News

We invite you to consider your peers and nominate an outstanding REALTOR® for any of these awards!

The winners will be announced at our annual Installation and Awards Ceremony taking place on Monday, December 7th at noon, so save the date to see if your nominee is a winner. 

For more details and to nominate someone in one of the award categories below, simply click on the corresponding link. If you have questions, email smoody@scaor.com or call 302-855-2300 to speak to Stephanie Moody.

Educator of the Year – honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to real estate education, shown proficiency in real estate-related subject matter, and made a significant impact on our members or the communities we serve.

Rookie of the Year – recognizes a new agent who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to personal and professional growth during their first two years in real estate.  The ideal nominee actively seeks out learning opportunities, engages in mentorship, and strives to meet or exceed performance goals. This person also stands out for their positive contributions to their brokerage, team, or local community.

Good Neighbor Award – given to a REALTOR whose primary profession is real estate and who goes above and beyond through volunteer work, making a meaningful and lasting impact on their community.

REALTOR of the Year – given to a SCAOR member who exemplifies the REALTOR image and goes beyond the call of duty.

Lifetime Achievement Award – the highest distinction awarded by the association and is intended to recognize and honor individuals who have established an unparalleled lifetime record of leadership, service, and contribution to the local, state and national association of REALTORS.

Alma Ashley Award – celebrates one rental REALTOR who encompasses the distinctive qualities of customer service resulting in a positive and lasting impact on the entire rental community.

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SCAORPAC Trivia Night at Nicola’s Pizza in Lewes was a great way to kick off October! Thanks to everyone who joined us on October 1 for an evening of food, fun, friendly competition and plenty of laughs.

Congratulations to Team Motley Crew for claiming the coveted First Place Trophy! A great night and a wonderful way to welcome autumn at the Delaware beaches.

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The time has come to renew your REALTOR® membership for the upcoming year. Dues will be processed and in your portal by October 1st.

While SCAOR membership dues have increased by $20, we are pleased to announce that your 2027 membership will include FOREWARN, a valuable safety and intelligence tool designed to help REALTORS® better protect themselves and conduct business with confidence. Access to this new member benefit will be rolled out in late 2026, and we will share additional information, training opportunities, and activation details as they become available. Please be on the lookout for future communications regarding FOREWARN and how to take full advantage of this benefit.

To help you better understand the value of your membership, we have prepared a Membership Value Worksheet outlining the many benefits, services, and resources included with your dues. We encourage you to review it and take full advantage of the investments SCAOR makes in supporting your success.

Finally, we encourage you to attend our General Membership Meeting on Thursday, October 15th at 1:00pm via Zoom where we’ll present SCAOR’s newly approved Strategic Plan and introduce the 2027 Board of Directors. You will be able to learn about the association’s vision, priorities, and goals for the future while getting to know the leaders who will help guide us forward.

Please review the important dues deadlines below:

Important Dates & Deadlines

October 11

If you do not plan to renew your membership, written notification must be received at info@scaor.com no later than October 11

October 12

Members enrolled in Auto-Pay will receive a dues reminder and invoice.

October 15

Auto-Pay transactions will be processed.

Please verify that your credit card information is current before October 12.
Outdated payment information may cause your payment to fail and could result in late fees.

October 31

? Membership dues payment deadline. All dues must be paid by this date to avoid late fees.

November 1

A $25 late fee will be added to unpaid accounts.

December 1

An additional $25 late fee will be assessed on accounts that remain unpaid after November 30.

January 2, 2027

Accounts that remain unpaid after December 31 will be assessed a $50 reinstatement fee in addition to previous late fees. Membership and SentriLock services will be terminated. Please note that an active REALTOR® membership is required to maintain SentriLock access.

If you have any questions regarding your dues invoice, payment options, or membership status, please contact the SCAOR office at 302-855-2300 or info@scaor.com.

Thank you for your continued membership and support. We look forward to serving you in the coming year.

Sincerely,

The SCAOR Team

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SCAOR members and affiliates gathered on the beach Thursday evening for the SCAOR YPN Bonfire, enjoying a beautiful late-summer evening filled with great food, conversation, and plenty of time to connect with friends and colleagues. The annual gathering offered a relaxed way to step away from the office, catch up with familiar faces, meet new ones, and enjoy an evening together along the Sussex County coast.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a success! SCAOR extends a special thank you to our participating SCAOR Affiliates — CK Capital Management, Scott and Shuman, Smooth Sailings, and Ward & Taylor — for their support of the evening, as well as Banks Liquors for their generous contribution to the event. Check out some highlights from the evening below!

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Stand out in today’s buyer-focused market.

Whether you’re working with first-time homebuyers, seasoned investors, or clients relocating to Delaware, today’s buyers expect knowledgeable representation every step of the way. The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed specifically for REALTORS® who want to sharpen their buyer representation skills, strengthen client relationships, and distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

This comprehensive two-day course fulfills the Delaware Real Estate Commission Continuing Education requirements for Modules 6 & 7 while providing practical strategies you can put to work immediately.

 

Why Earn the ABR® Designation?

Participants will learn how to:

• Strengthen their buyer representation expertise
• Better serve clients throughout every stage of the home-buying process
• Stay current on buyer trends, issues, and industry best practices
• Gain access to valuable ABR® member resources, publications, and marketing tools
• Build networking and referral opportunities with fellow ABR® designees

Whether you’re new to working with buyers or looking to elevate your existing skills, the ABR® designation demonstrates your commitment to professional excellence and exceptional client service.

Course Information

Dates: September 24–25, 2026

Instructor: Mary Chieppa

Registration Fees

• SCAOR Members: $295
• Non-Members: $325

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

If helping buyers is a significant part of your business, the ABR® designation is an investment that can help you stand apart in the marketplace while enhancing the value you provide to every client.

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More than 50 SCAOR members gathered on June 24 at the SCAOR office in Georgetown for an informative Lunch & Learn focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), homeowner association considerations, and the important role REALTOR® advocacy plays in shaping housing policy.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Big Fish Grill before hearing presentations from a distinguished panel of speakers representing local, state, and industry perspectives on the growing conversation surrounding ADUs and common interest communities (CICs).

The program was opened by George Thomasson, 2026 Chair of the SCAOR Political Action Committee and Delaware Association of REALTORS® representative on the National Association of REALTORS® RPAC Major Investment Council. Thomasson welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of understanding emerging housing issues and the advocacy efforts that help protect property rights while supporting responsible growth.

Presentations were delivered by Wesley Stefanck, CEO of the Delaware Association of REALTORS®, who provided a statewide perspective on ADUs and housing policy trends; Stephanie Moody, CEO of SCAOR, who discussed local considerations and the broader national landscape; and REALTOR® Pat Campbell-White, who serves on the Advisory Council to the Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsperson and shared insights into common interest communities and the homeowner associations that govern them.

Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions throughout the program, resulting in thoughtful discussion on housing opportunities, community concerns, property rights, and the challenges that can arise within HOA-governed neighborhoods.

The event also featured special guest Heather Zimmaro, Vice Chair of the Major Investor Fundraising Council, who joined via Zoom to discuss the importance of REALTOR® advocacy and the role RPAC plays in supporting public policies that protect private property rights, promote responsible growth, and advance the interests of property owners, communities, and the real estate profession.

The discussion highlighted how issues such as ADUs, common interest communities, housing opportunity, and REALTOR® advocacy are increasingly interconnected as Delaware communities navigate growth and evolving housing needs.

The Lunch & Learn provided members with valuable information on an issue that continues to shape conversations throughout Delaware and across the nation. SCAOR thanks all of the presenters, participants, and attendees who contributed to a highly engaging and informative program.

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The time has come to process dues, and we wanted to share a few important reminders about upcoming deadlines and late fee dates. Please review the information below carefully to help ensure your membership remains active and uninterrupted.

If you have any questions, please contact the SCAOR office at 302-855-2300 or email info@scaor.com.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

June 25 – Auto-payments will be processed on June 25, and a reminder/invoice will be emailed on June 22.

Please verify that your credit card information is up to date prior to June 22, or your dues may not process correctly, which could result in a late fee.

If you are discontinuing your membership, please notify SCAOR in writing at info@scaor.com no later than June 22.

⏰June 30 – Payments are due.
Please make sure your payment is submitted by this date to avoid late fees.

⏰July 1 – A $25 late fee will be assessed if payment has not been received by June 30.

⏰August 1 – An additional $25 late fee will be assessed if payment has not been received by July 31.

⏰September 1 – If payment has not been received by August 31: A $50 late fee and reinstatement fee will be assessed and Sentrilock services will be terminated

Please note: The unpaid invoice, late fees, and reinstatement fee will remain in your member portal until the next billing cycle begins on May 30, 2027. If you choose to reinstate your Sentrilock Membership at any point during the billing cycle, full payment plus all applicable late and reinstatement fees will still apply.

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