CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

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Finish July Strong with CCAR Education

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July Education & Events Masthead

July 2026 Classes

Click on any listing below to view course summaries and link to more information + registration.

BUDGET & TIME MANAGEMENT

Virtual | 9:00 – 11:30 am | FREE | Stay ahead of the market with Brian Buffini’s 2026 Mid-Year Update. Gain fresh real estate market insights, practical time management strategies, and financial planning tips to help you make smarter decisions and finish the year strong. | MORE + REGISTER >

Education AT Your Fingertips

Post and Present like a Pro: Video calls. Phone calls. Or no calls at all. No matter how you stay connected with your clients, these tools make it simple and fun to communicate when you’re not in-person. Visit Share University >

CONTACT

Chris Dickson
Education Coordinator
(925) 295-9210
[email protected]

weekly MARKETING MEETINGS

CCRIM Marketing Group Ad + link to site
Rossmoor Marketing Meeting ad + link to email contact
West County Marketing Group ad + link to contact email
RMA Marketing Group Ad + link to website

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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News for Brokers – May 2026

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MAY 2026

Keep Real Estate Human in the Age of AI

According to some experts, the future of real estate is not about choosing between AI and people. The strongest businesses will likely be those that combine smart technology adoption with authentic communication, strong relationships and trusted expertise.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the real estate industry, from brokerage operations to online home search. As companies adopt new AI tools, many professionals are asking the same question: Will technology enhance the customer experience, or replace the people behind it?

Recent industry discussions have highlighted growing concerns about companies using AI primarily to reduce staffing and automate support functions. While technology can improve efficiency, many real estate professionals argue that removing experienced people from the process weakens trust, service and workplace culture. In a relationship-driven business, human expertise remains one of the industry’s greatest assets.

At the same time, AI-generated communication is becoming increasingly common across social media, marketing and professional content. Many posts now sound repetitive, overly polished or disconnected from real experience. As audiences become more aware of these patterns, authenticity is becoming even more valuable. Consumers are more likely to engage with professionals who communicate naturally, share real insights and demonstrate genuine market knowledge.

AI is also changing how buyers search for homes. Conversational search tools now allow consumers to ask detailed real estate questions and receive instant recommendations. This shift means agents must focus 

more intentionally on their online presence, reputation and local expertise. Consistent business information, strong reviews and community-focused content all help establish credibility in an increasingly AI-driven environment.

The common thread across all of these changes is clear: Technology may influence how information is delivered, but trust is still built through human connection. The professionals who will stand out are those who use AI strategically while continuing to prioritize authenticity, expertise and relationships.

This news summary is based on paraphrased commentary and reporting from articles by Holly Brink published on Inman.com.

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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Broker.1.2 – Jun 2026

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CCAR Broker Brief Masthead

AI Update: The Future of Real Estate is Still Human

For many brokers and real estate professionals, keeping up with AI has started to feel like a full-time job. Every week seems to bring more rapid change and pressure to move faster and automate every part of the business.

It’s understandable that many feel overwhelmed, but there’s also good news hidden beneath all the noise: Brokers do not need to adopt every new AI tool to stay relevant.

Real estate has always been built on relationships, professional insight, experience, and trust. Technology can support those things, but it cannot replace them. While AI might help organize information faster and simplify repetitive tasks, it cannot replicate local expertise, negotiation instincts, empathy, or long-term client relationships.

To succeed in this fast-paced market does not require you to chase every new trend. Focus on adapting thoughtfully and use technology in ways that strengthen, not replace the human experience.

Read on for more AI insights…

News & Views

Avoid Formulaic AI-Generated Content. Focus On Authenticity

Consumers are tech-saavy and ignore generic AI-generated marketing content.  It’s no secret. Real estate pros are using AI to automate everything they can to simplify repetitive and creative tasks. Problem is, everyone can now easily identify AI-generated content, and will ignore marketing that sounds mechanical and inauthentic. Recent Inman news reports help decipher what works and doesn’t work when agents use AI to communicate with the public. | LEARN WHAT TO AVOID WHEN USING AI IN YOUR BUSINESS > 

CA Dept of Insurance Webinar Jun 17

Free webinar series designed to help consumers better understand important insurance topics. Invite your clients and colleagues to join an upcoming statewide webinar hosted by the California Department of Insurance. Featured guest panelists will review the current residential insurance landscape and give expert advice and counsel to all those seeking ways to better understand and access available insurance services–often the deal-breaker, or deal-maker in a transaction. | REGISTER NOW >

CCAR Brokers Want Legal, AI, Marketing, and Tech Support

CCAR’s Spring Broker Survey provided valuable insight into the challenges and priorities brokers are facing in today’s market. Check out the key findings that CCAR will use to help shape future programs, education, communication, and member services. | VIEW SURVEY RESULTS >

APRIL 2026 | MONTHLY MARKET rECAP

Contra Costa County’s April market showed stronger spring activity with rising inventory, increasing sales volume, faster-moving homes, and upward pressure on both list and sold prices. While annual appreciation remains modest to slightly negative in some metrics, current month-over-month trends suggest improving market momentum and continued competitive conditions for buyers.

  • Inventory up:  ( ↑ 18.7% MoM )
  • Sales up:  ( ↑ 4.6% MoM )
  • Speed of sales improving: ( ↑ 7.1% MoM )
  • Median sold price: $818,000 ( â†‘ 2.38% MoM )
  • Median list price: $799,000 ( â†‘ 2.44% MoM )
  • Pricing trends = Renewed spring momentum

| VIEW / DOWNLOAD APRIL 2026 MARKET REPORT >

QUICK LINKS

PARAGON STATS    |

RPR STATISTICS    |

INFOSPARKS STATS    |

C.A.R. STATISTICS    |

NAR STATISTICS

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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District 5 Reyes – Apr 26

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A MESSAGE FROM VICTOR REYES  |  CCAR DIRECTOR, DISTRICT 5 LIAISON  |  510. 260.4384  |  [email protected]   |   APRIL 2026

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

California’s housing affordability crisis continues to challenge buyers with high home prices, limited inventory, and rising costs keeping ownership out  of reach for many.

Recent reports show that thousands of approved affordable units remain stalled due to funding gaps, even as demand grows. Meanwhile, home prices are expected to stay near record highs, statewide, despite slight improvements in affordability.

While no single solution exists, a growing mix of state, local, and community programs is helping close the gap.

In this issue, we highlight key resources—from C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund and Fair Housing initiatives to local down payment assistance programs—that can help your clients move closer to homeownership.

Warm Regards,

Victor

6 Ways to Expand Access to Homeownership

One of the largest assistance programs   in California.

Best for: First-generation, first-time buyers who lack a large down payment.

Provides up to 20% of purchase price (max ~$150K) for down payment.

Structured as a shared appreciation loan (repay + % of appreciation at sale/refi).

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers needing help with upfront cash.

Provides ~3-3.5% of purchase price for down payment/closing costs.

Structured as a deferred-payment second loan (no monthly payments).

Repaid only when the home is sold, refinanced, or paid off.

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: Black first-time buyers facing down payment barriers.

Provides zero-interest loans (typically ~$15K–$20K) for down payment, closing costs, or related expenses. 

No monthly payments; repayment deferred until sale or refinance.

 

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: Broader pool of low-to-moderate income buyers (not just first-timers).

Offers up to ~5-5.5% of loan amount for down payment/closing costs.

Structured as a second mortgage (often repayable over time).

Works across many loan types (FHA, VA, USDA) and conventional loans.

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers from underserved communities needing closing cost support.

Provides up to $10,000 in grants (no payback required) for closing costs.

Must include at least one buyer from an underserved community (people of color, persons with disabilities, or LGBTQ+).

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers in Contra Costa County needing grant support.

Provides up to $10,000 in grants (no repayment required) for down payment or closing costs.

Funded by a $1 million investment from U.S. Bank, supporting ~100 families.

Targets low- to moderate-income households facing high entry costs.

|  LEARN MORE >

Find A Trusted CCAR Affiliate Lender

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

LeadHax logo/link

District 4 Wilson – Apr 26

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A MESSAGE FROM ROLANDA WILSON  |  CCAR DIRECTOR, DISTRICT 4 LIAISON  |  510. 244.0085  |  [email protected]   |   APRIL 2026

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

California’s housing affordability crisis continues to challenge buyers with high home prices, limited inventory, and rising costs keeping ownership out  of reach for many.

Recent reports show that thousands of approved affordable units remain stalled due to funding gaps, even as demand grows. Meanwhile, home prices are expected to stay near record highs, statewide, despite slight improvements in affordability.

While no single solution exists, a growing mix of state, local, and community programs is helping close the gap.

In this issue, we highlight key resources—from C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund and Fair Housing initiatives to local down payment assistance programs—that can help your clients move closer to homeownership.

Warm Regards,

Rolanda

6 Ways to Expand Access to Homeownership

One of the largest assistance programs   in California.

Best for: First-generation, first-time buyers who lack a large down payment.

Provides up to 20% of purchase price (max ~$150K) for down payment.

Structured as a shared appreciation loan (repay + % of appreciation at sale/refi).

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers needing help with upfront cash.

Provides ~3-3.5% of purchase price for down payment/closing costs.

Structured as a deferred-payment second loan (no monthly payments).

Repaid only when the home is sold, refinanced, or paid off.

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: Black first-time buyers facing down payment barriers.

Provides zero-interest loans (typically ~$15K–$20K) for down payment, closing costs, or related expenses. 

No monthly payments; repayment deferred until sale or refinance.

 

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: Broader pool of low-to-moderate income buyers (not just first-timers).

Offers up to ~5-5.5% of loan amount for down payment/closing costs.

Structured as a second mortgage (often repayable over time).

Works across many loan types (FHA, VA, USDA) and conventional loans.

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers from underserved communities needing closing cost support.

Provides up to $10,000 in grants (no payback required) for closing costs.

Must include at least one buyer from an underserved community (people of color, persons with disabilities, or LGBTQ+).

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers in Contra Costa County needing grant support.

Provides up to $10,000 in grants (no repayment required) for down payment or closing costs.

Funded by a $1 million investment from U.S. Bank, supporting ~100 families.

Targets low- to moderate-income households facing high entry costs.

|  LEARN MORE >

Find A Trusted CCAR Affiliate Lender

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

LeadHax logo/link