Enable more Home Buyers with CalHFA’s Down Payment Assistance Programs

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 24, 2025 9:00:00 AM

CalHFA

Help first-time home buyers realize their dream!

Working with first-time buyers who need down payment solutions? Multiple affordable housing program options can be leveraged. 

Natasha Dowdy, Program Analyst at CalHFA, will provide guidance and information on  how to make homeownership more accessible.

Key Topics:

  • MyHome Assistance Program: Deferred junior loans for down payments and closing costs on FHA and Conventional Loans.
  • CalPLUS Access Program: A first mortgage paired with mandatory down payment and closing cost assistance for buyers with limited upfront funds.
  • New Program Benefits: Lower rates and more options.
 
Thursday, April 10th
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Live Zoom Webinar
Questions?  Contact education@psar.org or call (619) 421-7811. 

CalHFA


For over 45 years, the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has been a trusted partner in supporting low- and moderate-income homebuyers and renters. As a self-supported state agency, CalHFA provides financing and programs focused on increasing equity and access to affordable housing.

 

photo_smallMeet the speaker:
 
An advocate for making dreams of affordable homeownership a reality for California residents. Natasha Dowdy is the Lender Training Program Analyst for the California Housing Finance Agency. With over 15 years of experience in the mortgage lending industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Her passion for the field drives her commitment to educating others and bridging the gap to homeownership. Natasha’s work not only helps prospective homeowners navigate the complexities of the lending process but also ensures that they have the tools and information needed to achieve their dream of owning a home. 

 

Class sponsored by:
Lief Tolleson US Bank Home Mortgage
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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.

Topics: Education

Rocking the Rental Housing Industry! Southern California Rental Housing Expo 2025

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 21, 2025 9:00:00 AM

blogbanner_250423_Shredding Event

The SCRH EXPO 2025 showcases the latest trends, technologies, and insights shaping the rental housing market.  This dynamic event offers the following to help you stay competitive in property management and rental housing.

Expert-Led Educational Sessions
Networking
Exhibitor displays featuring tools and resources 
A chance to win multiple prizes!

 
Thursday, May 8th
8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Town & Country Hotel
 

Special $ 15.00 Discount for PSAR Members!

Use promo code PSAR@EXPO for $15.00 off your registration.

PROFESSIONAL PANEL

1-Mar-19-2025-09-09-48-3053-PM

State of the Apartment Industry
Joshua Ohl, CoStar Group

2-Mar-19-2025-09-09-48-2878-PM

Legislative Update
Molly Kirkland, SCRHA

4-2

Shopping and Improving Your Properties
Lindsay Martinez, Tourus

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Shopping and Improving Your Properties
Ronald Harrington, 29th Street Living

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

5-2

Leveraging AI in Property Management
Kent Langley


Contact Information: Website: www.socalrha.org | Phone: 858.278.8070

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PSAR's Mission is to empower Real Estate Professionals.

Topics: Education, Events, Industry

C.A.R. 2025 Market Forecast with Jordan Levine

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 18, 2025 9:00:00 AM

2025 CAR Market Forcast - Jordan Levine -1

In a dynamic real estate market, knowledge is your greatest asset. Take advantage of hearing it from the "horse's mouth' - the latest housing market trends, economic forecasts, and data-driven insights for 2025 delivered by a recognized industry expert.

PSAR has secured the appearance of one of the most trusted voices in California real estate, Jordan Levine, the Vice President & Chief Economist at the California Association of REALTORS®.

2025 Housing Market Outlook – projections of home prices, interest rates, & demand
Economic Trends Impacting Real Estate – inflation, employment, and policy changes
Key Insights for Your Clients – making informed decisions
Legislative & Policy Updates – governmental actions that may influence the market
Q&A with Jordan Levine – Get answers to your pressing real estate market questions

 Tuesday, April 1st
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
PSAR East Service Center
  
Jordan Levine
The speaker:
Jordan Levine is the Vice President & Chief Economist at the California Association of REALTORS®. Jordan is responsible for C.A.R.’s housing market and economic research as well as policy analysis for C.A.R.’s legislative and governmental affairs efforts. He has a passion for homeownership, is actively involved in the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and regularly represents C.A.R. to its members, the real estate industry, policymakers, and the local and national media.

Mr. Levine has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree with Merit in International Economics from the University of Sussex. 

Questions?  Contact education@psar.org or call (619) 421-7811.

_______________________________________

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.

Topics: Education

PSAR Free Shredding and Electronic Recycle Event

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 18, 2025 12:00:00 AM

Tell your clients To Bring their Shredding & ELECTRONIC Recycling to PSAR for FREE!

blogbanner_250423_shredding_recycling

Get rid of those old electronics and shred those documents

Wednesday | April 23rd, 2025

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

FREE and open to PSAR members and their clients

Bring your shredding and electronic recycling to:
PSAR South Center Parking Lot
880 Canarios Court, Chula Vista 91910

 This will be Drive-up and Drop-off protocol
Please stay in the car until your vehicle is called up to the drop-off area.

Spread the word with these links:

Shredding and Electronic Recycle Event Flyer              Shredding and Recycle Event Social Image


ACCEPTED SHREDDING - 10 FILE/LEDGER BOXES MAXIMUM
(per company or business)*

All Paper • File Folders • Hanging Files • Checkbooks • Magazines • Notepads • Envelopes

*For larger shredding needs, ProShred will offer a discount rate at the Convoy location on the event day.
Arrangements must be made in advance. There will be no exceptions at the event.


ACCEPTED ELECTRONICS

TVs & Monitors  |  Desktop computers   |  Laptops  |  Servers  |  All In One Computers  |  Tablets  |  Smartphones  |  Routers & Switches  |  Cameras  |  Printers & Scanners  |  Video Gaming Consoless  |  CDs & Floppy Disks  |  keyboards & Mice  |  Telephones  |  Stereo Systems  |  Cables & Plugs  |  Hard Drives

We WILL NOT accept fluorescent light bulbs, large appliances like washing machines or stoves, or other hazardous waste such as paint and liquids at this event.

 

Thank you to our April Shredding Sponsors

 ProShred Security San Diego                Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS                dream-electronics-recycling      

 

Farmers Insurance Bob Hillard

Bob Hillard

Red Ink2
Stephanie Nogalez

Marcco flood restorationMarco Calderon

Morrison InspectionsDanielle Wolter
Patriot Home Loans
Raul de la Vega
Old Republic Logo

Mona Cimental

Aftermath ExterminatingRaymundo Gill

 

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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.

 

Topics: Education

Jumpstart Your Business: An Introduction to RPR Residential

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 14, 2025 8:54:51 AM

blogbanner_250326_ Jumpstart your Business An introduction to RPR Residential

Whether addressing the specific needs of an existing client or prospecting for new business opportunities, understanding and leveraging the full value of RPR is integral to a REALTORS's® success. Join RPR-certified expert Jason Lopez, as he discusses Property Research, Market Analysis, Professional Reports, Neighborhood Data, Mapping Tools, and Client Communications.

What will this class do for you?

  • Enhance your ability to address client questions with confidence and authority
  • Enable the creation of compelling marketing materials
  • Expand your new business opportunities
  • Help differentiate yourself from competitors
  • Drive research efficiency and report generation
Wednesday, March 26th
1:00 to 3:00 


Jason_Lopez_230 _x_300.
Speaker: Jason Lopez

Jason Lopez is a second-generation real estate professional and licensed broker in California and Washington. Jason has one goal: To serve his clients and agents at the highest level possible so they can meet their goals. Over the past three decades, Jason has built two independent real estate companies with a national footprint. Jason is proud to serve his industry and was the 2023 President of the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS®, and is a Director with the CA Association of Realtors. In 2024, Jason will serve as Vice Chair of the Broker Idea Exchange Forum at CAR.

Jason is also a real estate business coach and is currently helping top agents and agent teams around the country grow and be more successful. He helps change the playing field by offering real estate coaching programs created to enhance business performance and significantly increase profitability.

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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, and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County. Workshops are open to all REALTORS® and Affiliated Members. This event is free of charge.

Topics: Education

Invest/Retire in Paradise: Expert Insights on Buying Property Abroad

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 13, 2025 9:00:00 AM

Retiring Abroad GREC Event

Retire or Invest in Paradise: Expert Insights on Buying Property Abroad

Thinking about investing and/or retiring in a dream destination? Seasoned real estate brokers Enrique D'Oleire and Raquel Fernandez are conducting an exclusive session on navigating retirement and property investment in Mexico, Spain, Barbados, and Brazil!

Discover insider strategies to help clients - and yourself - make informed decisions about international real estate. Learn about legal considerations, lifestyle perks, and hidden gems in these breathtaking locations. Whether you or your client are seeking a beachfront villa in Mexico, a charming home in Spain, a tropical escape in Barbados, or vibrant city life in Brazil, this event will equip you with the expertise to be a trusted expert in international retirement planning.

Key takeaways include:

  • Guiding clients through the decision-making process of retiring abroad
  • Identifying the perfect retirement location based on individual financial resources and preferences
  • How to create revenue streams and help clients realize a fulfilling global retirement
Thursday, March 27th
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Register Here
Global Council Paella Lunch
PAELLA WILL BE SERVED
 
 
ANNUAL SPONSOR:PM_LOGO_LOGO HORIZONTAL image (2)
 
 For questions, please contact Victor Herrera at 619-271-5897 or email victor@psar.org.
 

Meet the Speaker:

Enrique d’Oleire Enrique d'Oleire, originally from Mexico City and a San Diego resident since 1987, is a bilingual real estate professional with a diploma in international business from Coldwell Banker International University. As CEO of Garden of Eden, Inc. and Enrique d'Oleire Investment Group L.L.C., he specializes in cross-border property investments in San Diego and Tijuana. With established relationships with international banks and memberships in the San Diego and Tijuana Chambers of Commerce, he has built a robust international real estate network spanning 65 countries.

 

 

Raquel FernandezRaquel Fernandez brings a diverse background to her real estate career, prioritizing client interests through attentive listening and dependable service. Born in Spain with a computer programming degree and banking experience, she moved to the US in 1996, working in airline customer service before entering real estate in 2003. Her experiences include mortgage processing, condo conversion projects, and land development. After relocating to San Diego in 2011, she became a regional radio expert on real estate and achieved top agent status in 2018 for list price accuracy and sales speed. With over 17 years of experience, she joined a prestigious Coronado firm in 2019 as their only Spanish-speaking agent, bringing her expertise to luxury beachfront properties and vacation rentals.

 


Brought to you by: 
 Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS Global Council

Topics: Education, Global Real Estate Council, Market Information, Industry

YPN's Hip Hop Bingo at Novo Brazil

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 12, 2025 9:00:00 AM

Hip Hop Bingo YPN Event

Be ready to bounce to the beat at Novo Brazil Brewery in Mission Valley as PSAR's YPN presents the ultimate Hip Hop Bingo experience you will definitely want to enjoy!

Feel the energy as a range of tracks from the Beastie Boys to Usher pump out of the speakers while you mark those bingo cards and share the vibe with fellow music lovers. Come thirsty for craft brews, hungry for victory, and ready to shout "BINGO!" as your favorite hip-hop anthems take you on a journey from the '80s to today's chart-toppers!

Thursday, March 20th
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Novo Brazil
Novo Brazil Restaurant and Brewery Mission Valley
1640 Camino Del Rio N suite 341, San Diego, CA 92108
  Registration Fee of $35   
     
ONLINE TICKET SALES HAVE ENDED
TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

Admission with 4 bingo boards and 1 drink ticket. Dinner will be provided.

How it works:  A live DJ will be spinning hip-hop tunes throughout the night. Each bingo square on your sheet corresponds to a song title. Mark your card when you hear the DJ play a title on your card, and get ready to win fantastic bingo prizes!

  ______________________________________

 

 Questions?  Contact ypn@psar.org or call (619) 421-7811. 

Event Sponsor

Cornerstone First Mortgage

 

2025 Annual Sponsors

Marina Vista Escrow

 

RanchoTed

 

Knight-Termite

 

Renzi Social



YPN Color

 

Topics: Education, YPN

Contract Education, know your C.A.R. Forms

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 7, 2025 9:00:00 AM

Forms Update with Mike Shenkman

Staying updated on forms isn't just good practice—it's essential to your business. This refresher will leave attendees confident in using the most current versions in their transactions.

The NAR settlement agreement and determinations by the Department of Justice have driven changes in how REALTORS® conduct their business and the language utilized in their business forms. REALTORS® need to take the initiative to get updated on the forms that underpin real estate transactions! 

Why This Review Matters:   Knowing real estate business forms is essential to a smooth transaction.  Mike will be reviewing both the Residential Buyer and Listing contracts.


Thursday, March 20th
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  This class is offered FREE of Charge! 
 
Lunch provided by:
Transaction Processing Services Inc.

 

Testimonials from Mike's Past Classes:

 "This was the first time I heard this speaker. He was very knowledgeable on the subject and provided valuable insights on how agents can improve in the future. As a broker, I appreciated hearing these suggestions. It was an excellent learning tool, and I valued his teaching style, which kept us informed throughout the entire class"
- Mayra Swanson, Chula Vista Broker

"Mike is a very engaging and informative personality who makes the class interesting" 
- Gio Alegrado, San Diego Agent

"Mike is straight to the point, keeps it moving, keeps it interesting, time does go by quickly and yet I feel as though I learned and reinforced my understanding of the new rules. GREAT TEACHER."

 

Mike Shenkman PhotoAbout 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).

__________________________

The information provided in this training session is intended for educational purposes only. The Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR) does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented. The instructors are not providing legal advice, and attendees should consult their brokers, attorneys, or the California Association of REALTORS® Legal Hotline for legal guidance. PSAR is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this session. Attendance at this session does not create a broker-client relationship.

Topics: Education

Knowledge of Living Trusts and Wills elevates an agent's value!

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Feb 28, 2025 9:00:00 AM

Understand Living Trusts and Wills

REALTORS® who understand probate and estate planning are positioned to help clients protect their assets and avoid lengthy legal processes. Knowledge of living trusts and wills further strengthens a REALTOR®’s credibility and value.

Attend the Probate Sales and Living Trusts class to learn about probate, living trusts, and wills. Acquiring the legal strategies will help clients safeguard their assets and streamline estate planning.

What information/insights will be delivered?

  • Common pitfalls in estate planning and living trusts
  • Understanding of the roles of trustees and signing authority 
  • The probate process and how proper planning can help avoid it
  • Benefits of trusts over a simple will
  • Common and unforeseen pitfalls that can sabotage estate planning

Speaker Dawn Allenby is an expert in estate planning and asset protection.

Monday, March 17th
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
PSAR South Office
Lunch will be served
 

Dawn Allenby

Speaker:
Dawn Allenby is an experienced estate planning and asset protection attorney in San Diego. She specializes in creating comprehensive estate plans and asset protection strategies for individuals, families, and businesses. With nearly two decades of legal experience, Allenby helps clients prepare estate planning documents such as living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. She also serves as a consultant for real estate companies and is actively involved in educating groups on estate planning. Ms. Allenby holds a Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law. She is a member of prestigious legal associations, including the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Lunch provided by event class sponsor:

Class Sponsor: Michael Fossler w/ Mutual of Omaha Mortage

________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Topics: Education

ZipForms Workflows That Wow: Steps to Organized Transactions

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Feb 21, 2025 9:00:00 AM

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Looking to streamline transactions and enhance efficiency? Whether you're a seasoned zipForms user or just getting started, this live online training is designed to help you work smarter and deliver top-tier service to your clients.

In just one hour, you can gain essential skills to simplify workflow, manage contracts confidently, and maximize the tools available through zipForms. 

Key class takeaways:

  • Go Paperless & Simplify Signatures – Utilize zipForm's eSignature capabilities for seamless transactions.
  • Create & Share Forms with Ease – Customize professional forms and securely collaborate with clients and agents.
  • Save Time & Stay Organized – Set up reusable templates and automate transaction reminders.
  • Expert Guidance – Receive direct answers to your zipForm questions from Leslie Boone.

This training session is offered FREE to our REALTOR® members!

Recording from March 13th, 2025 Zoom Class

About the speaker:

Leslie BooneLeslie Boone
Throughout Leslie's professional career, she has worked in most areas of the Real Estate industry, including Real Estate, Escrow, and Mortgage Lending. In 2004, she became a Corporate Trainer for the title companies, and I knew she had found her true passion. She has been teaching software and device functionality to Real Estate agents for over 10 years. She is excited to be now working for the California Association of REALTORS® as a zipForm Trainer.

_______________________________________________________________

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 and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

Topics: Education