Blog - CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

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.

YPN Spotlight

YPN’s Bites, Beats & Breakthroughs was a success! Thanks to our speakers, sponsors and all those who attended.

Keep an eye out for YPN’s Lunch & Learn event coming in June.

If you are a CCAR affiliate & interested in sponsoring a YPN event please contact CCAR YPN Liaison, Chris Dickson at [email protected]

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 – Apr. 17

Join us this Thursday, April 17th, at the West County Marketing Meeting from 8:45 to 10:00am at the CCAR Hercules Office.

The featured speaker is Kristin Connelly, County Clerk, Registrar, and Recorder for Contra Costa County. Kristin will offer a non-political post-election analysis and share fascinating insights from the 2024 election. She’ll also discuss an important initiative to remove discriminatory language from public records like property deeds.

Enjoy a light breakfast with bagels, fresh fruit, and beverages, connect with colleagues, share upcoming listings, and learn something new.

How to Be Fair in Fair Housing – Apr. 17

*does not satisfy NAR’s Fair Housing Requirement.
Register on the CCAR Calendar >>

Special Event: Standard Forms Advisory Committee – Forum on Forms – Apr. 29

Join us for the Forum on Forms via Zoom on April 29 from 8:00 – 10:00am, this is a special opportunity to engage directly with the C.A.R. Standard Forms Advisory Committee. This session is open to all C.A.R. members—not just Directors.

Whether you’re curious about how forms are developed, want a preview of upcoming new and revised forms, or have questions or feedback for the committee, this is your chance to get involved and make your voice heard.
Register >>

Step Up and Lead —
CCAR Board of Directors Needs You!

As part of the nation’s largest trade association, CCAR has a proud legacy of service. For decades, thousands of members have contributed their time, insight, and leadership to make our Association what it is today. Now, it’s your turn to help lead the way.

Serving as a CCAR Director is your chance to make a lasting impact on our industry, represent your fellow REALTORS®, and help guide the future of our Association.

The election for the 2026 Board of Directors begins June 16, 2025 — and we want YOU on the ballot! To get started, simply submit your application and signed position description by 5:00pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Want to nominate someone outside of the initial application process? In accordance with CCAR Bylaws Article X, Section 7, additional candidates may be nominated by petition signed by at least fifty CCAR REALTOR® members eligible to vote. Petitions must be submitted by 5:00pm on May 6, 2025. Contact [email protected] for the Petition by Nomination form.

Don’t miss your chance to step up, get involved, and help shape the future of CCAR. Apply today and be the voice that leads us forward!

View Eligibility Requirements and Apply Now >>

Strengthening CA’s Insurance Market: Expanding Access & Stability – Apr. 29

Join the Center for California Real Estate (CCRE) on Tuesday, April 29, from 3:00 to 4:30pm at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento for a timely and solutions-focused panel discussion on California’s evolving homeowners insurance market. In the wake of devastating wildfires and growing pressure on both private insurers and the FAIR Plan, industry leaders, policymakers, and consumer advocates will come together to explore strategies for expanding access and creating long-term stability in the market.

Don’t miss this important conversation about the future of insurance in California. This event is free and open to all C.A.R. members.

REGISTER FREE >>

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.

As a member, you gain the unique advantage of a three-way Association membership—CCAR, C.A.R., and NAR—delivering the most comprehensive professional support in the industry.

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.)

When Hall of Fame Goes Hall of Shame –
Help Bail Out Barry!

REALTOR® Action Fund >>

WCR Bowling Tournament – May 16

More Information & Register >>

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 >>

New Member Benefit Coming Soon –
RealReports: The “Carfax” for Homes

We’re excited to announce a powerful new member benefit: RealReports is coming to the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®!

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.

At the core is Aiden, your built-in AI property advisor. Aiden can read and interpret documents like inspection reports and seller disclosures, answer detailed questions about any property, and offer real-time, actionable insights. It’s like having a research assistant for every listing!

To help you get started, RealReports will be hosting two introductory webinars for CCAR Members where you’ll:

See a live product demo
Explore real-life use cases
Learn how to maximize your new CCAR member benefit

Intro to Real Reports
Tue., Apr. 29 | 10am
Register >>

Intro to Real Reports
Tue., Apr. 29 | 1pm
Register >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

District 99 Hall – Apr 25

Show Your Worth!

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

CCAR will continue to provide updates and fire prevention resources as they become available.

Best Regards

Zina

So you want to buy a house?
You could go online.
Do your research.
Find the dream listing.
Go see it.
And get catfished.
Back to the drawing board –
more scheduling,
more viewings,
more, “This doesn’t even look like the photos.”
You could finally find one that does match the photos.
Then comes the offer.
The negotiations.
Stress rash? Yep, make that three.
And here’s…the paperwork.
More paperwork.
Wait…is that more paperwork?
Yup, never-ending paperwork.
It’s a lot.
But you don’t have to do it alone.
Because there’s an agent who’s a REALTOR® here to guide and help protect you as you find
the home that’s right for you.
REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS®.
Right by You.

“Zone 0” Regulations

California government agencies and citizens have been put on notice to take active steps to improve community hardening and wildfire mitigation. Governor Newsom’s recent executive order specifies the following:

Directs the State Board of Forestry to accelerate its work to adopt regulations known as “Zone 0,” which will require an ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of structures located in the highest fire severity zones in the state.
Tasks the Office of the State Fire Marshal with releasing updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps which will update building and local planning requirements for these communities statewide.
Requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to work on improvements to wildfire response. | MORE >

UPCOMING COURSES

APR 16

Mortgage Loan Types & Tips for Down Payment Assistance | VIRTUAL | Apr 16 | 10:00 – 11:00 am | Free | This session will provide an in-depth overview of various mortgage loan types, including conventional, FHA, VA, and other financing options. Attendees will gain insights into key lending criteria, benefits, and potential challenges to better navigate the home financing process. | REGISTER >

APR 17

CCAR Presents: How to Be Fair in Fair Housing | VIRTUAL | Apr 17 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | $25 | This session is focused on Fair Housing and the challenges real estate agents may encounter in ensuring equal housing opportunities. Get valuable insights into housing discrimination, community impact, and best practices for fostering inclusive neighborhoods. Industry experts will share real world experiences and strategies to navigate obstacles while promoting fair and ethical housing practices. | REGISTER >

APR 23

Generational Marketing for Real Estate Agents | VIRTUAL | Apr 23 | 1:00 – 2:00 pm | Free | From Baby Boomers looking to downsize to Millennials entering the market and Gen Z’s digital-first approach, understanding each group’s unique preferences and behaviors is crucial. Learn generational marketing techniques, discuss platform-specific engagement, and provide actionable insights to help you close more deals. | REGISTER >

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

Strengthening CA’s Insurance Market: Expanding Access & Stability – Apr. 29

Tuesday, April 29 | 3:00 – 4:30pm
Safe Credit Union Convention Center • Sacramento, CA

California’s homeowners insurance market is at a pivotal moment. In the wake of devastating wildfires that exacerbated financial strain on both private insurers and the FAIR Plan, stakeholders across the industry are working toward solutions to expand access and build a more stable, resilient insurance market.

Join the Center for California Real Estate (CCRE) in Sacramento for a solutions-driven panel. This timely discussion will bring together top policymakers, insurance industry leaders, and consumer advocates to examine regulatory and policy efforts aimed at stabilizing the insurance market. The panel will also explore opportunities to expand insurance access and create a more sustainable market for homeowners in California.

This event is free and is open to members of C.A.R. For more information: [email protected]

Moderator:
Megan Fan Munce
Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle

Munce is a reporter on the climate team covering California’s home insurance crisis. She writes about the California FAIR Plan; State Farm non-renewals; pullbacks by other insurers such as Allstate and Farmers; policy initiatives from the California Department of Insurance; and how homeowners in the Bay Area and elsewhere are navigating the challenges. Munce first joined the San Francisco Chronicle as part of the two-year Hearst Journalism Fellowship, spending her first year of the program at the Houston Chronicle. She grew up in San Jose before attending Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Weekly Jolt – 040825

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | APRIL 8, 2025

Strengthening CA’s Insurance Market: Expanding Access & Stability – Apr. 29

CA Law – Sexual Harassment Training Required Every 2 Years

Reminder: State law requires Designated Brokers to complete supervisory sexual harassment training and provide employees with access to training.

Additionally, salespeople, brokers, broker associates, and independent contractors are now personally liable for sexual harassment in professional relationships with clients—even if the relationship has ended.

To stay compliant, C.A.R. strongly recommends completing 1-hour of sexual harassment training immediately and every 2 years thereafter.

Risk Management Tip:
The responsible broker and anyone supervising agents or employees—including those who hire, fire, reward, or discipline—should also complete supervisory training.

WCR Bowling Tournament – May 16

More Information & Register >>

REALTOR® Optimize Laptops For Sale

NAR’s New “Dream Home” Ad Spotlights REALTORS®
as Trusted Protectors

The National Association of REALTORS® has unveiled a touching new ad, “Dream Home,” as part of its ongoing “Right by You” consumer advertising campaign. While the first two commercials in the series, released in March, leaned into humor, this latest spot shifts gears and strikes an emotional chord.

“Dream Home” follows a young couple as they imagine a lifetime of cherished memories in their perfect home. Just as the dream begins to feel real, the ad brings them—and viewers—back to reality, underscoring how easily that vision can slip away without expert guidance. That’s where a REALTOR® comes in: not just as a trusted real estate professional, but as someone who helps protect clients from missteps that could turn a dream into a nightmare.

The message is clear—having a REALTOR® by your side means having someone who’s right by you every step of the way.

Read the Full Article on NAR >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

Renew Your Real Estate License Fast! – Apr. 7

Your time is valuable and if you benefit from in-person, live training, this course is for you.
This crash course is the quickest and easiest way to renew your real estate license.

In just one class, you’ll review all required material, including the latest DRE updates, and get fully prepared to pass the open-book, online final exams.

100% Pass Guarantee through REVEI.com — or your money back
Approved for California DRE continuing education credit
Includes Ethics credit for NAR Cycle 8 (submit certificate to [email protected])
Online finals are open-book and completed at your pace

Don’t waste time—pass the first time and get it done for just $110 (CCAR members).

Choose from three dates in 2025:
April 7 | 9am – 12pm
June 3 | 9am – 12pm
October 1 | 9am – 12pm

SERVING YOU AT:

Search