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Weekly Jolt – 041426

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CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER    |    APRIL 14, 2026
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•  Apply for 2027 CCAR BOD By Next Tue.
•  Cinco de Mayo Affiliate Faire – May 6 
•  President’s Message: Apply for 2027 CCAR BOD
•  C.A.R. Fair Housing Day – April 14
•  WCR: How to Be Un-Deletable – April 22
•  Featured Education: Lead Gen Blueprint – April 22

• IMPORTANT: Upcoming MLS Updates – April 15
•  Reminder: Coming Soon Listings Can Now By Syndicated
•  REALTOR® Optimized Laptops For Sale


All laptops purchased from CCAR come with a 2-year warranty, data transfer, and RE setup included.
  • Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 – $850.36 >>
  • LG Gram 17 – Ai Ready – $1,845.36  >>

    Online Continuing Education

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 >>

+ EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS
+ CCAR CALENDAR

West County Marketing Meeting – This Thu.

Join us this Thu, April 16 from 8:45-10:00am at the CCAR Hercules office, for the West Marketing Meeting featuring guest speaker Howard Cook, former FEMA earthquake inspector and 26-year retrofit contractor. Howard will discuss earthquake preparedness, the Hayward Fault, and how retrofitting can help protect homes. With 157 years since the last major quake and an estimated 12% of homes at risk of becoming uninhabitable, this is an important conversation for homeowners and real estate professionals alike.

Enjoy complimentary breakfast burritos, fresh fruit, and beverages while connecting with peers and sharing upcoming listings. 

Affiliates: If you’d like to donate a modest gift for our end-of-meeting drawing and promote your business, please reach out to Steve Kendall at [email protected].

Featured April Education:

Boost your lead generation with Lead Gen Blueprint: Secrets to Master Top Platforms. Join us on Wed, April 22 from 10:00 – 11:00am on Zoom for a fast-paced session packed with practical strategies for generating leads through paid and organic marketing on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X—plus tips on SEO, lead management, ChatGPT, video, blogging, and more.
Register >>

Join CCRE on Tue, April 28 from 3:00 – 4:30pm at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento for Rebuilding the California Dream: Pathways to Entry-Level Homeownership. This timely panel will explore the challenges facing first-time buyers and examine the financial, regulatory, and development factors shaping entry-level homeownership in California, along with practical solutions to expand access to ownership.
Register >>

Join the Fiesta at CCAR’s Cinco De Mayo
Affiliate Faire on May 6

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us on Wed, May 6, at St. Stephen Church for an evening full of appetizers, drinks, conversation, and community. This festive event brings CCAR REALTORS® and Affiliates together to connect, build new relationships, and discover products and services that can help grow your business. With festive raffle prizes, cold beer, wine, and plenty of good company, it’s the perfect midweek excuse to get out, enjoy the celebration, and support two wonderful causes: the CCAR Scholarship Foundation and CCAR Helping Hands.

For CCAR Affiliates, the Cinco de Mayo Affiliate Faire is the perfect way to put your business in front of CCAR REALTORS® in an atmosphere that feels more like a fiesta than a traditional expo. It’s a chance to show off what you do and be part of an event that mixes networking, community, and a little Cinco de Mayo fun! To request a booth for $35, contact [email protected].

MORE INFORMATION & FREE REALTOR® TICKETS >>

Nominate by Petition for the 2027 CCAR Board of Directors

As part of the nation’s largest trade association, CCAR has a proud legacy built by members who step up to lead, serve, and inspire. Now, it’s your chance to be part of that legacy.

Voting for the 2027 CCAR Board of Directors begins June 15, 2026, and we want YOU to help shape the future of our Association.

There’s still time to get on the ballot. Under CCAR Bylaws, Article X, Section 7(b), additional candidates may be nominated by petition signed by at least 50 eligible CCAR REALTOR® members.

Petitions must be submitted by 5 pm on May 5, 2026. To request a Nomination by Petition form, contact [email protected].

Read More >>

Spring Into Success This April with CCAR Education

April brings a fresh chance to refocus, reconnect, and grow your business. Our latest Education & Events Newsletter is packed with classes and events designed specifically for you.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, stay current on industry changes, or connect with fellow REALTORS®, we’ve made it easy to find what you need.

Inside, you’ll find our full lineup of April offerings with direct registration links, plus access to the CCAR education dashboard—so you can quickly see what’s coming up and plan ahead.

Take time to invest in yourself this month. We’re here to support your success every step of the way.

Read More >>

Upcoming WCR Events:

Change to HomeLight Listing Management (formerly Disclosures.io)

Beginning in May, HomeLight Listing Management will no longer be offered through CCAR.

Here’s what this means for you:

  • You can continue using the platform by creating an account directly with HomeLight.
  • You will still be able to add disclosure package links to your Paragon MLS listings using the Disclosures Link field during listing input.

We remain focused on offering tools and services that bring the most value to your business, and we’ll continue exploring solutions that support your day-to-day workflow. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Launching April 28: Realtor.com+
A Smarter Way to Work with Clients

CCAR is excited to introduce Realtor.com+, launching April 28. This new platform, built with Realtor.com®, gives members a better way to work with clients—bringing search, communication, and collaboration into one place.

What makes it different?
  •  Built for agent-client collaboration, not just browsing
  •  Keeps you at the center—no competing leads
  •  Powered by MLS data and advanced search
  •  Shows real-time client activity and preferences

With Realtor.com+, you can collaborate in real time, message clients, manage tours, and stay fully aligned throughout the transaction.

Free for CCAR members with the Starter plan.

JOIN AN UPCOMING TRAINING WEBINAR >> 
VIEW THE REALTOR.COM+ Q&A >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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District 99 Fondnazio – Apr 26

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A MESSAGE FROM JOHN FONDNAZIO  |  CCAR PRESIDENT, DISTRICT 99 LIAISON  |  925.817-9053  |  [email protected]   ||   APRIL 2026

John Fondnazio head shotDear Friends and Colleagues,

    California’s housing affordability crisis continues to challenge            buyers with high home prices, limited inventory, and rising costs keeping ownership out  of reach for many.

Recent reports show that thousands of approved affordable units remain stalled due to funding gaps, even as demand grows. Meanwhile, home prices are expected to stay near record highs, statewide, despite slight improvements in affordability.

While no single solution exists, a growing mix of state, local, and community programs is helping close the gap.

In this issue, we highlight key resources—from C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund and Fair Housing initiatives to local down payment assistance programs—that can help your clients move closer to homeownership.

Warm Regards,

John

6 Ways to Expand Access to Homeownership

One of the largest assistance programs   in California.

Best for: First-generation, first-time buyers who lack a large down payment.

Provides up to 20% of purchase price (max ~$150K) for down payment.

Structured as a shared appreciation loan (repay + % of appreciation at sale/refi).

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers needing help with upfront cash.

Provides ~3-3.5% of purchase price for down payment/closing costs.

Structured as a deferred-payment second loan (no monthly payments).

Repaid only when the home is sold, refinanced, or paid off.

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: Black first-time buyers facing down payment barriers.

Provides zero-interest loans (typically ~$15K–$20K) for down payment, closing costs, or related expenses. 

No monthly payments; repayment deferred until sale or refinance.

 

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: Broader pool of low-to-moderate income buyers (not just first-timers).

Offers up to ~5-5.5% of loan amount for down payment/closing costs.

Structured as a second mortgage (often repayable over time).

Works across many loan types (FHA, VA, USDA) and conventional loans.

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers from underserved communities needing closing cost support.

Provides up to $10,000 in grants (no payback required) for closing costs.

Must include at least one buyer from an underserved community (people of color, persons with disabilities, or LGBTQ+).

|  LEARN MORE >

Best for: First-time buyers in Contra Costa County needing grant support.

Provides up to $10,000 in grants (no repayment required) for down payment or closing costs.

Funded by a $1 million investment from U.S. Bank, supporting ~100 families.

Targets low- to moderate-income households facing high entry costs.

|  LEARN MORE >

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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Cinco de Mayo Affiliate Faire – May 6

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Wednesday, May 6, 2026  |  5:00 - 7:00pm
St. Stephen Catholic Church

CCAR REALTOR® Members:

Join us for an evening of appetizers, drinks, raffles, and fun at St. Stephen Church on May 6, 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.

REALTOR® Tickets

CCAR AFFILIATE MEMBERS:

The Cinco de Mayo 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 (non-affiliate members $75) by contacting Jason Catalano at 925.295.9202 or [email protected] and…

Bring:
  1. All your marketing materials
  2. One raffle prize (gift basket, gift card, wine, etc.)
  3. An appetizer to feed at least 20 people (veggie
      tray, cheese plate, hors d’oeuvres, etc.)

Contact Jason
Cinco de Mayo ad + link

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES

Fiesta Crawl Sponsor  |  $250
or a prize of equal value

Door Prize Sponsor  |  $500
or a prize of equal value

Contact Jason

Thank you to our sponsors!

Weekly Jolt – 040726

by

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER    |    APRIL 7, 2026
Facebook Instagram Youtube

•  Apply for 2027 CCAR BOD By Next Tue.
•  Cinco de Mayo Affiliate Faire – May 6 
•  President’s Message: Apply for 2027 CCAR BOD
•  C.A.R. Fair Housing Day – April 14
•  WCR: How to Be Un-Deletable – April 22
•  Featured Education: Lead Gen Blueprint – April 22

• IMPORTANT: Upcoming MLS Updates – April 15
•  Reminder: Coming Soon Listings Can Now By Syndicated
•  REALTOR® Optimized Laptops For Sale


All laptops purchased from CCAR come with a 2-year warranty, data transfer, and RE setup included.
  • Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 – $850.36 >>
  • LG Gram 17 – Ai Ready – $1,845.36  >>

    Online Continuing Education

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 >>

+ EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS
+ CCAR CALENDAR

President’s Message: Step Up and Run for the 2027 CCAR Board of Directors

5th Annual C.A.R. Fair Housing Day – April 14
University of California, Berkeley

C.A.R.’s 5th Annual Fair Housing Day features keynote speaker Andre M. Perry of the Brookings Institution, a leading voice on race, inequality, and economic inclusion.

The event brings together industry experts to discuss expanding accessible and multigenerational housing, addressing barriers for first-time and first-generation buyers, and examining the intersection of immigration policy and California fair housing protections. These sessions will offer practical insights to help REALTORS® better serve California’s diverse communities.

Read More and Register >>

WCR: How to Be Un-Deletable – April 22

Join Women’s Council of REALTORS® at the Walnut Creek Library on April 22 for an evening of networking, insight, and inspiration. Featuring keynote speaker Arjun Dhingra, this event will deliver practical strategies on mindset, branding, and today’s market to help you grow your business. Seats are limited.

Read More and Register >>

Ready to Lead? Apply by Next Tuesday
for the 2027 CCAR Board of Directors

As part of the nation’s largest trade association, CCAR has a proud legacy built by members who step up to lead, serve, and inspire. Now, it’s your opportunity to be part of that legacy.

The election for the 2027 CCAR Board of Directors begins on June 15, 2026, and we want YOU to help shape the future of our Association.

There are 6 open positions including:
• President-Elect (1 year term)
• Treasurer (2 year term)
• 4 Directors-at-Large (2 year term)

Completed applications AND a signed position description acknowledging you understand the duties and requirements must be received by 5:00pm next Tuesday, April 14.

Candidates may also be nominated by petition, which must be signed by at least 50 REALTOR® members eligible to vote. Contact Gail Hargis at [email protected] to request a petition form, or follow the link below for more information.

MORE INFORMATION & APPLICATIONS >>

Cinco de Mayo Affiliate Faire – May 6

Spice up your night on Wed, May 6th at St. Stephen Church—it’s time for a Cinco de Mayo fiesta!

CCAR REALTOR® Members: meet Affiliate Members, explore their booths, and discover new products and services that can help support your business. Enjoy festive bites, cold beer, wine, and a lively evening with fellow industry pros all while supporting two amazing causes—the CCAR Scholarship Foundation and CCAR Helping Hands.

CCAR Affiliates: The Cinco de Mayo 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!

FREE REALTOR® TICKETS >>

Read More >>

Spring Into Success This April with CCAR Education

April brings a fresh chance to refocus, reconnect, and grow your business. Our latest Education & Events Newsletter is packed with classes and events designed specifically for you.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, stay current on industry changes, or connect with fellow REALTORS®, we’ve made it easy to find what you need.

Inside, you’ll find our full lineup of April offerings with direct registration links, plus access to the CCAR education dashboard—so you can quickly see what’s coming up and plan ahead.

Take time to invest in yourself this month. We’re here to support your success every step of the way.

Read More >>

Featured Education:

Take your lead generation to the next level with Lead Gen Blueprint: Secrets to Master Top Platforms – from the trainers behind Conquering Social Media and AI.

Join us Wed, April 22 from 10:00–11:00am on Zoom for a high-energy session designed to help REALTORS® generate more leads from both paid and organic sources across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, while sharpening your top-of-mind marketing, SEO, traffic and lead management strategies. You’ll also get practical tips on ChatGPT (AI) integration, video marketing, blogging, and more – delivered by rock star coaches in a fun, motivating format!

Register >>

Reminder: Coming Soon Listings Can Now Be Syndicated

Effective March 30, CCAR MLS began allowing Coming Soon listings to be syndicated, giving sellers more choice in how their property is marketed. Agents can now select syndication preferences during listing entry using the Internet Site field and related options, based on their client’s instructions and broker policies. Existing Coming Soon listings default to not syndicated, but can be updated at any time. MLS Rules will be updated to reflect this added flexibility.

Read Rules Change & FAQs Here >>

MLS Updates Coming Next Week: More Space,
More Features, More Control – April 15

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

New MLS Status: Sold Off MLS
This status is designed to improve data accuracy and provide a clearer picture of market activity. It allows subscribers to enter a property that was sold before being submitted to the MLS, ensuring it is captured for comparable and reporting purposes. Meaning, at the seller’s request, the property was never entered into the MLS prior to the sale.

CCAR’s Director of MLS Services, Joey Masters, will walk you through upcoming changes at the West County Marketing Meeting this Thursday, March 19 at the CCAR Hercules Office.

VIEW MORE UPDATES >> 
VIEW APRIL 15 MLS RULES CHANGES >>
   (Changes marked in red.)

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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Broker.1.1 – Apr 2026

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CCAR Broker Brief Masthead

  <  APRIL 2026 : MARCH MARKET RECAP  |  QUICK LINKS TO STATS  |  NEWS & INFORMATION  |  TOP TOOLS TO POWER YOUR BUSINESS  <

Introducing the CCAR Broker Brief

Running a brokerage today requires clarity, adaptability, and the ability to make the right decisions in a changing market.

We’re launching the CCAR Broker Brief as a new way to stay more connected with you—bringing focused, local insight into what’s happening in your market and what it means for your business.

Each issue will highlight what’s changing, why it matters, and what you can do to lead your agents and stay competitive.

As your local partner, CCAR is here to support you with the tools, education, and resources you rely on every day to run and grow your brokerage—and to stay more engaged with you as your business evolves.

We’re excited to share the first issue and continue building this resource for you.

Please take a few minutes to respond to this short survey so we can better understand and address your most pressing business needs:

tAKE SURVEY - wIN $200 >

MARCH 2026 | MONTHLY MARKET rECAP

  • Inventory still tight: 1.95 mo-supply  ( ↑ 8.33% MoM )
  • Selling above ask: 11.6% avg. S/L $ ( ↑ 2.2% MoM )
  • Speed of sales: avg. 14 DOM ( 0% MoM )
  • Median sold price: $780,000 ( ↑ 4% MoM )
  • Median list price up: $795,000 ( ↑ 3.25% MoM )
  • Short-term pricing stabilizing; slightly below last year

|  VIEW / DOWNLOAD MARCH 2026 MARKET RECAP REPORT >

QUICK LINKS

PARAGON STATS    |

RPR STATISTICS    |

INFOSPARKS STATS    |

C.A.R. STATISTICS    |

NAR STATISTICS

News & Views

Turn Market Pressure Into Opportunity

Recent indicators reflect a mix of opportunity and pressure for real estate brokerages. Inventory is improving in some areas, but pricing sensitivity remains high. Buyers are active, but more selective, while  sellers are entering the market with expectations that don’t always align with current conditions. C.A.R. housing updates continue to point to affordability constraints and uneven demand shaping buyer behavior across California. | MORE >

Winning Listings In A Complex Marketplace

Agents who lead with solid pricing strategy and market positioning are winning more business.  Many listing presentations still focus heavily on marketing. But today, sellers are more sensitive to outcomes like time on market, price reductions, and net proceeds. Brokers can help support agents by coaching them on pricing conversations, reviewing listing strategies before presentations, and sharing local examples of what is/is not working. | Learn about NAR’s Self-Paced Pricing Strategies Certification. >

Coach with clipboard and basketball players

Increase Agent Productivity with Consistent Coaching and Education

With fewer “easy” transactions, success is coming from agents who are focused, consistent, and intentional in how they generate business. Brokers can help by conducting regular check-ins and pipeline  reviews. Ongoing education and skill development play a critical role in helping agents navigate pricing decisions with confidence, ensuring they can provide clear, data-driven guidance that serves their clients’ best interests. | Share the CCAR monthly Education Calendar with your team today. >

Top Tools to power Up Your Business

JOEY MASTERS, cCAR MLS dIRECTOR

Whether you’re winning new clients, managing transactions, or building your brand, CCAR benefits are designed to save you time, reduce risk, and strengthen your business.    

| UNLOCK THE FULL POWER OF MEMBERSHIP with the CCAR Products & Services Guide >

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

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