SMDRA WEEKLY NEWS & EVENTS • FEBRUARY 20, 2026

FROM 5280 Magazine: REALTOR Profiles

Speak directly to the audience looking to buy or sell a home this year. 5280’s Realtor Profiles special advertising section delivers direct access to Denver’s affluent and educated audience. Please email ari@5280.com or kara@5280.com for inquiries or questions.

FREE EDUCATION FOR SMDRA MEMBERS!

ALL CLASSES except designations and certifications are FREE for SMDRA members.

Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation

DATE: Tue & Wed, February 24 &25, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 4:00pm Each Day

LOCATION: On-Line Zoom Format

CE CREDITS: 12

INSTUCTOR: Mickey Sanders

COST: $225 Members / $275 Others

CLASS INFORMATION: According to NAR's 2023 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, Baby Boomers now constitute a remarkable 52% of all sellers. In addition, they overtook millennials in 2022 as the largest cohort of homebuyers. The impact of this demographic on our market is undeniable, making it essential for real estate professionals to be well-prepared to counsel and assist them in the home buying and selling process.

The SRES® designation course is designed to instill knowledge, understanding and empathy for 50+ real estate clients and customers. By completing this intensive two-day, 12 CE credit course, you will develop the business-building skills and resources needed to specialize in the 50+ real estate market. The curriculum covers a wide array of topics, including selling family homes, buying rental properties and assisting seniors with transitions to senior communities.

Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA)

Certification

DATE: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

TIME: 9:00am to 4:00pm

LOCATION: On-Line Zoom Format

CE CREDITS: 6

INSTUCTOR: Rich Sands

COST: $129 Members / $159 Others

CLASS INFORMATION: The Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification is specifically designed to enhance your skills on pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values.

Determining property values depends more than ever on professional expertise and competence, the best use of technology, and approaching the pricing assignment from various perspectives. Enhance your skills in pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values with the PSA certification.

The key to competitive home pricing is becoming proficient at comparative market analyses (CMAs). In this class, you will learn how to evaluate the existing real estate market to take the guesswork out of pricing homes. 

March Town Hall Talks Member Meeting: Your Feedback in Action: What the 2026 Member Survey Told Us

DATE: Friday, March 6, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 10:00am

COST: This is a SMDRA Member Only Event

LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center

SPEAKER: SMDRA Leadership & Stadd

TOPIC: Your Feedback in Action: What the 2026 SMDRA Member Survey Told Us

SESSION INFORMATION: Town Hall Talks are on the first Friday of every month. This will be a general SMDRA membership and marketing meeting. An opportunity to catch up on what’s happening at SMDRA, a brief informational presentation, property marketing, buyers and seller’s needs, networking with fellow SMDRA members and OF COURSE DONUTS!

Join us for March Town Hall Talks as we share highlights from the 2026 SMDRA Member Survey and walk through what you told us, what we heard, and how your feedback is helping guide future programs, benefits, education, and advocacy efforts.

This session is all about transparency, conversation, and connection, plus a look at where we’re headed together in the year ahead. Come ask questions, share insights, and be part of the ongoing dialogue that helps strengthen your Association.

And yes… coffee, donuts, and great conversations included.

TOWN HALL TALKS SPONSOR: Marissa Brennan with First American Title

https://www.firstam.com/title-insurance-and-settlement-services/

2026 Mentor Luncheon

Presented By YPN

DATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2025

TIME: 11:00am to 1:00pm

COST: Free for SMDRA members

LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center

TOPIC: 2026 YPN Mentor Luncheon

SESSION INFORMATION: The Young Professionals Network is proud to produce this annual event. Whether you’re just getting started in real estate or a seasoned REALTOR®, you can always benefit from hearing from industry leaders and mentors on ways to build your business. Our expert panelists will give their tips and tricks on how to succeed in this ever-changing industry. 

Panel topics include:

Brian Anzur – Using Association Resources to Build Your Business

Stacie Duffy – Leveraging AI Tools to Improve Your Business

Aaron Westbrooks – Building Trust as a New/Young Agent

Kyle Paris -- YPN from a National Perspective

March Connections & Cocktails:

St Patrick's Day and BINGO!

DATE: Thursday, March 12, 2026

TIME: 4:00pm to 6:00pm

TOPIC: Connections & Cocktails Member Networking

MARCH THEME: St. Patrick's Day & BINGO

THIS IS A SMDRA MEMBER ONLY EVENT!

Join us every second Thursday of the month from 4:00–6:00 PM for Connections & Cocktails, our lively networking event designed exclusively for SMDRA members and March is bringing a little extra Irish luck!

Enjoy festive cocktails, light appetizers, vibrant music spun by our DJ Member, and St. Patrick’s Day–themed fun, including a round (or two) of BINGO for bragging rights and prizes. 🍀🎱

We’re leaning into the theme, so wear your green, bring a friend, and get ready to mix business, connections, and a little friendly competition, no pinching required.

Whether you’re here to network, sip, play BINGO, or just enjoy the vibes, this March Connections & Cocktails is sure to be a lucky one.

CONNECTIONS & COCKTAILS SPONSOR:

ENT Credit Union Mortgage Lending

https://bit.ly/ENT-CU

March Power Lunch: Colorado by the Numbers: Population Trends Shaping Housing & the Economy

DATE: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

TIME: 11:00am-11:20am – Lunch and Networking

11:20 Welcome Announcements & Sponsor

11:30am-1:00pm – Program

TOPIC: Colorado by the Numbers: Population Trends Shaping Housing & the Economy

LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center

SPEAKER: Kate Watkins, Colorado State Demographer

SESSION INFORMATION: Join us for an insightful Power Lunch with Kate Watkins, Colorado State Demographer, as she shares the latest population estimates and projections from the Colorado State Demography Office. This session will explore key demographic trends shaping Colorado’s housing market and economy, including net migration patterns, an aging population, and where growth is (and isn’t) happening across the state. Kate will also highlight recent research on Colorado’s statewide housing shortfall and housing needs assessment, offering valuable context to help REALTORS® better understand market pressures, future demand, and the bigger picture influencing housing policy and planning.

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR: Walls By Design

https://wallsbydesign.com/

2026 Diamond Circle Awards:

Denim & Diamonds

DATE: Friday, April 24, 2026

TIME: 5:30pm-10:00pm

Cocktails & Networking: 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Dinner & Awards: 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Dancing & Celebration: 9:30 to 10:00pm

LOCATION: Marriott Denver Tech Center

A CELEBRATION OF YOU! Denim. Diamonds. Distinction.

Don’t miss the most iconic celebration of the year as we honor the top producers of the South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association.

This year, the Diamond Circle Awards shine with a Denim & Diamonds twist, where Colorado grit meets diamond-level results. Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration as we honor REALTORS® whose dedication, expertise, and performance truly set them apart.

NEW FOR 2026: There are no application fees to be recognized. All members who qualify based on REcolorado production reports will be automatically honored in the Carat Club, with recognition levels ranging from Carat Levels 1 through 5.

These exceptional professionals achieved outstanding levels of production in real estate transactions between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, proving that hard work, integrity, and excellence never go out of style.

From timeless denim to brilliant diamonds, this evening is a true celebration of achievement, connection, and success—because this shine was earned.

SPONSORSHIPS: Available Here

Get the SMDRA Market Trends & Statistics for January 2026

NAR's Consumer Guide Series

Seller Checklist: 15 Things to Do Before Every Showing

National Association of REALTORS®

National Association of REALTORS®

NAR continues to roll out our “Consumer Guide” series, and they are pleased to share the latest resources on offers of compensation for home sellers. These resources cover the process and options available for offering compensation to a buyer’s agent and the reasons why this may be a compelling strategy for sellers to consider when marketing their property.

NAR hopes you are finding these resources to be useful, and they encourage you to continue to distribute them to inquiring consumers so they are armed with the information they need as they begin working with an agent who is a REALTOR®.

CAR Led Advocacy Helps Defeat Vacancy Tax Bill

Colorado Association of REALTORS

A bill that would have authorized local governments to impose new taxes on so-called “vacant” residential properties was defeated this week after strong opposition from the Colorado Association of REALTORS® and REALTOR® members from across the state.

January 2026

Housing Market Reports

REcolorado

The Denver Metro housing market opened the year with typical seasonal slowing and steadier pricing, creating a more deliberate environment for both buyers and sellers. Closed listings declined 16% year over year to 1,937 homes, reflecting a slower start compared to last January. Home prices remained stable overall, with the median closed price at $569,000, down just 1% year over year. Attached home prices ticked up slightly to $420,000, while single-family homes dipped to $615,000.

RPAC UPDATES

A Year of Wins: How Your Advocacy Dues Fueled Big Victories in 2025

NAR REALTOR Party

NAR is one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the country, and 2025 was no exception! From Congress to the White House to state capitols and the courts, NAR Advocacy was everywhere. In this episode, Shannon and Patrick do a deep dive on the legislation, regulations and rulings that impacted housing supply and affordability, property rights and fair housing, and REALTORS®' ability to run their businesses. 

This edition of the SMDRA Weekly Newsletter is made possible by our Corporate Sponsors:

SMDRA Event Rentals

Looking for a Place to Hold

Your Holiday Party This Year?

SMDRA Event & Meeting Rentals

SMDRA REALTOR Member

Benefit - Forewarn!

SMDRA is thrilled to announce a COMPLIMENTARY proactive safety and lead intelligence service for all SMDRA REALTOR Members!

NEW AT FOREWARN! We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Community Hub to help agents make the most of their FOREWARN member benefit! 

The FOREWARN Community Hub includes:  

• How to use FOREWARN: A quick guide to using FOREWARN. 
• Activation instructions: Four easy steps to set up your account if you haven’t already. 
• Search tips and FAQs: How to get the most out of the app and get answers to common questions. 
• Training sessions: Sign up for live training or watch the demo video. 
• Videos: Watch the product video to see how FOREWARN can help protect you and your business or watch a testimonial video to see how it has helped others. 

WIRELESS HOTSPOTS are a great resources to bring with you when traveling to rural properties, as cell reception and Wi-Fi are often limited.

Learn more at www.NAR.realtor/safety

YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS!

Discover Member discounts and resources from NAR, CAR and SMDRA!. Time to maximize your strategic partnerships, and member-only discounts for members. Our mission is to ensure you have access to the best tools resources you need to achieve greater success.

NAR BENEFIT

REALTORS INSURANCE

REALTORS® Insurance Place is an exclusive insurance shopping site created just for NAR members. It provides plans for you and your family, including health coverage options, group dental, group vision, and group life insurance, plus a variety of wellness solutions including 24/7/365 telemedicine – all with exclusive benefits just for NAR members. Plans for all stages of life, including an offering that even extends to your pets.

CAR BENEFIT

DOMII

Domii offers a mobile residential real estate platform for agents to utilize as their preferred method of gaining listing prospects, provides an instant link to the national DNC database and a felony check on potential clients. Currently, the safety service is free to CAR members using the Promo code CAR5. domii® is FREE once you have watched the training video to learn how to use this incredible technology.

SMDRA BENEFIT

EVENT RENTALS

SMDRA is the perfect place for our members to gather, do business, and learn. Thanks to our expansive space and easily accessible location, it is the perfect place to host company meetings, social mixers, and events. We have multiple options to fit your needs based on size, number of attendees, and event type. SMDRA is a great place to host everything from business retreats, to celebrations, barbecues, and holiday parties!

2026 CORPORATE SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Join Our Online Community