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How Your Board Represents You

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CCAR represents a diverse membership across six geographical “districts.” To ensure strong, balanced representation and clear communication, the Board of Directors rotates district liaison assignments each year.

Each Board member is assigned to a different district annually, allowing them to better understand the unique needs and perspectives across our entire region. This rotation strengthens member representation, improves communication, and supports more informed decision-making at the leadership level.

Your district’s Board representative is your direct connection to CCAR leadership. They are here to listen, share updates, and bring your feedback forward throughout the year.

Coming soon: This week, you will receive your first district newsletter of the year, featuring updates from your Board representative, along with important association and industry news.

When your newsletter arrives, take a moment to review it, get to know your Board representative, and reach out with questions, ideas, or feedback—they want to hear from you!

2026 Board of Directors

John Fondnazio, President
Zina F. Hall, Past-President
Donna Souza, President-Elect
Judy Myers, Treasurer

District 99:

Represents members conducting business outside Contra Costa County

Valerie Crowell
Brendan Moran

District 1:

Represents members conducting business in Walnut Creek + Rossmoor

Stephen Wondolowski

District 2:

Represents members conducting business in LAMORINDA Area

Diane Ramirez
Cherry Wade

District 3:

Represents members conducting business in (Central County) Clayton + Clyde, Concord + Martinez + Pacheco + Pleasant Hill

Joe Stokley
Rolanda Wilson

District 4:

Represents members conducting business in (San Ramon Valley) Alamo + Blackhawk + Danville + Diablo + San Ramon

Victor Reyes

District 5:

Represents members conducting business in (West County) Crocket/Port Costa + El Cerrito + El Sobrante + Hercules + Richmond + Rodeo + San Pablo

Donna Davis

All

Represents all affiliate members

Weekly Jolt – 011326

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CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER    |    JANUARY 13, 2026
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CCAR Offices Closed: Mon., Jan. 19 in observance of MLK, Jr. Day

•  How Your Board Represents You
•  You’re Invited: 2026 Inaugural – Jan. 31
•  Save $25 on CCAR’s Annual Crab Feed – Mar. 6
•  Conquering Social Media & AI – Jan. 29
•  Free Member Benefit: C.A.R. Dispute Resolution Center

•  MLS Rule Changes Effective Jan 1
•  Upcoming MLS Updates – Feb 10
•  C.A.R. Housing Market Update
•  REALTOR® Optimized Laptops For Sale
LAPTOP DOC

FEATURED: Conquering Social Media & AI
Thu., Jan. 29  |  10:00am 11:00am
Jan 2026 Feature Class - Online Success + AiNAR’s Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) 2- Day Designation Course
Wed., Jan. 14  |  9:00am 4:00pm

CubiCasa 101: Learn to Create Quick & Easy Floorplans
Wed., Jan. 14  |  11:00am 12:00pm

Stop Chasing Buyers – Start Closing Rentals
Thu., Jan. 15  |  9:00am 10:00am

Transform Local Data Into Social Media Success w/ RPR ScriptWriter
Thu., Jan. 15  |  11:00am 12:00pm

DRE License Renewal Crash Course (Virtual)
Fri., Jan. 16  |  9:30am 12:30pm

New Construction: BuildersUpdate
Fri., Jan. 16  |  10:00am 11:00am

Cloud CMA: Generate New Leads
Mon., Jan. 19  |  10:00am – 10:40am

Supra Showing Management (BrokerBay)
Tue., Jan. 20  |  8:00am – 9:00am

RPR’s Geo Prospecting Secrets
Tue., Jan. 20  |  9:00am – 10:00am

MLS: Set It & Forget It! Property Drip Campaign for Your Clients
Tue., Jan. 20  |  2:00pm – 4:00pm

AI-Powered Real Estate: Unleashing Practical Strategies
Wed., Jan. 21  |  10:00am – 11:00am

WomanUP!® Live Show
Wed., Jan. 21  |  11:00am – 12:00pm

CES 2026: What Crazy Tech is About to POP!
Wed., Jan. 21  |  1:00pm – 2:00pm

Community, Content & Becoming the Go-To Local Expert
Thu., Jan. 22  |  10:00am – 11:00am

Mortgage: The Truth Behind the Headlines
Thu., Jan. 22  |  10:00am – 11:00am

Intro to RPR®: Your 1-Stop Shop w/ CCAR
Thu., Jan. 22  |  2:00pm – 4:00pm

Real Estate Finance & Property Online Anytime Taxation (GRI 208)
Online Anytime

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 >>

 Online Continuing Education

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

Thank you for making CCAR your primary membership resource. Your success is our priority, and we are committed to providing you with the resources you need to achieve the highest levels of professionalism.

2026 CCAR, C.A.R., and NAR membership dues are now payable and must be submitted by 5pm on Jan. 6, 2026.

Your membership dues give you access to thousands of dollars in benefits and services, along with the political backing and collective buying power of one of the most influential professional trade associations in the United States.

Learn More About Your Member Benefits >>
Pay Membership Dues >>


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 Count Marketing Meeting – This Thursday

Kickstart your Thursday morning at the West County Marketing Meeting this Thursday, January 15 from 8:45 – 10:00am at the CCAR Hercules office.

We’re excited to welcome Jean Shrem, Attorney at Law, who will cover new real estate laws for 2026 and share key legal insights from her practice. Stay informed and gain valuable knowledge to protect and grow your business.

Enjoy a complimentary light breakfast while networking with colleagues. It’s a great chance to learn, connect, and promote your listings!

Conquering Social Media & AI: Real Estate Strategies That Work! – January 29

Take your real estate marketing to the next level in this high-energy, one-hour virtual class packed with practical strategies you can put to work immediately.

Our rock-star coaches will show you how to generate quality referrals and repeat business, nurture client relationships, and effectively use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. You’ll also learn how to leverage ChatGPT and other leading AI tools, create impactful video content, and boost your visibility through SEO and blogging. Fun, motivating, and results-driven—this is a session you won’t want to miss.
Register Here >>

Free Member Benefit: C.A.R. Dispute Resolution Center

When real estate disputes arise, REALTORS® turn to the C.A.R. Dispute Resolution Center to support their clients. C.A.R.’s experienced mediators and arbitrators understand the complexities of real estate transactions and provide efficient, effective, and affordable resolution. By helping clients resolve disputes early and constructively, REALTORS® can protect relationships, reduce risk, and keep transactions moving forward.
Read More >>

How Your Board of Directors Represents You

CCAR represents a diverse membership across six geographical “districts.” To ensure strong, balanced representation and clear communication, the Board of Directors rotates district liaison assignments each year.

Each Board member is assigned to a different district annually, allowing them to better understand the unique needs and perspectives across our entire region. This rotation strengthens member representation, improves communication, and supports more informed decision-making at the leadership level.

Your district’s Board representative is your direct connection to CCAR leadership. They are here to listen, share updates, and bring your feedback forward throughout the year.

Coming soon: This week, you will receive your first district newsletter of the year, featuring updates from your Board representative, along with important association and industry news.

When your newsletter arrives, take a moment to review it, get to know your Board representative, and reach out with questions, ideas, or feedback—they want to hear from you!

View Which Board Member Is Assigned To Your District  >>

An Evening of Recognition: CCAR’s Inaugural Dinner & Awards – January 31

Join us for a very special evening at our annual Inaugural Dinner and Award Celebration on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo.

We’ll recognize this year’s distinguished award recipients, install 2026 President John Fondnazio and our Board of Directors, and enjoy a night that brings our community together over great food and good company.

Come dressed to impress as we look back on a year of accomplishments and get ready for the exciting possibilities to come. Together, we’ll honor the people and partnerships that continue to strengthen our real estate community.

PURCHASE TICKETS >>

Read More >>

Celebrate 25 Years! Save $25 on CCAR’s Annual Crab Feed – March 6

Enjoy a delicious dinner featuring fresh crab, tri-tip, and pasta, plus a complimentary glass of champagne to kick off the evening. The night also includes music from DJ Stallion, raffle and auction prizes, and the always-popular cake auction.

All tickets must be purchased in advance—no tickets will be sold at the door—so be sure to secure yours early. Purchase your tickets now and save $25 with Early Bird pricing!

This crab-tastic feast supports two amazing causes: CCAR Helping Hands and the CCAR Scholarship Foundation, so every bite (and every bid) makes a difference!

PURCHASE TICKETS >>

Read More >>

Upcoming MLS Updates – Feb 10

We’re updating the MLS to give you more control when adding your listings. These improvements help create better search results and give your property details the attention they deserve.

  • Directions to Property: Character limit increased from 50 to 70 to allow for clearer, more complete directions.
  • Public Remarks: Character limit increased from 1,000 to 2,500 characters.
  • Listing Photos: Maximum number of photos increased from 60 to 99.
  • Water and Sewer Features: These will now appear as separate feature categories for more accurate data entry and search results.
  • New Selectable Features:
    • “Taxiway Properties” added to X – Lot Description in the Residential class and H – Lot Description in the Lots & Land
    • “Aircraft Hangar” added to N – Garage/Parking in the Residential class

C.A.R. Housing Marketing Update

As 2025 drew to a close, the U.S. economy showed signs of both resilience and caution. Holiday spending increased moderately, driven by robust ecommerce growth, yet concerns loom over rising consumer debt and a potential spending pullback in early 2026. Meanwhile, job creation remained soft, capping a year of weak hiring, even as wages edged higher and unemployment dipped slightly. On the policy front, new proposals targeting housing affordability and mortgage rates sparked debate, while consumer sentiment reflected growing pessimism about the labor market. Buckle up, 2026 could be another interesting ride.
Read More >>

REALTOR Optimized Laptops For Sale

Laptop Doc

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

MLS Rule Changes Effective January 1, 2026
New Law: AB 723 – Disclosure Required for
Digitally Altered Property Images

Effective January 1, 2026, California Assembly Bill 723 requires real estate professionals to clearly disclose when images used in advertising or listings have been digitally altered and to provide access to the original, unaltered images when those altered images are made public.

Two new sections will be added to the CCAR MLS Rules and Regulations Effective Jan. 1. 2026

  • 11.5.1 Definition of Digitally Altered Images – Defines digitally altered images as provided under California law.
  • 11.5.2 Digitally Altered Images – Explains how digitally altered images must be treated when inputted in the MLS.

How Does this Affect Photograph Requirements in the MLS?
To support compliance with California’s new law regarding digitally altered property images (AB 723), CCAR will be implementing a standardized approach within the MLS.

Going forward, when a digitally altered image is used in a listing:

  • The digitally altered image must be displayed first,
  • The original, unaltered image must immediately follow, and
  • The altered image must include a photo label clearly disclosing that the image has been digitally altered.

To add a photo label within the MLS, please follow the instructions below:

  • Go to ‘Maintain Listing’;
  • Go to the ‘Add/Edit Pictures’ module;
  • Add listing photos and select ‘Add Label’ for the digitally altered images;
  • Type into the ‘Label’ field that the photo is digitally altered (i.e. “altered,” “digitally altered,” “AI altered,” or some accurate substantially similar term).

This approach allows the MLS to clearly present both versions of the image while maintaining transparency for consumers and consistency for Participants and Subscribers.

CCAR MLS Rules & Regulations >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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District 99 Fondnazio – Jan 26

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John Fondnazio masthead w/ link to email

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we close out the year, we want to thank you for your commitment to serving clients and communities across Contra Costa County and the Bay Area. This year brought meaningful change—both in the market and across our industry—and you met it with resilience and leadership.

The coming year will continue to reward Realtors® who lead with expertise, integrity, and vision. As your Association, we remain committed to supporting you with tools and resources that help you succeed in every market cycle.

We wish you a joyful holiday season and a healthy, prosperous year ahead.

Warm regards,

John

How Your Board Represents You in Each Region

CCAR represents a diverse membership across six geographical Districts. To ensure strong, balanced representation and clear communication, Board members rotate district assignments each year, with each one assigned to a different district annually. This rotation helps them stay connected to each unique region to strengthen representation, communication, and informed decision-making.

Your district’s Board representative is your direct connection to CCAR leadership—there to listen, share updates, and bring your feedback forward.

When your newsletter arrives, take a moment to review it, get to know your Board representative, and reach out with questions, ideas, or feedback—they want to hear from you.

Realtor advising clients at table with paperworkRedefine Your Value: From Deal Maker to Trusted Advisor

The real estate market—and the real estate profession itself—is at an inflection point. Moderating prices, longer decision cycles, changing compensation models, and rapid technology adoption are redefining what it means to be a successful Realtor®.

The future belongs to agents who combine high-touch guidance with high-tech efficiency, as the era of “easy leads” and purely transactional brokerage continues to fade, according to the 2026 Swanepoel Trends Report.

Moving Beyond a “Transactional” Approach       A purely transactional business model focuses on processing deals—paperwork, access, and speed. Today, technology and integrated platforms can already handle much of that work. Transaction execution is no longer the differentiator; it’s the baseline.

What clients now value most is judgment, strategy, and advocacy—the hallmarks of a trusted advisor.

TvA

What Being an Advisor Really Means

  • Interpreting complex, hyper-local market data

  • Guiding clients through new compensation and representation structures

  • Providing strategic negotiation counsel

  • Managing risk and expectations

  • Educating clients, not just facilitating outcomes

Technology doesn’t replace the advisory role—it enables it.

The Naughty vs. Nice Guide

A Holiday Reality Check for Professional Behavior

santanew2

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

LeadHax logo/link

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On December 15, 2025, the City Council and the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Pablo approved the Mobile Home Assistance Program, a new initiative to support local residents.

The program provides one-time grants of $1,000 per household to help pay for mobile home rental space for eligible San Pablo residents. Funding is limited to 150 households.

Application Window:
January 6, 2026 – January 20, 2026

Who is eligible?

  • Must own and occupy a mobile home in the incorporated City of San Pablo
  • One application per household
  • Applicant must be a legal resident
  • Household income must meet program income limits based on household size

How to apply:
Visit: https://www.sanpabloca.gov/2739/Housing

Questions?
Contact the City of San Pablo at 510-215-3000 or [email protected]

Please see the flyer to the right for full program details and eligibility requirements.

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City of San Pablo Mobile Home Assistance Program Now Open

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On December 15, 2025, the City Council and the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Pablo approved the Mobile Home Assistance Program, a new initiative to support local residents.

The program provides one-time grants of $1,000 per household to help pay for mobile home rental space for eligible San Pablo residents. Funding is limited to 150 households.

Application Window:
January 6, 2026 – January 20, 2026

Who is eligible?

  • Must own and occupy a mobile home in the incorporated City of San Pablo
  • One application per household
  • Applicant must be a legal resident
  • Household income must meet program income limits based on household size

How to apply:
Visit: https://www.sanpabloca.gov/2739/Housing

Questions?
Contact the City of San Pablo at 510-215-3000 or [email protected]

Please see the flyer to the right for full program details and eligibility requirements.