Congratulations to this year’s recipients of PSAR 2020's Industry Awards, including REALTOR^® of the Year, Broker/Office Manager of the Year and Affiliate of the Year.

Honoring PSAR members who empower all REALTORS^® through selfless contributions to our industry
(drum roll, please):

2020 REALTOR^® of the Year Award recipients:
Rafael Perez, Central
Anthony Andaya, East
Yvonne Cromer, South

2020 Broker/Office Manager of the Year Award recipients:
Lupe Soto, Central
Carey Guthrie, East
Nikki Coppa, South

2020 Affiliate of the Year Award recipients:
Jake Holmes, Central
Ted Przybylek, East
Martha Garcia, South

More Criteria Information and Past Recipients

These award recipients were announced at this week’s online party celebration held in honor of these selfless members and also of the the more than 300 REALTOR^® members who recently received a Real Estate Achievement and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) award. The party was hosted by PSAR’s Young Professional Network (YPN) group,

The R.E.A.L. awards program recognized PSAR’s top producing agents and brokers based on sales volume dollars or units sold, including listings or sales units entered into the MLS and closed in 2020. R.E.A.L. awards were presented to PSAR’s top 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% REALTORS^®.

The primary mission of the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS^® (PSAR) is to empower REALTORS^® to achieve their business goals. The R.E.A.L. awards are a tangible recognition of the highest level of REALTORS^® business achievement by agents, brokers and teams over the prior year.

“A hearty congratulations to everyone who received a 2020 R.E.A.L. Award plus these special annual award winners,” said Ditas Yamane, 2021 PSAR President. “PSAR's mission is to empower REALTORS^® to flourish while being accountable to each other, our clients, and our community. All these award winners embody our mission. I am so very proud of everyone.”

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Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.

The Board of Directors, members, and staff of PSAR extend sincere congratulations to the more than 300 PSAR REALTOR® members who are honored with a 2020 Real Estate Achievement and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) award!

The PSAR R.E.A.L. awards program recognizes San Diego county’s top 10 percent PSAR producing agents and brokers who qualified for their awards based on units and/or dollar volume production, coupled with noteworthy industry leadership, in the 2020 business year.

The REAL Awards program provides a platform upon which the high achievers in the San Diego real estate market stand and receive the well-earned recognition of their sphere, peers and the industry as a whole. These leaders are the cream of a realtor crop numbering more than 19,000 in San Diego county.

“A hearty congratulations to everyone who received a 2020 R.E.A.L. Award from PSAR,” said Ditas Yamane, 2021 PSAR President. “To all the award recipients, your award broadcasts the value that you bring to our industry. It is a testament to your achievements and leadership. All of us at PSAR are particularly impressed at the levels of sales reached by those receiving the award for 2020 production, given the very challenging landscape in which everyone had to conduct their business endeavors last year.”

The 2020 PSAR R.E.A.L. Awards Committee members included:

Robert Cromer
Yvonne Cromer
Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales
Lisa Lozoya
Tony Santiago
Amber Tannehill
Zoe Khetani
Ditas Yamane

PSAR staff members assisting the committee included Kevin McElroy and Sally Valdez.

We extend a special thanks to Reshia Guarnotta, who created all the graphics that are used for R.E.A.L. Awards marketing and promotions.

PSAR REALTOR® members received their R.E.A.L Awards based on CRMLS data extracts showing units sold and/or sales dollar volume for residential sales that closed in San Diego in year 2020.

Award recipients, both individuals and teams, who qualified for R.E.A.L. Awards fell into one of the following categories:

• Top 1%, over 30 sides or more than $27,064,246 in volume
• Top 3%, over 18 sides or $14,750,000 in volume
• Top 5%, over 14 sides or $10,834,000 in volume
• Top 10%, over 9 sides or $6,700,900 in volume.

Note that Award recipients are not eligible to receive both an individual and a team award.

Names of the Award recipients are appearing in a full-page ad to be published in The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper Sunday, February 28 edition. The ad can be viewed by clicking this pdf.

In addition, recipients will be invited to a YPN (Your Professional Network) R.E.A.L. Awards celebration from 4:00 pm to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 18, over Zoom. This event is a celebration of your 2020 achievements and those of your peers at a fun-filled activity hosted by PSAR's YPN! All REALTORS, brokers, and office personnel are welcome to attend. More details are forthcoming.

The primary mission of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR) is to empower realtors to achieve their business goals. The R.E.A.L. awards are a tangible recognition of the highest level of realtor business achievement by agents, brokers and teams over the prior year.

PSAR has created a variety of options for sharing news of your accomplishments with your clients, family and friends. They are all stakeholders in the success you have achieved.

Recipients should have received an email with various graphics: an image that can be shared on social media pages (eg, Instagram and Facebook); an email banner for use in your email signature; a Zoom background image.

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PSAR's Mission is to empower Realtors to flourish while being accountable to each other,
our clients, and our community.

Since 1928, the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® has played a significant role in shaping the history, growth and development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County.
Workshops are open to all REALTORS® and Affiliated Members. This class is free of charge.

A contingent of PSAR members recently gathered in a Zoom meeting for the purpose of gleaning a look into the future. It was provided via the “2021 Housing Market Outlook,” a presentation from Oscar Wei of the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

Wei is the Senior Economist and the Director of Research for C.A.R. In his capacity, he analyzes housing market conditions, consumer behavior, and public policy issues, using transactional data and survey research studies conducted by C.A.R. He has managerial responsibility for data mining and analyzing housing market statistics that are released to the public on a periodic basis.

Wei informed PSAR members they should expect the recovering economy to worsen before recovering and the pandemic will rage on during the recovery period. Wei said housing demand will remain robust as mortgage rates stay near record lows.

In 2021, Wei concludes that the tight housing supply will continue to impact the market and prices will rise in the first half of the year. He expects the rate of price increases will slow in the second half of the year.

Wei observed that the housing market is weathering the economic downturn better than it did during the Great Recession that began thirteen years ago. He stated this is so because most buyers who have purchased in recent years are more invested in their purchase and have stronger financial underpinnings than homebuyers who purchased prior to the housing market collapsed of 2007.

The year 2020 saw a ten-year high in the share of first-time buyers. Record-low interest rates have been fueling the market and many first-time buyers took advantage of cheaper costs of borrowing during this year’s home buying season.

Wei state that during the 2020 summer, two of five homes sold were to first-home buyers. He opined that this spike may have been due to fewer homeowners (i.e. repeat buyers) willing to sell and move during the pandemic.

This trend will likely taper off in 2021, as the momentum of first-time buyer demand will lessen as tight supply continues to drive up home prices.

Wei described what the COVID-19 “new normal” in American looks like.

-- Owning a home has become more valued. A home is now more than just a livable shelter; it is a place in which to work due to the accommodations required by Covid guidelines. Those who work from home may need a bigger house if home office space is needed.

-- Remote working also means changing the “where” for homebuying. According to Zillow and the Harris Poll, three-quarters of those who work from home because of the coronavirus say they want to continue to work at home after Covid restrictions are lifted. Two-thirds say they would consider moving to a different house if given that option. Half of remote workers polled stated if they could continue to work at home, they would purchase homes farther from their company office, which would open up the secondary city real estate market

-- Retail and office spaces could help increase housing supply, states Wei, who cited Loopnet, UBS and Global Analytics. Due to the Covid impact, the U.S. retail industry appears to stand to lose 11 percent to 17 percent of its total store count by 2025. In the next five years, 100,000 retail stores will close nationwide, and the number of closed stores could reach 150,000. Within two years, 30 percent of the employee populace will work from home multiple days per week. Office space demand may decline as a result. Vacant retail and office space could be converted into residential units, helping to alleviate the shortage of available housing.

Wei;s outlook for the 2021 California housing market is as follows: Single-family home resales will total 425,500 units, a year-over-year increase of 3.3 percent; the median price of a single-family home in California will reach $688,400, an increase of 4.4 percent from 2020; a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will average 3.1 percent; the housing affordability index will be 31 percent. This index measures the percentage of home buyers who can afford to pay the $688,400 average price for an existing, median-priced, single-family home in the state.

Lower mortgage payments and stronger household finances will mean fewer defaults in 2021. Compared to those who purchased before the Great Recession, homebuyers in recent years have higher down-payments, fewer risky loans, lower borrowing costs and higher household income.

California’s unemployment rate will remain around 9 percent throughout 2021, and the population will grow from 40.1 million in 2020 to 40.3 million in 2021, a increase of 0.4 percent. The nationwide unemployment rate will be 7.1 percent in 2021, compared to 8.8 percent in 2020. Real Disposable Income will decrease by 3.5 percent in 2021, compared to a 6.3 percent increase in 2020.

Wei also commented on San Diego County market activity in 2020:

-- Most cities saw an increase in the number of home sales.

-- Homes in all local cities, except Coronado, sold above asking price in December 2020, which was not the case in December 2019.

-- Record low interest rates and tight supply pushed up local home prices.

-- Nearly all cities experienced at least double-digit gains in median home prices.

-- Supply in 2020 continued to worsen in San Diego.

Wei clarified that C.A.R.’s 2021 housing forecast is based on several key operating assumptions, including: COVID-19 vaccines will be readily available during the first half of the year, dampening a COVID surge; Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow at a rate of 4.2 percent in 2021 (in comparison, GDP decreased an estimated 3.6 percent in 2020, compared to 2019); household income will grow by 3.3 percent in 2021; interest rates will average 3.1 percent in 2021; Housing inventory levels will remain unchanged from 2020; Foreclosures will comprise only 8 percent of sales.

Wei also contributes frequently to C.A.R.’s market analysis articles, Housing Matters Podcast and Housing Perspective. He has written about housing supply, distressed sales, housing tax policy, housing affordability, and many other topics relevant to the real estate industry.

We all know that 2020 was a unique and daunting year, led by the world-wide pandemic that touched people and businesses in a myriad of ways. Society as well experienced various forms of upheaval whose impacts are yet to be determined.

The real estate industry was not immune to the influences of 2020, facing its own set of challenges. Fortunately for the membership of PSAR, it was Robert Cromer’s year to serve as PSAR President.

Throughout 2020, Robert maintained a steady hand at the wheel as leader of our association. He brought a measured tone, demonstrated authenticity and inspired teamwork among the PSAR Board of Directors.

Recently, several elected officials have recognized Robert for his outstanding leadership and resilient make up while leading PSAR as board President.

Earlier this week, Robert received a certificate of appreciation from San Diego County Supervisor, District 1, Nora Vargas.

Robert has also drawn noteworthy praise for his recent comment posted on a National Real Estate Masterminds Facebook page. His response to a question about the value of association participation was inciteful and he used great metaphors to help make his point.

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In his own words, Robert said the following:

I was on a National Real Estate Masterminds page and someone posted today. “What is the big difference between being a Real Estate Agent and a REALTOR®?” You can imagine some of the negative responses. One person wrote “$800.” Others said “REALTORS® subscribe to a code of ethics.”

Here was my answer: Not being a Realtor is like showing up to a beautifully hosted party at a home without bringing the host a bottle of wine or side dish. Then you eat several plates of food, drink beverages and enjoy everyone’s company without contributing. A person can do that, but it kind of sucks for the host and those who contributed (provided food, cleaned the home before, set up tables, hired the caterer, broke everything down, took the trash out, cleaned up after you, etc.).

NAR and CAR (California) spend millions of dollars fighting for personal property rights and home-ownership, lobbying against laws that would restrict one of the greatest ways to provide security for millions of families and change one’s socioeconomic status-- being a home owner. They have been doing this for many years, before any of us were REALTORS® and when we were just kids.

Now take it one step further and imagine them as your parents, who have always looked after you and your friends. In states that were shut down, they lobbied Congress to make us essential workers, so we could feed our children and so the states’ economies did not fold like bad poker hands. They also made sure we were included in the stimulus package and PPP loans. There are thousands of more examples that smarter people than I on this page can add. Don’t show up to the party without being a contributor. You wouldn’t do that to your parents, would you?

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Rich D’Ascoli, PSAR CEO, commented on Robert’s response:

I have devoted the past fifteen years of my life advocating for Realtors. I join hundreds of volunteers in saying this post was inspirational. It moves a lot of people who are involved with, and give so much to, this industry. 

Robert is referring to those who are not REALTORS®. His perspective also applies to those REALTORS® who volunteer versus those who don’t; to those who contribute to the PACs and HAF and those who don’t.  It is critical that individuals look at the history and understand the issues before jumping to conclusions. Just two years ago AB-5 passed requiring that most Californians become employees. The fact that Realtors are not employees right now did not happen by chance. There is a massive organization in place to protect not only homeownership but also the interests of those who facilitate it. There are a few REALTORS® doing so much to help all REALTORS® It’s important to honor and recognize their selfless efforts.

Robert’s words as a REALTOR® are meaningful. I wish more of our leaders would step up and articulate these same ideals.

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In addition to recognition from Supervisor Nora Vargas, Robert is receiving honors from other elected officials, including Congressman Juan Vargas, State Senator Ben Hueso and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez.

Some of those officials are preparing a proclamation containing these tributes to Robert:

WHEREAS, Robert Cromer served as 2020 President of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), one of the largest real estate trade organizations for San Diego-area REALTORS®;

WHEREAS, Robert provided outstanding leadership and vision during a surreal year of setbacks and hardships when a brutal pandemic swept the globe as the shadow of COVID-19 enveloped the land;

WHEREAS, PSAR thrived and grew its membership during an unparalleled, difficult and challenging year, thanks to Robert’s demonstration of strong leadership and clear communication that relieved anxiety and encouraged strength and resiliency among PSAR members;

WHEREAS, Robert embodied PSAR’s mission to empower REALTORS®, to protect private property rights and create homeownership opportunities for all, while adhering to the highest standards of integrity and the REALTOR® Code of Ethics;

WHEREAS, Robert’s example of leadership and decision making in uncertain times, plus his blend of competence, firmness, calmness and empathy in a crisis, empowered PSAR members to flourish by leveraging a collective strength in service to homebuyers and sellers throughout the greater San Diego County community;

THEREFORE, we hereby join the 3,500 PSAR real estate professionals in thanking Robert Cromer for his tremendous volunteer service and offering our best wishes for a successful real estate career in the future as a past PSAR President. Good luck and best wishes.

 ~Thanks, Robert Cromer, for your service to PSAR. We’re all very grateful.

We turned the calendar a few weeks ago and bid a not-so-fond adieu to what many felt to be one of the worst years in modern history. The year 2020 was a tough year in multiple respects, made worse by the fact that no one could see it coming. During the majority of this surreal year, a brutal pandemic made it appearance, and the shadow of COVID-19 enveloped our state, country and world. We gladly put 2020 in our rearview mirror. With a new year comes a new PSAR Board of Directors.

Here is your PSAR Board of Directors serving during the 2021 calendar year.

Ditas Yamane will serve as 2021 PSAR board president, succeeding Robert Cromer, who will serve as past president. Max Zaker and Sam Calvano will serve in 2021 as president-elect and secretary-treasurer, respectively.

Directors serving on the 2021 PSAR board will include Mike Anderson, Yvonne Cromer, Merrie Espina, Jason Lopez, Laurie MacDonald, Peter Mendiola, Rafael Perez, Amy Ruiz, Amber Tannehill and Mike White. Andrea Martino will serve as the affiliate director.

So, what should PSAR members expect in 2021? How will the 2021 housing market differ from that of 2020? What other differences can we expect in 2021?

To find some answers, we consulted 2021 PSAR board members and asked them to share in their own words 2021 housing market forecasts. You will be happy to note that the overall tone of the comments is positive. Their comments appear below.

-- “The housing market will remain seller-friendly with high buyer demand and relatively low mortgage rates. Slow housing supply will lead to rising housing prices. Home builders are expected to build more residential housing to help increase inventory even while facing higher cost of materials, longer materials delivery, labor skills shortage and especially regulatory cost burdens. With mortgage rates at their lowest, it will, indeed, be a spring frenzy. As resilient real estate professionals, it will be an eventful 2021 for us in the housing market as we continue to serve our clients, the real estate community and our neighborhood community.”
-- Ditas Yamane, 2021 President.

-- “I believe the market will continue to surge in early 2021 to fall or late 2021 due to more demand than supply of homes. If sellers want to sell, spring and early summer will be the optimal times. Even with job losses due to COVID-19, there are hundreds of thousands of millennials finally ready to buy. Why now? Most of them got married later and had kids, the number one reason for buying a home, later than any other generation before them. Because the millennials are the largest generation on the planet, they will continue to push prices up. San Diego is currently building about half as many homes as needed to just to keep up with demand. So if you are a buyer, get in asap so you can partake of the 7-to-10 percent increase we will see in 2021.”
-- Robert Cromer, 2020 President.

-- “Economic predictions are at best an opinion, but understanding the political and economic indicators could help provide some insight into what we can expect in the California housing market in 2021. The cost of money (mortgage interest rate) will remain below 4 percent offering massive financial incentive, especially for first-time homebuyers, and will continue to drive up home prices. Consumer confidence (overall job market and unemployment rate) may force and/or encourage homeowners to sell as we reach the peak in home prices, resulting in more inventory. The sun will continue to shine in California making it a desirable destination in which to live, play and invest in real estate.” 
-- Max Zaker, 2021 President-Elect.

-- “Here is what I foresee: Stable values, stable demand and a slight increase in rates. Vacancy will increase for commercial and residential rental properties, which will stabilize rents.”
-- Sam Calvano, 2021 board secretary-treasurer.

-- “I don't think there's any reason to think the trends in the housing market will change anytime soon. There is still a huge housing shortage, even with so many making the exodus from California. Many first-time buyers, and it appears many move-up buyers, are looking for bigger homes, often in the suburbs further away from downtown areas and job centers. My understanding is that interest rates will remain incredibly low allowing buyers to pay the rising prices often with a lower down payment and still keep their mortgage payments in check. Perhaps we’ll have as much as a 7-to-8 percent increase in values in 2021, although sooner or later prices are going to have to level off. Builders are doing what they can to meet the demand, but they cannot keep up.”
-- Mike Anderson, 2021 board member.

-- 2021 will continue to see a lack of homes for sale. Inventory shortage has been a major issue over the past couple of years and I expect that to continue in the New Year.  Currently we have about a 1 month supply of homes and that is fueling the continued price increases in the San Diego region. So, it will be a great time to consider selling as buyers are willing to pay top dollar. While the lack of inventory can present challenges for buyers and result in increased competition for homes, the historically low interest rates will continue to drive buyer demand and offset the higher prices. When you factor in the pandemic and lockdown, buyers also want some room to move around. Since many people have transitioned to remote work from home, we are seeing many leave the urban setting. After all, if one is working from home there is no need to live close to the office or commute. A good internet connection and great coffee will work just fine!
-- Jason Lopez, 2021 board member.

-- “Many homeowners affected by COVID-19 who either temporarily or permanently lost jobs or unexpectedly have reduced hours and income are on forbearance. Termination of forbearance, while homeowners are still held hostage by inability to catch up, will force sellers to sell or face foreclosure by their lenders. Their inability to qualify for any affordable option to keep their home will create new inventory.  There will be more houses to sell and will lessen the competition among buyers. With increased inventory, home prices will be stable and will allow for affordability again. Interest rates are of enormous importance to virtually everyone. Most borrowers respond to low interest rates, which is a motivation to invest in home purchase.”
-- Merrie Espina, 2021 board member.

-- “My prediction for the future of our housing market in 2021 is that we will continue to see low inventory and higher demand due to low interest rates. I believe that there has never been a better time to invest in real estate and I think that people will be looking for larger homes to accommodate working and schooling from home and more usable outdoor space as well. I also believe that, in addition to building relationships, agents will need to focus on their online and social presence to set themselves apart from the pack as this is going to be a primary resource for both buyers and sellers to identify an agent with whom they wish to work.”
-- Amber Tannehill, 2021 board member.

-- “With every New Year is the opportunity to harness the energy born out of the previous year’s struggles. So, overall, I’m optimistic for 2021, although for real estate I’m expecting more of the same market conditions. My wish for everyone at PSAR is that the New Year bring renewed hope and joy as we continue on our journey one day at a time.”
-- Mike White, 2021 board member.

With more than 3,500 members, PSAR is, one of the San Diego County’s largest real estate trade groups for San Diego-area REALTORS®. Services to REALTORS® include California Regional MLS services, educational training classes, advocacy and resources for realtors, including lock boxes and signage.

After 13 years of serving PSAR members as a loyal and dedicated PSAR employee, Joyce Evans is retiring. Her final day is Friday, January 29. She started her career with PSAR on January 7, 2008.

Over course of her career with PSAR, Joyce has served in a number of capacities, including communications coordinator marketing manager (which included graphic design, marketing, advertising) member services (onboarding new and transferred members, resolving a range of member issues), new member orientation coordinator, and retail sales. When PSAR published a bimonthly magazine, Joyce was the designer.

Outside of the real estate industry, Joyce, who has lived in San Diego since 1982, has brought her considerable skills and work ethic to bear in a number of different industries, including academic, landscaping, printing, building maintenance, and coal-powered energy. In all instances, she held marketing and graphic design positions. Joyce has a bachelor’s degree in art from California State University Northridge. A notable achievement of hers occurred when she was on the design team of McQuiston & Partners, that created 13 coffee table books that were published between 1989 and 1993 and resulted in Joyce being the recipient of several design awards.)

During the past two of years at PSAR, Joyce has served as the PSAR education manager, overseeing scheduling and organizing training classes and a variety of seminars, both on site and virtual.

Before she departs, all PSAR members are invited to send Joyce an email with their thoughts to joyce@psar.org, or mail a card to 880 Canarios Ct., Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Joyce and Rich D’Ascoli, PSAR CEO, recently spent some time together discussing the highlights of her illustrious career at PSAR. The recording is available on Facebook, where well-wishers comments also can be posted.

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Rich: We are really going to miss you, Joyce. You’re known as one of the most beloved and kind and respected members of the staff. You reflect the essence of our association, our staff’s willingness to go the extra mile to help our members, and empathy for any problems a member may be facing. You really are able to feel their pain.

Joyce: Thank you, Rich. You get the credit for forming an excellent group of employees who really work well together as a team. I will miss the camaraderie, the way we encourage each other and the friendships and relationships with members. Every PSAR employee works extremely hard. I’m not kidding when I say it can be a tough job on some days and it’s not easy to display a good disposition. We all wear a lot of different hats. But, I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for teaching me that everybody needs to be loved and no one is less of a person than anybody else. I will miss some of our members dropping by the office simply to give hugs to the staff. Our members are some of the greatest people on this planet.

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Rich: Why did you decide to retire?

Joyce: Well, I believe it’s a good time to move on to other things. The timing is right. My husband Gordon and I plan to do some camping and visiting friends over the next couple of months. I’m hoping to get the vaccine before I leave. However, I’m not really retiring. I’m hoping to take my real estate sales license exam next month and begin a new line of work as a REALTOR^®. It’s sorta funny that here I am, at 69 years of age, ready to start something new. Hey, after I get my license and sign-up with PSAR, I will know how to complete the paperwork. 

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Rich: What are some memories of your time at PSAR? I always appreciated your efforts to speak Spanish with our Spanish-speaking members. We always joked together that you reminded me of my annoying sister.

Joyce: And you, Rich, reminded me of “mi hermanito es irritante.” Thankfully, I took Spanish in high school and college. But, seriously, I enjoyed brainstorming with you about marketing strategies. Also, when PSAR was down to only three employees during the recessionary years in 2008 and 2009, you hosted after-work tailgating in the parking just to talk, tell jokes and encourage each other during those tough times. And, I will always be grateful, Rich, for how you emphasized to the staff to learn and use the latest technology to improve our service to our members. You were patient with the learning curve and never afraid for us to try new things. I appreciated the opportunity to be on the cutting edge of technology. So, when COVID and the lockdowns hit us, we hardly missed a beat with continuous remote service to our members during probably one of the toughest years ever for the real estate profession. Fortunately, there are many technology tools that REALTORS^® can use to make their jobs easier. I have many good memories of my time at PSAR.

More than 100 PSAR members learned more about property tax benefits available to clients of REALTORS^® from Proposition 19 during a Zoom meeting earlier this week with Taxpayer Advocate Jordan Marks of the San Diego County Accessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC) Office.

Recorded Video of the Presentation

Attachments from the presentation:

• Jordan Marks Presentation Slides
• Assessor Homeowners Exemption Form
• Assessor Senior Exclusion Form
• Prop 58 Parent to Child Exclusion Form

Prop. 19, approved by California voters in the recent November general election, offers significant benefits to homeowners and sellers. The ballot measure was endorsed by the California Association of REALTORS^® (C.A.R.) and other business and community organizations because it will spur housing economic recovery.

Simply put, Prop. 19 expands the affordable housing tools by allowing senior homeowners over 55 years old, people with severe disabilities and victims of natural disasters or wildfires to keep their low tax base and move or rebuild anywhere statewide.

In addition, Prop. 19 addressed a tax loophole allowing families to pass their homes and affordable tax bases to their children, but no longer allowing them to be used for a commercial purpose.

However, Marks told PSAR members that it’s important to remember that some rules relating to Prop. 19 will change on Feb. 15 and April 1.

Before Feb. 15, in the case of transferring home ownership from parent to child or grandparent to grandchild, the law allows for unlimited transfer of assessed value on a primary resident with no requirement to live in the property and up to $1 million of assessed value on all non-primary residential properties.

After Feb. 15, the law changes with a limit of $1 million transfer of assessed value on a primary resident, plus a requirement to live in the property and no transfer of assessed value on any property not a primary resident.

Before April 1, for relocating homeowners over 55 years old, the current rules limit the senior exclusion from property tax reassessment to one time plus a requirement to live in the property.

After April 1, the senior exclusion from property tax assessment can be claimed for three times for any property in the state (but unlimited times for those whose homes were destroyed or substantially damaged by a wildfire or natural disaster). Filing for the exclusion must occur within two years from the date of the sale or purchase.

Landlords and tenants alike have been hit hard with economic challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, several local cities and nonprofits who administer federal government programs on behalf of cities, have made rental assistance resources available to both landlords and tenants who have suffered Coved-related economic losses. PSAR members active in their communities should be aware of these following landlord/tenant resources:-- In San Diego, With funding from the federal government, the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) helps more than 16,000 households with low income pay their rent in the City of San Diego. Through this rental assistance program, SDHC made payments totaling more than $166 million to more than 5,800 participating landlords on behalf of low-income families during Fiscal Year 2020 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020).

In 2019, SDHC expanded its focus on landlord outreach and engagement with the creation of the Landlord Services Unit. This unit is composed of seven specialized staff who provide quality customer service to landlords and tenants participating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program. For more details about SDHC rental assistance resources for properties located within the City of San Diego, contact SDHC, www.sdhc.org or call 619-578-7131.

The SDHC Landlord Services Unit manages the agencies Landlord Partnership Program (LPP), which provides financial and support incentives to landlords who rent to families who receive federal rental assistance through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program within the San Diego city limits (92037 and ZIP codes that begin with “921”, except for 92118). Landlords who participate in the LPP may be eligible to receive up to $500 for each rental unit rented to a Section 8 household and up to $3,000 to help cover repair expenses in excess of normal wear and tear and rent due that exceeds the security deposit following tenant move-out. For more information about LPP, please visit https://www.sdhc.org/doing-business-with-us/landlords/landlord-partnership-program/

SDHC’s services to landlords include consistent and on-time rent payment, access to an online landlord portal, and enhanced customer service.

-- In National City, South Bay Community Services (SBCS) launched a tenant-based rental assistance program in National City. The City of National City has reached out to PSAR seeking assistance in contacting property managers and management companies who have tenants with past due rent.

SBCS is now accepting applications for a COVID-19 Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program funded by the City of National City. This program will assist low-income families in who have suffered a loss in income or are unable to pay their past due rent because of Covid-related financial issues. You can help by notifying tenants that this rental assistance is available. Applications can be found at https://southbaycommunityservices.org/national-city-rental-assistance/. Application assistance is available in person at the National City Family Resource Center (304 W. 18th Street, National City), at  rentalassistance@csbcs.org, or by phone: (619) 336-8360
-- In Chula Vista, the city is developing its long-term strategic plan for housing and determining housing dollars usage, according to the city website. Earlier this year, the  Chula Vista City Council enacted a temporary eviction moratorium in response to Covid-19. The city’s moratorium, which provided eviction protection for residents and commercial tenants, was superseded and replaced with AB 3088, known as “The Tenant, Homeowner and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020.” The law signed by Gov. Newsom on Aug. 31, protects renters, homeowners and small landlords through January 2021.

Chula Vista used a portion of the $3.3 million it received from the CARES Act to lend financial support to South Bay Community Services (SBCS), who assists residents with rent payments. An additional CARES Act allotment arrived Nov. 1, allowing SBCS to accept additional applications for rental assistance from those suffering economically from Covid-19 effects.-- In El Cajon, several nonprofits who have contracts with the city are assisting El Cajon residents with rent payments. The nonprofits include Home Start (619-430-0032), Interfaith Shelter Network (619-702-5399) CSA San Diego County (619-444-5700). Earlier this year, the El Cajon City Council allocated $800,000 in special block grant funding to those impacted financially by the Covid pandemic.-- In La Mesa, Home Start is overseeing a Rental Assistance Program. Applicants may qualify for up to three months of past-due rent assistance for those who have experienced job loss and/or other Covid-related financial challenges. Earlier this year, the La Mesa City Council approved $1.8 million in Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act funding to businesses and residents. A portion of that money, roughly $600,000, was allocated to rental assistance to help people avoid eviction and homelessness. 
-- In Lemon Grove, Home Start is supporting the city’s rental assistance efforts. The Lemon Grove City Council allocated $100,000 of $162,371 in Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds to Home Start to help individuals needing hotel vouchers, transportation, reunification efforts and emergency items such as food, blankets and diapers. Funds are also available to those who need rental and utility assistance.

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California’s housing market remained red hot in November 2020 with statewide home sales reaching the highest level in 15 years. Record-low mortgage rates and flexibility to work from home has driven home-buying interest to levels not seen since the last decade, according to the California Association of REALTORS^® (C.A.R.).

November 2020’s statewide sales total broke the 500,000-units benchmark for the first time since January 2009.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 508,820 for November 2020. It was an increase of 5 percent from 484,510 homes in October, and 26.3 percent higher from November 2019, when 402,880 homes were sold.

The year-over-year, double-digit home sales gain recorded in November was the fourth consecutive month and the largest increase over a year’s time since May 2009.

Meanwhile, California’s median home price for November 2020 dipped slightly after breaking the $700,000 benchmark over the past three months. The statewide median price dropped to $699,000 in November 2020, down 1.7 percent from $711,300 in October 2020.

However, home prices continued to gain on a year-over-year basis with the statewide median price surging 18.5 percent from $589,770 recorded in November 2019. The double-digit increase from 2019 was the fourth month in a row and the highest 12-month gain since February 2014. The gain was also higher than the six-month average of 9.7 percent observed between May 2020 and October 2020. 

November 2020 County Sales and Price Activity
(Regional and condo sales data not seasonally adjusted)

In San Diego County, November 2020 home sales decreased 7.8 percent, compared to October 2020, but increased 23.2 percent higher than in November 2019.

Similarly, the median home price for a single-family home in San Diego County dropped slightly in November 2020 to $740,000, a 1.2 percent decrease from October 2020’s figure of $749,000, but a 12.3 percent increase from November 2019’s figure of $659,000.

“Home-buying interest is at levels that we have not seen for years, setting the stage for a stronger-than-expected comeback that fully recovered all the sales that the market lost in the first half of the year due to the pandemic,” said 2021 C.A.R. President Dave Walsh, vice president and manager of the Compass San Jose office. “Housing supply remains an issue, however, as we will likely to see a shortage of homes for sale in the near term, which will put upward pressure on prices and dampen affordability for those who haven’t been able to take advantage of low rates.”

“California’s housing market continues to be the bright spot in the economy, but the direction and pace of the recovery will hinge on the coronavirus pandemic and the distribution of the vaccine in the coming months,” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “The rise in COVID-19 cases and tighter constraints on economic activity recently imposed will likely have implications for the housing market as renters and homeowners face adverse impacts to their incomes, which is why Congress should pass additional relief for renters, homeowners, and workers as soon as possible.”

Perhaps due to rising cases of the Coronavirus, fewer consumers said it is a good time to sell in December, according to C.A.R.’s monthly Consumer Housing Sentiment Index. Conducted in earlier this month, the poll found that 55 percent of consumers said it is a good time to sell, down from 59 percent a month ago, but up from 51 percent a year ago. Meanwhile, low interest rates continue to fuel the optimism for homebuying; just over one-fourth (27 percent) of the consumers who responded to the poll believed that now is a good time to buy a home, up from last year, when 24 percent said it was a good time to buy a home.

Even with low inventory levels, the coronavirus pandemic has increased the demand for spacious, multi-functional homes as more homeowner families are dealing with homebound distance learning for school and working remotely for the job.

Other key points from C.A.R.’s November 2020 resale housing report included:

-- Home sales from a regional perspective continued to increase in November 2020 by double-digits in year-over-year comparisons for most California regions. The San Francisco Bay Area had the highest gain of 34.4 percent over last year, followed by the Central Coast (33.4 percent), Southern California (19.1 percent) and the Central Valley (18.3 percent).

-- Median home prices from a regional perspective also posted double-digit increases in November 2020 in year-over-year comparisons. The San Francisco Bay Area median price remained at its record high in November, rising 18.9 percent from last year. The Central Coast region had the second largest median price increase at 18.7 percent, followed by the Central Valley (17.6 percent), Southern California (14.4 percent), and the Far North (13.6 percent).

-- With a resurgence in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks and the market entering the traditional holiday season, active listings declined from the prior month as expected, contributing to a substantial decline in inventory. Active listings fell 46.6 percent from last year and continued to drop more than 40 percent on a year-over-year basis for the sixth straight month.

-- The unsold inventory of available homes for sale fell sharply from 3.1 months in November 2019 to 1.9 months in November 2020. Statewide inventory in October 2020 was 2.0 months. Inventory levels measured in months refers to the number it would take for the current supply of available homes on the market to sell-out given the current rate of sales.

November 2020 County Unsold Inventory and Days on Market
(Regional and condo sales data not seasonally adjusted)

-- In San Diego County, the inventory of available homes for sale in November 2020 was 1.6 months, compared to 1.8 months in October 2020 and 2.7 months in November 2019.

-- Active listings in all major California regions continued to decline in November 2020 in year-over-year comparisons. The Central Valley had the biggest year-over-year drop of 53.3 percent in November, followed by Southern California (49.0 percent), Central Coast (-46.3 percent), Far North (-40.1 percent), and the San Francisco Bay Area (-18.7 percent).

-- The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home was nine days in November 2020, compared to 10 days in October 2020, 11 days in September 2020 and 25 days in November 2019. The nine-day November 2020 figure was the lowest ever recorded.

-- In San Diego County, the median number of days an existing, single-family home remained unsold on the market was seven days in November 2020, which was the same number in October 2020 and September 2020. The timeframe a year ago in November 2019 was 17 days. The November 2020 seven-day figure compares to eight days in August 2020, 10 days in July 2020, 12 days in June 2020, 11 days in May 2020, eight days in April 2020, 10 days in March 2020, 12 days in February 2020 and 23 days in January 2020.

-- The housing market in California’s mountain resort areas has generally outperformed the state during 2020’s first 11 months due to increased demand in second homes and vacation homes, as available supply continues to decline. In a comparison of home sales between November 2020 and November 2019, Mammoth Lakes saw a 400 percent increase, followed by South Lake Tahoe (81.4 percent), Big Bear (73.9 percent) and Lake Arrowhead (58.1 percent). Similarly, median home prices jumped in Big Bear by 40.8 percent from last year, followed by South Lake Tahoe (39.6 percent) and Lake Arrowhead (32.0 percent). In contrast, home prices declined by 2.5 percent Mammoth Lakes in November 2020, compared to 2019.

-- The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 2.77 percent in November, down from 3.70 percent in November 2019, according to Freddie Mac. The five-year, adjustable mortgage interest rate was an average of 3.0 percent, compared to 3.41 percent in November 2019.

In other recent real estate and economic news, according to news reports:

-- The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage continued to plummet, dropping to 2.67 percent in the second week of December. It was the lowest rate since Freddie Mac began tracking the data in 1971. A year ago at this time, it averaged 3.73 percent.

-- Mortgage applications increased 1.1 percent for the week ending Dec. 11, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s week-over-week comparison report. Refinance applications also increased 1 percent during the same week and 105 percent in a year-over-year comparison.

-- CoreLogic said San Diego County median home price in November remained unchanged from October and September at $650,000, which is 9.3 percent higher than a year ago. It was the second consecutive time for no monthly price increase since May. The price represents all homes, including single-family, condos and townhomes.

-- A group of top real estate economists speaking at a forecast forum hosted by the National Association of Real Estate Editors recently predicted that home prices will continue to rise in 2021 fueled by low mortgage interest rates and lack of homes for sale.

-- Californians are pessimistic about their economic future with 73 percent of survey respondents in San Diego and Orange counties anticipating bad financial times during the next 12 months, according to a report released in early December by the Public Policy Institute of California. The survey of 2,325 Californians conducted after the November election showed the statewide average of pessimism at 68 percent.

-- Realtor.com is predicting prices for existing single-family homes will continue to climb in 2021, making affordability a continued problem. San Diego is projected for an 11.3 percent year-over-year increase in existing home sales and a 5.5 percent rise in home prices. Realtor.com also expects mortgage rates to climb from 3 percent at the beginning of 2021 to 3.4 percent by year’s end. Realtor.com admits there are numerous wildcards that could shake up the housing market, including what happens with Covid-19 vaccines or more government-imposed shutdowns.

-- Rental applications in San Diego County were lower by about 7 percent for the third quarter in a year-over-year comparison as many grown children moved back in with their parents, or doubled up in apartments to make their dollars go further, according to the data firm Rent Café. The report said in 18 of the 30 largest U.S. cities, including San Diego, more renters left than moved into rental properties. The firm also said apartment rents decreased in 2020 in the nation’s top 10 most expensive cities.