ALERT: Don't Let Congress Inaction on Flood Insurance Sink Your Clients

ACTION ALERT: Flood insurance rates are about to go up, unless Congress acts now! Don't allow increased insurance costs to price your qualified clients out of their new home.

Approximately 5.6 million property owners in over 20,000 communities across the country rely on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for flood insurance. Congress provided a 5-year reauthorization of the NFIP, but severe implementation problems threaten to undermine real estate transactions where flood insurance is required to obtain a mortgage.

TAKE ACTION HERE!

NAR is calling for support of the bipartisan "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act" which would delay insurance rate increases. A delay in newly-mandated NFIP rate increases will allow FEMA to determine more accurately how these rates will impact property owners as Congress planned, and give affected property owners more time to respond to higher rates.

If fewer homeowners can afford flood insurance, then in the event of future floods taxpayers will spend more on federal disaster relief to owners of uninsured properties. Meanwhile, without flood insurance, homeowners located in flood zones could default on their mortgages.

Click here to take action on flood insurance and protect your qualified homebuyers!

Relief for California Homeowners! Families who sold their home in a short sale get a special gift under their tree - relief from state income taxes

Homeowners in California who sold their home in a short sale will not be subject to state income taxes on the so-called "phantom income" resulting from debt forgiveness. This is an important benefit to families all over California and is as hard-fought victory for REALTORS®.

In a statement issued today, the California Association of REALTORS® said that the California Franchise Tax Board clarified the taxable status of short sales and matched the policy already issued by the Federal Internal Revenue Service last month. The good news just keeps coming, just in time for the holidays.

The C.A.R. statement goes into more detail on this important victory:

C.A.R. today received a letter from the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), obtained by the State Board of Equalization, clarifying that California families who have lost their home in a short sale are not subject to state income tax liability on debt forgiveness “phantom income” they never received in a short sale.

Last month, in a letter to California Sen. Barbara Boxer, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognized that the debt written off in a short sale does not constitute recourse debt under California law, and thus does not create so-called “cancellation of debt” income to the underwater home seller for federal income tax purposes.  Following the IRS’s clarification, C.A.R. sought a similar ruling by the California FTB.  Now with the FTB’s clarification, underwater home sellers also are assured that they are not subject to state income tax liability, rescuing tens of thousands of distressed home sellers from California tax liability for debt written off by lenders in short sales.

We are pleased with the recent clarifications issued by the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board, which protect distressed homeowners from debt relief income tax associated with a short sale in California.  We would like to thank Sen. Boxer and BOE member George Runner for their leadership in obtaining this guidance from the IRS and FTB.  Distressed California homeowners can now avoid foreclosure or bankruptcy and can opt for a short sale instead, without incurring federal and state tax liability, even after the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 expires at the end of this year.

REALTORS meet Carson Mayor Jim Dear to talk about economic growth, business taxes, and real estate

This morning approximately 70 REALTOR members of SBAOR met with the Mayor of Carson, Jim Dear, to talk about a wide range of topics including new developments in the city, business taxes, real estate signs, and what he sees for the future. The Mayor found an audience open to dialogue; in fact, this event was just one of several "Breakfast with the Mayor" programs that SBAOR hosts throughout the year in different South Bay cities.

 Mayor Dear began his remarks by talking about public safety. This is the fifth consecutive year that crime has dropped in Carson, a number in which he takes pride. In fact, in the nine years since he has been mayor, he said that the city has come a long way with many improvements and more to come.

Carson now offers more and better restaurants, local healthcare facilities and other community improvements. Coming soon, Carson will host the Porsche Driving Experience and a new shopping experience at the Boulevards at South Bay, which could come online in 2016.

What about my high business taxes?

Carson has some of the highest business license taxes for real estate licensees as compared to most cities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, according to a study conducted in 2011 by Carson city staff. The Carson business tax consists of an amount charged to brokers and a much lesser amount charged to agents. The Mayor said that he would be open to reviewing that tax and asked REALTORS to weigh in on how best to proceed. Should the tax be reduced for brokers? agents? We are looking forward to continued conversations on this topic with the City of Carson in order to help create a healthy business environment in the community and preserve revenue for needed city services.

Finally, Mayor Dear also talked about real estate signs. As is the case in many South Bay cities, Carson's laws for real estate signs do not permit placement in public rights-of-way including medians, sidewalks and elsewhere. Is there a way to allow some signs to be placed in these areas during ope houses and preserve public safety? The Mayor talked about the need for home sales to occur and new families to come to the city.


SBAOR's Breakfast with the Mayor series is one of our most popular and well-attended events that we host in the South Bay. Stay tuned for more meetings with more mayors in 2014! Watch this space, check out SBAOR's Calendar of Events and be sure that you are receiving our daily emails! If you have any questions about your email or your membership, call the SBAOR Membership Department at (310)326-3010.

SBAOR joins the Torrance Chamber in welcoming Assemblymember Muratsuchi

This morning SBAOR was pleased to join with the Torrance Chamber of Commerce as a Premier Sponsor for the Chamber's first State of the State Address, featuring Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-66).

With deep roots in the South Bay, Muratsuchi found himself on familiar turf at this morning's breakfast event in front of business and political leaders from all over our region. Among his well received remarks, the Assemblymember called for Boeing to bringing manufacture of the new 777x aircraft to Long Beach. He also addressed restoring education funding to both K-12 programs and public universities, public safety issues, prison realignment, and veterans' affairs.

Manhattan Beach puts the brakes on proposal to prohibit offices in pedestrian retail streets

On Wednesday, the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission took a big step back from the proposal to prohibit banks and offices from leasing space on pedestrian storefront areas in two commercial districts, at Highland Ave. and Manhattan Beach Blvd., and in the north of the city at Highland Ave. and Rosecrans.

As reported here earlier, this proposal, if passed, would have eliminated banks and offices from locating in those pedestrian-friendly streets that we all love. A number of reasons for this idea emerged during the hearing For example, the cost of leasing such a prime spot appears to be more difficult for, say, an apparel store than it is for a bank of real estate office. And, what kind of land use best contributes to walkable communities? Are banks with their boring, barren facades a drain on the street's vitality or are they are necessary fabric of the street?

In the end, after a robust discussion and public hearing the Planning Commission did the right thing by backing away from the proposal to prohibit banks and offices. At the same time the Commission called for the creation of a committee, focus group or other entity to take a long-term view of Manhattan's retail scene, ask real questions about what residents and business want, and come up with a long range strategy that works.

SBAOR applauds this approach. We are already hearing from REALTORS who are interested in taking part in this. After all, you cannot legislate a good economy - if you could then we would all be rich.

Meanwhile, to help us think about how Highland Ave. or any city street should look, we are digging out our dog-eared copy of Jane Jacobs' brilliant book, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", which, in our humble opinion, defines everything about urban planning when it is done right, even 40 years after it was first published.

Los Angeles loses a Journalist's Journalist; Sometimes telling a good story is the best way to connect with someone

This morning while waiting at Urgent Care with a kid's potentially broken foot*, we read with dismay about the passing of uber L.A. journalist Mark Lacter. Mostly recently he had a regular column with the great folks over at LA Observed as well as a regular weekly appearance on NPR affiliate KPCC-FM.

The accolades streaming into @LABizObserved show how Mark Lacter, the journalist's journalist, delved deeply into a story, asked the tough questions and cut through the industry jargon to tell a story in plain English. Do you remember when you used to talk to people in plain English rather than the corporate-speak euphemisms of your particular profession? Yeah, we don't either.

As a business reporter, Lacter's job was doubly hard in that he had to wade through corporate marcom memos, earnings reports, and regulators' comings and goings - and then relay it back to the rest of us so that we would actually understand it and see how it is relevant. A true skill that is desperately needed in both business and political journalism.

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Ever since college we had a soft spot for journalists, one of our preferred career choices before going on to practice the dark arts of public relations. Still, no PR person is complete without some training in how to be reporter. Moments like these make us think about how we as a Realtor profession are telling our story. Do we know who our audience is? Other Realtors, non-Realtor licensees? The media? Regulators? The consumer public? All of the above?

Then, are we taking advantage of every opportunity to reach our audience? Perhaps a newly passed state law or city ordinance can find its way into a press release and a consumer story featuring families in the middle of a home purchase. Or maybe a favorable - or unfavorable - slew of economic data can inform how and why we are promoting certain legislation. Or even a landmark court case might help us educate Realtors and consumers, strengthen the REALTOR brand and uphold our more than 100 years of history.

Constant vigilance, creativity, honesty and cooperation. And, in plain English.

* Update: No broken foot, and the added bonus of staying home from school today. Onward.

Will Manhattan Beach pull the welcome mat from downtown businesses?

Next week the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission will consider a proposal to encourage "street front ground floor pedestrian oriented retail uses" in two commercial districts in the City - downtown near City Hall and also at Rosecrans and Highland.

Sounds fair enough. After all, during our college years backpacking through Europe and elsewhere we loved the vibrant mixed-use street life in neighborhoods for every resident: families, office workers, students, retirees, tourists, and more.

However, the Planning Commission notice contains this eye-popping suggestion: There will be discussion for "discouraging or prohibiting other uses, such as offices and banks." This non-starter proposal risks reducing - not increasing - a variety of commercial uses to serve customers, where they are needed and when.

So what is the complaint here anyway? Too many banks or restaurants downtown? If true, then some will close for lack of customers. The success or failure of a city street - pedestrian friendly or not - is out of the hands of a Planning Commission or a City Council, and squarely in the hands of the economy itself.

No more storefront real estate offices?

While we're on the subject, what sort of "offices" could be prohibited anyway? Why, real estate offices of course! And yet any broker, REALTOR, or happy new homeowner can show you that real estate offices are a legitimate retail storefront use.

While more information will emerge later this week, it is readily apparent that such prohibitions are an improper way to improve street life and an intrusion of the rights of property owners in these areas.

REALTORS: Mark your calendars for the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 starting at 6:30 p.m. 

Tell the Planning Commission to respect property rights and not cherry-pick some businesses while prohibiting others - possibly including yours!

Watch this space for more information on this important discussion that you cannot afford - literally - to miss.

Transit, Housing and You: What's in it for REALTORS and their clients?

So how was your commute to work this morning? If it was anything like ours, then you will have bought breakfast for your whole office in order to make up for being late - or at least distract your boss with delicious morning pastries.

Editorial aside: Your blogger has never fully bought into the myth of the "American love affair with cars", at least here in Los Angeles, because it's not like there has been a choice in many American suburbs built after the Second World War. But now that choice is returning.

Over the next few weeks, National Public Radio is visiting cities around the U.S. to look at how different communities deal with their transportation issues. This morning, NPR started with Arlington, VA, a bedroom community outside of Washington, DC which is now an attractive destination in its own right. No longer is Arlington only known for the Pentagon; now it has so much more:

"What's different here [in Arlington] is the metamorphosis, from a downtrodden suburb where everyone drives to a place where people live, walk, bike, eat, play and commute, all without ever getting behind the wheel."

and then there's this:

"Lynn Richards, who works for the Environmental Protection Agency — which gave Arlington a Smart Growth award — lives in Arlington and says that as people have flocked there, housing prices have skyrocketed."

Transportation and transit-oriented development do have an impact on REALTORS and their clients. This is a trend that our profession cannot afford to miss. Be sure to bookmark NAR's Transportation Toolkit for a primer on transportation and its effect on real estate.

Meanwhile, set your radio dial for the next NPR story about transportation and bask in the rich irony that you will probably hear it while you sit in your car, jaws clenched, in traffic as you try not to be late to your next listing appointment.

South Bay REALTORS: How do you "sell" your city to prospective clients? Find out at our November 14 YPN event!

Join the South Bay YPN for their last mixer of the year. November 14th at Baleen from 4-6pm. Come listen to Redondo Beach Mayor Steve Aspel and Hermosa Beach City Councilmember Michael DiVirgilio talk about what makes their cities great - and maybe even share some unique stories! You will think about how to position these cities for your clients, and also get ideas on how to promote other cities in the South Bay as well.

 This is a REALTOR ONLY event. No vendors or non-REALTORS. You must bring your business card for entry. We hope to see you there!

Click Here to Register.

California Governor Shuts Down Legislative Scheme to Sneak Rent Control Into Your Neighborhood

California Governor Jerry Brown yesterday vetoed a bill that would have effectively sneaked rent control into new apartment buildings where it has been prohibited since 1995. Despite aggressive opposition from California REALTORS, the bill passed through the legislature and landed on the Governor's desk. However, the Governor said "no, thanks" to AB 1229, which would allow cities to incorporate inclusionary zoning. This bill would have gutted the landmark Costa-Hawkins Act of 1995, which prohibits rent control in new construction.

In his veto message, Governor Brown thought back to his days as the mayor of Oakland, Calif., and worried that inclusionary zoning, despite its intent to bring affordable housing to under-served communities, in fact does the opposite:

"As Mayor of Oakland, I saw how difficult it can be to attract development to low and middle income communities. Requiring developers to include below-market units in their projects can exacerbate these challenges, even while not meaningfully increasing the amount of affordable housing in a given community."

Trouble is, rent control just doesn't work. The Governor in his veto of this bill demonstrated his understanding of how to discourage bad policy and encourage investment where it is needed most

The legendary five-term Congressman and Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neil, is remembered most perhaps for his saying that "all politics is local". Yesterday in California, the Governor took the best of his experience as a local elected official - big city mayor - and put a stop to bad policy. Sometimes, maybe, the best policy can be made when policymakers are closer to the communities where that policy will affect.

Would you like fries with your jumbo loan? Rates hit a historical low this week

Interest rates on jumbo mortgages fell below those of 30-year fixed rate mortgages for the first time in history, according to a report published by NAR today. Jumbo loans are those over the local limit that can vary from $417,000 to $729,750, depending on the county.

Since a significant number of homes in the South Bay are priced well within that range, the accessibility and availability of jumbo loans to qualified buyers is a critical part of a healthy housing market in our area.

Traditionally, jumbo loans have cost consumers more than a conforming 30-year fixed-rate loan. However, NAR found that "with mortgage rates much higher than a year ago and declining profits from refinances, banks have become more aggressive in pricing mortgages. As a result, it is now cheaper to borrow in the jumbo market which is currently dominated by private lenders."

This milestone in jumbo rates comes along at the same time that REALTORS are pressuring the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) not to reduce loan limits and effectively redefine what a jumbo loan actually is. NAR is still looking for assurances that FHFA will not unilaterally reduce loan limits just because it wants to; FHFA simply has no authority to do so.

Now, with the timing so close, are reduced jumbo loan rates and FHFA action somehow related? Probably not. To quote one of our favorite lines from The West Wing, "Hard to tell." Correlation is not causation, although the increased conversation is certainly welcome.

REALTORS talked, the Feds listened: No new restrictions on pre-foreclosure sales

As reported here and elsewhere this past week, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) had proposed to restrict real estate agents from dual agency agreements in a pre-foreclosure sale. Why? HUD's Inspector General believes to have found instances of fraud and abuse in the pre-foreclosure process, according to NAR.

This blanket restriction would have gone into effect on October 1, just a few short days from now. The REALTOR® profession takes fraud concerns very seriously. REALTORS around the U.S. adhere to a strict Code of Ethics that helps ensure that buyers and sellers can buy or sell their home with confidence.

In a letter to HUD on September 18, NAR said that it was presented with no data or evidence on which HUD based its proposal to restrict real estate agents in pre-foreclosure sales. While it is not clear how these restrictions would have reduced fraudulent activity, it is abundantly clear that they would have impacted the ability for some buyers and sellers to actually buy and sell their homes.

After dialogue between NAR and HUD - and after State and Local REALTOR Association Presidents around the U.S. joined in - HUD agreed to remove language referring to dual agency in pre-foreclosure sales. Meanwhile, REALTORS are part of the solution. NAR in its letter proposed a number of ways to address HUD's concerns about pre-foreclosure sales, including anti-fraud strategies that are already in use over at Fannie Mae.

Will HUD restrict REALTORS from working on pre-foreclosure transactions in a dual agency sale?

NAR last week expressed its concerns with a new FHA proposal to restrict real estate agents in certain pre-foreclosure transactions. In a letter sent to the Assistant Secretary on Housing on September 18, NAR President Gary Thomas argued that there are other ways that HUD could address concerns about meeting minimum net sales proceeds requirements.

Restricting real estate agents from working on certain pre-foreclosure sales puts homeowners at greater risk of falling into foreclosure if they cannot find a real estate agent, especially one who is knowledgeable about the short sale process, to list their homes.

Click here for the full text of NAR's letter.

REALTORS press the Feds to leave loan limits alone and stick to reforming Fannie and Freddie

This week, NAR expressed its dismay that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) may, might, could, lower loan limits and raise fees - without any blessing from Congress. A firmly worded letter from NAR landed on the desk of FHFA Acting Director Ed DeMarco on September 17 asking him to step back from these housing killer proposals.

In part because Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac got into so much trouble during the housing crisis, Congress placed them into conservatorship to bring some urgently needed reforms. Congress also set policy in 2008 that federal regulators may not reduce loan limits without going back to Congress first.

Over at FHFA, this means that the agency is trying to reduce loan limits and raise fees all by itself, just because it says it can as a conservator. Not so fast - NAR reminded FHFA in its letter that it has no legal authority to do so. And even if it did, well that's just bad policy. After all, we do want to keep mortgages available for those buyers who qualify, don't we?

How does this affect your buyers? The short answer: Loan limits are the maximum value of a loan that Fannie and Freddie will purchase from a lender. Loans valued above these limits have little or no access to the secondary market, which makes them more difficult to fund. As the limits get lower, an increasing number of qualified homebuyers may be denied access to a mortgage to buy their home. This is not a good thing.

The issue of loan limits and the government's role in secondary mortgage market is much more complicated than we can explain here, so for more detail check out NAR's webpages on this topic.

Election Watch 2013: No paper? No printer? No problem!

Local elections are coming up in a city near you! Are you registered to vote? No? If you are not registered then your voice is not getting heard. But there is help.

Thanks to our friends at the Office of the California Secretary of State, you can register to vote online by clicking here:

http://www.registertovote.ca.gov/.


Your clients who just bought their new home can register too. If you have moved recently and did not re-register, then now is your chance. If you want to vote in your city's election on November 5, don't miss these deadlines:

• October 7 - Last day to register for vote by mail
• October 21 - Last day to register to vote 

Where is the center of Los Angeles? Maybe in its town square. All you need to do is find it.

No matter how big your city is, every city needs a town square, even especially Los Angeles. What should a premier open space in Downtown Los Angeles look like? Maybe it should be classy, classic, timeless, inviting, people-friendly and just somewhere you want to be.

Look New York City's Bryant Park, Madrid's Plaza Mayor (heck, the entire city really), Rome's Piazza Navona, San Antonio's Riverwalk, and more and more. A sense of place matters. People demand it and literally vote with their feet. That, and it may help sell homes too.

Check out this amazing video prepared by the creative folks at Gensler Los Angeles on re-envisioning Pershing Square in Downtown LA. Today it looks like a rejected soundstage from the Willy Wonka movie. Soon, Pershing Square could be a place that really matters.





Shout out to LA Observed for keeping tracking of these things. Add it to your bookmarks!

Empty nesters moving to Palm Springs? Seniors ready to downgrade your home for a new life in Indian Wells? There's a big tax break coming your way!

The South Bay Association of REALTORS® applauds the Riverside County Board of Supervisors for unanimously reinstating property tax incentives under Proposition 90, providing needed tax relief to homebuyers age 55 and older who are selling their prior home and want to relocate to that County.

Riverside County is one of just nine counties in California participating in Proposition 90 tax programs. Los Angeles County also has a Proposition 90 ordinance, which provides this tax relief to buyers 55 and over who are moving to Los Angeles County from another county.

"The Riverside County Board of Supervisors did the right thing by reinstating this critical tax relief for seniors considering a home purchase,” said Sheri Fejeran, president of the South Bay Association of REALTORS®. “Prop 90 tax incentives make homebuying easier for seniors who otherwise may not have the necessary financial resources available to them.”

Proposition 90 allows buyers 55 and over to transfer their prior home’s base year value to their new home when it is of equal or lesser value. This provides important tax relief to seniors who may want to move to a smaller home, move closer to family members, or who are obligated to move due to disability.

For more information on Proposition 90 provisions for assessment of sold property, see the California State Board of Equalization website.

Should Prop 90 tax relief be available to seniors in your county? Contact your Board of Supervisors and tell them to pass a law!

This Just In: Rent Control Doesn't Work! So why is it coming to an apartment building near you?

Rent control doesn't work. It doesn't make affordable housing more available and it doesn't make available housing more affordable. It traps people in their homes and discourages property managers from maintaining the building.

As if we needed additional proof that rent control doesn't work, Sacramento is pushing AB 1229 (Atkins), a bill that would dramatically weaken the rent control limitations contained in the landmark Costa-Hawkins Act of 1995.

California REALTORS! Check your email today for an action alert from the California Association of REALTORS® asking you to call your Senator right away and ask him or her to oppose AB 1229.

AB 1229 would allow local governments in rent control jurisdictions to impose inclusionary zoning on newly constructed rental housing developments, thus effectively repealing that part of the Costa-Hawkins Act that exempts new construction from rent control. AB 1229 could be considered by the full Senate as early as this Thursday.

Call your Senator today! Remember, it just doesn't work.

Feds to Eminent Domain Abusers: Drop Dead

In a welcome move, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released a statement yesterday affirming what we already know: Using eminent domain to seize "underwater" mortgages ("underwater" is used loosely here; more below) is an outrageous and inappropriate use of the government's power to seize private property.

The FHFA has threatened to sue local municipalities and private investors who look to eminent domain to grab mortgages, sell them back to homeowners at a reduced rate and run away with spectacular profits. This use of eminent domain would in all likelihood dry up most housing finance in the future. Now that the FHFA is backing away from eminent domain, mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac in those cities - including Richmond., Calif. and El Monte, Calif. - threatening to use eminent domain may be at further risk.

Really? We are having enough trouble already with the PATH Act, federal legislation impacting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Just when the housing market is starting to improve - and the economy along with it - it is remarkably unwise to scare away funding for those families who are qualified to purchase a home. Both the PATH Act and the improper use of eminent domain risk driving the housing market right back down. For this reason we applaud the FHFA's action and we only hope that Congress will also show its support of the housing recovery by voting down the flawed PATH Act.

And what does "underwater" mean? We've seen elsewhere that the proposal to use eminent domain to seize mortgages has poorly defined criteria, or criteria that enables those investors to cherry pick the loans they like the best. Richmond, El Monte and other cities take note. If it looks like the deal is too good to be true, it's because it is.

It's Summertime! REALTOR farming tool to help save water over the long, hot summer

It's summertime, and that can only mean a few things:

Long vacations on the beach. However, if you're reading this blog post then, like us, you are working this summer.
Peak homebuying season. Even with low inventory of homes for sale, buyers and sellers are still coming together.
Saving water. The long, hot summer may mean hours at the pool but it also means wildfires, high energy use for air conditioning and the need to save water in our dry region.

Check out this simple flyer for you to use when working your farming and marketing your REALTOR® business. Available for free in English and Spanish, this flyer outlines great tips for your clients and prospects to save water, keep costs down and enjoy summer.

The water conservation flyer is available to you thanks to our friends at the South Bay Environmental Services Center. Use it early and often! Be sure to check out the SBESC website for more great tips on energy conservation and saving money in your home or your new listing.

ALERT! REALTORS tell Congress to Do No Harm on Tax Reform

The National Association of REALTORS® is asking its members to let their senators know that real estate tax provisions are critical to the economy and should remain high on lawmakers' priority list as they take a blank slate approach to tax reform.

NAR's Call for Action is emphasizing the need for any tax legislation to do no harm to the economy by retaining the deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes, the capital gains exclusion on proceeds from the sale of a principal residence, and extension of mortgage cancellation relief. Also emphasized are deprecation rules and the continued tax-deferred treatment of 1031 exchanges.

Under the blank-slate approach to tax reform announced by the leadership of the Senate Finance Committee recently, senators are asked to start from scratch and identify the provisions they want to keep in the Tax Code.

Take action at the REALTOR® Action Center.

Share with your fellow colleagues a short video in which NAR Government Affairs staffers talk about the Call For Action and the blank-slate approach.

Wanted: Champions of Home! Nominate a Calif REALTOR who changed someone's life for the better

What is a Champion of Home?

A Champion of Home makes as many phone calls as it takes, for as many years as it takes, to ensure sample stories to learn more about what makes a Champion of Home.

a client keeps their home. It's a REALTOR® who cuts through endless red tape, jumps through hundreds of hoops, and spends as many working hours as needed to help their client get the best possible price on their home. It’s someone who fights for their clients, even when it’s hard, because it’s the right thing to do. A Champion of Home is a California REALTOR® who changes clients' lives for the better, who raises the standards for others, leads by example, and possesses unimpeachable ethics. Read our

Champions of Home should be recognized for all they do, so we've created the brand new Champions of Home Awards to do just that. Now exceptional REALTORS® can be nominated for this new prestigious award and truly be acknowledged for the service they provide to their industry.

Recipient(s) of the prestigious Champions of Home Award will be honored during CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2013 in October. We’ll be sharing the amazing stories of our Champions of Home with a video snapshot shown at the award presentation, and a feature article in California Real Estate magazine.

The California Association of REALTORS® is now accepting nominations for our first annual Champions of Home Awards. Click here for full eligibility criteria. Brokers, colleagues, local associations, or even clients may nominate a member of C.A.R., but members may not nominate themselves. To nominate someone for this award, simply complete a nomination form and return to C.A.R. by July 15, 2013.

Still have questions? See Award FAQs

California REALTOR Alert! Call your State Senator TODAY and ask them to vote NO on the Recording Tax

C.A.R. is OPPOSING SB 391 (DeSaulnier) which imposes a recording TAX to generate funds for affordable housing programs. SB 391 creates a $75 per document recording TAX to fund the affordable housing trust. C.A.R. is opposing this measure because it unfairly adds to the cost of recording real estate documents.

 If you are a California REALTOR®, check your email for an important message on how to call your Senator right away!

C.A.R. is an aggressive advocate for affordable housing, but believes it is bad policy to fund affordable housing at the expense of homeowners who need to record real estate documents. The real issue is that this TAX is imposed only on real estate document recordings. Affordable housing programs should be funded by the broadest base possible of California's citizens.

C.A.R. opposed the bill’s predecessor, SB 1220, last year until the bill was amended to exempt recordings that were part of a sales transaction. Afterward, C.A.R. supported the measure, but it was defeated. Don't be misled by allegations that C.A.R. "changed its position" on SB 391. C.A.R.'s Board of Directors considered SB 391 for the first time in May of this year; prior to that, C.A.R. did not take a position on SB 391. The sponsors were advised of this process well before the bill was introduced. In May, the Board of Directors voted to oppose SB 391.

C.A.R. is opposing SB 391 because:

• SB 391 unfairly targets property owners who need to record real estate documents to pay for affordable housing programs. Affordable housing is an issue of broad social concern. While there may be a need for affordable housing funds, it is unfair to require only those individuals recording real estate documents to be the sources of that funding. 
• SB 391 is a recording TAX. While it may not apply to sale transactions, it still applies anytime a homeowner needs to record a document (e.g., refinancing, transferring into or out of a trust, liens, quit claim deeds, etc.). 
• SB 391 provides no guidelines; it doesn’t prioritize affordable housing needs and requires little oversight. There is nothing in the bill that specifies how funds should be awarded and it provides little oversight as to the best uses of the funds. While it contains an audit requirement, that requirement doesn’t even kick in until the end of the program’s second year, when $1 billion could have already been distributed. And, it’s “geographic” approach to distributing the funds doesn’t ensure the neediest Californians benefit from the program. 
•  While C.A.R. aggressively supports the creation of homeownership opportunities, SB 391 is clearly not the way to achieve that goal. 

CALIFORNIA REALTORS Legislative Day 2013 Legislative Day is here!

Legislative Day 2013 Legislative Day is here! On May 1, 2013, we begin by hearing from dynamic speakers from the state Capitol and receiving an issues briefing on key legislation affecting our industry.

Legislative Day is an opportunity for REALTORS® from across California to meet with their state legislators to discuss the issues that affect the real estate industry the most. Attending Legislative Day is not only a great investment in your business, it will also provide you with an opportunity to hear from the state's most dynamic political leaders and the leadership of your state association, and enjoy a fabulous reception. Watch our 2013 Legislative Day video to learn more.


 

Renting out your Hermosa Beach property to tenants this summer? Things you need to know

Spring has sprung, and summer is not far around the corner. That could only mean one thing: summer rentals! Hermosa Beach is one of the more popular places to go for summer, whether a day at the beach, July 4 partying or a leisurely 30-day vacation in a beach bungalow.

SBAOR is working with our friends and partners at the City of Hermosa Beach in order to ensure a fun and safe summer holiday. This is especially the case over the popular July 4 weekend. If you or your client is a property owner or property manager for a site in Hermosa Beach, please remember your rights and responsibilities regarding your property and your tenants.

As a courtesy to city officials, SBAOR has released the following letter to our REALTOR members as we approach the summer vacation season. As always, advise your tenants of their own rights and responsibilities while they are in your units. If you or your tenants observe any activity that may risk public safety or personal security, you are urged to call 9-1-1 or, for non-emergencies only, the main police department contact number (310)318-0360.

SBAOR's letter to our members is as follows:

April 15, 2013

Dear REALTOR®:

As you may know, the Fourth of July draws large crowds to Hermosa Beach each year, and it has become a favorite destination for parties that can cause disturbances and impact public safety.

This year, the city is asking for your help in urging everyone to celebrate the Fourth of July responsibly to ensure the public’s safety and the protection of all property owners’ rights. The city is asking that all property owners who lease their property to others urge their renters take precautions to ensure their celebrations don’t disturb their neighbors or spill onto public property. The city has also informed property owners that they may be held responsible for their renter’s actions.

The city also is asking that we inform all renters and property owners that the city will have an increased police presence on that day beginning at 10 a.m. on July 4 to accommodate the influx of people coming to the city to celebrate the Fourth of July. The increased police presence will make it possible for the Hermosa Beach Police Department to strictly enforce the laws banning driving under the influence, public intoxication, underage drinking, drinking on the beach,  public urination and excessive noise on private property that results in more than one response to the property by police. Police response can be costly and, under City Code, the City may assess the property owner for the cost of successive police responses, which can result in a lien being placed on the property

It is clearly in all our interests to help ensure responsible celebrations so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy a happy and peaceful Fourth of July. Please join us by sending this message along to your clients and to renters in the properties you manage.  Together, we can make this a great holiday for everyone in Hermosa Beach.

Sincerely,


Sheri Fejeran
President

Carson REALTORS: Remember to VOTE on March 5!

Local elections are coming up on March 5! Please remember to vote and tell your clients, friends and family as well - vote as if our democracy depended on in.

The South Bay Association of Realtors is proud to support the following candidates for election in Carson City Council:

Mike Gipson
Julie Ruiz-Raber

For more information or to find your polling place, check out Smart Voter or LAVOTE.net.

Manhattan Beach REALTORS: Remember to VOTE on March 5!

Local elections are coming up on March 5! Please remember to vote and tell your clients, friends and family as well - vote as if our democracy depended on in.

The South Bay Association of Realtors is proud to support the following candidates for election in Manhattan Beach City Council:

Mark Burton
Tony D'Errico
Wayne Powell

For more information or to find your polling place, check out Smart Voter or LAVOTE.net.

Redondo Beach REALTORS: Remember to VOTE on March 5!

Local elections are coming up on March 5! Please remember to vote and tell your clients, friends and family as well - vote as if our democracy depended on in.

The South Bay Association of Realtors is proud to support the following candidates for election in Redondo Beach:

City Council District 2: Michael Jackson

Mayor: Steve Aspel or Matt Kilroy. Both Aspel and Kilroy are strong stewards of their community and are both well versed in the ways of local government and in working with the residential and business communities. We are pleased to support both of these candidates and we know that each one would make a great Mayor of Redondo Beach.

For more information or to find your polling place, check out Smart Voter or LAVOTE.net.

Gardena REALTORS: Remember to VOTE on March 5!

Local elections are coming up on March 5! Please remember to vote and tell your clients, friends and family as well - vote as if our democracy depended on in.

The South Bay Association of Realtors is proud to support the following candidates for election to the Gardena City Council:

Tasha Cerda
Mark Henderson
Terry Terauchi

In addition, we are delighted that SBAOR member Mina Semenza is running for Gardena City Clerk. Don't miss the glowing endorsement of Mina published in the Daily Breeze on February 23, 2013:

Among the three people running for City Clerk, lifelong Gardena resident Mina Semenza stands out as the most qualified with a proven track record of leadership within the city. Semenza, a real estate agent, is a member of the police chief's Citizen Advisory Panel and leader within her Neighborhood Watch program.

For more information or to find your polling place, check out Smart Voter or LAVOTE.net.

Redondo Beach REALTORS: Say NO to Measure A!

Imagine if someone came to your house this morning and said, "We decided that your residence is no longer allowed to be on this property. You have to leave." Doesn't sound fair, does it? Should your own home be re-zoned right out from under you? No, we didn't think so either.

Measure A in Redondo Beach would do just that. Ballot box planning is not the answer. Whatever one's views on the plant itself, rezoning it out of existence may well be a taking, a violation of basic property rights. Some Measure A proponents claim it is not a taking, however only a judge will make that finding. Are you willing to risk hundred of thousands of city dollars to defend a lawsuit? Will the City prevail by rezoning a site under which is does not even have jurisdiction?

There is a better way. Working with all the stakeholders in the community may take longer but is better than someone showing up at your house and say, "You can't be here anymore because I want a park here instead."

Vote NO on Measure A

Check out these websites for more information:

http://nowaymeasurea.net
http://www.revitalizeredondo.org
http://buildingthebestredondo.com

LA County Water Parcel Tax: Do it right or don't do it at all

On January 15, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the proposed “Clean Water, Clean Beaches” Measure Protest Hearing was a big win for the business community, with all five Supervisors acknowledging our key point that the measure isn’t ready for prime time. SBAOR worked closely with LA Bizfed - of which we are a member - and other business coalitions to tell our County friends to "send it back"!

While the underlying environmental science appears relevant, the process by which the proposal was constructed and the public given notice was not acceptable. How many of you received that flyer in the mail? Folks, that flyer was effectively a ballot - not a Trader Joes mailer. Did you throw it away? So did many County property owners. Even a past mayor of a city in LA County admitted throwing it away.

Then, what are we actually paying? Is it a tax? A fee? Both? Neither? What exactly will the money pay for? No one seems to know for sure. While all this may be compliant with existing law, it is simply insufficient to move ahead.

After more than 4.5 hours of public testimony and an hour of debate among the Supervisors, they passed the following motion:

The protest process shall remain open for 60 days, delaying further Board of Supervisors action until March 12 and allowing parcel owners additional time to submit protest forms.
The final, revised ordinance must be completed and made available to the public before any election is scheduled.
LA County Department of Public Works staff is directed to report back to the Board of Supervisors within 60 days:
1.    An assessment of the feasibility of adding an on-line process for filing protests
2.    Details for the Board of Supervisors to consider the option of putting the measure on a general election ballot (rather than a mail-in ballot among parcel owners)
3.    Revising the measure to include a sunset clause of not more than 30 years
4.    A list of projects that would be funded by the measure
5.    Revising the measure to provide for credits or reductions for properties already performing storm water runoff pollution abatement
6.    Alternative options for funding storm water runoff pollution abatement


Stay tuned! More to come on this issue. Meanwhile, keep conserving water and help encourage everyone to pick up their trash before it goes into our rivers.