, including fines and criminal charges. Ensuring transparency and fairness in pricing is crucial to avoid legal repercussions.

Role of Real Estate Professionals in Compliance
As gatekeepers of housing and essential services, real estate professionals have a pivotal role in upholding these laws. This involves adhering to pricing regulations and advising clients and the community on their rights and protections. Your guidance can help navigate the complexities of emergencies, ensuring access to housing remains fair and stable.

Conclusion
For real estate professionals in California, understanding and complying with anti-price gouging laws is essential. These regulations ensure that during emergencies, the industry acts with integrity, maintaining fair pricing and access to housing. By staying informed and adhering to these laws, you play a vital role in supporting communities during their most vulnerable times, reinforcing the ethical standards that define the real estate profession.

This link provides useful guidance for identifying if a state of emergency affecting price gouging in rental housing is in effect. Simply locate your rental property's county on the list and note the code (a letter in parentheses) next to it. Then, refer to the explanations at the bottom of the page to understand which price gouging laws apply to your situation

Important Disclosure
Please note that the information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Real estate laws and regulations can be complex and subject to change. While we strive to present accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness, reliability, or applicability of the content to your specific situation.

As a real estate professional, it's essential to understand your actions' legal implications, especially in emergencies and price-gouging laws. Therefore, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified attorney or legal expert to obtain advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Doing so will ensure you navigate these challenges with the utmost compliance and integrity, safeguarding your professional practice and the communities you serve.

When devastating floods struck San Diego County in January 2024, hundreds of families were displaced, and many faced the uncertainty of how to cover their housing expenses. In response, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR), in partnership with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, launched the Flood Relief Grant Program to provide direct financial support to affected households.

Through this program, PSAR was able to distribute $190,000 in housing assistance grants, helping nearly 100 households with critical expenses such as mortgage, rent, and temporary housing. Each qualified applicant received up to $2,900 in assistance, offering much-needed stability during a time of crisis.

Community Impact

The grant program brought national disaster relief dollars directly into San Diego County. While the floods caused more than $30 million in damage and displaced more than 1,200 residents, PSAR’s program served as an immediate bridge to help families cover urgent housing costs while they awaited insurance claims, government relief, or other recovery assistance.

Families across impacted neighborhoods expressed gratitude for the program’s fast response. By easing financial pressure, the grants allowed many to remain in their homes or secure safe housing after losing so much to floodwaters.

Collaboration for Recovery

The success of this effort was made possible through collaboration:

• The REALTORS® Relief Foundation provided more than $1 million in funding.

• PSAR and local REALTOR® leaders facilitated outreach, application review, and disbursement of funds.

• Community partners and media outlets helped spread the word, ensuring residents were aware of the application deadline and eligibility requirements.

This combined effort highlighted the REALTOR® community’s commitment to supporting housing stability and serving as trusted advocates beyond real estate transactions.

Lessons Learned and Next Steps

While PSAR is proud of the impact of the Flood Relief Grants, the need in our community remains far greater than any one program can solve. The experience underscored the importance of:

• Fast mobilization of resources when disaster strikes.

• Strong community partnerships to reach underserved neighborhoods.

• Transparent reporting on outcomes, so members and residents understand the difference REALTORS® make locally.

A Record of Resilience

The Flood Relief Grant Program reflects PSAR’s mission: Empowering Real Estate Professionals and supporting the communities where REALTORS® live and work. Nearly 100 families received tangible help at a time when they needed it most.

As San Diego County continues its recovery, PSAR remains committed to advocating for housing stability, building stronger communities, and ensuring that REALTORS® are recognized as community leaders in times of both prosperity and crisis.

This program was made possible the the National Association of REALTOR® Relief Foundation.  To donate, please click here.  

BEST Practice

Once a property is sold, in both SDMLS and in CRMLS, to make your listing to be available for comparables, input the entire Concession Amount into the Concession Comment Field so agents in both MLS systems know what it is.  It is critical that agents list all concession amounts and what they were allocated towards so that other agents know what was given as a buyer concession vs a commission concession.  Find out why by reading this post.

Key Differences Between SDMLS and CRMLS when Researching Comparables Post Settlement. These Fields are available to complete after a property has sold and is being moved from pending to sold status.

SDMLS Approach:
SDMLS has specific guidelines regarding the disclosure of seller concessions. According to their Q&A on policy changes post-settlement:

“Seller-offered concessions should be mentioned in the Confidential Remarks field with the instruction to contact the listing agent for details.”

In SDMLS, agents can use the “Concessions Comments” field to input details about seller concessions. This field allows for flexibility, with comments that may include text descriptions or numeric values. For example, agents might see comments like:

• • “$2,990 for wood-destroying pest repairs”
  • “Closing costs covered by the seller”
  • “$5,700 Seller Credit”

While these comments provide valuable information, they can be inconsistent in format and detail, which may complicate property comparisons.

CRMLS Approach:
CRMLS still includes the flexible comment section and this is the field that will be shown in the SDMLS system, but CRMLS takes a different approach to reporting concessions. The CRMLS system provides a breakdown of seller concessions at the close of a transaction, with the mandatory fields categorized as follows:

• • Closing Costs (e.g., escrow and title fees)
  • Property Improvements (e.g., repairs and upgrades)
  • Financing Costs (e.g., loan origination fees, discount points)
  • Buyer Broker Fee (amount the seller paid directly to the buyer’s broker)
  • Other

This breakdown ensures that agents and their clients have a clear understanding of how concessions, were applied.

Viewing Concessions Across the Two Systems

When navigating concessions in the dual MLS marketplace, agents will see different displays depending on the MLS they are accessing.

For CRMLS subscribers, the report for CRMLS listings will include a detailed breakdown of concessions by category (circled in red.) The example below shows how these details are presented. If an SDMLS agent included a remark in the “Concessions Comments” field, those details will appear in the highlighted sections shown in yellow here:

CRMLS Paragon View (Actual PSAR listing)

For SDMLS users viewing CRMLS listings, the screen (below) will display the structured concession breakdown on the right side, while any SDMLS-specific remarks will be visible on the left:

SDMLS Paragon View (Same Actual PSAR listing)

CRMLS Paragon View (Actual SDMLS sold listing)

SDMLS Paragon View (Actual SDMLS sold listing)

Understanding these distinctions is essential for agents who need to pull comps from both MLS systems. Accurate comparisons require not only the ability to see the numbers but also to understand the context in which they’re reported.

Navigating the Differences

For agents working in either MLS system, it’s important to recognize how each handles concession disclosures and reporting. When pulling comps, take note of the differences between SDMLS’s more flexible comments and CRMLS’s detailed breakdown. Adjusting for these variances allows you to deliver more precise market analyses to your clients, ultimately helping them make better-informed decisions in San Diego’s dynamic real estate market.