“California REALTORS^® thank Congressman Panetta for reintroducing the ‘More Homes on the Market Act.’ This bill will provide necessary tax relief for California homeowners, particularly senior citizens, who have been unable to move because of the tax burden that could result if they were to sell,” said C.A.R. President Jennifer Branchini, a Bay Area REALTOR^®.

“For working Californians, a home is their biggest and most important investment. However, because the capital gains exclusion was passed 25 years ago with no indexing for inflation, fewer and fewer families have been able to downsize and access the equity built up in their homes. This has resulted in fewer homes being available for younger and first-time homebuyers to move into, which has driven up demand and home prices even more.” 

The National Association of REALTORS^® estimates that in California, as many as 95 percent of single homeowners and 68 percent of married homeowners who purchased their homes before 2000 could face capital gains tax if they sold their home this year. 

Leading the way… ® in California real estate for more than 110 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with more than 220,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

Scholarship candidates may be either high school seniors, trade school, undergraduate or graduate students. All applicants must strictly comply with the application process and fully meet all of the following requirements.

WITHOUT EXCEPTION, CANDIDATES MUST:

1. Be currently enrolled as a full-time student or a high school graduate accepted to a full-time educational program by Fall 
2. As a high school senior, earned a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher, and, as a college student, earned a cumulative 3.2 GPA or higher
3. Be a resident of Contra Costa County
4. Must attend the scholarship award luncheon in June 

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO INCLUDE:

1. Your most recent transcript.
2. Three letters of recommendation, to be provided by at least one or more School instructors. Additional letters may be submitted by coaches, extra-curricular activity sponsors or work supervisors. All letters must be on official stationary, addressed to the CCAR Scholarship Foundation, signed and dated by the originator. Incomplete or letters of recommendation not received by March 31st will result in disqualification.
3. A personal essay following the listed application directives and stating your reasons for continuing your education, including career and leadership goals.
4. A summary of your accomplishments, awards, work and volunteer experience (personal resume may also be uploaded)