Jolt Archives - CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

Weekly Jolt – 101326

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 13, 2026

Annual Elected Officials Reception – This Thursday

Enjoy hosted cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and great conversation with local elected officials and community leaders this Thu, Oct. 15, from 5pm – 7pm at the Pleasant Hill Community Center!

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 FREE >>

Preparing for UAD 3.6: Appraisal Seminar & Lunch – Oct. 20

Beginning November 2, 2026, appraisal reports for loans involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will transition to the new UAD 3.6 format, bringing changes to property details, photos and supporting documentation.

Join CCAR on Tue, Oct. 20, from 12:00 – 3:00pm at St. Stephen Church for a special seminar with Market Analyst and Appraiser Anthony Young. Learn what the new reports will look like, how the changes may impact REALTORS® and homeowners, and what you can do now to better prepare your clients and transactions.

This FREE event includes lunch and is limited to 100 CCAR members and affiliates. Space is first come, first served, so register today!

REGISTER FREE >>

Weekly Jolt – 100626

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | OCTOBER 6, 2026

Preparing for UAD 3.6: Appraisal Seminar & Lunch – Oct. 20

Recognize Excellence:
CCAR Award Nominations Due Nov. 9

2025 Recipients:
REALTOR® of the Year:
Marilyn Cunningham
Affiliates of the Year:
Jennifer Britton
Annette Khaliq
President’s Community Service Award:
Cathy Lee Cibelli
Emeritus Member:
Debi Mackey

REALTOR® of the Year Form >>
Affiliate of the Year Form >>
Community Service Award Form >>

Read More >>

CCAR MLS Member Benefit: IDX Website + 10 Lead Generation Tools – Oct 27

Brokerages, teams, and agents—discover how to get more from your new CCAR member benefit on Oct. 27 at 10am on Zoom!
Learn how to strengthen your online presence with an SEO-optimized IDX website, keep leads and clients organized with a built-in CRM, and grow your business with integrated email and social media marketing tools.
See how these powerful tools can help you capture more leads, streamline your workflow, stay connected with clients, and generate more referral opportunities.
Don’t miss out—register below and learn how to make the most of your new member benefit!
REGISTER NOW >>

Latest News on Prop 37: Watch the Town Hall and Access Member Tools

Watch or revisit the Proposition 37 town hall and access FAQs and campaign resources at car.org to stay informed and share information with clients and your community. Sign-in required.
READ MORE >>

WCR Upcoming Events

READ MORE & REGISTER >> READ MORE & REGISTER >>

Realtor.com®+™ Adds RealAssist™ AI
To Help Agents Work Smarter

Realtor.com®+™ is getting a major AI upgrade designed to help agents spend less time managing activity and more time connecting with clients.
New RealAssist™ AI works inside Realtor.com®+™ to monitor client activity, surface important updates and suggest what an agent may want to do next. Instead of checking multiple searches, conversations and notifications individually, agents can get a Daily Digest that brings together client searches, chats, alerts and price changes, along with suggested next steps.
RealAssist™ can also help streamline client setup by capturing preferences and notes and creating more tailored property searches. Its Agentic Actions feature can recommend and assist with tasks such as refining searches using MLS data or drafting client messages in the agent’s own tone. Agents remain in control, reviewing and approving actions before anything moves forward.
The goal is simple: help you spot opportunities that might otherwise get buried in a busy day. You still make the call and manage the relationship—RealAssist™ helps make sure you know when there’s a call worth making.
The update is part of a broader expansion of Realtor.com®+™, which is also adding RPR® integration, public invite links for bringing groups of buyers into the collaborative search experience, and listing notes that agents and clients can use to keep track of thoughts on individual properties.
LEARN MORE >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

Weekly Jolt – 092926

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 29, 2026

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Top News

• Tomorrow Intro to Paragon Live at CCAR
• Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire Next Wed
• Appraisal Reports Are Changing Nov. 2
• West County Marketing Meeting – This Thu.
• Elected Official Reception – Oct. 15
• The BIG Event – Oct. 28
• WCR Upcoming Events
• Register to Vote

ETHICS CORNER

• From Listing Presentation to Post Closing: Let the Code be Your Guide

MLS Updates

• Make Homeownership Part of the Election Conversation
• REALTOR ® Optimized Laptops For Sale

All laptops purchased through CCAR include a 2-year warranty, data transfer, and Real Estate setup.

+ Upcoming Education
+ REALTOR^® ACTION FUND (RAF)
+ CCAR CALENDAR

West County Marketing Meeting – This Thu.

Join us for the West County Marketing Meeting this Thu, Oct. 1, from 8:45–10:00am, at 500 Alfred Nobel Drive, Suite 265, Hercules.

Guest speaker Chris Stafford, a San Francisco real estate broker with more than 30 years of experience and founder of The Listing Collective, will share practical strategies designed to help agents consistently generate more listings and grow their business.

Enjoy complimentary breakfast bagels, fruit, and beverages, while connecting with fellow REALTORS®, sharing upcoming listings, and learning something new.

Elected Officials Reception – Oct.15

REGISTER HERE >>

The Big Event Membership Meeting – Oct. 28

REGISTER HERE >>

WCR Upcoming Events

READ MORE & REGISTER >> READ MORE & REGISTER >>

Tomorrow: Get Hands-On with Paragon MLS
Live & In-Person at CCAR

A live, in-person CCAR training with Chris Dickson, CCAR Education & Training Coordinator
Class Details
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Time: 10:00am – Noon
Location: CCAR Boardroom, Walnut Creek
What You’ll Learn
Build confidence using Paragon MLS with guided, step-by-step instruction covering:
Navigating the Paragon MLS platform
Customizing your preferences and settings
Running more effective searches
Managing contacts
Using Collaboration Center
Exploring integrations
Accessing MLS tools on the go with Paragon Connect
Who Should Attend
This class is ideal for members who are new to Paragon MLS, as well as anyone who wants a practical refresher on the platform’s core tools and features.
Space is limited and snacks are provided — Register on the CCAR Calendar >>

Food, Raffles, and Beer! Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire Next Wed! – Oct. 7

Dust off your lederhosen and join us next Wed, Oct 7, from 5pm–7pm at St. Stephen Church for a FREE evening of Oktoberfest fun!

Raise a stein and unwind with beer, wine, and delicious appetizers, plus raffles and opportunities to win great prizes.

Mix and mingle with local industry partners and fellow CCAR members while enjoying good conversation, great company, and plenty of Oktoberfest spirit.

Best of all, your participation supports CCAR Helping Hands and the CCAR Scholarship Foundation — two great causes making a difference in our community.

O’zapft is! The keg is tapped — come raise a stein with us!

REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS >>

Read More >>

Preparing for UAD 3.6: Appraisal Seminar & Lunch – Oct. 20

Beginning November 2, 2026, appraisal reports for loans involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will transition to the new UAD 3.6 format, bringing changes to property details, photos and supporting documentation.

Join CCAR on Tue, Oct. 20, from 12:00 – 3:00pm at St. Stephen Church for a special seminar with Market Analyst and Appraiser Anthony Young. Learn what the new reports will look like, how the changes may impact REALTORS® and homeowners, and what you can do now to better prepare your clients and transactions.

This FREE event includes lunch and is limited to 100 CCAR members and affiliates. Space is first come, first served, so register today!

REGISTER FREE >>

Read More >>

ETHICS CORNER:

From Listing Presentation to Post-Closing: Let the Code Be Your Guide

Last week we looked at the buyer’s agent’s perspective and how the Code of Ethics can become a practical checklist from first conversation to closing. Let’s do the same now for Listing Agents.
For listing agents, the transaction begins long before the sign goes in the yard.
There is the first conversation with the seller, the listing presentation, the agreement, marketing decisions, negotiations, inspections, closing—and the responsibilities that continue after the transaction is complete.
NAR’s “The Code of Ethics is Good Business” resource organizes the relevant Standards of Practice around each of these stages, making the Code easier to apply to the work listing agents are actually doing every day.
The listing-agent checklist begins with Pre-Listing. That’s an important reminder: ethical practice doesn’t begin when you have a signed listing agreement. The professional relationship and the decisions surrounding it can raise ethical considerations from the…
READ MORE >>

Are You and Your Clients Registered to Vote?

Residents must be registered by Oct. 19th to vote in Nov.
REGISTER TO VOTE >>

Make Homeownership Part of the
Election Conversation

The opportunity to own a home remains central to California’s future. It helps families build stability, supports local economies, and gives communities a stronger foundation for long-term success. Through C.A.R.’s Vote Homeownership campaign, Californians are being encouraged to have conversations with candidates about where they stand on policies that can make homeownership more attainable.
Sharing “Vote Homeownership” information gives your clients useful context about the policies and decisions that affect their ability to buy, sell, or remain in a home. It helps them better understand issues such as housing supply, affordability, first-time buyer support, and community stability, while giving them practical questions to ask candidates during election season. By connecting these issues to their own housing goals, REALTORS® can help clients feel more informed, engaged, and prepared to advocate for solutions that expand homeownership opportunities.
READ MORE AT car.org >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

Weekly Jolt – 092226

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 22, 2026

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Top News

• Risk Management Seminar – Tomorrow
• Fall Into Learning with CCAR
• Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire – Oct. 7
• Watch C.A.R. Prop 37 Town Hall
• CA Insurance Town Hall – Oct. 15
• Save the Date: Elected Official Reception – Oct. 15
• The BIG Event – Oct. 28
• WCR Upcoming Events
• Register to Vote

ETHICS CORNER

• First Conversation to Closing: An Ethical Roadmap For Buyer Agents

MLS Updates

• Fed Rate Hike: What it Could Mean For Your Buyers and Homeowners
• REALTOR ® Optimized Laptops For Sale

All laptops purchased through CCAR include a 2-year warranty, data transfer, and Real Estate setup.

+ Upcoming Education
+ REALTOR^® ACTION FUND (RAF)
+ CCAR CALENDAR

Latest News on Prop 37: Watch the Town Hall and Access Member Tools

Watch or revisit the Proposition 37 town hall and access FAQs and campaign resources at car.org to stay informed and share information with clients and your community. Sign-in required.
READ MORE >>

CA Insurance Town Hall with Senator
Ben Allen – Oct. 15

Join Bay Area REALTOR® associations on Thu, Oct. 15, at noon for a virtual town hall with State Senator Ben Allen, candidate for California Insurance Commissioner. Hear his priorities for addressing California’s insurance challenges, followed by a discussion of property insurance availability, affordability, and the impact on homeownership and real estate transactions.
REGISTER HERE >>

Save the Date: Elected Officials Reception – Oct. 15

The Big Event Membership Meeting – Oct. 28

REGISTER HERE >>

WCR Upcoming Events

READ MORE & REGISTER >> READ MORE & REGISTER >>

Avoid Costly Mistakes:
Risk Management Seminar Tomorrow

Join us tomorrow morning from 9:00 to 11:00am for a Risk Management Seminar via Zoom. Get a closer look at the legal issues affecting REALTORS® and practical guidance to help you avoid costly mistakes.
Real estate attorney Shannon B. Jones will share insights from her practice, including the types of claims her office is seeing most often and what REALTORS® can learn from them. Topics will include:
Emerging liabilities and recent case trends that could affect your transactions.
Common claims and disputes REALTORS® are facing—and where problems tend to arise.
Practical steps to reduce your risk and help protect yourself, your clients, and your business.
You’ll also hear important updates from CCAR staff and leadership to keep you informed about issues affecting your membership and the profession.
Set aside the morning for information you can put to work in your day-to-day business.
Free for CCAR members · $35 for non-members
REGISTER NOW >>

Fall Into Learning with CCAR

A new season is a great time for fresh ideas! As we head into fall, there’s still time this September to sharpen your skills, explore new tools, and pick up practical tips to help grow your business.

This month’s remaining Education & Events lineup offers something for every stage of your career. From REALTOR® safety and risk management to AI-powered CMAs with RPR, digital business strategies, Realtor.com profiles, Lone Wolf Transact, and Paragon, there are plenty of opportunities to stay informed and work smarter.

Check out what’s coming up and finish September strong with fresh knowledge, new skills, and ideas you can put to work this fall!

Read More >>

Food, Raffles, and Beer! Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire Next Wed! – Oct. 7

Dust off your lederhosen and join us next Wed, Oct 7, from 5pm–7pm at St. Stephen Church for a FREE evening of Oktoberfest fun!

Raise a stein and unwind with beer, wine, and delicious appetizers, plus raffles and opportunities to win great prizes.

Mix and mingle with local industry partners and fellow CCAR members while enjoying good conversation, great company, and plenty of Oktoberfest spirit.

Best of all, your participation supports CCAR Helping Hands and the CCAR Scholarship Foundation — two great causes making a difference in our community.

O’zapft is! The keg is tapped — come raise a stein with us!

REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS >>

Read More >>

ETHICS CORNER:

First Conversation to Closing: An Ethical Roadmap for Buyer Agents

Two weeks ago, we introduced the Code of Ethics re-organized according to the way a typical transaction actually unfolds, highlighting relevant ethical duties based on where you are in the transaction.
This week, we’ll take a closer look at how this resource can help buyer agents use the Code as a practical guide from the first conversation with a prospective client through the closing table.
A buyer’s real estate journey can move quickly. One conversation leads to a buyer agreement. Then come showings, questions, offers, negotiations, inspections, financing and, eventually, closing. At every stage, different professional responsibilities come into focus.
That’s why NAR’s “The Code of Ethics is Good Business” resource is worth adding to your everyday toolkit. Rather than organizing the Code solely by its 17 Articles, NAR has arranged the relevant Standards of Practice according to the stages of a typical transaction.
For buyer agents, the roadmap begins before the showing…
READ MORE >>

Are You and Your Clients Registered to Vote?

Residents must be registered by Oct. 19th to vote in Nov.
REGISTER TO VOTE >>

Fed Rate Hike: What It Could Mean
for Your Buyers and Homeowners

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point in September, bringing the target range to 3.75%–4% as it works to bring inflation down.
For REALTORS®, an important distinction to share with clients is that a Fed rate increase does not automatically mean the same increase in mortgage rates. As CNBC explains, fixed-rate mortgages tend to follow the 10-year Treasury yield and broader bond-market conditions rather than the Fed’s benchmark directly. However, inflation pressures could push rates higher on new home loans. Even a small change can matter to a buyer’s budget. CNBC cites an example in which a quarter-point increase in mortgage rates could add approximately $65 per month to a roughly $389,000 mortgage.
Homeowners with existing fixed-rate mortgages will keep their current interest rates, while borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages could face higher costs when their rates reset. Home equity lines of credit, which typically carry variable rates, may also become more expensive.
For client conversations, the focus is on understanding how the type of loan—and changes in borrowing costs—can affect affordability.
READ MORE ON cnbc.com >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS

Weekly Jolt – 091526

CONTRA COSTA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

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Top News

• Risk Management Seminar Next Wednesday
• Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire – Oct. 7
• The BIG Event – Oct. 28
• West County Marketing Meeting This Thu.
• Conquering Social Media & AI – Sep. 22
• REALTOR® Safety Webinar – Tactical Awareness – Sep 23
• REALTOR® Relief Foundation Celebrates 25 Years
• Make an Impact with CCAR Committees

MLS Updates

• CA’s 2026 Ballot: What’s at Stake for Homeownership &
Affordability
• REALTOR ® Optimized Laptops For Sale

All laptops purchased through CCAR include a 2-year warranty, data transfer, and Real Estate setup.

+ Upcoming Education
+ REALTOR^® ACTION FUND (RAF)
+ CCAR CALENDAR

West County Marketing Meeting – This Thu.

Join us for the CCAR West Marketing Meeting this Thu, Sep. 17, from 8:45–10:00am, at 500 Alfred Nobel Drive, Suite 265, Hercules.
Guest speaker Jennifer Rizzo, Vice President of Public Affairs for the California Apartment Association, will discuss Measure S and the proposed rent control in San Pablo, including what it could mean for property owners, landlords, and tenants.
Enjoy complimentary breakfast burritos, fresh fruit, and beverages while connecting with fellow REALTORS® and affiliates, sharing upcoming listings, and learning something new. It’s a great way to start the morning with colleagues.

Conquering Social Media & AI – Sep. 22

Strengthen your marketing with Conquering Social Media & AI! Join us on Zoom Tue., Sep. 22, from 1–2pm for practical ways to generate referrals and repeat business, build stronger client relationships, and stand out online.
Explore ChatGPT and other AI tools, social media best practices, video marketing, Facebook ads, SEO, blogging, Stories, and Reels, with strategies you can put to work right away.
REGISTER HERE >>

Your Best Asset Is Your Life: REALTOR®
Safety Webinar – Sep. 23

In real estate, your best asset isn’t your listing—it’s your life. CCAR, in collaboration with Bay East Association of REALTORS®, invites you to a one-hour safety webinar Wed., Sep. 23, from 11am–noon via Zoom.
Led by Maurice Taylor, retired Army Master Sergeant and real estate industry leader, Tactical Awareness for Real Estate Professionals goes beyond basic safety tips to help you recognize warning signs of predatory behavior, stay alert during showings, and develop safety protocols to protect yourself and your clients. The focus is on recognizing risks early and helping prevent dangerous situations before they escalate.
REGISTER HERE >>

Protect Your Business:
Risk Management Seminar – Next Wednesday

Join us Wednesday, September 23, for a Risk Management Seminar via Zoom. Get a closer look at the legal issues affecting REALTORS® and practical guidance to help you avoid costly mistakes.
Real estate attorney Shannon B. Jones will share insights from her practice, including the types of claims her office is seeing most often and what REALTORS® can learn from them. Topics will include:
Emerging liabilities and recent case trends that could affect your transactions.
Common claims and disputes REALTORS® are facing—and where problems tend to arise.
Practical steps to reduce your risk and help protect yourself, your clients, and your business.
You’ll also hear important updates from CCAR staff and leadership to keep you informed about issues affecting your membership and the profession.
Set aside the morning for information you can put to work in your day-to-day business.
Free for CCAR members · $35 for non-members
REGISTER TODAY! >>

Food, Raffles, and Beer! Oktoberfest Affiliate Faire Next Wed! – Oct. 7

Dust off your lederhosen and join us next Wed, Oct 7, from 5pm–7pm at St. Stephen Church for a FREE evening of Oktoberfest fun!

Raise a stein and unwind with beer, wine, and delicious appetizers, plus raffles and opportunities to win great prizes.

Mix and mingle with local industry partners and fellow CCAR members while enjoying good conversation, great company, and plenty of Oktoberfest spirit.

Best of all, your participation supports CCAR Helping Hands and the CCAR Scholarship Foundation — two great causes making a difference in our community.

O’zapft is! The keg is tapped — come raise a stein with us!

REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS >>

Read More >>

The BIG Event Membership Meeting – Oct. 28

CCAR Members are invited to a free, exclusive 2027 Economic Forecast and Legal Update featuring two leading industry experts.

Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR, will share his outlook for the 2027 economy and housing market, including key trends affecting housing supply and real estate. Neil Kalin, Assistant General Counsel for C.A.R., will also provide a timely legal update covering important issues REALTORS® need to know.

CCAR Members only—advance registration required. Complimentary light breakfast will be served.

REGISTER HERE >>

Read More >>

REALTORS® Relief Foundation Celebrates 25 Years

For 25 years, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) has brought REALTORS® together to help families recover after disasters. As the foundation celebrates this milestone, your support can help carry that commitment forward for the next 25 years.
100% of donations to RRF’s disaster relief efforts go directly to impacted families. The National Association of REALTORS® covers all administrative expenses, so no overhead costs are deducted from your contribution.
LEARN MORE & DONATE >>

Make an Impact with CCAR Committees

Serving on a CCAR committee is a great way to build relationships, expand your network, and develop leadership skills while staying connected to the issues shaping real estate. Share your perspective and help strengthen CCAR and our profession. Explore the opportunities and submit your 2027 Committee Application today!
LEARN MORE >>

California’s 2026 Ballot: What’s at Stake for Homeownership & Affordability

Housing affordability and the cost of living remain top concerns for Californians. Join the Center for California Real Estate (CCRE) on Thu., Oct. 15 at 10am via Zoom for a discussion examining several statewide ballot measures and what they could mean for California’s housing market and economy.
Policy experts, industry representatives, and housing stakeholders will explore proposals related to homeownership assistance, affordable housing investment, environmental review, taxation, and local government finance, along with broader challenges such as housing supply and rising costs.
Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the choices before voters and how the outcomes could affect homebuyers, homeowners, local communities, employers, and California’s long-term housing future.
REGISTER & MORE INFORMATION >>

CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS