CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

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Apply for 1st-Time-Buyer Assistance

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New C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund “Housing Essentials Program” to Launch in January

doll house with "first-time buyer" tag
Starting January 8th, members may apply on behalf of clients for the California Association of REALTORS® Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) Home Essentials Program which will provide qualified first-time California homebuyers with a $1,250 Lowe’s gift card to purchase appliances for their new home. Due to limited availability, funds will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.

How to Qualify:

  • First-time homebuyers
  • Homebuyers must use a CA Realtor in the transaction
  • Purchase a primary single-family residence in CA with the intent to occupy the property as a primary residence
  • Conformin loan amount must be at or below FHA conforming loan limit
  • Purchase must use financing. All-cash purchases do not qualify
  • HAF must receive the following program requirements no later than thirty (30) days after closing escrow:
  1. Home Essentials Program Application and Certification Form
  2. Purchase contract
  3. Closing disclosure form

| govt. affairs ARCHIVE

DEC 2020 | 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. | MORE >

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 >

How to Apply: 

Applications will be available Jan 8, 2021. Members must complete a Home Essentials Program Application and Certification form on behalf of their clients.

| PROGRAM rules & forms >

| HAF HOME ESSENTIALS PROGRAM >

Heather Schiffman photo

HEATHER SCHIFFMAN

Director, Government Affairs

[email protected]

Apply by Jan. 13 for Small Business Relief Grants

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Up to $25,000 Available for Qualified Small Businesses 

money with check marks

UPDATE: Wednesday, January 13th is the final deadline for REALTORS® to apply for California’s new relief grant program for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides micro grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible small businesses (including independent contractors and sole proprietors) impacted by COVID-19 and related health and safety restrictions. Grant amounts based on annual revenues as documented in most recent tax returns.

Eligibility Criteria

Small businesses must satisfy certain eligibility criteria to receive grant awards, but not all are applicants who qualify are guaranteed to receive grant funds.

Must be a sole proprietor, independent contractor or registered “for profit” business entity (e.g., C-corporations, S-corporation, limited liability company, partnership) that has yearly gross revenue of $2.5 million or less (at least $1,000 in yearly gross revenue) based on the most recent tax filing.

Must be an active business operating since June 1, 2019.

Must currently operate or have a clear plan to re-open once the State of California permits re-opening of the business.

Must be impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions such as business interruptions or business closures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Must provide organizing documents including 2018 or 2019 tax

Grants

Annual Revenue

$1,000 – $100,000:

$100,000 – $1M:

$1M – $2.5M:

Grant Amount

$  5,000

$15,000

$25,000

First round application process opens 8:00 am on Dec 30, 2020 and closes at 11:59 pm on Jan 8, 2021. Approval notifications will begin Jan 13. Second-round application dates to be determined. 

Applicants submitting applications and all documentation in the first round need not reapply for second-round grants but will be considered for both rounds.

LEARN MORE
APPLY HERE

returns or Form 990s, copy of official filing with the CA Secretary of State, if applicable, or local municipality for the business such as one of the following: Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Organization, Fictitious Name of Registration or Government-Issued Business License.

Must provide acceptable form of government-issued photo identification.

Applicants with multiple business entities, franchises, locations, etc. are not eligible for multiple grants may apply only ONE TIME using their eligible small business with the highest revenue.

Applicants will be reviewed to determine eligibility. Eligible businesses will then be scored based on COVID-19 impact factors incorporated into priority criteria including the following: (1) Geographic distribution based on COVID-19 health and safety restrictions following CA’s Blueprint for Safer Economy and county status and the new Regional Stay-At-Home Order; (2) Industry sectors most impacted by the pandemic; and (3) Underserved small business groups served by state-supported network of small business centers (i.e., businesses majority owned and run on a daily basis by women, minorities/persons of color, veterans and businesses located in low-to-moderate income and rural communities).

| C.A.R. GRANT RELIEF INFORMATION >

Bill Clarkson Completes 4th Term as San Ramon Mayor

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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

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• 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

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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.