DCAR Names 2024 REALTOR® of the Year!

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DCAR is thrilled to announce that Dianah Shaw has been named the 2024 REALTOR® of the Year! This prestigious honor celebrates her remarkable 27-year career, which began in Brooklyn, New York. Her real estate journey then led her to Washington, DC where she has been serving her clients in the DC metro area for the last 21 years as an agent, and starting in 2004, as a producing broker.

Dianah’s achievements as a producing broker, coupled with her dedication to community economic development and helping families build wealth through homeownership, are truly inspiring.

In a highly competitive industry, Dianah’s unwavering commitment to client satisfaction shines through. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure each client feels valued and supported throughout their real estate journey.

This award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of Dianah’s hard work and passion for helping individuals and families find their perfect homes. Her innovative approach and deep market knowledge have set a high standard for excellence in our community.

Please join us in congratulating Dianah on this outstanding achievement!

Would you like to no more about Dianah? Please click here to read her Bio.

Complete Guide to the 2024 D.C. General Election

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Prepare to Vote: A Complete Guide to the 2024 D.C. General Election

As D.C. prepares for the November 5, 2024 general election, in addition to federal elections, significant local issues and candidates are also on the ballot.The DCAR RPAC Trustees recommend you consider supporting these candidates in the upcoming General Election. However, no matter what, please exercise your right to vote for whichever candidates you decide to support.

For more information visit: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/10/12/dc-2024-general-election-voters-guide

VOTE in the 2024 Election

DC Presidential and General Election
  1. Check your voter registration >
  2. Register or update your registration >
    • Mail-in and online voter registration deadlines for the General Election have passed.
    • You can still register at the DC Board of Elections or where you vote during Early or Election Day Voting.
  3. VOTE!

Apply for a DCAR Committee Today!

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Get involved!
The 2025 DCAR Committee Application is Now Online!
Apply Today!

Are you looking to get more involved in DCAR and help shape the future of real estate in the District?

Joining a DCAR committee is a great way to use your skills and knowledge to serve your state association and to prepare you to serve DCAR and NAR in other leadership roles.

ALL DCAR members are encouraged to apply!
First, read the committee missions and application requirements by clicking the below links for the committee(s) of interest to you, or clicking here >

Then select the Committee or Committees you wish to apply for, and complete and submit your Committee Application here >

DCAR Young Professionals Network (YPN)

The DCAR YPN is a dynamic entry point for real estate professionals striving to become more successful in their careers and gain leadership experience. YPN mission & applicant requirements >

Global Business Advisory Council (GBA)

The Council’s goal is to increase members’ awareness of global business opportunities – both inbound and outbound – and to attract international investment to our incredibly diverse and culturally rich city. GBA mission & applicant requirements >

Public Policy Committee (PPC)

The PPC analyzes pending and proposed legislation in D.C. It establishes DCAR’s official stance on a variety of issues and ensures the association’s advocacy presence in the District. PPC mission & applicant requirements >

Increase YOUR impact on our DCAR Association, our DC community and legislative policies.
Apply for Committee Membership Today.

Why Real Estate Should Be Part of Your Financial Strategy

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In celebration of National Financial Awareness Day, at the District of Columbia Association of REALTORS® we celebrate the importance of understanding and managing our finances effectively. As part of this celebration, it’s a great time to consider how real estate can play a crucial role in your financial strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a first-time homebuyer, real estate offers numerous opportunities to build wealth and secure your financial future. Here’s how you can align your real estate decisions with your financial goals:

1. Understand the Financial Benefits of Real Estate

Real estate is more than just a place to live; it’s an investment that can offer several financial benefits:

  • Appreciation: Over time, properties often increase in value, allowing you to build equity and potentially realize significant profits if you sell.
  • Rental Income: Investment properties can generate a steady stream of rental income, providing financial stability and growth.
  • Tax Advantages: Real estate investments come with tax benefits, such as deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, and depreciation.

2. Assess Your Financial Readiness

Before diving into the real estate market, it’s essential to evaluate your financial readiness:

  • Credit Score: A good credit score is crucial for securing favorable mortgage rates. Review your credit report and take steps to improve your score if needed.
  • Down Payment: Save for a down payment, typically 20% of the property’s purchase price, to reduce your mortgage amount and avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI).
  • Emergency Fund: Ensure you have an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses related to property ownership, such as repairs or vacancies.

3. Set Clear Real Estate Goals

Align your real estate investments with your broader financial goals:

  • Primary Residence: If buying a home for personal use, consider factors like location, affordability, and long-term plans. A well-chosen home can appreciate and provide stability.
  • Investment Property: If investing in real estate, determine your investment strategy—whether it’s rental properties, fix-and-flips, or commercial real estate. Research the market and evaluate potential returns.

4. Create a Budget for Real Estate

Incorporate real estate expenses into your financial plan:

  • Monthly Mortgage Payments: Include principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance in your budget.
  • Maintenance Costs: Set aside funds for regular maintenance and unexpected repairs to keep your property in good condition.
  • Property Management Fees: If you’re renting out a property, consider the cost of property management services if you don’t plan to manage it yourself.

5. Understand Market Trends

Stay informed about real estate market trends and how they impact your investments:

  • Local Market Conditions: Research local property values, rental rates, and neighborhood trends to make informed decisions.
  • Economic Indicators: Monitor economic factors such as interest rates, inflation, and employment rates, which can affect real estate markets.

6. Leverage Professional Advice

Consider seeking advice from real estate professionals to enhance your financial strategy:

  • Real Estate Agents: They can provide valuable insights into market conditions, property values, and neighborhoods.
  • Financial Advisors: They can help you integrate real estate investments into your overall financial plan and ensure alignment with your goals.
  • Real Estate Attorneys: They can assist with legal aspects of property transactions, ensuring everything is in order.

7. Evaluate Long-Term Benefits

Real estate can be a powerful tool for long-term financial growth:

  • Wealth Building: Owning property can contribute to long-term wealth accumulation through appreciation and rental income.
  • Retirement Planning: Real estate investments can provide passive income during retirement or serve as an asset to be sold or passed on.

National Financial Awareness Day is an excellent time to reflect on how real estate fits into your financial strategy. By understanding the financial benefits, assessing your readiness, and setting clear goals, you can make informed decisions that enhance your financial well-being. Real estate offers unique opportunities to build wealth and achieve financial security, making it an essential component of a robust financial plan.

Take charge of your financial future and consider how real estate can help you reach your financial goals. Here’s to making informed and strategic decisions that lead to a prosperous future!

DCAR invites you to share this content with your potential and current clients! Please click here to download the content >

Stacey Barton, 2024 DCAR President
Stacey Barton
2024 President
District of Columbia Association of REALTORS®

DCAR Endorses Four Candidates for the Democratic Primary Election

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The District of Columbia Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (DCAR RPAC) made the decision to endorse four candidates for DC Council in the 2024 Primary Election. Each of the candidates is a champion and advocate of homeownership and is actively working to provide better opportunities for small businesses. The candidates are committed to tackling issues vital to REALTORS® during their time in office. Click here for the endorsements and voting information >

DCAR 2024 REALTOR® Advocacy Day

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The DCAR Public Policy Committee held their first in-person Advocacy Day at the John A. Wilson Building. The Committee members met with Council members and senior staff members from every office to discuss a wide range of housing-related issues.

With budget season upon us, discussions focused on fighting higher property taxes while protecting important housing programs and consumer protections, such as the Real Estate Guarantee Fund, the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), and the Housing Production Trust Fund.

Other issues included our concerns with rent control and modernizing TOPA while maintaining the single-family home exemption to create more affordable housing in the District. For more detailed information about how DCAR is working with the DC Council on behalf of consumers and REALTORS®, click here >

How to Reach Us

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HOW TO REACH US

If you need to reach out to us regarding anything in the advocacy realm, whether it’s a question about our stance on a particular matter, a proposed bill, an update on a law, or really anything else in that general area, send an email to advocacy@dcrealtors.org. We’ll make sure the question/comment goes where it needs to go.

At times, we’ll use the Advocacy email address for particular causes. However, you can always send general relevant emails to that address, whether it’s regarding the specific issue at hand or not.

If you have general comments, concerns or questions about anything else, please send your email to contact@dcrealtors.org.

Want to know about our next event? Interested in joining a Committee? Just want to speak your mind? contact@dcrealtors.org.

If you ever can’t get through to us, however, you can always call us at (202) 626-0096.

Follow DCAR on social media – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Introducing your 2024 DCAR Board of Directors

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Thank you to everyone who voted in this year’s Board elections. We are proud to present your 2024 DCAR Board of Directors:

Executive Committee
President: Stacey Barton
President-elect: Sam Medvene
Secretary: Harrison Beacher
Treasurer: Fred Bates
Immediate Past President: Tony Mancuso

At-large directors
James Braeu
Jennifer Frewer
Hillary Nash
Bonnie Roberts-Burke
Annemarie Stephens
Margaret “Ansa” Tyus

GCAAR President
Christopher Suranna

CEO – Ex-officio
Scott Reiter

Thank you to 2023 President Tony Mancuso and the entire 2023 Board for your contributions. We are confident 2024 will be another year of successes!

NAR releases guidance for REALTORS® after Burnett v. NAR decision

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NAR has released the following guidance to help you better assist your clients in the aftermath of last week’s Burnett v. NAR verdict. Additionally, NPR recently aired this segment on real estate fees.

What does this mean for me and my business?

  • We all should continue to express that commissions are negotiable and set between a broker and their client.
  • As always, it is critical to maximize transparency with your clients about their choices and your terms.
  • Continue to use your listing and buyer agreements to help them understand 1) exactly what services and value you are providing and 2) how much you charge.
    • For buyers, this includes options for offers of compensation from a listing broker or paying for your services directly or a combination.
    • For sellers, this includes options to allow offers of compensation to be made by their listing broker to a buyer’s broker, and if so, how much and under what terms.

What should I tell my clients who ask me about the verdict or lawsuits?

  • The National Association of REALTORS® believes that the jury reached an outcome that is neither supported by the law nor the facts presented in the case and plans to appeal.
  • The trial had to do with a very pro-consumer rule for local MLS broker marketplaces where listing brokers make offers of compensation to buyer brokers who identify someone who wants to buy the sellers’ home.
  • Those offers can be any amount, can vary over time, are based on things like service and the market, and are negotiable. Neither the buyer nor seller broker gets paid until the home sale and purchase close based on what the seller and buyer have agreed to in writing.
  • The offer of compensation practice ensures efficient, transparent and accessible marketplaces where sellers can sell their home for more and have their home seen by more buyers while buyers have more choices of homes and can afford representation.
  • Plaintiffs have said wealthy people could still afford representation without the practice, but that hardly seems fair. The National Association of REALTORS® is going to continue to advocate for this pro-consumer practice and, as noted, plans to appeal the jury’s verdict.
  • Know that agents who are REALTORS® will still and always be there for clients to guide you through the financial, legal and community complexities of buying and selling a home.
  • The verdict doesn’t change the many choices buyers and sellers have when deciding whether to hire a real estate agent who is a REALTOR®. Compensation will continue to be negotiable and set between a broker and their respective client, as it always has been.

What can I do to help?