Meet Camille Bruno, who was recently elected to a two-year term (2022-2023) on the PSAR board of directors.

Camille grew up in San Diego. She graduated from Madison High School in Clairemont (class of 1981). Prior to selling real estate, she worked for 10 years with Campbell Soup Co. as the San Diego representative serving all major grocery stores. Camille and her husband recently celebrated their 32nd-year wedding anniversary.

Camille and her family have lived in Chula Vista’s Eastlake community since 1988. “It is a wonderful area for families,” she said. “We raised our own family here. All three of our children, Bianca, Dominic, and Bella, have attended EastLake schools. I know the area very well.”

She began her real estate sales career in January 2000. “I love serving my clients and helping people with the dream of homeownership,” Camille said. “I’m now serving some of my clients’ children who have grown up.

“Real estate is a demanding job and it takes a lot of patience and understanding,” said Camille. “But, if you love what you do then it’s not a job.”

This is Camille’s second time serving on the PSAR board. She previously served from 2006 to 2009, including the roles of treasurer and secretary.

Since 2017, Camille has served on the PSAR Grievance Committee. She explained her reasons for returning to the PSAR board.

“When you’re involved with the association, then you learn more and become informed about what’s going on,” said Camille. “Our business is changing on a daily basis. And, you can better serve your clients by becoming as informed as possible. If you’re involved, then you’re better informed.

“Also, I’m serving on the board because I have more available time since our children are grown and out on their own (Bianca is a courthouse journalist, Dominic is a financial planner for a bank, Bella is a nursing student). When the kids were small, it was difficult to juggle both family and work.”

Camille believes REALTORS® can benefit from serving. “It’s good business to give back to the community and our association. Sure, you can just pay your dues and do nothing. But, it’s better to be involved. It helps with networking with other real estate professionals.

“I would encourage every PSAR member to get involved and serve with the association. There are many benefits of thinking more about other people instead of yourself and giving your life away. You will find satisfaction and significance by using your expertise, knowledge, gifts, talents, and abilities to serve other people.”

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PSAR's mission is to empower REALTORS®.

REALTOR® Paula Gonzalez was recently elected to a two-year term (2022-2023) on the PSAR board of directors.

Paula is a California native, born in Granada Hills, in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. She graduated from Canoga Park High School (class of 1994).

“Growing up, I always wanted to live in San Diego,” said Paula. “We would visit my mom’s side of the family who lived in Chula Vista, and I thought it was such a nice place.”

After high school, Paula got a job at a call center that processed orders for products advertised on infomercials. She was eventually promoted as supervisor of the call center. When her call center was sold to another company, resulting in layoffs of nearly every employee except Paula, she negotiated with her new boss to work from home.

“That’s when I saw my chance to move to San Diego, and I took it,” said Paula.

Paula purchased a condo in Otay Ranch and had a pleasurable experience with her real estate agent.

“I could see myself being successful in real estate as a career. So, I studied and passed the test the first time,” said Paula, who began selling on a part-time basis. “After only a few deals, I was hooked. I loved everything about the transaction process and decided to devote full time to real estate.”

Paula has been a full-time REALTOR® since mid-2006.

“The market began crashing during my early days in real estate, but I didn’t know any better because nearly every month saw more income than the previous one,” Paula said. “I learned the REO market and stayed busy with short sales and cash-for-keys deals.

“Over the years, I’ve adjusted well to changing market conditions, thanks to the educational classes offered by PSAR. PSAR has always been there in good times and bad with training opportunities so we can take advantage of the current market conditions.”

Paula survived a diagnosis of uterine cancer in 2014. “As a result, my philosophy of life is to live life to the fullest. Life is short and I believe you should do what you can to enjoy it and be happy. To find joy, give your life away. Ongoing happiness only comes when you give your life away in service. The truth is, the most helpful people are the happiest people. It feels good to use your gifts to help others. Happiness comes from serving. You never know what will happen in life, so don’t waste a moment being unhappy,” recalls Paula.

“I love to meet people, which is one of the reasons I wanted to serve on the board of directors,” said Paula, who has been a member of the PSAR Grievance Committee for about six years. “PSAR has helped me so much in my career. Serving on the board is my way of making a contribution and giving back.”

“I would encourage every PSAR member to serve and give back to the profession in some way through PSAR. There are no insignificant ways to serve. Some are visible, while others are behind the scenes, but all are valuable. When it comes to serving at PSAR, there is no correlation between size and significance. That’s because every act of service matters because we are all dependent on each other to have a successful association.”

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PSAR's mission is to empower REALTORS®.

Meet Dylan Graham, who was recently elected to a two-year term (2022-2023) on the PSAR board of directors.

Dylan, a San Diego native, graduated from St. Augustine High School (2006) and San Diego State University (2011) with a Bachelor’s degree in International Economics and Spanish. He grew up in East County and played in youth baseball leagues with real estate veteran Steve Wilson as his baseball manager. Later, Dylan played on his high school team, and then he played for the SDSU Aztecs under head coach Tony Gwynn.

Dylan, 34, said, “When I started my real estate career in 2017, Steve was my mentor. I’m very grateful for his time and continued guidance as I grow my business.”

Prior to real estate, Dylan returned to his high school to serve for a couple of years as a baseball coach. At a private batting practice session with one of his high school players, Dylan’s life was threatened in an incident that he will remember forever.

It was a couple of days before Christmas in 2015, when Dylan was pitching to Jack, a high school sophomore, at Hickman Field in Clairemont. A stranger approached and asked for a cigarette. Dylan replied that he didn’t smoke. Then, the stranger pulled out a .357-caliber Magnum handgun.

The man forced Dylan and the 16-year-old student into Dylan’s car. The gunman ordered Dylan to drive while the weapon was pointed at Dylan’s head. The ride from Highway 52 to Highway 67 toward Ramona stretched more than 30 miles over 40 minutes.

“I had a lot of time to think about my girlfriend Kristina, my life, and Jack’s life,” Dylan said. “I was thinking, ‘Am I going to crash the car here, are we just gonna jump out?’ But the whole way, he had the gun pointed to my head, so I couldn’t do much. I offered him money, my phone, and the car, all of which were ignored. As we started to get to the middle of nowhere, it was apparent it wasn’t going to end well.”

The kidnapper said his plan was to meet up with friends in the woods. With a gun still pointed at Dylan from behind and the student next to him in the front seat, Dylan made a decision and made his move at a construction zone near Dye Road and Wildcat Canyon Road.

“When he wasn’t paying attention,” Dylan said, “I let go of the wheel, jumped in the back seat, got my hands around his wrist, and just started fighting for the gun. I was in survival mode. I was enraged and screaming, trying to get the gun. I was fighting for my life.”

The student jumped out of the moving car. Dylan and the kidnapper struggled over the weapon. The kidnapper got off three shots, with one of those bullets going through the seat where the student had sat moments earlier.

The car crashed. The kidnapper ran from the crash, then carjacked a 79-year-old woman in Ramona. Later, he later robbed a Lemon Grove gas station. More crimes followed in Orange County. The one-man crime spree that included kidnapping and multiple robberies ended with the man’s arrest in a Riverside SWAT standoff. Later, the kidnapper was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Dylan said recently, “It was a pretty crazy incident, one of those weird things. It happened a while ago, but it still sticks with you. I’m still close to Jack’s family. You never know ahead of time what will happen. It makes you appreciate life.”

Dylan and Kristina were married in March of 2018. They live in the Rolando Village community, near SDSU. In 2019, Dylan was selected for a Citizens of Courage award from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s Office said, “This high school coach acted with bravery and quick thinking to disarm a kidnapper and allow both to escape safely.”

With PSAR, Dylan has served the past couple of years on the Government Affairs Committee.

“I decided to serve on the board because homeownership and fighting for property rights is a passion of mine,” said Dylan. “We need to help the younger generation share in the American dream of homeownership. We need to support and empower REALTORS® who will be there to help future generations.”

Dylan believes all PSAR members should become involved with the association. “I think it’s important to get involved because REALTORS® are professionals who will help our communities. When you get involved, then you’re helping to shape the future and make a stronger, more effective association. In the end, PSAR provides an opportunity to help everyone in the community and our businesses.”

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PSAR's mission is to empower REALTORS®.

The PSAR family wishes to extend its condolences, thoughts and prayers with the sad announcement of the passing of Tracy Clark, a great man of faith, honesty and integrity.

A longtime PSAR member, Mr. Clark served as a commercial real estate broker for 34 years in the San Diego community. He served as senior vice president with Voit Real Estate Services, specializing in office, retail and investment properties. He served with Voit for 31 years. His family recalled one of his favorite sayings: “It’s a great day to be in commercial real estate.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 14 at Awaken Church, 7620 Balboa Ave., San Diego. Burial will be held later the same day at 3 p.m. at Glenn Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita. All PSAR members are invited to attend.

Tracy Charles Clark was born on March 11, 1955, in Albany, Wisconsin. He attended high school in Wisconsin and graduated from a college in Illinois. He married Silvia Clark on March 26, 1983. Silvia is a PSAR member and REALTOR® in San Diego.

Mr. Clark is survived by his wife Silvia, daughters Kimberly Clark Underwood, Lindsey Clark and Ashley Clark and 1 granddaughter Clark Mercy Underwood.

His family reports that Mr. Clark stayed strong in his faith in God through his illness. Until his last breath, he never wavered in believing in God’s goodness and faithfulness to his family. His legacy will include as a man of honor and integrity who loved God and his family.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2021 REALTOR®, Broker/Office Manager & Affiliate of The Year Awards! They will be honored at the R.E.A.L. Awards event early next year.

Honoring PSAR members who empower all REALTORS^® through selfless contributions to our industry

2021 REALTOR^® of the Year Award recipients:

Denisse Roland Newell Central San Diego

Amber Tannehill East San Diego

Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales South San Diego

2021 Broker/Office Manager of the Year Award recipients:

Mauricio Perez-Vazquez Central San Diego

Jeff Campbell East San Diego

Bob Olivieri South San Diego

2021 Affiliate of the Year Award recipients:

Karen Buelterman Central San Diego

Debra Yatsko East San Diego

Andrea Martino South San Diego

More Criteria Information and Past Recipients

These award recipients were announced at the past week's Installation Dinner to honor the board of directors and chairs that served PSAR last year and incoming 2021 directors.

The primary mission of the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS^® (PSAR) is to empower REALTORS^® to achieve their business goals. The R.E.A.L. awards are a tangible recognition of the highest level of REALTORS^® business achievement by agents, brokers and teams over the prior year.

“A hearty congratulations to everyone who received a special annual award,” said Ditas Yamane, 2021 PSAR President. “PSAR's mission is to empower REALTORS^® to flourish while being accountable to each other, our clients, and our community. All these award winners embody our mission. I am so very proud of everyone.”

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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.

PSAR is proud to announce the signing of a bi-national memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement with La Asociación Panameña de Corredores y Promotores de Bíenes Raices (ACOBIR, translated: Panamanian Association of Real Estate Brokers and Developers).

ACOBIR, with about 500 members, is the Republic of Panama’s nationwide real estate trade association. It was founded in 1973. ACOBIR’s multiple listing service currently serves roughly 400 brokers affiliated with more than 200 real estate agencies in the transcontinental country that connects Central America and South America.

The MOU calls for a cooperative alliance between PSAR and ACOBIR to include business collaboration and facilitation for the benefit of each association’s members, as well as sharing information about properties, referrals about investment opportunities, and insights into local practices and laws.

In addition, the MOU calls for scheduling trade missions and joint representation at professional events and conferences, including the Expo Immobiliaria ACOBIR and National Association of REALTORS® meetings.

Also, the MOU calls for further promotion of professional designations available through NAR, including the International Realtor Member (IRM) and the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute designations.

Both the IRM and CIPS professional designations recognize its designees as expert resources in the international real estate market with information, research, network, and tools to globalize their real estate practices and an understanding of financial, legal, and cultural differences for real estate transactions in various countries.

The MOU between PSAR and ACOBIR was signed by Fransisco Cheng, ACOBIR president, and Ditas Yamane, 2021 PSAR president.

“We are excited to establish a mutually beneficial relationship for the members of both associations,” said Yamane.

“We affirm the value of international collaboration,” said Cheng, “and we look forward to working collaboratively to generate more transnational business opportunities for our members.”

ACOBIR currently has several existing affiliations with societies and councils in the Republic of Panama, including the U.S. Business Council in Panama, Panamanian Chamber of Tourism and Construction Industry Integremial Alliance. ACOBIR’s international affiliations include the International Federation of Realtors and Central American Federation of Panama and the Caribbean of Chambers and Real Estate Brokers, as well as NAR.

PSAR also has previous existing MOUs with other international entities. In 2014, PSAR signed an MOU with Mexico’s national real estate association, the Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Immobiliarios (AMPI, translated: Mexican Association of Realtors). In 2018, PSAR signed a cross-border MOU with CEPIBC, the Consejo Estatal de Profesionales Inmobiliarios de Baja California, (CEPIBC), a statewide real estate trade group in the Mexican state of Baja California.

The MOU between PSAR and Panama was initiated and facilitated by PSAR members who are actively involved with the association’s Global Real Estate Council (GREC). The GREC serves PSAR members who are interested in cross-border opportunities and who want to network with other international real estate practitioners. Founded in 2013, GREC provides PSAR members with a platform to connect with individuals internationally and the opportunity to learn and expand their niche market in real estate internationally.

 PSAR’s GREC is dedicated to assisting the needs of PSAR members who desire to expand their international outreach and help international capital investment clients make informed transactions with effective counsel across multiple jurisdictions. The vision of the Council is to provide and facilitate educational opportunities to enable PSAR members to expand their practice and organize global-themed events.

In recent years, GREC has hosted several educational events designed to assist PSAR members in helping international capital investment clients to make informed transactions with effective counsel across multiple jurisdictions. The training sessions have focused on cultural customs and diversity, as well as panel discussions and forums with international partners.

PSAR is proud to announce that 15 PSAR members have been approved by the PSAR board of directors for recognition by the California Association of REALTORS^® (C.A.R.) as honorary members for life.

The 15 members include:

Congratulations to each esteemed member for your long-term commitment to professionalism and excellence in the real estate industry.

This latest 2021 group of new C.A.R. life members will receive a waiver of C.A.R. dues beginning in 2022. They will continue to receive a dues waiver for as long as they remain eligible for REALTOR^® membership or until retirement from the field.

Requirements to be honored as a C.A.R. life member include remaining as a C.A.R. member in good standing for a minimum of 25 years and attaining the age of 75.

Acceptance as honorary members for life also requires approval of the C.A.R. Membership Committee and the C.A.R. Board of Directors at one of its three annual membership meetings. Applications for the honorary member-for-life designation must be received in advance of the meetings in order for the dues waiver to be effective the following year. Applications will not be processed without the signature of the member’s local association executive.

Applications are available on the C.A.R.website and using THIS FORM

For additional information, send an email to hmfl@car.org.

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Take the hassle out of filing exclusion forms. Soon, when your sellers direct you to keep a listing out of the MLS, you will no longer need to submit exclusion or waiver forms (like the CAR SELM) to CRMLS.

Starting on 11/16, you will have a service in your Listing Toolbox that will enable you to enter and manage your excluded listings. From 11/16 onwards, these listings will fall into CRMLS's Registered status.

Join one of our upcoming webinars to see a live demo.

November 10th, 11:00am | November 16th, 10:00am

We’ll cover:
• A general overview of the "Registered" status, how it works, and when to use it
• How to access the Registered listing service from your Listing Toolbox
• How to input a new Registered listing
• What information you need to Register a listing with the MLS
• How to maintain and update your Registered listings
• How to move your listings from Registered to your MLS (Matrix only; Paragon & Flex coming soon)

We will also provide you with opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.

Here’s where to find the Listing Toolbox tile:

From this tile, click on the Registered Listings option on the left.

Here, you can enter new Registered listings, manage information, and see all your listings in Registered status at a glance.

This is what entering a new Registered listing will look like:

Agents will be able to see and edit their own listings, while brokers and office managers will see their entire office’s listings in one streamlined, easily organized area.

Call for Nominations!!!

Do you know a fantastic PSAR REALTOR^®, Broker/Office Manager, or Affiliate? Now is the time to give them the recognition they deserve. Please take a few minutes to nominate a candidate.

You can use either of these two methods to nominate.

Nominations must be received by Friday, November 5, 2021.

PSAR will recognize three REALTORS,^® Brokers, and Affiliates each year from three distinct “Geographic Areas” of San Diego County, Central San Diego, East San Diego County, and South San Diego County. The names of individuals making nominations will remain secret. The number of nominations shall not create an advantage for nominees. Award winners may not be the sitting President of the Association and may not be a past recipient of the specific award regardless of the geographic area where the prior award was won.

Recognition Committee will consist of the past recipient of each award, the Affiliate Director, and members of the Committee Council, which consists of the PSAR Committee Chairman. Winners will be announced at PSAR's Installation. Awards will be given at our upcoming REAL Awards in 2022. At least one runner-up will be announced.

More Criteria Information and Past Recipients

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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.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $47.4 million to fair housing non-profit organizations around the country.  At least two of the organizations are based in San Diego. In September these testing organizations received  $653,000 for the Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI).  According to HUD, these organizations will conduct intake and testing.  They will investigate and litigate fair housing complaints under the Fair Housing Act. According to the Department of Justice website:

"Testing refers to the use of individuals who – without any bona fide intent to rent or purchase housing, purchase a mortgage or vehicle loan, or patronize a place of public accommodation – pose as prospective renters, borrowers, or patrons for the purpose of gathering information. This information may indicate whether a provider is complying with federal civil rights laws. The primary focus of the Section's Fair Housing Testing Program has been to identify unlawful housing discrimination based on race, national origin, disability, or familial status in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The Section also has responsibilities to enforce Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the nation's public accommodations law; the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which prohibits discrimination in credit; and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which provides protections for military members as they enter active duty. The Fair Housing Testing Program also conducts testing under these statutes, as well as under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is enforced by the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division."

Agents must also understand that California has additional protected classes including Ancestory, CREED, Gender Identity, Medical Condition, Source of Income/Occupation, and "Other Arbitrary Discrimination."  The definition of a "Protected Class" is all-inclusive in California.  Agents need to be aware of their unconscious biases and be careful to treat everyone equally.

In March of 2021 HUD Published the 2021 civil penalty amounts for fair housing violations. Civil penalties may reach a maximum of $54,157 and respondents who had violated the Act two or more times in the previous 7 years could be fined a maximum of $108,315.

PSAR, NAR, and C.A.R. have been diligent and have provided fair housing resources for Realtors for many years. During the past two years following the Newsday Investigation called "Long Island Divided" the Associations doubled down the efforts.  PSAR has hosted or promoted at least eight opportunities this year for agents to better understand fair housing.  NAR also prepared a "gamified" training to help agents understand the law.  The game is called Fairhaven.  More information may be found here.

Testers may be reaching anonymously to agents and property managers in the field.  The best practice is to understand and obey the law.  PSAR agents are the most professional in California and the Nation. PSAR's staff and volunteer leaders are available to help our members with resources and training. This law is important and there is no room for error.

Watch this video to see how real estate agents treated undercover clients on Long Island.