PAR is gathering member feedback on revisions made to four commercial standard forms. The recommended revisions are the result of PAR’s Commercial Forms Task Force, which was appointed last fall to provide an opportunity for members who engage in commercial transactions to review those forms to ensure they reflect today’s marketplace. While there have been some updates to commercial forms over the years, the full forms library has not had a comprehensive review in years, so the intent of the current task force is to systematically look at all of the commercial forms. 

The task force divided the forms into two batches: one focused on sales-related forms and the other on leasing, property management and miscellaneous. The task force members reviewed the forms line by line during their nearly 15 meetings. 

The task force is gathering feedback on the revised sales-related forms prior to PAR’s Spring Business Meetings in June, so they can review those suggestions and make any changes that they believe are necessary before presenting the finalized draft forms to the Standard Forms Committee for approval. They will review other commercial forms later.  

Task force members want to ensure that input is received from commercial practitioners throughout the state. There have been substantial changes made to the forms since it has been a while since they were reviewed. 

The forms available in draft form are: 

1. Agreement of Sale for Commercial Real Estate – Form ASC
2. Commercial Buyer/Tenant Agency Contract – Form CBAC 
3. Commercial Property Information Sheet – Form CPI 
4. Listing Contract – Exclusive Right to Sell and/or Lease Commercial Property – Form XLSC

Commercial practitioners can log into PARealtors.org and view the draft forms here. Feedback can be submitted in the form at the bottom of the webpage and it’s encouraged to submit feedback by May 20 for the task force to consider before the Spring Business Meetings. 

Readers will see different colors throughout the forms. Red text is new language that has been added to the forms. Blue text is language that already existed in the form and has been moved. The task force is asking for feedback on the substance of the changes or for comments on things that readers believe should have been changed. There’s no need to provide feedback on things like typos, formatting and line number errors, as those will be addressed in the final reviews prior to publication. 

PAR member Dominic Janidas, CCIM, is chairing the Commercial Forms Task Force. He brings an extensive background in both residential and commercial real estate and served as 2022 president of the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) PA/NJ/DE Chapter. 

Members selected to serve on the task force represent the 10 districts and have experience in different markets, brokerage models and levels of commercial experience to represent every perspective. 

The Commercial Forms Task Force members have worked incredibly hard and accomplished an impressive amount of work in the past several months.  

“I’m incredibly proud of this group. The amount of time, detail and thought that’s gone into these forms, line by line, has been nothing short of impressive, and certainly a showcase of the dedication our task force members have to our membership at large. This wasn’t surface-level work, this was roll-your-sleeves-up and get it right, work,” Janidas says. 

He adds that the task force volunteers are helping create clarity, consistency and better tools for commercial practitioners across the commonwealth, stressing the importance of moving the industry forward. Prioritizing commercial real estate is important to both commercial Realtors® and to the industry as a whole. 

Lynne Kelleher is a Realtor® and a good neighbor who founded the Bucks County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care, an organization of nearly 300 members that has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to its local community since its inception.  

“100+ Women Who Care, Bucks County is designed to have a direct, positive impact on those in need in my community,” Kelleher, a member of the Bucks County Association of Realtors® and BCAR’s 2025 Good Neighbor Award recipient, says. “I started to organization in 2014 with 35 members, and it has grown to 285. In 2025, we donated over $110,000 to 12 different charities – and we did it in four hours.” 

Through 100+ Women Who Care, Kelleher has spearheaded donations to nearly 50 different local charities, including Bucks County Housing Group, Family Services of Bucks County, Coalition to Shelter and Support the Homeless, United Way COVID-19 Relief Fund for Bucks County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County and more.  

“My capacity as a Realtor® puts me in touch with lots of people, whether it’s clients, leaders, agents or others related to the industry – all of which have helped me grow the organization’s membership and the good we do,” Kelleher adds.  

“I’ve always felt it was important to support the community that supports my business. Doing so has expanded my reach and shows my community a different, and enhanced, version of myself. I am not just Lynne Kelleher, Realtor®. I’m Lynne Kelleher, community supporter.” 

If you know a Realtor® who’s a good neighbor in their community, send their name and initiative to Hope Walborn for a chance to be highlighted in JustListed. 

Do-it-yourself projects rose to 81% during the pandemic, but are people still taking home maintenance into their own hands?  

The answer is yes, according to a recent survey by Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate, which found that 75% of homeowners attempt DIY projects. They remain a popular way to get home repairs done on a budget, which is the top reason for doing DIYs (72%). Other common reasons include having spare time/being bored, DIYs seeming fun and to learn a new skill.  

The top priority for DIYers across all generations is using high-quality products, with 79% rating it as their biggest concern. Ease of use and cost are also important (49% each).  

Ruby Home found that the most popular DIY projects recently have been: 

1. Home interior (painting, flooring, décor) 
2. Landscaping 
3. Living space (living room, bedroom, office) 
4. Closet/storage 
5. Maintenance (gutters, dryer vents) 

And the top DIY-related products purchased were: 

1. Lawn and garden products 
2. Hardware 
3. Paint and paint supplies 
4. Lighting and lighting accessories 
5. Hand or power tools 

Cost-wise, respondents said their DIY projects typically run between $2,000 and $5,000. But how much do these hands-on projects really save? The top projects with the most savings according to mean costs were: 

1. Kitchen addition ($32,720)
2. Bedroom addition/renovation ($29,947) 
3. Rec room addition/renovation ($11,720) 
4. Kitchen remodel ($10,453) 
5. Bathroom remodeling ($6,773) 

Energy-efficient cost savings is a top concern for homeowners, as 37% said their utility bill fluctuations impacted their financial stability last year, according to a survey by Hippo Home Insurance. 

Hippo reports that energy costs rose by 25% between the start of the pandemic and November 2025. As of January 2026, they were up 7% YOY.  

As energy prices have risen, these utility bill costs have become more worrisome for homeowners than: 

• Unexpected home repairs or maintenance issues (33%) 
• Rising insurance premiums or coverage changes (27%) 
• Increased property taxes or HOA fees (26%) 
• Major appliance replacement (25%) 
• Costs related to home safety or security upgrades (15%) 

Twenty-five percent of homeowners reported completing maintenance tasks in 2025 to increase energy efficiency and sustainability, helping to offset utility bill concerns.  

Additionally, 32% of homeowners advise new buyers to make home upgrades to improve energy efficiency and sustainability. 

Trying to lower your energy bill? Hippo offers some tips: 

• Leave infrequently-used devices unplugged 
• Check your windows for air leaks 
• Swap your air filters on a regular basis 
• Clean your large appliance filters regularly  

Energy-efficient upgrades can also help decrease energy costs, including: 

• Smart home upgrades, like smart thermostats and smart light bulbs 
• Energy-efficient doors and windows  
• Heat pumps 
• Cool roofs 

Storage space is often sought after by homebuyers and homeowners alike. Here are seven storage trends that offer both functionality and value, from Houzz. 

1. Vertically Stretched Cabinets 

In smaller kitchens and kitchens with higher ceilings, homeowners can take advantage of vertical space by adding ceiling-height cabinets. 

“The uppermost shelves are a great place to store lesser-used items, such as seasonal cookware, keeping lower cabinets free for more frequently used pieces,” Houzz says. 

Taller cabinets can also create a more finished look and draw the eye upward, resulting in a more spacious-looking kitchen. 

2. Glass-Front Cabinet Doors 

Kitchen cabinets with glass-front doors help break up the solid walls/cabinets and add visual interest. Homeowners can use these cabinets to show off their favorite dishes, display their organizational skills or make their kitchenware more visually accessible. 

3. Interior Cabinet Lighting 

Interior lighting adds further visual interest and an elevated feeling to spaces like kitchens and dining rooms.  

“Whether it’s built-in recessed lighting or low-profile lighting such as puck lights or tape lights, the extra illumination both adds beauty to kitchen design and makes it easier to see items,” Houzz notes. “This is particularly helpful if a cabinet is especially large or too high or low to be lit by the main kitchen lights, or for homeowners with waning eyesight.” 

4. Bifold or Retractable Cabinet Doors 

For homeowners who can’t decide between open or closed storage, bifold and retractable cabinet doors are the perfect compromise. This way, favorite items can be shown off without doors hanging open haphazardly, or they can be neatly tucked away out of sight. 

5. Countertop Towers 

“Adding a tall vertical cabinet to a countertop is a space-savvy solution, particularly helpful in a compact kitchen or bath,” Houzz says, adding that bathroom towers with ventilation holes are a nice touch to increase airflow and prevent moisture-related issues. 

These tower cabinets can also discreetly house items like toothbrushes, hairdryers, baking pans and more.  

6. Longer Vanities 

Many homeowners are choosing longer vanities for more storage and a more unified look in their bathrooms. Houzz reports that 46% of renovating homeowners opt for a vanity that’s longer than 60 inches.  

Some of these vanities also have additional storage features, including makeup stations/storage, pullouts and inserts for specific items, like hairstyling tools. 

7. Vanity Drawer Below Plumbing 

“Instead of having one big cabinet below the sink, which works around plumbing pipes but wastes space, or having several too-small drawers, designers and homeowners are getting creative,” says Houzz. 

“Some winning designs have an under-sink cabinet that’s smaller than usual, but with a drawer added below that cabinet. This full-size drawer can hold towels, hairstyling tools or toiletries with ease, helping keep countertops clutter-free and items within easy reach.” 

In January of this year, single-family permits were down year over year, according to the National Association of Home Builders. 

Over that month, 62,034 single-family permits were issued, accounting for a 15.2% decline compared to January 2025 (73,115 permits).  

In the Northeast specifically, single-family permits showed a 20.1% decrease – the largest of all four regions. Pennsylvania’s single-family permits declined by 19.9%, which was a more significant decrease than all of its neighboring states except for Maryland (-38.2%). 

In comparison, multifamily permits stayed steady nationwide, decreasing only 0.5% YOY. However, in the Northeast, they saw a 39.4% increase – again, the largest change of all four U.S. regions. Pennsylvania alone had a 49.8% increase in multifamily permits from January 2025 to January 2026. 

When it comes to homeowners’ insurance, what issue do Realtors® in Pennsylvania see the most? 

“Roofs!” says Todd Van Horn, a member of the Realtors® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh.  

“Roofs,” seconds Barbara Bolls, another member of RAMP. “A common issue I see is roofs 15 years or older being required to be replaced solely based on age.” 

Van Horn offers further explanation on why this requirement raises issues with many insurance companies across the state. 

“In Pennsylvania, the ’15-year mark’ is the new threshold for insurance scrutiny,” he says. “Once a roof hits this age, insurance carriers often demand a professional certification just to maintain coverage. For standard asphalt shingles, the 20-year milestone is even harsher. Many insurers will outright deny coverage or downgrade your policy from the Replacement Cost Value to Actual Cash Value.” 

“For example, RCV pays to replace your roof at today’s prices, while ACV only pays what your old, worn roof is worth at the time of the loss. Despite the ’30-year’ label on many shingle products, sellers are frequently blindsided by these new, stricter limits.” 

“Conversely, metal or tile roofs enjoy much more leniency, with full coverage often extending 30 to 50 years,” Van Horn adds.  

“A roof that is 15 years old or older in Pennsylvania can affect home insurance eligibility and cost,” says Insurance Cost Guide. “Insurers consider roof age and condition because older roofs are more likely to sustain damage from wind or hail.” 

Homeowners with these older roofs may face challenges when insurers require an inspection, apply a surcharge or restrict coverage until the roof is updated. Homeowners should review their policy details, inspect their roofs regularly and explore repair/replacement options to maintain adequate coverage and avoid potential claim issues.  

Our state housing market saw a modest uptick, rising 5.2% year over year in March, according to the latest housing report prepared for the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors®. The March median home sales price was $300,000, up just over 4% compared to February.

The number of sales fell 9.7% compared to the same time last year, hitting over 8,100 in March. However, sales increased more than 20% compared to the previous month.

Pennsylvania’s market reflects what the National Association of Realtors® reported for the existing-home median price in the Northeast, with a 5.7% jump year over year in March. However, the Northeast saw an 8.5% decrease in sales month-over-month, which differs from Pennsylvania’s 20% increase in sales month-over-month.

NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun noted in a press release, “Inventory remains a major constraint on the market. The inventory-to-sales ratio, or supply-to-demand ratio, is below historical norms. An additional 300,000 to 500,000 homes for sale (nationally) would help bring the market closer to normal conditions and allow consumers to make purchase decisions without feeling rushed.”

In Pennsylvania, we’re seeing a reserved spring boost for the market with more sales in March compared to February. The jump in price signals a steady demand, as well as the inventory shortfall the commonwealth continues to see.

Housing inventory rose compared to last month but remains below levels seen at the same time last year, highlighting a constrained market. There were over 37,200 homes listed on the market in March, up more than 9% from the previous month, yet down that same percentage from March 2025.

The commonwealth’s housing market is showing signs of gradual adjustment, with modest price growth and a slight increase in listings month over month. However, inventory is still trailing last year’s levels, reflecting a market that remains tight but is slowly finding balance.

It’s important for consumers to understand that buying or selling a home is one of life’s biggest financial decisions and having a trusted real estate professional by your side provides the expertise, guidance and advocacy needed to navigate every step with confidence.

Pennsylvania reached a settlement with Florida-based MV Realty and Amanda Zachman last week.  

Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that under the agreement, MV Realty agreed to terminate more than 1,300 mortgages it recorded on properties across Pennsylvania through its “Homeowner Benefit Program,” cancel all existing contracts with Pennsylvania homeowners, and pay $645,595 in restitution to consumers who paid early termination fees. 

The lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s Office in 2022 alleged that MV Realty misled consumers about the terms of its program and placed mortgage liens on homes without homeowners’ knowledge, in violation of Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.  

“Pennsylvania homeowners who fell victim to MV Realty’s deceptive sales practices were trapped by the mortgages placed on their homes,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This settlement provides impactful relief by eliminating those mortgages and protecting homeowners’ most valuable assets.” 

PAR President David Dean said, “PAR is pleased that the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office is working to protect housing consumers from unfair real estate practices throughout the commonwealth.” 

For real estate agents in Pennsylvania who may notice something in a title with MV Realty should know that this agreement is no longer valid. 

Pennsylvania consumers who entered into Homeowner Benefit Agreements with MV Realty do not need to take action in order to obtain a termination of the mortgages on their homes, but PAR Chief Legal Officer Hank Lerner notes that property owners who have signed up for their county’s deed monitoring service should likely be notified when the mortgage lien is satisfied, as required by the settlement. 

However, consumers who paid an early termination fee to MV Realty are strongly encouraged to file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection within 60 days to qualify for potential restitution, if they have not already done so. Consumers can file complaints online, by phone at 800-441-2555, or by emailing consumers@attorneygeneral.gov.  

Lerner added, “Agents who worked with sellers that paid some sort of termination fee may want to reach out to those past clients to let them know about the settlement, and that they may be entitled to recover some or all of that payment.” 

The full list of settlement terms includes the following:  

• All existing Homeowner Benefit Agreements MV Realty signed with Pennsylvania homeowners shall be null and void. Within 30 days of the effective date of the Consent Petition, MV Realty shall submit for recording in public records satisfactions of all mortgages recorded in Pennsylvania. 

• MV Realty shall pay partial consumer restitution of $645,595 and litigation costs of $7,000. The company will make payments in installments to be completed by March 1, 2027. 

• MV Realty and its officers shall be permanently prohibited from engaging in any business involving the purchase or sale of residential real estate in Pennsylvania. 

• Civil penalties against MV Realty shall be assessed at $1,663,000 and against Zachman at $50,000, which shall be suspended so long as they comply with the terms of the Consent Petition.  

The consent petition was filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and is pending the court’s approval.  

With summer nearing, now is the perfect time for homeowners to think about maximizing the potential of their outdoor living spaces. Here are seven recent trends to consider from Frontdoor. 

1. Native Plants and Pollinators 

“Contemporary outdoor space ideas are designed to honor the connection between people and the natural world around them,” says Frontdoor. “Planting native plants in your garden beds cuts down on maintenance while helping support local ecosystems.” 

Additionally, pollinator gardens attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, contributing to the ecosystem and adding movement and life. 

Looking to spruce up your outdoor area with plants native to Pennsylvania? Check out this JustListed article. 

2. Drought-Tolerant Lawn Design 

With rising droughts and climate issues, it’s always good to conserve water and stay eco-minded. Many homeowners are trading traditional landscaping for drought-tolerant options, such as planting succulents, clover, ornamental grasses and even artificial turf – all of which keep yards looking green without sucking up water. 

3. Outdoor Kitchens and Dining Areas 

Outdoor kitchens and dining areas are in high demand. Cooking and eating outside adds a new experience and offers more opportunities for hosting. 

Common features of this trend include pizza ovens, prep counters, bar seating and covered dining areas. 

4. Multifunctional Decks 

“This trend includes expanding decks by including built-in benches, modular furniture, shade structures and weatherproof finishes,” says Frontdoor. “With these flourishes, homeowners can carve out layered, flexible spaces that evolve with the seasons and their schedules.”  

5. Backyard Play Areas 

Backyard play areas for children aren’t anything new, but they have been trending more since everyone was stuck at home during the pandemic. Some families have opted for customized backyard playgrounds that grow with their kids. Nonetheless, these classic areas continue to include features such as slides, swings, climbing walls, hideouts and more. 

6. Low-Maintenance Hardscaping Materials 

Hardscaping materials like decomposed granite, poured concrete and natural stone offer low-maintenance options that are tough but stylish. They can upgrade patios and paths, and they pair well with all kinds of greenery. 

7. Landscape Lighting 

Landscape lighting brings warmth and ambience once the sun goes down, adding functionality to outdoor living spaces in evenings and at night. 

“Modern outdoor living (and lighting) ideas include pathway lights, sculptural sconces or a canopy of string lights twinkling over your dining area,” Frontdoor notes. “It’s less about utility and more about mood – lighting that makes your yard feel warm, safe and full of atmosphere.”