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.