Leslie, Luis, and Angelo Peraza exemplify the philosophy of "giving where you live." For the Perazas, real estate is about more than just transactions; it is about building a foundation for a stronger, more connected community. Over the years, they have become a staple of local support, consistently showing up for their neighbors with a level of dedication that spans all seasons and reaches into the most vital corners of civic life. Their collaborative spirit and tireless work ethic are helping build a more compassionate and resilient "Finest City" for everyone.

Their multifaceted influence is felt deeply within local youth programs and social services alike. By supporting the Park View Little League, they help provide a safe and empowering environment for local children to learn the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, understanding that investing in the youth is the most direct way to secure a bright future for the region. Beyond the ballfield, the Perazas extend their reach into the foster care system, providing a compassionate hand and a voice for children and families navigating complex life transitions.

This commitment to service shines particularly bright during the holiday season, where the Perazas turn their professional office into a hub of local philanthropy. Every autumn, the team spearheads an extensive annual Thanksgiving food drive to fight food insecurity, ensuring that local families can gather around a full table with dignity. By seamlessly weaving their professional success with a deep-seated sense of social responsibility, the Perazas are doing far more than selling homes; they are fostering a lasting culture of kindness and care.

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

The Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® mourns the passing of Gary Lee Nordstrom, a cherished member, leader, and friend to our association and the broader San Diego real estate community.

 Gary passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family.

Before entering real estate, Gary served his country in the United States Army as a member of the 1st Cavalry Division, and then built a distinguished 35-year career as a Sears Executive. He managed stores across multiple states, with regional responsibilities based out of offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Irvine, California. The discipline, integrity, and genuine warmth he developed through those years followed him into everything he did afterward.

Gary joined his wife, Gail, in real estate after retiring from Sears in 2002. Together as certified relocation specialists and co-founders of The Nordstrom Team at McMillin Realty, and later Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, they served San Diego-area clients with professionalism and heart. Those who worked alongside Gary will remember what he brought to a broker open house. He had a rare gift for building excitement around a property, generating buzz and turnout that most agents couldn't come close to matching.

Gary was an active contributor to PSAR's Budget and Finance Committee before being elected Vice President of the Association, a term he served from 2012 to 2014. When elected, Gary spoke to what the role meant to him: "I'm thrilled to be able to put my commitment, knowledge, and connections to work for my fellow REALTORS® while helping promote the South County as a great place to live, work, and play."

PSAR CEO Rich D'Ascoli shares: "Gary stepped up to serve as Vice President shortly after I came on board as CEO. His business background and deep understanding of non-profit operations were genuinely invaluable to our members and me during those early years. He also played an instrumental role in bringing ESDCAR and PSAR together in our 2012 merger. Gary was always the calm, experienced voice of reason in the room, and the organization was better for it."

Gary was also the driving force behind the Veterans Wall of Honor, formerly displayed outside the PSAR conference room, created alongside Jim Thompson. It stood for many years as a fitting reflection of the respect Gary held for those who served.

In his later years, Gary reflected warmly on what he witnessed at PSAR: "It's a real joy to see the Association mature into a top-notch, full-service organization. I'm impressed with its effectiveness and professionalism."

His commitment to community reached far and wide. Gary served as President of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, chaired the board of the South Bay Family YMCA, served on the boards of advisors for Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista and United Way of South County, served on the state board of directors for the American Cancer Society, and was an active member of the Mission Hills Town Council. He also served on the Chula Vista Planning Commission, the Chula Vista Growth Management Oversight Commission, and the Southwestern College Foundation. He was an active member of both the California Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®.

 He is survived by the love of his life, Gail, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage; daughters Nicole Soares (Roger)
and Kelly Nordstrom; son Paul Nordstrom (fiancée Danielle Smith); and grandchildren Isabella and Samuel, who brought him tremendous pride and joy.

Arrangements for a celebration of life are forthcoming. This post will be updated with service details as they become available.

Gary was one of the kindest, most giving people to ever walk through our doors. He will be deeply missed.

The latest update features new widgets, updated email layouts, and other enhancements to Paragon and Paragon Connect.

Sharing Listings

In Paragon Connect, there are two options to share a listing:

1. Share with public
   This option uses CollabLink to share listings with the same public-safe options as before. It includes a reminder to users that it only displays publicly permitted fields.

1. Share with members

This new section is designed for sharing with other authorized Paragon Connect users. Features include:

• Email
  Send listing reports directly to other agents. Emails sent this way include a Lookup button in the recipient fields (To, CC, and BCC), support selecting one or more agents, and will appear in the Message History for both the sender and related member.
• Copy Link
  Automatically copy a link to share the Paragon Connect detail view of the listing(s). A confirmation message will appear after copying.

New Widget – Sell Side Tracking

The new Sell Side Tracker widget monitors buyer interest and activity. Add up to three Sell Side Tracker widgets per listing on the dashboard.

The widget tracks:

• Contact: Assigned contact for the listing
• Status: Current listing status
• Days on Market: How long the property has been active
• Possible/Rejected/Undecided: Buyer interest indicators
• Total Agent Views: Number of times the agent viewed the listing
• Unique Agent Views: Individual unique agent views
• Total Client Views: Total consumer views
• Unique Client Views: Individual unique consumer views
• Recommended: Number of times the listing was recommended
• Open Houses: Scheduled open house count
• Tours: Number of property tours scheduled
• Agent Comments: Number of times an agent commented on the listing
• Buyer Comments: Number of times a buyer commented on the listing
• Shares via Email: Number of times the listing was shared via email
• Shares via Facebook: Number of times the listing was shared on Facebook
• Showing Requests: Number of requested showings

The Sell Side Tracker widget refreshes every 24 hours. Green + indicators highlight new activity.

Redesigned Listing Thumbnail Results

Use the updated thumbnail cards to see more details and listings on the results page.

Unpublished Listings

Scan and manage multiple listings with the new thumbnail layout.

Published Listings

Maintain listings more easily with the enhanced published listing thumbnails.

Thumbnails include:

• Seller Contact Management: Assign or unassign a seller contact
• Quick Access Buttons: Launch the listing insights report, edit option, and media gallery directly from the thumbnail photo

Option to Disable Help Tips

Disable help tips from the overflow menu during listing maintenance.

Listing Form Container Behavior

The listing form now expands all containers automatically. Use the search bar to move up specific fields to the top of the page.

Simplified Filtering for Published Listings

Use the listing filter to search and filter specific listings based on select criteria.

Copying Unpublished Listings

The copy listing feature now extends to unpublished listings.

More Recognizable Icons for Opening Search/Listing Modals

The UI now has a magnifying glass icon to open modules and clearly distinguishes dropdowns from modals for advanced search or content selection.

Agent Notification – Emails

Agent notification emails now have an updated look and format.

Email Update – Comments Sent to Agent

When a contact makes a comment, agents receive an automatic dedicated email notification. In the Paragon Connect app, the email notification button links directly to the comments page. In the Paragon Connect, the link opens to the same page in the web-based version of the system.

Categorized Listings Email

Receive an email summary of new categorized listings from the past 7 or 30 days (frequency based on notification settings). For easy identification, each email is labeled with the contact’s name.

Create/Modified Searches for Contacts

When a contact creates or modifies a search, it triggers a standalone email containing the contact’s details, name, and full search criteria. Click the view search button for instant access.

Agent Preview Listing Approval

In Paragon Connect, agents receive an Agent Preview Listing Approval email that displays the number of changes at the top of the page and highlights contact details. Click the Review Listings button for instant access to approve or decline new listings in the client’s search.

Enhanced Document Display in Detail Report & Media Gallery 

In Paragon Connect, distinguish between public and private documents with new labels in the updated Detail Report and Media Gallery, both featuring cleaner layouts.

Open House & Tour Multi-Date Selection

Use the updated calendar to select multiple individual dates when creating tours or scheduling multiple open houses. Note: The individual dates selected do not have to be consecutive.

Collaboration Center – Dashboard Widget Updates

Access widgets more intuitively with the collaboration center dashboard’s new, cleaner layout.

Seamless Deep Linking to the Paragon Connect Mobile App

Click the email link to automatically to see which listings are set to expire in the mobile app.

Save Agent Contacts on Mobile

Save agent contact details directly from the listing detail report page in Paragon Connect. Click the Save to Phone button to open the application with all relevant contact information completed.

Read Paragon's Knowledgebase article for a full list of recent updates

CRMLS offers a variety of resources to educate you on our products and services. Click above to visit the CRMLS training center.

If you need MLS support, please click above or call (800) 925-1525

Your listing data is safe, clean, and accurate. Click above to chat live with a CRMLS Compliance representative.

Read Paragon's Knowledgebase article for a full list of updates.

The ICE (formerly Black Knight) team is coming to town for the REAL Awards, and they are arriving a day early to host a special session just for PSAR members.

If you are still using "Classic" Paragon, you’re missing out on the power of a truly mobile-optimized business.  Paragon Connect is a true web application, not just a mobile solution, allowing you to use the program on almost any device. Paragon Connect includes a host of options: full property search, contact manager, hotsheet search, and more. 

Why Switch to Paragon Connect?

Paragon Connect isn’t just a mobile version of the software you know - it’s a faster, more intuitive way to manage your business on the go. The team will walk you through the newest tools designed to simplify your daily tasks:

• Robust Search: Pinpoint local properties with precision using an interface built for speed.
• Simple CMAs: Generate professional Comparative Market Analysis reports in seconds from your phone or tablet.
• On-the-Go Management: Maintain accurate listing data and organize client conversations from a single, easy-to-use interface.
• Maximum Efficiency: Customizable solutions designed to reduce administrative time and keep you in the field.
• Mobile Friendly App: Add, edit, and full MLS functionality on mobile devices.

Download for Apple or Android

For years, one of the biggest frustrations for homeowners has been the lack of control over their property’s online presence. Once a house is sold, interior photos—showing everything from the primary bedroom to the home’s security layout—often remain searchable on the internet indefinitely.

Starting February 17, 2026, a new policy is finally putting the curtains back up. The Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR) is proud to announce a technical solution that will automatically remove interior photos from public search sites once a property sale is finalized.

The power of our partnership with CRMLS

This significant shift in privacy is made possible by CRMLS, the nation’s largest and most recognized MLS. By updating their rules and infrastructure, CRMLS has paved the way for this automated solution. This change ensures that the data being shared with public-facing websites remains relevant to active listings, rather than becoming a permanent archive of a private residence.

As a PSAR member, you and your homeowners benefit directly from the industry-leading standards and technical innovation that CRMLS brings to the San Diego market.

The problem: private homes, publicly searchable

Most homeowners assume that when they buy a house, the marketing photos disappear. However, due to how data is shared through IDX (Internet Data Exchange), those photos often stay live on thousands of real estate websites long after the new owners move in.

For residents, this is a legitimate security and privacy concern:

• Home security: Interior photos can act as a blueprint for bad actors, identifying entry points and the location of valuables.
• Family privacy: Families are often uncomfortable knowing anyone can virtually walk through their private living spaces via an old listing.
• Online fraud: Scammers frequently use these persistent photos to create fake rental listings, leading to strangers showing up at a homeowner’s door.

A new standard for San Diego

"We believe that once a house is sold, it stops being a listing and starts being a home," says Claudia Zaker, President of the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS®.

Through the leadership of CRMLS and our local partnership, homeowners will now have their privacy protected automatically. Starting in the first quarter of 2026, the data feed used by PSAR members will remove photos as soon as a sale closes.

The result: Every interior photo will be scrubbed from the public data feed. Only the primary exterior shot will remain on record to ensure there is a "front door" photo for historical property records and appraisals, while keeping the inside of the home private.

What this means for PSAR members

This is a first-of-its-kind feature for San Diego, moving the responsibility of data privacy from the homeowner to the professionals. By being a REALTOR® with PSAR, you provide your homeowners with:

• Automated privacy: They no longer have to spend hours requesting various websites to remove photos of bedrooms or living areas.
• Increased security: A home's private layout is no longer a public map.
• Digital closure: Once the sale is over, the public tour officially ends.

"PSAR and CRMLS are taking the lead in San Diego to ensure private data stays private," says Zaker. "We are proud to bring this level of digital protection to our community."

Background and technical rule change

For those interested in the specific regulatory language, Rule 19.2.4 - Display Content (IDX) has been revised. While the rule is now official, it will not be enforced until CRMLS completes the technological project of removing non-primary photos from the IDX payload and notifying all IDX vendors of these changes.

The revised rule now states:

Display Content. Participants and Subscribers shall not display confidential information fields, as determined by the MLS in the MLS’s sole discretion, such as that information intended for Buyer Brokers rather than consumers. Participants and Subscribers shall not display any photo or media other than the Primary Photo for any CRMLS Listing Record in a status of Closed/Leased, Expired, or Canceled.

For Carlos and Shannon, community service is not merely a side project or a corporate responsibility; it is the core of their business philosophy, rooted in the belief that a business should serve the people around it rather than just operating within them.

Carlos’s dedication to East County is seen through a wide range of impactful initiatives that address both immediate crises and long-term community needs. Together with his partner Shannon Harris, they have notably led the restoration of the Grossmont High School band trailer, ensuring local students have the resources necessary to pursue their musical talents. His commitment to environmental stewardship is equally impressive, spanning from organized East County cleanups to a convenient annual Christmas tree pickup service. Furthermore, his ongoing partnership as a trash sponsor for the Coldwell Banker West Foundation ensures that local charitable efforts remain clean, organized, and effective.

Beyond logistical support, Carlos has proven to be a pillar of strength during San Diego’s most challenging moments. Following the 2020 La Mesa riots, he stepped up to provide vital crisis response, helping the community navigate the path toward recovery and rebuilding. This spirit of care extends into his work with the Junk Medics Community Food Pantry, where he provides a consistent safety net for residents facing food insecurity. To Carlos and Shannon, these projects are deeply personal and serve as a way to give back to the community that helped shape his own journey. His tireless work serves as a powerful testament to the positive impact one individual can have on the well-being of an entire region.

Carlos "CJ" Granados

Shannon Harris

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

Nada Benny exemplifies the spirit of advocacy by her deep-rooted commitment to East County and her passion for educational equity. For Nada, community service is a personal mission inspired by her own journey as an El Cajon Valley High School alumna. Living by the philosophy that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” she has dedicated herself to ensuring that the next generation of leaders has the support they need to succeed without the crushing burden of debt.

Eight years ago, Nada turned a personal promise into a reality by founding the Nada Benny Scholarship at El Cajon Valley High School. What began as a small initiative has flourished into a significant community pillar, having provided financial assistance to 52 sensational students to date. Nada’s motivation stems from a desire to see young people pursue higher education, whether to become doctors, lawyers, or engineers, without compromising their future financial stability or their ability to eventually achieve the dream of homeownership. She is also proud of her scholars who have gone to trade school route and have been doing excellently. By easing the weight of student loans, she is helping her scholars build a foundation for lifelong success.

Beyond the financial support, Nada’s advocacy is rooted in a deep admiration for the resilience of her scholarship recipients. Many of these students serve as translators for their parents or parental figures for their younger siblings, all while maintaining high academic standards and participating in extracurricular activities. Her heart for the community extends even further through her ongoing efforts to collect food and clothing for low-income families, addressing the immediate needs of East County residents. By showing up for her community in both grand gestures and quiet, consistent acts of service, Nada has inspired colleagues and friends to follow her lead, proving that one person’s commitment to "paying it forward" can create a lasting ripple effect of hope.

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

Mike Anderson serves as a premier example of a decades-long track record of volunteerism that has woven him into the very fabric of the East County community. For Mike, volunteering isn't just an occasional commitment; it is a way of life. He operates on the principle that the most dedicated volunteers will always find a way to show up and help, regardless of how busy their professional lives may be.

Mike’s most visible impact can be seen through his 30-year tenure as the Chairman of Oktoberfest in El Cajon for the German American Societies of San Diego. Under his leadership, the event has grown into one of the largest and most beloved family-friendly traditions in East County, recently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Through Oktoberfest, Mike has fostered a long-standing partnership with St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, providing them with financial support and a public platform to showcase their artists, while also personally volunteering his time to support their annual Artwalk event.

His influence is equally profound in the business and civic sectors of Lakeside. Having served nearly 30 years as a member, Director, and two-time President of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, he also serves on the San Diego County Assessment Appeals Board. Mike has been instrumental in organizing cornerstone community events like the Western Days Parade, the Spirit of Christmas, and Touch-a-Truck. His commitment to civic health also included four years as an elected member of the Lakeside Community Planning Group and extensive advocacy work within the REALTOR® community. Whether he is hosting monthly mixers to connect local business owners or volunteering at the Lakeside Optimist Club’s Bulls Only Rodeo, Mike’s 25-plus years of service represent a tireless investment in the people and prosperity of San Diego.

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

Calling 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.  Award Recipients will be announced at the REAL Awards on February 27th, 2026.

Nominations must be received by Monday, February 2nd, 5 pm.
______________________________

PSAR shall recognize a REALTOR^®, Broker, and Affiliate who fulfill the following criteria: 

REALTOR® of the Year award criteria

• Outstanding loyalty and devotion to the advancement and success of the Association and the Real Estate Profession through attendance at meetings and services on committees, either as a member or chairperson.
• Committee participation should be heavily weighted.
• Conduct of Candidates’ real estate business and practices, in the judgment of candidates’ colleagues, in the most ethical manner at all times, representing the professional image, and true spirit of REALTORS®.
• Promotion and practice of the Real Estate Code of Ethics and Standard of Practices.
• Participation in Association-sponsored activities.
• Participation in civic and community activities.
• Participation in CAR and NAR.
• The past recipient of the REALTOR® of the Year may be asked to present the award to the new recipient.
• The immediate President shall not be considered for the REALTOR® of the Year award.

Broker/ Office Manager of the Year award criteria

• Outstanding loyalty and devotion to the advancement of the Association and the Real Estate Profession.
• Must exemplify the REALTOR® image and have an enviable record of service to the real estate profession and to the association.
• Must demonstrate skill, expertise, and productivity in the role of a residential qualifying broker or manager, as well as a high rate of ethical conduct and professionalism.
• The past recipient of the Broker Manager of the Year award shall present the award to the new recipient.
• Special Recognition: The Board of Directors and or Executive Committee will also honor and recognize members who have demonstrated excellence in their commitment to the Association and/or the real estate profession.

Affiliate of the Year award criteria

• Outstanding loyalty and devotion to the advancement of the Association and the Real Estate Profession.
• Attendance at meetings and service on committees.
• Conduct of candidates’ real estate-related business and practices.
• Participation in Association-sponsored activities.
• Participation in civic and community activities.
• The past recipient of the Affiliate of the Year award shall present the award to the new recipient.

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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.