Open Houses and You

Periodically we will send our REALTOR members friendly reminders when out on caravans and at open houses. Please review these guidelines for signage and open houses:

 Broker Opens:

Every week REALTORS® in the South Bay have the opportunity to preview open houses during Broker Opens in different cities on different days of the week. You may see the schedule of Broker Opens at SBAOR’s website, www.SouthBayAOR.com.

Signage:

Please be aware of signage laws in your cities, posted on SBAOR’s website here. Usually, open house signs are prohibited on parkways – the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street. In addition, lead-in signs are usually prohibited on public rights-of-way including sidewalks and medians. 

While Driving Around:

Please be mindful of traffic laws. In particular, when parking your vehicle at a listing you are urged to follow these guidelines:

• Do not block driveways of neighboring homes, curb cuts or handicap access routes 
• Do not park in front of fire hydrants or at curbs painted red or blue
• Do not speed, especially on residential streets or where children may be present 
• Do not double park or impede the flow of traffic

REALTORS unimpressed with recently proposed federal tax reform

An early draft on tax reform was released by a key House committee chairperson in late February. Portions of the draft proposal negatively affect homeowners, qualified buyers and sellers by impacting deductions on capital gains, property taxes and mortgage interest.

REALTORS all but pronounced these plans dead on arrival and are reminding lawmakers about the importance of upholding homeownership, building stable communities, and making housing available to families who are qualified to purchase a home.

NAR released a letter to Congress calling for support of homeownership and preservation of tax provisions that protect American families. Last week, NAR said in a statement that

 “We are extremely disappointed with several of the provisions contained in U.S. House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp’s tax reform draft released today, namely proposed limits on the mortgage interest deduction and capital gains, and the repeal of deductions for state and local property taxes. These proposed changes to the taxation of real estate will impact every single American, either directly or indirectly. 

 “NAR will carefully analyze the details of the Chairman’s plan so we can best educate Congress and the public about how this plan would impact the owners, consumers, and producers of both residential and commercial real estate.”