CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

Moves You Forward.

Bill Clarkson Completes 4th Term as San Ramon Mayor

by

EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP

Beginning in January, CCAR embarks upon its 100th Anniversary celebration. Throughout the year we will highlight important milestones in CCAR history and pay tribute to the exemplary leaders who have built the Association and served the industry and commuity with honor and distinction.

LEADERSHIP spotlight

Bill Clarkson completes 4th term as San Ramon Mayor

CCAR congratulates REALTOR® Bill Clarkson (member since 1988) who just wrapped up his fourth term as San Ramon Mayor, marking a decades-long tradition of service to the City. Bill’s non-partisan approach to local government has paid valuable dividends to locals who enjoy living in an award-winning city with countless amenities and services including top schools, extensive parks and open space, shopping, infrastructure improvements and a strong police force. 

Following are just a few of the stars featured in CCAR’s Leadership Hall of Fame. We will share their stories with you in the coming year as we celebrate our 100th Anniversary…

Cappy Hicks (1920s)

Clark Wallace (1960s)

Pauline McGill (1960s-90s)

William F. Anderson (60s)

Bill Wallace (1940s)

Mary Dee Karp (1970s-90s)

Many more (1921-2021)…

Proposition 19 Clarification Coming Soon

by

• Yes on 19 Logo 4

PROP 19 clarification coming soon

Property Tax Exemptions from Reassessment

With the passage of Prop 19 a homeowner who is over 55 years of age, severely disabled or whose home has been substantially damaged by wildfire or natural disaster may transfer the taxable value of their primary residence to a replacement primary residence anywhere in the state, regardless of the value of the replacement primary residence (with adjustments if “greater in value) within 2 years of the sale, and up to 3 times (but without limitation for those whose houses were destroyed by fire).

Proposition 19 will supersede the old rules which limited this exemption to the sale and purchase of a principle residence within the same county (Prop 60) or between certain counties (Prop 90)–but only if the replacement was of “equal or lesser value” and only one time.

c.a.r. legal counsel WARNS...

“Although we believe that the tax benefits under Proposition 19 apply to transactions where either the sale or purchase of primary residence takes place before April 1, 2021, as long as the subsequent sale or purchase takes place within two years and on or after April 1, 2021, others have taken the position that both the sale and purchase must occur on or after April 1, 2021. C.A.R. will seek official clarification of this issue.

“As always, our advice to agents is not to give legal or tax advice–especially on an issue that is so consequential and presently has no definitive answer. If an agent has a client who wishes to obtain the tax benefits of Proposition 19 for a transaction that closes prior to April 1, 2021, whether buying or selling a property, the client should be encouraged to seek the advice of a qualified California real estate attorney or tax advisor. 

Nonetheless, owners of real property that qualify under Prop 60 or Prop 90 can still take advantage of those features until April 1, 2021. (If an owner never took advantage of these and were qualified, they might be able to get a refund of taxes already paid.

Agents should not give legal or tax advice–especially on an issue that is so consequential and presently has no definitive answer. Refer all questions to qualified CA real estate attorney or tax advisor.

TO get the latest updates ON ALL PROP 19 QUESTIONS, VISIT C.A.R. >

| govt. affairs ARCHIVE

CONTACT:

DEC 2020 | C.A.R. Proposition 19 initiative passes by narrow margin; additional real estate related State ballot measures reflect negative public sentiment towards rent control and increased business property taxes. Voters approve County and local sales and business taxes; City Council representation results mixed. | MORE >

OCT 2020 | With election season comes a race for space to post signage. Be sure to familiarize yourself with local laws pertaining to sign placement, which may differ in every city. Illegal sign placement may result in onerous legislation that could severely restrict all signage privileges. | REVIEW CITY SIGN ORDINANCES >

PROTECTING PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS  |  One of the most important services organized real estate provides members and consumers is representation in the halls of government. The REALTOR Action Fund (RAF), supported solely by REALTOR contributions, raises money to advance the goals of political action committees (PACs) supporting real estate at the local, state and federal levels.  | LEARN MORE >

C.A.R. Legal hotline:
agents: (213) 739-8282
brokers: (213) 739-8350
Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
| learn more >

Heather Schiffman photo

HEATHER SCHIFFMAN

Director, Government Affairs

[email protected]

In Memoriam

by

cemetery and flowers

IN MEMORIAM

CCAR extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of REALTOR®
Mercer Tyson who recently passed away. CCAR member from 1973-2009,
Mercer was associated with John M. Grubb as well as Solomon Wilmington &
Associates, Village Associates and Alain Pinel in Orinda. 

All REALTOR® Activity Subject to New Ethics Standards

by

Code of Ethics amended to expand applicability to all REALTOR® activities on and off 'the field'

No matter the setting–business or private–REALTORS® must uphold NAR Code of Ethics; newly added Standard of Practice 10-5 also expands Duties to the Public to prohibit all discriminatory, harassing, hate speech… 

broad APPLICABILITY

The National Association of REALTORS® has instituted changes to the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual which include amended policies that expand applicability to all REALTOR® activities. Realtors are now subject to disciplinary action for activities outside the scope of “business” or real estate transactions:

Policy Statement 29. Applicability of the Code to non-real estate related activities

While REALTORS® are encouraged to follow the principles of the Code of Ethics in all of their activities, a A REALTOR® shall be subject to disciplinary action under the Code of Ethics only with respect to real estate related all their activities., and transactions involving the REALTOR.

new Sop 10-5

This new Standard of Practice flows directly from the requirement to not deny equal professional services to all or be parties to discrimination. Specifically, bias against protected classes revealed through the public posting of hate speech, overt discrimination or disparate treatment (e.g., violations of the Fair Housing Act). 

Standard of Practice 10-5 REALTORS® must not use harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs based on race, color religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

public trust REdefined

The definition of “public trust” was expanded to include all discrimination against the protected classes under Article 10 of the Code and all fraud, and to limit the reporting requirement to final ethics decisions involving real estate related activities and transactions.

Article IV Code of Ethics, Section 2 NAR Bylaws

Section 2. Any Member Board which shall neglect or refuse to maintain and enforce the Code of Ethics with respect to the business activities of its members may, after due notice and opportunity for hearing, be expelled by the Board of Directors from membership in the National Association. Enforcement of the Code of Ethics also requires Member Boards to share with the state real estate licensing authority final ethics decisions holding REALTORS® in violation of the Code of Ethics in instances involving real estate related activities and transactions where there is reason to believe the public trust may have been violated. The “public trust” as used in this context refers to demonstrated misappropriation of client or customer funds or property, willful discrimination against the protected classes under the Code of Ethics, or fraud resulting in substantial economic harm. Enforcement of the Code of Ethics also requires Member Boards to provide mediation and arbitration services to members and their clients so that the dispute resolution requirements of Article 17 of the Code of Ethics can be met…

| LEARN MORE >

CLICK on links BELOW FOR nar & c.a.r. professional standards resources

National Association of Realtors Logo
California Association of Realtors

Special Guest Presenting at West County Marketing Meeting – This Thursday

by

Join us Dec 17!

Guest Speaker Edward Nattenberg

of Property Entry Now 

Please join us for the West County Virtual Marketing meeting on Thursday, Dec. 17th from 9:00 to 10:00 am for a presentation by Edward Nattenberg of Property Entry Now. Property Entry Now is an app-based product that streamlines the process of gathering PEAD documents and scheduling showings. Edward will provide a demo and explain how the app works.

ZOOM IN:

https://zoom.us/j/96905629800?pwd=b2oydlVtS2g3WTcxQ2xUWDZVckV3Zz09

Meeting ID: 969 0562 9800

Passcode: 816803

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,96905629800# US (Tacoma)

+13017158592,,96905629800# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

       +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 969 0562 9800

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aGF5umEJc