Three outstanding Realtors® were recognized for their dedication, leadership and contributions to the real estate industry at PAR’s Board of Directors meeting yesterday in Harrisburg.

PAR Past President Todd Umbenhauer received the Lifetime Achievement Award; District Vice President Mark Kibbe was presented with the Realtor® Active in Politics Award; and Past President Chris Raad was named Realtor® of the Year.

Lifetime Achievement

Umbenhauer, a member of Tri-County Suburban Realtors®, is an associate broker for Keller Williams Real Estate and has been a Realtor® for 52 years. He served as president of the former North Penn Board of Realtors® and chairman of the Suburban Realtors® Alliance.

He was the president of PAR in 2018 and has served on the Standard Forms Oversight, Professional Standards, Convention and Executive Committees.

He was a National Association of Realtors® director and served on NAR’s Multiple Listing Issues and Policy and Risk Management Committees. He is also a certified NAR Code of Ethics instructor.

Umbenhauer has a longstanding commitment to his community, raising tens of thousands of dollars for church youth groups and non-profits, acting as an auctioneer. He was formerly involved with the Table of Plenty for Zion Mennonite Church and currently works with the Loft Food Pantry in Millersville. He is an active member of Souderton Mennonite Church, serving there in various capacities. He also volunteers with Dream League baseball organization for those with disabilities, Easter Baskets for Berks, as well as Valentines for Veterans annual breakfast.

“This is a moment where words escape me,” Umbenhauer said. “Being PAR president was the greatest honor of my life and I pray that I served you all well. I’ll treasure this for the rest of my life.”

Realtor® Active in Politics

Kibbe, a member of the Greater Erie Board of Realtors®, is an agent with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Erie.

He served as the president of his local association in 2020 and chaired the local Legislative Committee, frequently meeting with local elected officials on a variety of real estate-related issues. In addition, he was named GEBOR’s 2023 Realtor® of the Year

Kibbe has been a PAR District Vice President since 2023, is a Sterling ‘R’ RPAC investor and is actively involved in RPAC fundraising.

He has served as PAR’s Legislative Committee chair for the past two years, providing testimony at state hearings and acting as a spokesperson for the association’s legislative issues.

Kibbe said, “Legislative advocacy has always been my passion, both in Washington and Harrisburg. This organization and our members are respected across the aisles and that’s not common. Our Realtor® story is a fantastic one to tell when we have the opportunity. Thank you for this honor; I’m totally shocked.”

Realtor® of the Year

Raad is a third-generation Realtor®, following his late grandfather, Harvey Z. Raad, and his late father, George Raad, into the family real estate business, Harvey Z. Raad, Realtors® in Allentown. Raad is active at his local association, the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors®, where he served as president in 2015-16. A Realtor® for 27 years, he has also served on several committees and task forces.

PAR’s 2021 president, he has been a member of PAR’s Board of Directors for 15 years.

Raad was a member of the NAR Board of Directors, served on NAR’s Public Policy Coordinating Committee and is an active federal political coordinator.

Active in his community, he was a member of the Allentown Historical Architectural Review Board and is currently the chair of the Allentown Redevelopment Authority. He was a 2021 honoree to the Lehigh Valley Business Power 30 for Construction and Real Estate and was a 40 Under 40 honoree by the Lehigh Valley Business Journal.

“It’s been a tremendous honor to serve PAR with all of you. The work we do may go unnoticed, but it matters to our members and the consumers we serve,” he said. “For our industry, it’s the relationships and the people you surround yourself with that help make you successful. I have had great mentors at PAR, who I have tried to emulate.”

Realtors® Jon Bomberger and Wendell Hoover volunteer their time to Eden Village of Harrisburg, a not-for-profit building tiny home communities for those experiencing homelessness. 

Eden Village of Harrisburg became a concept in 2019 when three families involved in real estate were searching for a way to serve their community by meeting housing-related needs. At the time, there were about 400 individuals experiencing homelessness in the area. 

Last year, Harrisburg City Council approved Eden Village’s proposal to build 32 tiny homes measuring 400 square feet each and serving as permanent residences, as well as a community center. Earlier this year, the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors® awarded Eden Village $75,000, supporting the construction of one of the tiny homes. 

“The work that Eden Village does around the country impacts local communities in a few key ways,” says Bomberger, a member of GHAR. “First, it eases the financial burden on city and county resources that work toward helping unhoused people. Second, it reimagines and revitalizes the way real estate is used in certain areas, thereby increasing value and beautification efforts in those areas. Third, and most importantly, it raises the profile of those individuals experiencing homelessness and provides hope and stability in a supportive community that will help them thrive.” 

“Along with some close friends, I was looking for a way to live out my faith in a practical, tangible way,” he says. “Our collective experience in real estate led us to ask questions around how we could serve the most vulnerable people in our community through housing. I learned about the Eden Village model through a national publication, made some phone calls and now here we are almost ready to break ground on Eden Village of Harrisburg!” 

“As Realtors®, we have so much to be thankful for, and I am grateful to find ways to help those less fortunate,” says Hoover, 2023 president of GHAR and current board president of Eden Village of Harrisburg. “I want to be involved with nonprofits that work with housing-first initiatives to help people get back on track.” 

“I love being a Realtor®, because we are in control of our schedule, and we can decide to use some of our time to give back to the community,” he adds. 

What advice do Bomberger and Hoover have for others who want to make a change? 

“We all live in communities that have amazing causes that need help in a variety of ways,” Hoover says. “You can give time or money or a combination. I don’t donate time in order to get business, but getting involved with helping nonprofits leads to meeting new people, which often leads to more business.”  

“One, be curious about the issues in your area,” Bomberger shares. “Ask questions and get to know the people already working in that space, but also the people being impacted by the issue. You’ll learn a lot from both and then figure out how you can fit into the solution.” 

“Second, actually DO something. Anything. Start by volunteering some time. Get involved in committees or local nonprofit boards that are doing good work. Third, get to know your municipal, county and state representatives. They often want to help with the same issues that you’re seeing. They are the gatekeepers and can provide access to shine a spotlight on the work you’re trying to do.”  

The dollar volume of foreign buyer residential purchases during April 2025 to March 2026 was $45.3 billion, accounting for 2% of the $2.3 trillion of existing-home sales overall, according to the National Association of Realtors® 2026 International Transactions in U.S. Real Estate report. 

Other national highlights during this time include: 

• 67,100 foreign buyers made existing-home purchases, a 14% decrease from 78,1000 in 2025 (1.7% of 4.07 million existing-home sales overall).  
• 56% of foreign buyers were buyers who resided in the U.S. (recent immigrants) or non-immigrant visa holders. 
• The median purchase price for foreign buyers was $465,000, compared to $413,600 for all U.S. existing homes sold. 
• 49% of foreign buyers purchased a property for use as a vacation home, rental or both. 
• 76% purchased a detached single-family home or townhome. 
• 44% purchased in a suburban area. 
• 47% made all-cash purchases. 

Additionally, the top destinations for foreign buyers were Florida (20%), California (19%) and Texas (12%). The majority were from Canada (16%), Mexico (14%) and China (11%). While Pennsylvania was a top destination for buyers from Mexico last year, the state did not appear in NAR’s report this year. 

The number of real estate agents who reported working with an international client (whether or not the client purchased property) also fell from 20% in 2025 to 14% in 2026.  

Pennsylvania’s housing market held steady in August, as home sales, listings and median home price remained consistent with the previous month, according to the latest housing report prepared for the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors®.

The median home price was $330,000 in August, unchanged from July. The median price was up 4.7% year over year.

The number of sales remained essentially the same from July to August, reaching 11,451 last month. Sales were down nearly 6% compared to August 2025, when 12,168 sales were recorded.

Listings were nearly the same at 45,828 in August, compared to 45,944 in July. They dipped about 2% compared to the same time the previous year.

The statewide housing report shows that the largest share of homes on the market is listed at $1 million or higher, with 6.8 to 12.7 months of inventory. Homes listed below $125,000 had 5.7 months of inventory. And homes ranging from $125,000 to $999,999 had 3.9 to 5.5 months of inventory.

The National Association of Realtors® reported that month-over-month sales declined 4% in the Northeast last month. The median price for the Northeast was $556,900 in August, up 4.3% from August 2025.

A steady housing market provides consistency for both buyers and sellers as they consider their next move. With home sales, listings and prices holding steady from the previous month, it gives our clients more time to evaluate their options and make informed decisions based on their individual needs and goals.

We know that these important decisions when buying or selling a home can have a lasting financial impact on consumers. A Realtor® provides local market knowledge, professional guidance and support throughout the transactions, helping consumers understand their options and navigate the process with confidence. And in a changing housing market, that expertise can be especially valuable.

Realtors® and MLS administrators should be on alert for a new scam that affects MLS access.

Recently, an MLS administrator reported receiving an email from someone impersonating a member, requesting that the member’s MLS access email address be changed to one the scammer had set up.

Once the MLS changed the email address, the scammer changed the member’s password and contact information, taking control of the member’s MLS account. And once the scammer had full access to the account, they began posting fake rental listings under the Realtor®’s name, requiring application fees, deposits and other payments.

Since alerting local associations about this illegal activity, two more associations have notified PAR that similar incidents occurred with their MLSs.

Bracken Scott, a member of the Allegheny Valley Board of Realtors®, was one of the first targets of this scam.

“It was strange. My broker called me to ask about a listing in Erie, and then another agent called about a listing in Erie, when I hadn’t posted any listings,” Scott said.

When Scott tried to access his MLS account, he found he couldn’t. “They had changed my email address, password and phone number,” he noted. “A few consumers did reach out to me after searching my name on the internet and contacting me directly.”

“I wanted to make other Realtors® aware of this potential illegal activity. It was stressful. I was concerned that this scammer was illegally taking people’s money using my name,” he added.

PAR Chief Legal Officer Hank Lerner suggests, “MLSs and their members should review current procedures and consider confirming any email requests by calling the number on file.”

Agents are reminded to double-check listings or requests that seem suspicious, such as listings that seem too good to be true or listings that appear off, like out-of-market listings or rentals posted by agents who have never posted rentals before. Other frequent scams recently involve vacant land sales and crypto crimes. Tracy “The Safety Lady” Hawkins shared safety tips for Realtors®.

The appraisal industry is transitioning to a redesigned appraisal report, known as the new Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR), which is built on the Uniform Appraisal Dataset version 3.6 (UAD 3.6). This mandated change is directed by the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). PAR talked with Michelle Czekalski Bradley, a real estate broker, certified general appraiser and USPAP instructor, to answer some questions Realtors® need to know. You can watch a PAR webinar highlighting these changes as well.

What appraisal changes?
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) are replacing the legacy appraisal forms, which have been largely unchanged since 2005, with a single, dynamic, data-driven appraisal report that is generated through appraisal software and adapts to the property type.

When do changes take place?
Some appraisers and lenders started limited use of the new reporting system last year (September 2025), and the report has been broadly available since earlier this year (January 2026). Use of the new appraisal report becomes mandatory on Nov. 2, 2026, for all new Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac appraisals.

It’s important to note that if you have a transaction beginning in September, you might want to ensure that the appraiser is using the new reporting system. The deadline is based on the date the appraisal is submitted to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, not the date the loan application was taken. Once the Nov. 2 deadline hits, any appraisal submitted to the GSEs must use the new reporting system.

Will this apply to every sale?
It applies to conventional loans on 1-4 unit residential properties that are sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which are the majority of mortgages. FHA has announced it is adopting the new report, with optional use beginning in 2026 and a mandatory date still to be announced; VA and USDA have not yet released timelines. It does not apply to portfolio loans a bank keeps in-house, commercial transactions or cash sales.   

Will appraisals take longer?
Yes. The new reporting system requires appraisers to collect more measurements, photos and data points, and many appraisers will now enter that information onsite using a tablet or phone, rather than back at their office. Real estate agents should plan to build a longer appointment into expectations and prepare their sellers for this.

Will turnaround times be affected?
Probably, especially through the transition as appraisers learn the new system and its requirements. Everyone involved, including appraisers, lenders and appraisal management companies, is adjusting to the new process. Building extra time into contract dates may be helpful initially.

What’s different about the new report?
Almost everything. A summary is provided to make key findings easier to locate. You’ll notice photos will be more prominent in sections and information is in a different order.

Kitchens and bathrooms will now be classified according to new criteria. Getting accurate information about the property from your sellers will be more important than ever.

Will the appraiser ask the seller (or agent) more questions?
Yes. Expect questions about what was updated in the home, when and with what materials, especially kitchens and baths, but also for items such as the roof, HVAC, windows and additions. Having these answers will help speed up the appointment and improve the accuracy of the report.

What can I do to prepare my seller for these new reports?
Explain that the appraisal will take longer and appraisers will photograph each room and that all areas need to be accessible, e.g. basements, attics, garages and outbuildings.

Have your seller document the property’s improvement history before the appraisal: what was done and approximately when. This information needs to be included in the new appraisal report.

What can listing agents do on the MLS side?
Accurate listing data matters more than ever. The new report captures property information at a much more detailed level, and appraisers will be comparing what they observe onsite against what the MLS says. Double-check your square footage, room counts, lot size and year built, and make sure any updates or renovations you mention in the listing are described accurately, including approximately when they were done. A precise listing supports a smoother appraisal for your seller and better comparable data for every appraisal that uses your sale down the road.

What should I ask the bank/lender?
Ask whether the lending company has begun incorporating the new appraisal reporting system, and, if not, when they will.

Have their underwriters been trained on the new appraisal report? The lender or its appraisal management company must submit the report through the GSEs’ portal correctly, and underwriters need to be ready to review the new format and its findings.

You can also find more information about appraisal changes at NAR.Realtor.

Pennsylvania real estate and appraiser schools could face new costs — and potentially temporary interruptions to operations — if legislation correcting a longstanding oversight does not become law. 

Senate Bill 838 (Culver, R-Columbia) would clarify which state agency oversees real estate and appraiser schools. The bill needs one more vote before it can be sent to the governor, with just nine session days remaining in the 2025-26 legislative session. 

PAR is asking for your help and has launched a call-to-action to all Realtors® to contact their state representative and ask them to support SB 838. 

Since the enactment of the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act in the early 1980s, the Pennsylvania Department of State has overseen real estate and appraiser schools, including approving courses and handling school registrations and fees. 

Later, the General Assembly enacted the Private Licensed Schools Act, which governs schools that provide vocational training. That law requires covered schools to register with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and obtain course approval. 

The Private Licensed Schools Act also includes a list of schools exempt from its requirements. Real estate and appraiser schools, however, were not included in the exemption list when the statute originally passed. 

The omission appears to stem from the timing of the two laws: RELRA established oversight of real estate and appraiser schools before the Private Licensed Schools Act was enacted. 

SB 838 would address the issue by amending the Private Licensed Schools Act to specifically exempt real estate and appraiser schools from its requirements, preserving the existing regulatory structure under the Department of State. 

Without the legislation, the Department of Education could potentially require real estate and appraiser schools to obtain separate licenses and course approvals. That process could bring additional costs and, in some cases, could make it more difficult for smaller schools to remain in operation. 

SB 838 has received unanimous support in the Pennsylvania Senate and from the House Professional Licensure Committee. The remaining step is a final vote in the House before the bill can be sent to the governor. 

With the legislative session winding down and nine session days remaining, PAR is urging members to help move the legislation across the finish line. 

PAR is conducting a targeted campaign urging lawmakers to support the measure. Realtors® can contact their state representative and ask them to bring SB 838 up for a vote and support its passage.  

Respond to the call-to-action!

Philadelphia is experiencing a surge in millennial homebuyers. The city ranked no. 17 on RentCafe’s list of top 20 metro areas where more millennials are buying. 

From 2018 to 2023, millennial homeownership in Philly increased by 91.7%, significantly outpacing the national five-year average of 74%. The metro also stood out as one of a few on the list not located in the Sun Belt region – a standout among many metros in Florida, California and Texas.  

The increase in millennial owner households in Philly may have been partly driven by an income growth of 37.9%, which comfortably cleared the local price appreciation of 18.5%. 

By the numbers, Philly had 385,854 millennial owner households in 2023, compared to 201,239 in 2018. It fell between El Paso and Richmond, which had 95.3% and 89.7% five-year changes, respectively.  

Farther down on the list, Scranton ranked no. 31,  Harrisburg no. 42, Allentown no. 56, Lancaster no. 79 and Pittsburgh no. 97. Lancaster also ranked fourth on the list of top metros with the largest overall shares of millennial homeowners. 

Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, and 2025 was a record-breaking year for Hispanic homeownership, according to the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ 2025 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report. 

Key Findings Nationally 

Last year, Hispanic owner-households saw a net gain of 441,000, reaching a record high of 10.2 million. NAHREP reports this was the largest gain of any racial or ethnic demographic and the largest single-year increase for Hispanics since the U.S. Census Bureau began collecting this data in 1975. 

Overall, Hispanics added over 1 million new households, accounting for 92.6% of national household growth. With a median age of 31, Hispanics were cited as the youngest ethnic and racial demographic, with many approaching prime household formation and homebuying years. 

Pennsylvania Overview 

In Pennsylvania, the Latino population was 1.2 million, accounting for 9.4% of the overall population. The median Latino age was 28.7 years old, and the median household income was $59,600.  

The homeownership rate for Latinos was 47.8%, compared to 69.3% for the general population. Latinos were responsible for 28% of homeownership growth over the last 10 years. 

Barriers to Homeownership 

Despite making leaps, Hispanic homeownership continues to face barriers. 

NAHREP notes that intensified immigration enforcement played a role in dampening the demographic’s housing demand and weakening consumer confidence, as fear of enforcement caused many Hispanic households to delay or abandon plans to purchase a home. 

Additionally, housing supply still has a long way to go, as recovery is uneven and challenges remain. In 2025, there was a national housing deficit of roughly 3.8 million homes. Moreover, the cost of homeowner’s insurance creates additional barriers, impacting affordability and reducing purchasing power. 

Registration for this year’s Triple Play Realtor® Convention and Trade Expo is now open. 

The annual convention will take place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, from Monday, Dec. 7, to Thursday, Dec. 10. As always, Realtors®, brokers, appraisers and other real estate professionals will have the opportunity to gain continuing education and network at this event, which is the largest real estate convention and trade show of its kind in the United States. 

Brought to you by the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors®, New Jersey Realtors® and the New York State Association of Realtors®, this year’s Triple Play is set to highlight over 40 speakers across more than 100 sessions, and the trade expo will feature over 250 vendor booths. Don’t forget to stop by PAR’s booth! 

Designation and certification courses will be held on Monday, Dec. 7, and require pre-registration and extra fees. Registration for designation and certification courses closes on Monday, Nov. 30. Other courses and continuing education will begin at noon on Monday. Many courses have been approved for Pennsylvania continuing education. 

From now until Wednesday, Oct. 14, the early bird registration rate is only $125. Register now online, and keep an eye out for future JustListed articles highlighting sessions at this year’s convention.