Blog - CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

Weekly Jolt – 101425

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 14, 2025

Top News

• Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire – Oct. 22
• The BIG Event Membership Meeting – Tomorrow, Oct. 15
• Elected Officials Reception – Oct. 23
• West County Marketing Meeting – This Thursday
• In Memoriam: Juanita Whitney-Harding
• WCR Upcoming Events

MLS Updates

• Goodbye ZipForm^® – Hello Transact
• Windows 10 Support Ends Today, Oct. 14
• REALTOR® Optimized Laptops For Sale

Upcoming Education

Success in Any Market: How to Find the Money & Put Yourself in the Middle of It
Wed., Oct. 15 | 10:00am 11:30am

AEO the New SEO in the Age of AI Content Creation
Wed., Oct. 15 | 1:00pm 2:00pm

Local Government & Community: Partnering for Success (Session 3 of 6)
Wed., Oct. 15 | 2:00pm 4:30pm

1031 Exchange Advanced Strategies
Thu., Oct. 16 | 11:00am 12:00pm

Intro to RPR – Searches, Stats, Reports & More! w/ CCAR
Thu., Oct. 16 | 2:00pm 4:00pm

OnDemand: The Role of a REALTOR® in Disasters (DPK 1)
Fri., Oct. 17 | 12:00am 12:00am

Realtor.com Profile Mastery!
Mon., Oct. 20 | 8:00am 9:00am

Paragon Connect: Collab Center
Mon., Oct. 20 | 11:00am 11:30am

MLS: Set It & Forget It! Auto Emails using Collab Center with CCAR
Mon., Oct. 20 | 2:00pm 4:00pm

RentSpree: How to Prospect, Nurture & Protect
Tue., Oct. 21 | 10:00am 11:00am

Transact: Office Hours with the Zip Guys
Tue., Oct. 21 | 10:00am 11:00am

Take Your RPR Mobile™ Skills to the Next Level
Tue., Oct. 21 | 11:00am 12:00pm

WomanUP!® Live Show
Wed., Oct. 22 | 11:00am 12:00pm

Local Government & Community: Partnering for Success (Session 4 of 6)
Wed., Oct. 22 | 2:00pm 4:30pm

Wise Agent: How to Create Content & Email Drip Campaigns
Thu., Oct. 23 | 9:00am 10:00am

Intro to Cloud CMA with CCAR
Thu., Oct. 23 | 2:00pm 4:00pm

DRE License Renewal Crash Course (Online)
Fri., Oct. 24 | 9:30am 12:00pm

C.A.R. Townhall for Brokers/Managers
Fri., Oct. 24 | 11:00am 12:30pm

OnlineEd Offers CA Salespersons
A Fast Track to Becoming Brokers

California Salespersons now have a new path to becoming Brokers with OnlineEd’s fully interactive, online courses. These textbook-free courses are designed to be mobile-friendly and comprehensive, offering a convenient way to advance to a Broker Licensee.
REGISTER NOW >>

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

REALTOR^® ACTION FUND (RAF)

The RAF supports political activities at the local, state, and national levels. It gives REALTORS^® the financial resources needed to advocate for policies which protect property rights and REALTORS^® ability to effectively conduct their business.

Contribute Today >>

+ CCAR CALENDAR

West County Marketing Meeting – This Thu., Oct. 16

Join us this Thu., Oct. 16, from 8:45am–10am at the Hercules CCAR office. We are pleased to welcome Michael Roldan, Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI, as our featured guest speaker. Agent Roldan will provide an informative presentation on various types of fraud affecting our industry and discuss how to safeguard ourselves and our clients.

A complimentary breakfast will be provided, featuring Noah’s breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit, and beverages.

Join your colleagues to expand your knowledge, share listings, and connect with fellow professionals at this collaborative and engaging meeting.

In Memoriam: Juanita Whitney-Harding

CCAR is saddened to announce the passing of longtime member Juanita Whitney-Harding. Juanita joined CCAR in 1970 and served the Association and her colleagues with dedication for more than five decades.

She contributed to the organization through her service on the Board of Directors, the Budget and Finance Committee, and as a C.A.R. Director. Her leadership and commitment to the REALTOR® community left a lasting impact on all who worked with her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11:00 am at Community Presbyterian Church, 222 W. El Pintado, Danville, CA.

Women’s Council of REALTORS^® Upcoming Events

Food, Raffles, and Beer! Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire
Next Wednesday! – Oct. 22

Break out the lederhosen and dirndls – it’s time for another Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire!

CCAR REALTOR® Members:
Register for free below and join us next Wed., Oct. 22 from 5 – 7pm at the Lafayette Library’s Don Tatzin Community Hall. Let’s raise a stein to new partnerships, stronger connections, and an evening full of Gemütlichkeit!

Enjoy an evening of beer, wine, appetizers, and plenty of fun. Try your luck with raffles and the door prize- you might just go home a winner! O’zapft is! The keg is tapped, the steins are raised, and the good times are waiting!

CCAR Affiliate Members (only a few spots remain):
This is your chance to showcase your business to CCAR REALTORS®! Think of it as a lively trade show with a fun Oktoberfest twist—all while contributing to two great causes, CCAR Helping Hands and the CCAR Scholarship Foundation!

How to Participate:
Secure your vender table for just $35 (non-affiliate members $75) by contacting Jason Catalano at 925.295.9202 or [email protected].

What to Bring:
1. Your marketing materials
2. A raffle prize (e.g., gift basket, gift card, wine)
3. An appetizer to feed at least 20 people (e.g., veggie tray, cheese plate, hors d’oeuvres)

REALTOR® Members Register FREE Here >>
Affiliates Contact [email protected] >>

Rostrum with microphone and computer in conference hall

The BIG Event Membership Meeting – Tomorrow, Oct. 15

Join us tomorrow morning, Oct. 15, at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek from 8:30am – 12:30pm to stay informed about the rapid changes in the real estate market and get the latest legal tips to help keep you out of trouble!

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from one of the industry’s top experts, Jordan Levine, C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, as he shares insights on the 2026 Housing Market Forecast and housing supply conditions. You’ll also receive a legal update from Gov Hutchinson, C.A.R. Assistant General Counsel.

Please allow extra time for parking and to enjoy refreshments in the lobby before the program begins, no food or drink is permitted inside the theater.

REGISTER HERE >>

Annual Elected Officials Reception – Thu., Oct. 23

Mark your calendars for Thu., Oct. 23, from 5-7pm at the Pleasant Hill Community Center! Enjoy hosted cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and great conversation with local elected officials and community leaders.

Officials from cities across Central and West Contra Costa County have been invited- giving you the chance to personally thank them for their continued support of homeownership and discuss the issues that matter most to you.

This relaxed networking event is a wonderful way to build connections, share ideas, and strengthen relationships with those shaping our communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with colleagues and local leaders in a welcoming, social setting!

REGISTER >>

CCAR Windows 10 Support Ends Today, Oct. 14

Microsoft has stopped providing security updates, technical assistance, and feature updates, making computers running Windows 10 more vulnerable to viruses and malware. As a result, CCAR is unable to support members with computer issues using Windows 10.

We recommend contacting your IT department or CCAR to check if your computer is eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11. CCAR can also assist with a new laptop transition.

For details, contact CCAR Member Services at 925.295.1270 or [email protected].

REALTOR® Optimized Laptops For Sale

All laptops purchased from CCAR come with a 2-year warranty, data transfer, and RE setup included. Reminder: Support for Windows 10 ends on Oct. 14, 2025.
• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 – $850.36 >>
• LG Gram 17 – Ai Ready – $1,845.36 >>

Goodbye zipForm® — Hello Transact

C.A.R. members now have access to Transact, a new transaction management platform that will eventually replace zipForm®. For now, both zipForm® and Transact will run side-by-side, giving you time to explore and transition at your own pace.

Transact is designed to simplify transactions, streamline workflows, and ensure compliance. Be sure to check the CCAR calendar for upcoming Transact training sessions to get comfortable with the new system before it becomes the default.

Transact: Navigating the System
Mon., Oct. 27 | 7:00am – 8:00am

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

CCAR Member Suspension Imminent

CCAR directors voted to extend the suspension date for members who have not yet completed the mandatory New Member Orientation to October 23, 2025. This will be the final extension — no further extensions will be granted.

CCAR is committed to giving all members every opportunity to meet their membership requirements as outlined in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Bylaws and the CCAR Membership Application:

“Applicants for REALTOR® membership must attend an orientation program within the first six (6) months of membership. In the event the new member fails to comply, they may be subject to suspension or disciplinary action upon such a determination by the Board of Directors.”

If you have received a text message or email reminder and have not yet completed the required orientation and training, please act now to avoid suspension.

Important: No Further Extensions

If your orientation requirements are not completed by October 23, 2025, your CCAR membership will be suspended immediately and will remain suspended until all requirements are fulfilled.

How to Complete Your Requirements:

Read the NAR Code of Ethics here.
Review the Ethics Study Guide here.
Complete the Ethics Test here.
Submit your completed test to [email protected] by October 23, 2025.

If you believe you have already completed orientation with another Association, please email [email protected] with documentation that includes your completion date.

This is your final opportunity to protect your REALTOR® membership status – don’t delay!

CCAR Benefit Booklet

Governor Newsom Signs Law Expanding Mortgage Relief for Fire Survivors

California homeowners recovering from recent wildfires will now have stronger, guaranteed protections thanks to a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The legislation, Assembly Bill 238, requires mortgage lenders to provide up to 12 months of forbearance to homeowners affected by declared disasters — ensuring they won’t lose their homes while they rebuild.

Under the new law, borrowers who qualify:

Will not face credit score damage for requesting forbearance.
Will not be charged late fees or penalties during the relief period.
Will not be required to repay missed payments in a lump sum once forbearance ends.
Must receive a clear written explanation if their request is denied, along with a chance to correct any issues.

This legislation builds on earlier voluntary agreements between the state and major lenders — but now makes these relief options a legal requirement, offering long-term stability and transparency for fire survivors across California.

Weekly Jolt – 100725

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 07, 2025

Governor Newsom Signs Law Expanding Mortgage Relief for Fire Survivors

Governor Gavin Newsom has recently signed Assembly Bill 238, strengthening mortgage protections for Californians recovering from wildfires. The new law requires lenders to offer up to 12 months of mortgage forbearance to affected homeowners, protecting their credit scores and prohibiting late fees or lump-sum repayments once relief ends.

Lenders who deny assistance must now provide clear written reasons and allow borrowers to correct issues. This measure turns previous voluntary agreements into enforceable protections, ensuring that fire survivors have the time and financial stability they need to rebuild.

Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire – Oct. 22

CCAR REALTOR® Members: Join us for an evening of appetizers, drinks, raffles, and fun at Lafayette Library’s Don Tatzin Community Hall on Oct. 22, from 5pm – 7pm! Discover the wide range of services offered by local industry partners while supporting two amazing causes—the CCAR Scholarship Foundation and CCAR Helping Hands.

CCAR Affiliates: The Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business to CCAR REALTORS®. Think of it as a trade show, but more fun– and it’s all for a great cause!

Here’s How:
Purchase a vender table for $35 by contacting Jason Catalano at 925.295.9202 or [email protected].

FREE REALTOR® TICKETS >>

Windows 10 Support Ends – Oct. 14

Microsoft will soon stop providing security updates, technical assistance, and feature updates, making computers running Windows 10 more vulnerable to viruses and malware. As a result, CCAR will be unable to support members with computer issues using Windows 10.

We recommend contacting your IT department or CCAR to check if your computer is eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11. CCAR can also assist with a new laptop transition.

For details, contact CCAR Member Services at 925.295.1270 or [email protected].

REALTOR® Optimized Laptops For Sale

Goodbye zipForm® — Hello Transact

Transact: Navigating the System
Mon., Oct. 13 | 7:00am – 8:00am

Transact: Navigating the System
Mon., Oct. 27 | 7:00am – 8:00am

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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