Blog - CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

Weekly Jolt – 062425

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | June 24, 2025

MLS Tax Suite Series Classes – June 27 & 30

On June 27 from 10:00–11:00am, kick off the series with Parts 1 and 2 and learn how to access and navigate the platform with confidence – from basic to advanced searches and property reports.

Then, on June 30 from 10:00 – 11:00am, wrap up with Parts 3 and 4 and take your skills further with custom CMAs and prospecting strategies to help you connect buyers and sellers with ease.

REGISTER ON THE CCAR CALENDAR >>

Member Benefits – Unlock New Opportunities

Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned professional, CCAR membership provides exclusive resources, cutting-edge tools, powerful legislative advocacy, and career development opportunities to help you reach new levels of success.

To help you make the most of your membership, we’ve created a detailed directory of benefits and services. This resource provides direct access to tools, resources, and money-saving opportunities offered by CCAR, C.A.R., and NAR. Explore it to discover new ways to grow your business. (Note: most resource links require login.)

REimagine! early-bird savings end at midnight

Hurry and save before prices increase at midnight. We can’t wait to see you at C.A.R.’s REimagine!® Conference & Expo this September! Make your event experience even better by upgrading your pass with event add-ons before rates increase. Upgrade now to include a Pre-Conference Educational Track (Sep. 15) and the popular Keynote Lunches (Sep. 16 & Sep. 17) AKA more targeted content, insights and conversations that will strengthen your business and help you succeed in today’s market!
Read More >>

REALTOR® Optimize 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 Slim 5i 16″ – $935.51 >>
• Lenovo IdeaPad 14″ 2 in 1 – $935.51 >>

MLS Rules & Regulations Update – Effective June 23

We’re pleased to announce a recent MLS rule update that provides more flexibility and clarity when including information about seller credits and concessions for buyers in your listings.

What’s Changed?
Previously, MLS rules prohibited any mention of seller credits or concessions in Public and Confidential Remarks. Under the updated rule, remarks regarding seller credits, incentives, or concessions to a buyer are permitted in the Public or Confidential Remarks fields, provided it meets the following guidelines:

The remarks specifically identify the intended use of the credits, incentives, or concessions.
The remarks do not include a dollar amount or percentage.
The credits, incentives, or concessions are not offered for payment, directly or indirectly, of buyer broker compensation.
The remarks are otherwise compliant with all MLS Rules.
For additional information, contact the listing agent.

Examples of Permitted:

Offering credits towards closing costs.
Seller offering credit towards repairs.
Includes 1-year home warranty provided by seller.

Examples of Not Permitted:

Seller offering 2.5% to buyer’s agent.
Seller to provide $5,000 towards closing costs.
Buyer broker compensation being offered.

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

Weekly Jolt – 061725

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | June 17, 2025

CCAR Offices Closed: Thu., Jun. 19 For Juneteenth Freedom Day

C.A.R. Housing Matters Podcast

The Housing Matters Podcast is your go-to source for market analysis, economic trends, and housing news from C.A.R. Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify to hear expert insights on the week’s top real estate stories – and what they mean for you.

This week’s episode: Slow Start for the Season as Price Hits New High discusses how California home sales have declined for the second time in four months year-over-year, as high interest rates and economic uncertainty weigh on the market. Condo sales, once a foothold for first-time buyers, have also slowed due to worsening affordability. While the tariff situation has eased slightly, the recent U.S. credit downgrade has pushed rates higher, potentially stalling the market further in the months ahead.

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…

NAR Updates REALTOR® Code of Ethics

NAR has ratified changes to Standard of Practice 10-5 and Policy Statement 29 under Article 10 of the Code of Ethics. These updates reflect the ongoing work of the Professional Standards Committee to keep the Code current and uphold the integrity that sets REALTORS® apart in protecting property rights and earning consumer trust.

Read More >>

REALTOR® Optimize Laptops For Sale

TOMORROW: C.A.R. Update on Insurance and Lending

Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s Free Virtual Event: C.A.R. STEPS – Financing the Dream of Homeownership from 10:00 am to 1:00pm.

C.A.R.’s STEPS Toward Homeownership is now a condensed, three-hour virtual update packed with practical guidance on home financing — including insurance, inspections, impounds, and down payment assistance.

Designed for REALTORS®, this free event offers tools to support renters, first-time buyers, those recovering from foreclosure or short sale, and even Baby Boomers looking to help the next generation become responsible homeowners.

Hear from expert speakers on:
• Strategies for Financial Health
• Trends in the Economic Environment
• Engaging in the Process
• Products for Success
• Support from Beginning to End

Register Now >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

District 3 Wilson – Jun 25

Smarter Tools, Stronger Agents: AI Trends Reshaping Real Estate

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As our industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, I want to personally invite you to explore the transformative role artificial intelligence is playing in real estate today. In this newsletter, you’ll learn how AI-powered tools are already enhancing property valuations, streamlining marketing strategies, and improving client engagement through virtual assistants and predictive analytics.

2025 AI Forecast for Agents and Brokers

CCAR AI Tools Available Now, Plus More Coming Soon

Embracing innovations in AI can give you a competitive edge, improve client experience, and help you work more efficiently.

These are no longer tools of the future—they are shaping our profession now. I encourage you to read this newsletter and see how your business can benefit from adopting these technologies. To learn more you can also participate in CCAR’s upcoming AI education courses including a free virtual session on June 25, “Become Irreplaceable – Make AI Work For You.” You’ll gain real-world insights from industry leaders on using AI while strengthening the most important asset in real estate: your relationships.

Let’s lead the way together.

Best Regards,

Rolanda

Unlock Your Potential with AI

Take your real estate career to the next level with Marki Lemons’ ultimate guide to mastering the skills that drive success. Learn powerful techniques for prospecting, lead generation, and client acquisition, and gain the confidence to negotiate and close deals with ease. Discover how to craft compelling marketing materials that captivate buyers and set you apart from the competition.

This book also dives deep into digital marketing, social media engagement, and AI-driven tools that will streamline your workflow and maximize your reach. | LEARN MORE >

As AI continues to evolve, its integration into real estate is expected to deepen, further transforming how properties are bought, sold, and managed. Following are just a few of the most exciting innovations being used today:

Personalized Property Search: AI-powered platforms are now delivering hyper-personalized property suggestions by analyzing user preferences, behaviors, and historical data to match buyers with properties that align closely with their desires, streamlining the search process.

Customer Engagement: The integration of AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants has revolutionized client interactions in real estate. These tools provide 24/7 support, managing inquiries, filtering leads, and scheduling appointments, thereby enhancing customer service and allowing agents to focus on more complex tasks.

Virtual Staging & Tours: AI technologies are being employed to create realistic virtual staging and immersive property tours. These tools generate professional-quality photos and 3D walkthroughs, allowing potential buyers to visualize properties remotely, which is especially beneficial in today’s digital-first market.

Auto Document Management: AI is streamlining the management of real estate documents by automating the review and analysis of lease agreements, loan documents, and service contracts. This automation reduces errors, ensures compliance, and accelerates transaction processes.

Marketing: AI is transforming real estate marketing by analyzing customer data to run targeted advertising campaigns. These AI-powered tools evaluate website visitor behavior, social media engagement, and email responses to identify promising leads, optimize marketing strategies, and attract serious buyers while minimizing unnecessary advertising costs. | LEARN MORE >

RPR Residential Market Trends Script Writer enables agents to create digestible market summaries based on hyper-local market data. Users can:

Choose from different tones, including professional, engaging, conversational or friendly/casual.

Target messages to buyers, sellers, both, first-time buyers, move-up buyers, investors, luxury sellers and more.

Receive video scripts and social media posts, based on local market trends stats, that can be quickly shared on social channels, emails, websites or presentations.

RPR Residential Market Trends Script Writer is a game-changer for market updates and neighborhood expertise.| TRY IT NOW >

AI Property Insights in RPR Mobile App: The AI button in any Property Details page brings professional polish and insight directly to your clients in seconds, right from your phone and allows you to instantly generate a property summary based on property data; pull from RPR’s Market Trends stats to give a basic understanding of market type, pricing comparisons and monthly inventory levels; choose from several tones and client types’ and share quick insights while on tours, at open houses or in initial conversations. | GET APP >

RealReports is an AI-driven platform that delivers instant, in-depth property reports by pulling data from over 60 trusted sources. Think permits, climate risk, zoning, liens, valuations, and more—all consolidated in one clean, comprehensive report. | MORE >

UPCOMING AI COURSES & EVENTS

JUN 12

AI-Powered Real Estate: Unleashing Practical Strategies for Success | VIRTUAL | Jun 12 | 10:00 – 11:00 am | Free | This session will guide you through a simplified and easy-to-understand overview of AI technologies and their applications in the real estate sector. We will specifically dive into how AI can revolutionize your marketing strategies, empowering you to reach wider audiences, attract qualified leads, and achieve unparalleled success. | REGISTER >

YPN Lunch & Learn: Master the Market – Strategic Pricing, Persuasive Presentation & the Power of AI | LIVE | Jun 12 | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm | $25 Online/$35 @ Door | Don Tatzin Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette | CCAR YPN is bringing together two of the industry’s most dynamic voices — Keith Robinson, Co-CEO of NextHome, and Anthony Young, Certified RE Appraiser and educator — for a deep dive into what’s really happening in today’s market. Get fresh insight on navigating pricing and commission conversations, and discover practical ways to use AI that actually help you close more deals. It’s real talk from real pros. | REGISTER >

JUN 25

Become Irreplaceable – Make AI Work For You | VIRTUAL | Jun 25 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Free | Instructor: Warren Dow | This session will explore practical use cases for agents to provide value to clients, generate leads, and mitigate risk. Now is the time to get ahead and embrace the new tools and technology that will permanently widen the gap between you and the competition. | REGISTER >

ANYTIME

Getting Started w/ Generative AI to Improve Your Real Estate Business | ON-DEMAND VIDEO | Anytime | $25 Member | Artificial Intelligence is here and it’s going to do everything. We can just relax and somehow, we’ll make money faster, right? RIGHT? Not quite. Robots aren’t ready to run 100% of anything yet but maybe they can help! This is an introductory course designed to explain the basics of what Generative AI is, how it can be used, and what real estate professionals need to look out for. | REGISTER >

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

District 3 Crowell – Jun 25

Smarter Tools, Stronger Agents: AI Trends Reshaping Real Estate

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

2025 AI Forecast for Agents and Brokers

CCAR AI Tools Available Now, Plus More Coming Soon

Embracing innovations in AI can give you a competitive edge, improve client experience, and help you work more efficiently.

Let’s lead the way together.

Best Regards,

Valerie

Unlock Your Potential with AI

This book also dives deep into digital marketing, social media engagement, and AI-driven tools that will streamline your workflow and maximize your reach. | LEARN MORE >

RPR Residential Market Trends Script Writer enables agents to create digestible market summaries based on hyper-local market data. Users can:

Choose from different tones, including professional, engaging, conversational or friendly/casual.

Target messages to buyers, sellers, both, first-time buyers, move-up buyers, investors, luxury sellers and more.

Receive video scripts and social media posts, based on local market trends stats, that can be quickly shared on social channels, emails, websites or presentations.

RPR Residential Market Trends Script Writer is a game-changer for market updates and neighborhood expertise.| TRY IT NOW >

UPCOMING AI COURSES & EVENTS

JUN 12

JUN 25

ANYTIME

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

District 4 Manzone – Jun 25

Smarter Tools, Stronger Agents: AI Trends Reshaping Real Estate

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

2025 AI Forecast for Agents and Brokers

CCAR AI Tools Available Now, Plus More Coming Soon

Embracing innovations in AI can give you a competitive edge, improve client experience, and help you work more efficiently.

Let’s lead the way together.

Best Regards,

Leslie

Unlock Your Potential with AI

This book also dives deep into digital marketing, social media engagement, and AI-driven tools that will streamline your workflow and maximize your reach. | LEARN MORE >

RPR Residential Market Trends Script Writer enables agents to create digestible market summaries based on hyper-local market data. Users can:

Choose from different tones, including professional, engaging, conversational or friendly/casual.

Target messages to buyers, sellers, both, first-time buyers, move-up buyers, investors, luxury sellers and more.

Receive video scripts and social media posts, based on local market trends stats, that can be quickly shared on social channels, emails, websites or presentations.

RPR Residential Market Trends Script Writer is a game-changer for market updates and neighborhood expertise.| TRY IT NOW >

UPCOMING AI COURSES & EVENTS

JUN 12

JUN 25

ANYTIME

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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