April is Fair Housing Month

Posted by PSAR Communication on Apr 13, 2021 2:59:59 PM

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Every April, REALTORS® commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 with events and education that shine a light on housing discrimination and segregation. Fair Housing Month signifies a recommitment to expanding equal access to housing. Implicit bias is often a manifestation of muscle memory. A go-with-your-gut unconscious choice, act, or opinion with immeasurable consequences that can–and have–impacted generations.

Slow down, course correct, and take action. Throughout the year we must remain steadfast in our commitment to breaking down biases, holding ourselves accountable, and upholding the letter of the law.  Refresh your memory, and open your mind. There’s always more to know, and we can all do better.

What can you do? 

1. Complete the NEW fair housing simulation training for REALTORS® which uses the power of storytelling to help members identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate. Inspired by real stories, this innovative online experience has agents work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven, while confronting discrimination in the homebuying process. Learners will also walk in the shoes of a homebuyer facing discrimination. The training provides customized feedback that learners can apply to daily business interactions. Get started by visiting fairhaven.realtor (link is external) to explore the fictional town of Fairhaven and assess how well you are adhering to fair housing principles.

2. Join a PSAR Reading Discussion Circle.  PSAR is encouraging community leaders and Realtors to read "The Color of Law" by  Richard Rothstein.  The fact that some neighborhoods are almost exclusively African American while others are almost exclusively white—is the result of explicit government policy rather than personal choice.  Understand how residential segregation was realized.  Join community leaders and other Realtors as we discuss this book.
Interested? Sign up Here to join and receive for more information. 

Below is a 35 minute sound clip with the author of "Color of Law."

3. Join the Facebook Group Deliberately Fair Housing. Listen and engage in discussions about Fair Housing.  Read and discuss books and discover issues that face diverse communities.  

4. Be knowledgeable in your craft. Read or listen to one of these resources and books. Prefer a podcast?  How about one of these? For film and video, here are some other resources.

5. Take a Fair Housing class though PSAR. This presentation covers: Fair Housing based on issues in advertising. This training is designed for those new to the housing industry as well as experienced housing professionals wishing to learn about current issues affecting fair housing laws.  Find a fair Housing Class

6. If you don't think you have biases, think again.  We all do.  Check out this great Ted Talk with Valerie Alexander "How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias"

Topics: Announcements, Leadership, Industry

AFFILIATE, BROKER/OFFICE MANAGER & REALTOR® OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Posted by Rick Griffin on Mar 19, 2021 4:16:04 PM

2020 REALTOR, Broker/Office Manager, Affiliate of the year

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of PSAR 2020's Industry Awards, including REALTOR® of the Year, Broker/Office Manager of the Year and Affiliate of the Year.

Honoring PSAR members who empower all REALTORS® through selfless contributions to our industry
(drum roll, please):

2020 REALTOR® of the Year Award recipients:
Rafael Perez, Central
Anthony Andaya, East
Yvonne Cromer, South

2020 Broker/Office Manager of the Year Award recipients:
Lupe Soto, Central
Carey Guthrie, East
Nikki Coppa, South

2020 Affiliate of the Year Award recipients:
Jake Holmes, Central
Ted Przybylek, East
Martha Garcia, South

More Criteria Information and Past Recipients

These award recipients were announced at this week’s online party celebration held in honor of these selfless members and also of the the more than 300 REALTOR® members who recently received a Real Estate Achievement and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) award. The party was hosted by PSAR’s Young Professional Network (YPN) group,

The R.E.A.L. awards program recognized PSAR’s top producing agents and brokers based on sales volume dollars or units sold, including listings or sales units entered into the MLS and closed in 2020. R.E.A.L. awards were presented to PSAR’s top 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% REALTORS®.

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 2020 R.E.A.L. Award plus these special annual award winners,” 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.”

___________________________

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: Announcements, Events, Leadership

R.E.A.L. Awards Celebration

Posted by Kevin McElroy on Mar 12, 2021 10:05:08 AM

REAL Awards Celebration

R.E.A.L. Awards Celebration!
Thursday, March 18th
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
This event has it all and all are welcome!

Don't miss all of the entertainment, cocktails, and opportunity drawings we have planned! You'll also have the chance to network with some of the best fellow real estate professionals in the business. Join us in congratulating and toasting the recipients of the 2020 R.E.A.L. Awards!.

      REGISTER NOW      

award

Nominees and winners of the 2020

Affiliate, Broker and REALTOR®
of the year will be announced at the event!

 

Eric

 

Tune in for some much needed Real Estate Laughs with Eric Gillman!
@EricRidesForHope

Adam

 

 

Our on-call mixologist, Adam Wild, will be showing us how to make some drinks to toast the award winners, so be ready with the following ingredients to follow along and bring your glass!                                                                   @drinksbywild

wine glass

Breakfast Sour

• 2oz Irish Whiskey
• 3/4oz Lemon Juice
• 1tbsp of your favorite Jam

wine glass

French 75

• 1/2oz Lemon Juice
• 1/2oz Simple Syrup
• 1oz Gin
• Top with Champagne

On the call there will be a people's choice award for the
most creative, unique, unusual, drink container!

and....

money

Opportunity Drawing!     
We will have several drawings during the event! To be automatically entered, you must register by Thursday, March 18th at 11am*    
Grand Prize $500 Cash-Money!     

To enter the drawing for the grand prize, you need to go to the @psar_ypn Instagram account or the PSAR YPN Facebook page and find the OPPORTUNITY DRAWING POST (will say in the first line of the caption) and do the following 3 things:

- Like the post
- Tag 3 friends
- Register and attend the event
 
*Grand prize winner MUST be present at the time of the drawing to win.

        What are you waiting for?
      REGISTER NOW      
_________________________________________________________

Event Sponsor
Valerie Gardner Insurance

Platinum Sponsors
California Preferred         RanchoTed       Guaranteed Rate

 

Topics: Announcements, Events, Leadership

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PSAR R.E.A.L. AWARD RECIPIENTS

Posted by Ditas Yamane on Feb 26, 2021 2:00:00 PM

blogBanner - REAL AWARDS Graphic-1

The Board of Directors, members, and staff of PSAR extend sincere congratulations to the more than 300 PSAR REALTOR® members who are honored with a 2020 Real Estate Achievement and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) award!

The PSAR R.E.A.L. awards program recognizes San Diego county’s top 10 percent PSAR producing agents and brokers who qualified for their awards based on units and/or dollar volume production, coupled with noteworthy industry leadership, in the 2020 business year.

The REAL Awards program provides a platform upon which the high achievers in the San Diego real estate market stand and receive the well-earned recognition of their sphere, peers and the industry as a whole. These leaders are the cream of a realtor crop numbering more than 19,000 in San Diego county.

“A hearty congratulations to everyone who received a 2020 R.E.A.L. Award from PSAR,” said Ditas Yamane, 2021 PSAR President. “To all the award recipients, your award broadcasts the value that you bring to our industry. It is a testament to your achievements and leadership. All of us at PSAR are particularly impressed at the levels of sales reached by those receiving the award for 2020 production, given the very challenging landscape in which everyone had to conduct their business endeavors last year.”

The 2020 PSAR R.E.A.L. Awards Committee members included:

Robert Cromer
Yvonne Cromer
Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales
Lisa Lozoya
Tony Santiago
Amber Tannehill
Zoe Khetani
Ditas Yamane

PSAR staff members assisting the committee included Kevin McElroy and Sally Valdez.

We extend a special thanks to Reshia Guarnotta, who created all the graphics that are used for R.E.A.L. Awards marketing and promotions.

PSAR REALTOR® members received their R.E.A.L Awards based on CRMLS data extracts showing units sold and/or sales dollar volume for residential sales that closed in San Diego in year 2020.

Award recipients, both individuals and teams, who qualified for R.E.A.L. Awards fell into one of the following categories:

• Top 1%, over 30 sides or more than $27,064,246 in volume
• Top 3%, over 18 sides or $14,750,000 in volume
• Top 5%, over 14 sides or $10,834,000 in volume
• Top 10%, over 9 sides or $6,700,900 in volume.

Note that Award recipients are not eligible to receive both an individual and a team award.

PSAR Real Awards 2020

 

 

Names of the Award recipients are appearing in a full-page ad to be published in The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper Sunday, February 28 edition. The ad can be viewed by clicking this pdf.

 

In addition, recipients will be invited to a YPN (Your Professional Network) R.E.A.L. Awards celebration from 4:00 pm to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 18, over Zoom. This event is a celebration of your 2020 achievements and those of your peers at a fun-filled activity hosted by PSAR's YPN! All REALTORS, brokers, and office personnel are welcome to attend. More details are forthcoming.

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 realtor business achievement by agents, brokers and teams over the prior year.

PSAR has created a variety of options for sharing news of your accomplishments with your clients, family and friends. They are all stakeholders in the success you have achieved.

Recipients should have received an email with various graphics: an image that can be shared on social media pages (eg, Instagram and Facebook); an email banner for use in your email signature; a Zoom background image.

___________________________

PSAR's Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other,
our clients, and our community.

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 class is free of charge.

Topics: Announcements, Events, Leadership

PSAR REVITALIZES LA MESA RIOT PLOT

Posted by Rick Griffin on Nov 6, 2020 4:30:00 PM

la Mesa Community Rebuilding Grant Project

A group of PSAR members gathered on Friday, October 23rd, in Downtown La Mesa to plant trees and shrubs in a parkway parcel near the site where an historic building once stood. This landmark was destroyed by rioters taking advantage of an initially peaceful demonstration supporting racial equality May of this year.

The participating PSAR members all agreed that the landscaping project experience was meaningful in many ways. They felt proud to be part of an organization that cares about helping the communities in which it does business. And they each were grateful for the opportunity to help a part of their hometown rebuild and revitalize.

La Mesa Revitalization with PSAR

Organized by Tracy Hollingworth, PSAR Government Affairs Director, the event also symbolized PSAR’s ongoing commitment to championing policies and causes that focus on safe and inclusive communities.

Notable participants in the work day effort were La Mesa City Council member Kristine Alessio and PSAR CEO Rich D’Ascoli.

The landscaped parcel is located near Palm Avenue at Allison Avenue, adjacent to an historic building that once housed Randall Lamb Associates, an engineering services firm that operated in that location for 42 years. The building, gutted and burned to the ground by fire ignited by vandalizing and looting arsonists, is now gone. A vacant lot remains in its place.

PSAR Replanting La Mesa

The flora planted by the landscaping team includes bunches of evergreen perennial flowers (Calylophus Drummondii) that bloom bright yellow flowers in spring and summer, plus several magenta red autumn sage shrubs (Salvia Greggi Furmans Red), an attractive and tough drought-tolerant plant that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Also planted were two Forest Pansy trees (Cercis Canadensis) known for their striking foliage of pea-like, rosy-pink flowers and the abundant shade they create.

Hard costs, including the purchase of vegetation, shovels and work gloves, were covered by a Community Rebuilding Grant from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as part of NAR’s Urban Initiative, which provides funding to assist urban areas in addressing challenges in their communities.

For PSAR members, the experience went beyond the mere planting of flowers and trees. In their own words, they expressed what volunteering for this activity personally meant:

-- “We were all heartbroken by what happened in La Mesa, so to participate in this landscaping project was very important to show everyone how PSAR cares about the communities our members serve,” said Robert Cromer, 2020 PSAR President. “I am so proud of our PSAR members and especially how our Association is supportive of transformational policies that promote fairness, justice and inclusiveness in our communities.” -- Robert Cromer, 2012 PSAR President.

President Robert Cromer and

 “I am very proud to be a part of PSAR, an organization that not only cares about the communities its Realtors serve, but whose members go above and beyond by putting a shovel to the ground to help revitalize a community that suffered damage during recent protests.” -- Jan Farley.

-- “I am proud to be a member of PSAR. I recognize the importance for our members to assist in revitalization of urban areas and, in this case, on my city’s local main street. 

My hometown had recently suffered damage during the protests earlier this year. My local bank was burned to the ground and numerous other businesses suffered damage. It was clear our peaceful village was hurting. Our gift was re-beautifying a little corner with trees and drought-tolerant plants. 

Deirdre Bramberg

Hopefully, this will be the first of many rays of light to return to our city. This project was near and dear to my heart as I drive by weekly and see our beautiful little corner come to life. It is important for my real estate community and PSAR to support efforts to heal the damage in La Mesa.” -- Deirdre Bramberg.

-- “I was proud to join my fellow PSAR directors as we restored this little park. I was so glad to see PSAR members helping to beautify this little corner of La Mesa. I’ve lived near La Mesa Village for 20 years, and love our little town. I helped clean up after the rioting last May. I love it when Realtors pitch in to make their communities better.” -- Sean Hillier

-- “It was a great experience to be a part of this project as I grew up in La Mesa and I'm now a homeowner and Realtor in the area. It was very sad to see my hometown being destroyed during the riots, I wanted to help take action and assist in creating the change that so many of us want to see in our communities.  I'm very proud to be a part of PSAR and its efforts to not only help revitalize La Mesa and other Urban Areas but to be involved as PSAR leads the way in building safe and inclusive communities.”  -- Dylan Graham.

-- “I am very proud to be a part of PSAR. I was honored to help with the La Mesa landscape project. I want to be more involved in serving and supporting my community as well as others. I want to make a difference together with PSAR as a team to keep our communities looking beautiful and to encourage our neighbors that we care. We can get through these uncertain times together by keeping the Faith!” -- Katherine Mannin

Topics: Events, Leadership

Robert Calloway, A life of service, 1965-2020

Posted by Rick Griffin on May 9, 2020 5:00:00 AM

About Robert  Photos of Robert and Colleagues  |  Services  |  Share thoughts about Robert

Robert Calloway, 1965-2020

The Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR) has lost a dear friend, Past President, CAR Region 30 Vice Chair, and current board member. It’s with much grief and sadness to report that Robert Calloway has passed away at the tender age of 54. He was found at his home on Tuesday, May 5. The cause of death was determined to be heart disease.

Robert CallowayThe theme for Robert’s year as 2019 PSAR President was “Salute to Service.” He said in a February 2019 PSAR blog post, “I have learned that nothing is more refreshing than to serve and giveback, and by getting involved. It’s your attitude that is most important. There’s something very authentic in participating with the desire to help others: Nothing to prove; nothing to lose.

“PSAR’s mission is to empower our members. Our mission statement states: `We empower our members to flourish while being accountable to each other, our clients and our community.’ Our members are self-empowered to take control of their own destiny and careers.

“I encourage everyone to get involved by volunteering and serving in their community. Don’t just show-up, volunteer. Find your passions, utilize your strengths, be a participant, not just an observer, and you will get more out of life. You will develop your skills, advance your career and the experience will be rewarding to you both personally and professionally. While no one is capable of doing everything, everyone is capable of doing something.” 

Following the conclusion of his term, Robert said in a January 2020 PSAR blog post, “Thanks to all of you who participated and were dedicated to this theme. It was a year when our members definitely stepped up and served our Association by committing themselves to service and to our mission of Empowering Our Members.”

According to Richard D’Ascoli, CEO, PSAR, the entire San Diego-area real estate industry has lost a true leader.

“I can honestly say that the overarching theme in Robert’s life was his commitment to service,” said D’Ascoli. “He lived a life of continuous and unrelenting service. In the Navy, he served our country, he retired and served the disabled veteran community by promoting VA benefits to those in need,  Then, he began serving his real estate profession as president of our association. At the same time, he was serving the faith community at his church. His life will be remembered as an example of service. We will miss him greatly.”

During his 2019 term as PSAR President, there were many highlights. Here are a few:

• 190 training classes, 23 unique events and 600 marketing sessions
• Expanded membership by 10 percent
• Expanded services by opening a third PSAR Service Center in Clairemont Mesa, 4340 Genesee Ave., Suite 203, San Diego, called the Central San Diego Service Center
• Launched a new weekly property marketing pitch meeting, called “City Pitch,” held at 9 a.m., every Tuesday morning, at the PSAR Central San Diego Service Center
• Expanded access to more technology and listing data by joining the California Regional Multiple Listing Service
•Added Glide 2.0 and SavvyCard as new member benefits
• Awarded $13,500 to four local nonprofits, including South Bay Community Services, Unity 4 Orphans, Meals on Wheels and San Ysidro Health Center, as a result of fundraising at two PSAR events, including the PSAR 2019 Realtor Games, held in June, and the PSAR 2019 Zombie Run-Walk, held in October
• Published a new Local Area Disclosures (LAD) publication covering San Diego County in partnership with the North San Diego County Association of REALTORS® (NSDCAR), the new LAD contains disclosure information relating to properties in the San Diego region
• Recognized at the El Cajon City Council for a grant that created a website featuring resources and information to assist homeless people in the East County;
• Assisted the City of San Diego in writing  the “Companion Unit Handbook,” a  helpful 38-page guide to help homeowners better navigate the process of constructing on their property a companion unit, also known as granny flats or accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
• Provided input to the La Mesa City Council, City of Chula Vista and San Diego County Board of Supervisors about ADUs in support of property owners and as a way to address the region’s housing supply and affordability crisis
• Promoted the CRMLS/Mexico MLS data-share as a presenter at the AMPI (Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios) national convention (AMPI is Mexico’s counterpart to the National Association of REALTORS®)
•Solidified relationships with Baja Associations through meetings in Los Cabos and La Paz

Robert was especially proud of the recognition given for his efforts to help veterans with homeownership. In 2018, Robert was invited by Ernest J. Dronenburg, Jr., San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk, to serve as an advisor to the Assessor’s Office on providing property tax relief to disabled veterans.Robert Calloway Installation

Under Robert’s leadership, a number of homeownership initiatives were introduced that helped disabled military veterans achieve homeownership, stay in their homes and save money on their property taxes. As a result, the Assessor’s Office has assisted more than 10,000 local disabled veterans since 2018.   

Robert’s efforts to help veterans resulted in PSAR and the Assessor’s Office receiving a Golden Watchdog Award from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. In addition, the California Board of Equalization (BOE), a state agency, also recognized Robert for his efforts to help veterans.

“Robert Calloway led a life of service,” said Dronenburg. “Starting in the Navy and ending as a super professional in the real estate industry serving as the 2019 President of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors. He played an important role helping over 10,000 veterans in San Diego County as my advisor on tax breaks for disabled veterans. While he was recognized by the State of California for his leadership helping veterans and as the PSAR President, he will most be remembered as a joyful industry leader that made San Diego a better place to live.”  

Robert also enjoyed serving at Bayview Church in San Diego as a leader within the deacon ministry and a facilitator in Studies In Christian Living (SICL) Bible Study classes. According to Sherman Metcalf, Chairman of the Deacon Board at the church, Robert was an active member of Bayview for 14 years.

“Robert Calloway was a devoted Christian and servant of the Lord,” said Metcalf. “Within the first year of membership at Bayview, Robert joined the Hospitality Ministry and had continued to serve faithfully in this capacity until his passing. In December 2014, Robert was ordained as a Deacon at Bayview where he dedicated his life to supporting the Senior Pastor who ministers to the congregation and community. Robert spent much of his time serving the church elders as well as a fellow Deacon who fell to a life-changing disability. Robert was the type of person whose presence enhanced whichever ministry he was a part of. He will be sorely missed.”

Robert Daniel Calloway III was born on Dec. 12, 1965 in Atlanta, Georgia.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 19. “I enjoyed traveling and the Navy sounded appealing,” he said. “But, I never expected to travel that much.”Robert Calloway

His Naval career included 13 deployments on six different ships. One of his most memorable experiences was watching his ship sink an abandoned Italian destroyer. “We towed his ship to an area near the international boundary with Libya,” recalled Calloway. “Our purpose was to show our military might to Muammar Gadaffi. It was very exciting to watch the ship blow up. Muammar stayed pretty quiet after that.”

Calloway served in the Navy for 26 years, from June 1985 to June 2011, retiring as a Senior Chief Navy Counselor. He worked in human resources and counseling in 20 of his 26 years.

Robert met President George W. Bush aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. It was on May 1, 2003, when the President declared “Mission Accomplished” regarding the end of major combat operations in Iraq in a nationally televised address.

“The President was very friendly and grateful and thanked us for our service,” said Robert. “He was interested in our opinion and was a good listener about what we had to share. It was impressive to watch him land on the flight deck co-piloting the jet.”

Robert started selling real estate in 2008, while still in the Navy. He joined PSAR at the start of his real estate career and was elected to the PSAR board of directors in 2014.

Prior to serving as PSAR president, Robert served as the founding president of the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), San Diego chapter. The chapter was launched in July 2013 and he served as its president until October 2015. He also served for three years as VAREP’s Southern California State Director, overseeing the six chapters stretching from San Diego to Los Angeles. Headquartered in Corona, Calif., VAREP has more than 20,000 members nationwide, and more 60 chapters around the country, states its mission as to increase sustainable home ownership, financial-literacy education and economic opportunity for the active-duty and veteran communities.

“Robert was an earth angel,” said Andre Hobbs, a San Diego REALTOR®, close friend and VAREP member. Hobbs helped Robert establish the San Diego VAREP chapter in 2013. Today, Hobbs serves on the VAREP national board of directors as a member of the organization’s Affordable Housing Committee.

“What I mean by earth angel is someone who is born in human form and is beautiful and humble and shares with the world, generously and tirelessly, love, light and kindness of their hearts,” said Hobbs.

Robert is survived by a daughter Danielle Calloway of Cincinnati, Ohio, and two stepsons, Ernest Turner of Fife, Wash., Shalom Richards of Graham, Wash.

Robert Calloway and family

Robert also is survived by four sisters and a brother. The sisters include: Alicia Wimbish (Carl) of Ellenwood, Georgia; Valerie Seaborn (Kenneth) of Monroe, Georgia; Yolanda Williams (James) of Lithonia, Georgia; Darlene Williams (Boris) of Conyers, Georgia; brother Roderick Calloway (Carolyn) of Ellenwood, Georgia.
Robert was preceded in death by his father Robert D. Calloway Jr, mother Alicia “Yvonne” Calloway and a sister, Cheryl Williams.

Robert Calloway and friendsRobert also is survived by seven grandchildren, as well as a longtime friend, Elizabeth Taylor of San Diego.

In one of his final written statements to PSAR members, Robert provided some positive encouragement during the coronavirus pandemic. Robert was one of several PSAR past presidents who was quoted in a PSAR blog post. Robert’s comment revealed his loving heart and concern for others. Here was Robert’s comment: “We will get through this tough time as we have done in the past. Continue to work with your past clients and update them on what’s happening in the real estate market. Also, please remain safe during the shelter in place, there is no amount of money that can replace you or a loved one.”

Due to the coronavirus restrictions, the Celebration of Life memorial service honoring Robert will be held at a later date. Once finalized, details will be shared with all PSAR members.  


For more photos of
Robert and his PSAR Colleagues Click Here


Celebration of Life for Robert D. Calloway III
 
Visitation:  Tuesday May 19th from 6 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. to be held at Gregory B Levett & Sons 
4347 Flat Shoals Pkwy
Decatur, GA. 30034
(404) 241-5656
 
Graveside funeral:  Wednesday May 20th @ 1:00 P.M (Eastern) to be held at Kennedy Memorial Gardens 
2500 River Rd
Ellenwood, Ga. 30294
(404) 243-8900
 
The service will be streamed live on May 20th at 10:00 am PT - Link: http://capstonecloud.com/robert-d-calloway-iii/
Pprovided on Gregory B Levett & Sons Funeral home website - Link to Robert's Obituary
 
In lieu of flowers, the Calloway family has designated two real estate organizations to receive memorial donations in the name of Robert Calloway III. The family also requested that all donations be used to promote homeownership for military veterans, a worthy cause that was very important to Robert. 
 
Online donations can be made in Robert’s name to the San Diego Chapter of Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP) which is a 501C3, donations are tax-deductible. Visit https://varep.net/donate.   
 
If preferable, paper checks can be mailed to the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors in San Diego, 880 Canarios Court, Chula Vista, CA. 91910. In the memo line of your check, please write “Robert Calloway” and the donation will be allocated to programs benefiting military veterans.  PSAR is a 501C6. Donations are not tax-deductible.
       

Topics: Announcements, Leadership

You can do more than you think you can!

Posted by Laurie MacDonald on Nov 15, 2019 5:15:00 PM

Salute to service


By Laurie MacDonald

I am so appreciative of this year’s “Salute to Service” theme. I have many reasons why I’m an active volunteer with PSAR, and why you should be one too.

By volunteering at PSAR, I have learned new skills, developed new friendships and expanded my network. When you volunteer with PSAR, you are contributing to our real estate industry.

Volunteering means you will have a seat at the table. Our industry is going through many changes. The role our Association plays in our industry becomes even more critical.

Volunteering also means that my voice will be heard in helping to help to grow the Association. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to advocate for issues and concerns that I believe are right and are consistent with PSAR’s mission to empower REALTORS®. I always want to bring value to my clients and being in front and on top of the issues affecting our industry allows me to do that.  

I enjoy volunteering with PSAR because I’m a helper at heart. I enjoy serving and I think we were created to serve others, not just ourselves. We all have crazy schedules as real estate professionals and it can be hard to find the time to volunteer. But I enjoy supporting others.  And bringing out all their potential really brings out the best in me, too. 

We all want to make the world a better place. To me, the secret to living is giving. Life is all about creating meaning, and meaning never comes from what you get, it comes from what you give. Mark Twain said: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

Volunteering also provides me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Volunteering gives more happiness and good health.

I am a very social being. In life, the greatest highs and lows involve the highs and lows of relationships. Life is all about relationships. Life is not about achievements. It’s not about accomplishments. Rather, life is about relationships and a series of memories and experiences you have along the way. 

I hope you decide today to become more involved with PSAR. Don’t wait another day to join me and show a greater level of support for our Association and our industry. All of us at PSAR are here to cheer for you. You can do more than you think you can. It starts with you giving back by joining a committee, volunteering at an event and looking for opportunities to serve. Thanks in advance for your greater involvement and participation.

*  *  *

Laurie MacDonald

Laurie MacDonald, a fourth-generation San Diegan, has worked in real estate since September 2015.  She grew up in La Mesa and graduated from Helix High School. Laurie traveled to 28 countries before turning 30 years of age. Her great-grandmother, born in 1906, bought a home by herself in Normal Heights in 1939, a rarity at that time for a female without the assistance of a man. Her grandparents operated a real estate office, called Kelly and Associates, for many years on Parkway Drive in La Mesa. Laurie is an original member of La Mesa Conversations, a civic-minded committee founded in 2015. She also has served on the board of the La Mesa Village Merchants Association. She is currently a member of the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation. She previously served on PSAR’s Government Affairs Committee and traveled to Sacramento for “Legislative Day.” She served as chair of PSAR’s YPN group in 2017 and 2018. Laurie was named East County Realtor of the Year at the PSAR Officers and Directors Installation Dinner held in 2018. She served as chair of PSAR’s Charity Committee in 2019. She was recently elected to serve on the PSAR board of directors in 2020.

 

Topics: Leadership, Industry

Home Buyers and Sellers: WHY PICK A REALTOR?

Posted by Rick Griffin on Nov 7, 2019 2:23:08 PM


PSAR is proud to announce the availability of a new video that is part of the #OurRealtor campaign. REALTORS® and associations are encouraged to share the 2:26 video with clients and post the video on their social media and websites. The video has not been branded.

Viewers can also watch the video here on YouTube, , and also on Facebook.  Anyone is also free to download a copy and share it so consumers can hear from others who have had great experiences working with their REALTOR®. PSAR will be releasing a new video each month to share. The videos will each be a testimonial from a client who understood the value of their REALTOR®.

Download an MP4 of the Video Here

At the recent PSAR Installation Dinner, PSAR 2020 President Robert Cromer stated that one of his goals for next year is to encourage more REALTORS® to highlight their experience, expertise and resources. “We need to make sure the general public understands what we bring to the table during one of the largest financial decisions of their life,” Cromer said.

“No one can replace the knowledge, skill set, local marketing, price familiarity, negotiating skill and relationship building of a local REALTOR®. We want everyone to share the #OurRealtor campaign and the new video. With PSAR you have a bright future and a place for belonging. We are stronger together!”
The video has been posted on the PSAR Facebook page. The Facebook posting includes these words: “An algorithm or computer system can’t replace the knowledge, marketing ability, price familiarity, negotiating skill and counsel of a local REALTOR®. It’s not about how much you might save, it is about what you will NET, and the security and knowledge REALTORS® bring to the transaction. #OurRealtor. #WeArePSAR.”

The video opens with a question “Can you trust an agent you’ve never met,” and ends with a door-knocking sound and the words “That’s Who We R.” The “That’s Who We R” initiative, launched earlier this year by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), turns into the classic “R” logo to help the public further distinguish its member REALTORS® from generic real estate agents.
The video from NAR features testimonials from real satisfied clients who received outstanding service from their REALTOR®.

The people in the video tell their story about the passion and dedication of their REALTOR®, plus they express their distrust over iBuying, a phenomenon referring to the buying and selling of real estate online without the assistance of an experienced REALTOR®. The video is a terrific tool for all REALTORS® and associations to use in demonstrating the benefits and value of using a REALTOR®.

The statements in the video include:

  • “I think if I used a service like that, I would get a lot of emails, I would get a lot of requests for data. I would be asked to review a lot of things that I don’t have a lot of knowledge about. I look for professionals in the field who are experts, and we found it.”
  • “Some of them may charge me less, but I don’t know how honest they are. I will just stick with my realtor. He’s honest. I believe in him.”
  • “He really cared about us having a good experience. We valued his time and his expertise. But I could tell that he really valued our time as well.
  • “He was a source of information.”
  • “It’s not easy to go online and just look for someone who you just might be emailing or texting or just calling on the phone. It always very important to have someone that you can meet with, that you can talk to.
  • “I believe that the real value that my realtor has is that she is looking out for me. She’s representing me. If I went on my own, I wouldn’t know what to do. I might sign something that I didn’t look at the fine print. So, she does that for me.
  • “Our realtor bent over backwards, went above and gave us options. Where else would you get that?”
  • “It’s well worth whatever money you’re paying to them because after explaining what we wanted and what our needs were, we weren’t taken to places that they wanted to sell. We were taken to places that we wanted to see. I think that’s really important. You can get that only with someone who knows you and takes the time to get to know you.

According to NAR, “That’s Who We R” reinforces the concept that partnering with a REALTOR® delivers the peace of mind that can only come from working with a real person who is committed to his or her clients’ futures and neighborhoods. It clearly seeks to highlight the value of REALTORS® in an age of technological disruption and companies that employ mobile applications, programs and teams of human experts to accomplish some of the traditional agent tasks.

NAR also said that the “That’s Who We R” campaign was designed not only to educate consumers about the benefits of working with a member of NAR but also to highlight all the ways REALTORS® go above and beyond to help and improve the lives of their clients, neighbors and communities. The campaign is designed to serve as a rallying cry for REALTORS® and inspire pride in the work they do every day to benefit their clients.


 

Topics: Announcements, Leadership, Industry

Broker Risk Management and Update from DRE District Manager

Posted by Richard D'Ascoli on Sep 19, 2019 8:31:35 AM

Register Eventbrite

Update and Q&A with Department of Real Estate District Manager Veronica Kilpatrick

Plus

Risk Management recap from recent C.A.R. Meetings will cover new and recurring legal claims to be aware of and the hottest C.A.R. Legal Hotline questions.

This meeting is open to REALTOR BROKERS ONLY AND THEIR OFFICE MANAGERS

Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019

Time: 1 PM to 2:30 PM

Location:  4330 Genesee Ave, #203, San Diego, CA 92117. 

Access to the Clairemont Facility is on the 2nd Floor in the rear of the building. The best parking is also in the rear of the building. As you go up the stairs the office is on the right.

Open to all Realtor Brokers from any association. Working together to reduce liability is important to Brokers Across the County.  

Save the Dates for 2020 Broker Meetings on:

  • Thursday, February 13th, 2020, 1 PM to 2:30 PM, El Cajon Office
  • Thursday, May 28, 2020, 1 PM to 2:30 PM, Chula Vista Office
  • Thursday, October 22, 2020, 1 PM to 2:30 PM, Clairemont Office

clean file

Register Eventbrite

 

Topics: Education, Brokers/Managers, Leadership

2020 PSAR Board of Directors Announcement.

Posted by PSAR Communication on Jun 29, 2019 5:07:35 PM

The following candidates were elected by 498 PSAR members who voted for the Board of Directors this past week.  They will serve as volunteer leaders and represent membership as part of the team that will set the policy  and the strategic direction for PSAR for the next two years. 

Ditas Yamane 2020 President-Elect

Sam Calvano 2020 Treasurer

Laurie MacDonald  2020 Director
Yvonne Cromer 2020 Director 
Peter Mendiola 2020 Director
Mike White 2020 Director
Jason Lopez 2020 Director

The President-Elect will automatically ascend to President in 2021.  The Treasurer serves for one year and each of the Directors have two year terms.

Thank you everyone who ran.  The candidate were all committed and involved members of the association.  The volunteer their time to the industry to improve it and to the community to build homeownership opportunities, defend private property rights and support those in need.  

 

Topics: Announcements, Leadership