“In June 2025, a San Diego resident was sentenced to prison for forging and recording false real estate documents - one to block a foreclosure and another to steal ownership of a home.”

This case illustrates how bold and damaging fraud schemes have become, and why REALTORS®, appraisers, and title professionals need to be constantly on their guard. PSAR’s Real Estate Fraud Awareness Class features experts from the FBI, DRE, and the San Diego DA’s Office who will instruct REALTORS® in how to recognize, prevent, and report fraud.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Spot and stop fraud before it impacts a real estate transaction
• Avoid compliance mistakes that can trigger DRE investigations
• Understand legal exposure and how to protect your license

A Q&A session with representatives from all three agencies will follow the presentation.

	John Dunn   Deputy District Attorney   Real Estate Fraud Unit   San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
	Alex Murray   Senior Financial Investigator    Elder Justice Task Force (EJTF)   San Diego FBI Office
	Jesse Hafen    DRE Special Investigator    Department of Real Estate

Wildfire risk in California is no longer a seasonal occurrence, but a year-round reality.

For REALTORS® selling homes in high-risk fire zones, a series of disclosure rules, inspection requirements, and client anxieties must be addressed. Mistakes can cost clients money, delay transactions, and even result in liabilities for all parties.

While you enjoy lunch on us, learn the following:

• The obligations under AB 38 - what’s changed and what hasn’t.
• Updates on California’s Fire Hazard Disclosure Statement (FHDS) 
• How to prep clients on defensible space inspections
• How to leverage the Cal Fire website for listing preparation and buyer research
• The ins and outs of Natural Hazard Disclosures (NHDs) in fire zones

If you’re selling homes in California’s high-fire-risk zones, you can’t afford to wing it on fire disclosures. 

Get to know the speakers:

Brandi McLaughlin is a Forestry Technician with Cal Fire’s San Diego Unit who brings frontline expertise in wildfire prevention and defensible space practices across San Diego County.

Don Sharp, 'Mr NHD',  has been a Regional Account Manager of a non-disclosure company for nearly 20 years, guiding REALTORS® through natural hazard disclosures to protect clients and close transactions effectively.

Lunch provided by our class sponsor:

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PSAR's mission is to empower real estate professionals.

YPN is back with one of its most anticipated Fall events - YPN Cornhole and Costumes!
Get ready for a night of competition, networking, and plenty of fun.

Thursday, October 16th 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM At The Hills Pub 8758 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

Costumes that WOW

Spaces fill up quickly, so be sure to register ASAP!
Tickets include a bloody good drink and plenty of ghoulish grub!

THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS

Get Paid Faster: Strategies for Rapid Real Estate Compensation

Waiting on commission checks is time-consuming, drains cash flow, and adds stress. This class equips REALTORS® with the methods to speed up compensation so focus stays on closing the next deal, not chasing the last check.

Learn how to:

• Drive commissions from escrow to payout using proven practices
• Boost client trust with a smooth compensation process
• Apply top-producer tools to keep cash flow steady

Walk away ready to make every transaction pay off faster!

Get to know the speaker: 

Lupe Soto, a distinguished figure in real estate, has garnered numerous accolades, including being named Realtor of the Year twice, Manager of the Year three times, and earning the Board Instructor Award and Service Award. Recognized by CAR as a leading Latina businesswoman, she also dedicates time to volunteering.

Academic Credentials: M.S., Science of Education, University of Southern California; B.A., University of Southern California, Magna Cum Laude. Professional Contributions: Vice Chair, C.A.R. Standard Forms Advisory Committee; Member, Consumer Protection, Membership, Multiple Listing Service, and Educational Services Committees; Regional Representative for Education, Residential Education Sub-Committee.

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Two Classes: one Zoom and one In-Person

September 26 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ZOOM	September 30 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM In-Person PSAR South County Office

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Join fellow San Diego Brokers for a morning of networking, collaboration, and timely updates.

• Guest Speaker: Heather Ozur, C.A.R. President
• Build connections with brokers from across the county
• Hear the latest updates from the C.A.R. Fall Meetings
• Learn practical solutions to today’s challenges
• Discuss issues brokers are facing with the DRE
• Engage in roundtable conversations in small groups

The Broker Breakfast is an opportunity to share insights, strategies, and experiences in a collaborative setting with your peers.

Register today to reserve your spot at this important broker event.

$10 to Register
(Limited to San Diego County Brokers and Office Managers from any association) 

Thank you to our event sponsor:

REALTORS® can face issues stemming from inadequate disclosure practices-- for example, ambiguous disclosure language, undisclosed red flag property issues like roof leaks or structural defects, and neighborhood nuisances– all of which can lead to litigation risks from clients who feel they were not properly informed about the property.

This one-hour session includes a set of practical REALTOR® tools for proper disclosure practices:

• Updated TDS/AVID disclosure strategies for Fall 2025 – ensuring compliance with the latest requirements.
• Proven disclosure language examples that minimize liability and reduce the likelihood of disputes.
• Recognition of “major red flags” so REALTORS® know exactly when to dig deeper, document more, or seek expert input.

At  the end of this class, REALTORS® will:

• Know how to write disclosures that protect both clients and themselves from legal exposure.
• Gain the ability to spot and respond to property issues before they escalate into lawsuits.
• Strengthen their confidence in navigating conversations with buyers and sellers about sensitive property conditions.
• Be known as a top professional agent who practices transparency, compliance, and gains client trust.

Don’t leave you, your business, and your clients legally exposed—acquire the means to protect all 3!

Thursday, September 25th
10:00 - 11:00
Live via 

About the Speaker: 

Robert Brand, renowned for leading California's top seminars on property condition disclosure strategies, is a speaker known for his practical approach. He expertly translates courtroom strategies into real-world applications for real estate professionals. Formerly a licensed general contractor, Brand has inspected thousands of residential properties. His current roles include working as a litigation consultant, contributing to REALTOR magazine, and speaking about effective disclosure techniques. His presentations have been well-received by thousands of real estate agents, who have benefited from his insights.

Secure Your Income & Thrive in the New Market! 

The real estate landscape has shifted, and agents are facing a new set of challenges. Are you finding yourself asking these critical questions?

• How do I guarantee I get paid for my work? With changes to commission rules, the uncertainty around compensation is a major concern.
• How can I effectively communicate my value? Explaining your expertise, negotiation skills, and market knowledge to buyers becomes both more crucial and more challenging than ever before.
• How do I secure client loyalty? A buyer may use your time and expertise for weeks, only to switch to another agent at the last minute to write an offer.
• Am I compliant with the new NAR rules? Navigating the new requirements can feel overwhelming, and the risk of non-compliance is real.

About the Instructor:

A Southern California native, Mike Shenkman boasts a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the real estate industry. His extensive experience includes roles in training, development, and management in some of Southern California's leading real estate firms. Beyond his expertise in sales and management, Mike's background encompasses affordable housing, community development, property management, redevelopment, and mortgage finance.

Mike is actively involved in the San Diego real estate community and frequently instructs agents at various career stages. He co-hosted the “First Home California” podcast for the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) in 2023, serves as a transportation policy liaison for the California chapter of the American Planning Association (APACA), and has contributed to real estate legislative policy for both the city & county of San Diego and the state of California. His professional designations include Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource (SFR), Property Management Certification (PMC), Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), and Military Relocation Professional (MRP).

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Attention Property Managers! The 2025 real estate legislation review has been completed.  To keep your business compliant and competitive, attend this forum and listen to updates directly from property management specialists covering the laws and other updates that impact your day-to-day operations.

Why attend this session: To protect your business - stay current on housing laws! 

These important topics will be discussed:

• SB 721 Balcony Inspections Law
• EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule & SB 1076
• I.C.E. Raids & Tenant Protections
  
• AB 863 Residential Rental Properties (Multilingual Summons Form)
• SB 267 – “Ability to Pay” Screening for Section 8 Tenants
• Updated Federal Housing Inspections
  
• Plus your requests! To submit a panel topic, please email  communication@psar.org.

1150 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021

Meet the panel of experts:

Mark Scott - Broker, Past President of PSAR & CA Chapter of NARPM

Eric Sutton - Warwick & Sutton Properties

Peter Carlseen - Broker, Praecelsus Property Management

Molly Kirkland - Southern California Rental Housing Association

Event Sponsors:

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This forum is for the benefit of PSAR housing providers, members of the Southern California Rental Housing Association, and members of the National Association of Residential Property Managers.  We respect differences in opinions on any subject matter.

Out of respect to our guest speakers and other participants, we reserve the right to remove anyone from the meeting who is determined to be disruptive.

SDCRHA Provides a Robust Library of PM Forms Designed for the San Diego Area

Real-Life Alert (July 2025): In Pearl, Mississippi, another REALTOR® was threatened at gunpoint during an open house. The attacker assaulted her and stole her belongings. What began as a normal day, showing a home, turned into a nightmare - because she wasn’t prepared for the danger that walked through the door.

Situations like this are rare, but they are real. REALTORS® enter vacant properties, meet strangers, and face risks every day. The right awareness and preparation can mean the difference between safety and harm.

September is REALTOR® Safety Month! PSAR is bringing in two specialists: Angela Gaines, a former Police Community Relations Specialist, and Jim Bolwerk, a former lieutenant with over 30 years of experience in law enforcement.

These two experienced professionals will share real-world strategies to keep REALTORS® safe on the job. Every open house, vacant property, and client meeting carries some level of risk if the right precautions aren’t in place.

• Awareness: Recognize threats, master situational awareness, and respond to unsafe encounters.
• Be Prepared: Develop good habits and create mental action plans for unexpected situations.
• Safety Beyond Work: The skills gained here can also help protect family, colleagues, and clients.

Wednesday, September 3rd
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 
Live at the PSAR El Cajon Office  

Meet the speakers: 

Jim Bolwerk has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement. A former Lieutenant with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, Jim managed patrol substations, and specialized investigative units, and served as a Department Spokesperson. His deep understanding of safety protocols, coupled with his experience in high-pressure situations, makes him an authority on personal safety and risk management.

Jim has spent the past eight years as a Licensed REALTOR®  successfully navigating the complexities of residential and commercial transactions. His combined expertise in law enforcement and real estate positions him perfectly to provide REALTORS®  with practical, actionable safety strategies that are tailored to the unique challenges of the profession.

Angela Gaines is a retired Police Community Relations Specialist with over 18 years of dedicated service at the Chula Vista Police Department. In her role within the Community Relations Unit, Angela has been instrumental in fostering strong ties between law enforcement and the community, promoting trust, and enhancing public safety. With a background in psychology from San Diego State University, she brings a deep understanding of human behavior to her work, enabling her to effectively address community concerns and develop outreach programs. Angela is also a published author, further demonstrating her commitment to communication and education within her field.

PSAR's mission is to empower real estate professionals.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth & development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.