, Author at CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

Weekly Jolt – 020122

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | February 1, 2022

Click a title below to view detailed contents by topic.
Education contains a list of upcoming classes.

C.A.R.’s Virtual Legislative Day – March 2

Register now for C.A.R.’s fully virtual Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 2nd. C.A.R.’s Legislative Day provides an opportunity for REALTORS® from across California to participate in meetings with their state legislators to discuss the issues that affect the real estate industry the most.

Those who have not attended the in-person event will now have the…

Get Quick Answers to Your Questions with C.A.R. Peer-to-Peer Ethics Infoline

Non-legal ethics questions answered in a snap!

C.A.R.’s Peer-to-Peer Ethics Infoline is a free service facilitated by neutral REALTOR® volunteers trained in the Code of Ethics. They can answer questions from other REALTOR® members regarding the proper interpretation of the Code.

If you have questions about whether certain actions—yours or those of another REALTOR® —might violate the Code of Ethics, the volunteers can assist with non-legal ethics matters. The Infoline is confidential, and no information will be shared with third parties. Please note that answers or opinions are provided orally and will not be given in writing.

CONTACT THE INFOLINE >>

2 Months telehealth free!

READ MORE >>

FREE Member Benefit – Hurdlr:

Looking for an app to help you keep track of mileage and expenses? Use this link to get the Hurdlr app! Another FREE C.A.R member benefit!

MLS UPDATE:

MLS Rules & Regulations Changes – Mar. 1

CCAR is enhancing our Clear Cooperation enforcement process by shortening the violation warning period from 3 calendar days to 1 calendar day. Other changing MLS Rules include: 7.5 Mandatory Submission, 7.15 Estate Sale, Probate, Bankruptcy Listings, 11.14 Data Feed Available to Participants, 11.15. Brokerage Back Office Data Feeds, 11.16 Listing Broker’s Offer of Compensation, 12.10 False or Misleading Advertising and Representations; True Picture Standard of Conduct, 12.14 Display, 12.16(e) Listing Attribution, and Section 12.19.21: (C.A.R. Section 12.19.18:)

Title Fraud on the Rise: What You Need to Know

Title fraud, also known as deed theft, is a growing scam where criminals illegally transfer property ownership—often using forged documents or fake identification—without the rightful owner’s knowledge. These schemes typically involve recording fake ownership transfers with county recorders or impersonating owners to list and sell properties fraudulently.

To better understand the scope of the issue, the National Association of REALTORS® conducted the 2025 Deed & Title Fraud Survey, collecting feedback from REALTOR® association advocacy professionals across 43 states, territories, and Washington, D.C.

Key Findings:

63% of respondents reported awareness of such scams in their markets over the past year.

The Northeast showed the highest reported prevalence, at 92%.

Scams are more common in central cities and suburban areas and disproportionately target vacant land (52% of cases) rather than owner-occupied homes (just 12%).

Efforts and Solutions:

76% of areas surveyed have measures in place to combat title fraud—mostly at the state level and through REALTOR® association policies.

Most existing efforts focus on prevention (52%), with 39% addressing both prevention and mitigation.

Educational resources, legislative policies, and fraud alert systems are the most widely used tools.

In areas without current policies, 30% are working on new initiatives in partnership with REALTOR® associations, land and title agents, and county deed recorders.

What Works Best:

A strong consensus (83% of respondents) favors electronic notification systems—services that alert property owners of any title changes—as the most effective method to combat title and deed fraud.

Bottom Line:

As title and deed scams continue to threaten property ownership, particularly in urban and suburban regions, coordinated efforts between REALTOR® associations, state legislators, and local recording offices are critical. Staying informed and advocating for proactive policies will help protect property rights across the country.

Upcoming Paragon Enhancements – Feb. 22

On February 22nd the following updates will be made to the Paragon 5 MLS system to improve functionality.

Co-Listing Agent Listing Edit Ability

Co-Listings agents will have the ability to maintain listings just like the listing agent of a specific listing. MLS Compliance enforcement remains unchanged and any MLS Compliance issues will be the responsibility of the listing broker and agent.

ADU Acknowledgement

Upon saving a listing with ADU “Yes” selected, the Paragon MLS system will prompt the user to acknowledge that the listing meets the legal definition of an ADU. The pop-up prompt will include the legal definition for review by the user at the moment of acknowledgement.

If you have any questions please contact Member Services at [email protected].

Weekly Jolt – 012522

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 25, 2022

Click a title below to view detailed contents by topic.
Education contains a list of upcoming classes.

Top News

• A Message From The President
• C.A.R. Red Alert
• C.A.R. Virtual Legislative Day – Mar. 2
• Stay Vigilant! Cyber Fraud An Ongoing Threat
• 2022 Contra Costa Leadership Opportunities

MLS Updates

• Upcoming Paragon Enhancements – Feb. 22
• Wise Agent Discount Program

Education

FEATURED: Market Listings and Stay In Touch –
Wise Agent CRM
Thu., Jan. 27 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Intro to CMA Reports with Cloud CMA
Wed., Jan. 26 | 9:30am – 11:30am

Identify New Listing Opportunities in 2022
Wed., Jan. 26 | 10:00am – 11:00am

Rev Up Your Listings – in Reverse
Thu., Jan. 27 | 10:00am – 11:00am

Market Listings and Stay In Touch – Wise Agent CRM
Thu., Jan. 27 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Cloud Agent Suite – Tools to Impress
Fri., Jan. 28 | 10:00am 10:45am

Lunch-and-Learn with Disclosures.io
Mon., Jan. 31 | 12:00pm – 12:30pm

Prospect Like a Pro and Win the Listing (Homesnap)
Mon., Jan. 31 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm

zipForm Basics – Grow Your Transactions Knowledge
Tue., Feb. 1 | 10:00am – 11:00am

Intro to Paragon
Tue., Feb. 1 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Listing Input & Maintenance
Wed., Feb. 2 | 9:30am – 11:30am

C.A.R. presents – PROFIT FIRST: How to Make Your Business Profitable
Wed., Feb. 2 | 10:00am – 11:00am

Advanced zipForm Features
Thu., Feb. 4 | 10:00am – 11:00am

Cloud CMA Fundamentals
Thu., Feb. 4 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Sending Auto-Notifications using Collaboration Center
Thu., Feb. 4 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Visit the CCAR Calendar to view/register for additional online training opportunities.

+ CCAR CALENDAR

+ PAY MEMBER DUES

WCR: 2022 Real Estate Forecast

REGISTER >

YPN’s TAXES, TRUSTS & TACOS – Feb. 15

Tue., Feb. 15 | 4:00pm – 6:00pm | Virtual
Join CCAR’s YPN for an afternoon of tax tips and strategies specifically for REALTORS® as well as a fantastic live cooking demonstration of Tacos and Margaritas!

REGISTER >

NAR Green Designation – Mar. 1 & 2

Gain a competitive advantage and learn how to become your clients’ go-to resource for buying or selling a more efficient, money-saving, healthy home. Join us for a two-day training on March 1 & 2 to earn the only green designation for real estate agents conferred by the National Association of REALTORS®.

REGISTER >

Contra Costa County New Construction Ordinance

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, approved an ordinance to eliminate gas lines in all future development for unincorporated parts of the county only. That means that all new residential buildings, such as single-family, multi-family, and detached accessory dwelling units (ADU) will not be permitted to include a gas line. The ordinance also requires new construction of retail, office, and hotels to be all-electric as well (any of these buildings may also use solar/thermal heating in their project). However, any new development proposing to have a restaurant or any other use that is not a retail, office, or hotel would be allowed to have natural gas.

READ ORDINANCE NO. 2022-02 >

A Message From The President

Hello Fellow CCAR Members,

My goal this year as a C.A.R. Director and your CCAR President is to ensure that you have all the tools, education, and political backing you need to protect your business and your client’s private property rights. With that in mind, I want to make sure you’re aware of some important membership benefits you can access right now:

After a full and informative week of C.A.R. committee and Board of Directors meetings we start this week off with another week of meetings! As a C.A.R member you, too can also attend these meetings! Click here to sign up and attend meetings at the State level any time they are in session.
Check the CCAR Calendar or the ‘EDUCATION’ pull-down to the left for upcoming classes to fulfill your every educational need!
Interested in getting involved in a CCAR committee? Sign up here. We are always looking for future leaders.

Please take advantage of all the free tools, education, and information available to you as members of CCAR, C.A.R. and NAR. Your clients will thank you for the world of information you will share with them.

I wish you all an awesome week,
Debi
Debi S. Mackey
CCAR President

C.A.R.’s Virtual Legislative Day – March 2

NAR CALL FOR ACTION: Protect Independent Contractor Status

The National Association of REALTORS® has launched a CALL FOR ACTION asking Members of Congress to cosponsor H.R. 5419 the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act, to ensure real estate agents maintain their independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In California, 85% of real estate agents choose to do business as independent contractors. C.A.R. successfully included provisions in state laws and regulations, including AB 5, protecting REALTORS® ability to work as independent contractors. At the federal level, the Internal Revenue Code carves out real estate professionals who choose to…

Title Fraud on the Rise: What You Need to Know

A new survey from the National Association of REALTORS® reveals growing concern over title fraud and deed theft, especially in urban and suburban markets.

63% of REALTOR® association advocates reported awareness of scams in the past year—most involving vacant land, not owner-occupied homes.

Efforts to combat fraud are active in 76% of areas, with strong support (83%) for electronic alerts to notify property owners of title changes.

Stay vigilant—learn how prevention efforts are evolving across the country…

2022 Contra Costa Leadership Opportunities

Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau announced that the recruitment for the next Leadership Contra Costa (LCC) class for September 2022 – May 2023 has begun. There are a number of opportunities available to serve on commissions in Walnut Creek. Applications will be accepted through 5pm on January 26 for vacancies in: Arts Commission (2 vacancies); Design Review (1 vacancy); Park, Recreation and Open Space (1 vacancy); Planning Commission (1 vacancy); Transportation Commission (1 vacancy)…

LAPTOPS ON SALE:

MLS UPDATE:

Upcoming Paragon Enhancements – Feb. 22

Co-Listing Agent Listing Edit Ability
Co-Listings agents will have the ability to maintain listings just like the listing agent of a specific listing. MLS Compliance enforcement remains unchanged and any MLS Compliance issues will be the responsibility of the listing broker and agent.

ADU Acknowledgement
Upon saving a listing with ADU “Yes” selected, the Paragon MLS system will prompt the user to acknowledge that the listing meets the legal definition of an ADU. The pop-up prompt will include the legal definition for review by the user at the moment of acknowledgement.

Wise Agent – New Member Discount Program!

Wise Agent is a simple, smart, and affordable real estate CRM platform combining contact management, lead automation, transaction management, and real estate marketing software. Wise Agent helps REALTORS® become more efficient, giving them the opportunity to save time and make more money! Follow the link to learn about the new CCAR Wise Agent Discount Program!

C.A.R. HAF Partners with Housing Nonprofits

In an effort to address California’s growing housing affordability crisis and racial homeownership divide, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) Housing Affordability Fund is partnering with three regional nonprofit housing organizations to provide closing cost grants up to $10,000 for eligible first-time home buyers from an underserved community.

The Inland Empire’s Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS), Neighborhood Housing Services LA County, and the Bay Area’s Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services are partnering with C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) to administer funds of up to $250,000 within each of their regions in 2022 under C.A.R.’s Closing Cost Assistance grant program.

“Homeownership is a key element to building generational wealth and economic security for working families while stabilizing communities across our state,” said C.A.R. President Otto Catrina. “We’re pleased to partner with these nonprofit organizations to help create true housing equity for all Californians, so they have an opportunity to realize the economic and societal benefits that homeownership provides.”

C.A.R. released a report last year showing that less than half of Black households earned the minimum income needed to purchase a home as compared to whites, illustrating the homeownership gap and wealth disparity for people of color, women, people with disabilities, indigenous people and members of the LGBTQ community. Also, according to most recent data, homeownership rates for Black (37%) and Latino (44%) households were far below overall rates (55%).

Visit C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund website to apply.

Program Criteria:

Recipient must be a first-time homebuyer.
Recipient must be a member of an underserved community, including LGBTQ+ and veterans.
The property being purchased by recipient must be a single-family residence.
The purchased property must not have an affordable housing deed restriction.
Recipient’s income must be no more than 120% of the Area Median Income (“AMI”).
Recipient must be represented by a REALTOR^® in the transaction.
Recipient must certify they intend occupy within 60 days of escrow close for a minimum of 3 years.
Recipient must use either government or conventional GSE financing.
Recipient must be left with no more than $20,000 in savings after the purchase.

C.A.R. established its Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) in November 2002 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) to address California’s growing housing affordability crisis.

The nonprofit partners selected have experience creating and administering home buyer assistance programs and have long-standing presence within underserved communities. The partners also offer HUD-approved first-time home buyer counseling and can help program recipients increase their buying power by layering C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund Closing Cost Grant Program with other forms of buyer assistance that their organizations may be offering or administering.

READ MORE >>

Weekly Jolt – 020122

C.A.R.’s Virtual Legislative Day – March 2

Get Quick Answers to Your Questions with C.A.R. Peer-to-Peer Ethics Infoline

MLS Rules & Regulations Changes – Mar. 1

Title Fraud on the Rise: What You Need to Know

Upcoming Paragon Enhancements – Feb. 22

Weekly Jolt – 012522

C.A.R.’s Virtual Legislative Day – March 2

NAR CALL FOR ACTION: Protect Independent Contractor Status

Title Fraud on the Rise: What You Need to Know

2022 Contra Costa Leadership Opportunities

Upcoming Paragon Enhancements – Feb. 22

Wise Agent – New Member Discount Program!

C.A.R. HAF Partners with Housing Nonprofits

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