All PSAR members should be aware of the significant benefits available to homeowners as a result of the recent passage of Proposition 19 in the November general election.

Approved by California voters by a 51.1 percent to 48.9 percent margin, Prop. 19 is considered by many as a landmark property tax exemption law that is now part of the California constitution. Thanks to more than 8.5 million voters who marked their ballots “yes” for Prop. 19, homeowners will be able to take advantage of tax relief while providing much-needed revenue for schools, fire districts, cities and counties as they face budget shortfalls due to the harmful economic impact of Covid-19.

Prop. 19 was endorsed by C.A.R. and many others because it will spur housing economic recovery.

Prop. 19 limits property tax increases on primary residences for family transfers, homeowners over 55 years old, people with severe disabilities and victims of natural disasters or wildfires by removing unfair location and price restrictions.

Prop. 19 also limits property tax increases on family homes used as a primary residence by protecting the right of parents and grandparents to pass on their family home to their children and grandchildren for continued use as a primary residence.

Overall, Prop. 19 will open up tens of thousands of housing opportunities, making homes more readily available for first-time homeowners, families and Californians throughout the state.

There are two major benefits of Prop. 19, both dealing with what’s called “tax basis portability,” which means homeowners can enjoy an exemption from a reassessment of property taxes when they move to a new residence.

New Rules for Homeowners Over 55 Years of Age

With the passage of Prop. 19, a homeowner who is over 55 years of age, severely disabled or whose home has been substantially damaged by wildfire or natural disaster may transfer the taxable value of their primary residence to a replacement primary residence anywhere in the state within two years of the sale and up to three times, regardless of the value of the replacement primary residence.

According to the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), Prop.19 makes three significant changes to the portability of one’s tax basis from the sale of a principal residence to a replacement principal residence.

First, Prop. 19 allows a seller of a principal residence to transfer the tax basis of that principal residence to the purchase of a replacement principal residence anywhere in the State of California. Under prior law, the seller was limited to transfers either within the same county (under Proposition 60) or between a limited number of counties that specifically permitted such taxable value transfers (under Proposition 90).

Second, Prop. 19 allows the transfer of the tax basis of the sold principal residence to the replacement principal residence regardless of value with certain adjustments to the tax basis if the replacement principal property is of “greater value” than the sold principal residence. Under prior law, only transfers of “equal or lesser value” were eligible for the exemption.

Third, Prop.19 permits such transfers up to three times (but unlimited for those whose homes were destroyed or substantially damaged by fire). Prior law allowed such transfers only one time

There still remains some questions about the timing of tax benefits under Prop. 19 applying to transactions and sales before April 1, 2021.

According a statement from C.A.R., “Although we believe that the tax benefits under Proposition 19 apply to transactions where either the sale or purchase of a primary residence takes place before April 1, 2021, as long as the subsequent sale or purchase takes place within two years and on or after April 1, 2021, others have taken the position that both the sale and purchase must occur on or after April 1, 2021. C.A.R. will seek official clarification of this issue.”

New Rules on Intergenerational Family Transfers After Feb. 1, 2020

Prop. 19 also changes the rules on exemptions from reassessment for intergenerational transfers by limiting the exemption to the transfer of a primary residence to a child (or grandchild) only when the property continues to be used as a family home by the child (or grandchild). However, if the divergence between the taxable value and the actual value is too great, a partial increase in the new taxable value will be imposed.

Prop. 19 also includes provisions that would allow the transfer of a family farm to retain its taxable value.

These new rules apply to any purchase or transfer beginning Feb. 16, 2021.

Here are a few questions-and-answers relating to intergenerational family transfers and family farms:

Q: If I pass my principal residence on to my children or grandchildren, will the property be reassessed?

A: So long as the property continues to be used as a family home (primary residence), and the transferee claims the homeowner exemption, the property tax basis will remain the same, subject to some upward adjustments if the property value, at the time of transfer, is more than $1M over the original tax basis.

____________________________

Q: If the property is transferred to a child or grandchild and used as a family home, what will the new tax basis be if at the time of transfer the property value is less than $1M over the original tax basis?

A: The new tax basis will remain the same as the original tax basis. For example, if the original tax basis was, let's say, $500,000, and at the time of transfer the property is valued at $1.2 M, then the tax basis will remain at $500,000. This is because $1.2M is not more than $1M over the original taxable basis.

____________________________

Q: How are family farms included in Proposition 19?

A: Family farms have the same exemptions as family homes (principal residences). “Family Farm” means any real property under cultivation or which is being used for pasture, or grazing, or that is used to produce any agricultural commodity. It does not require the transferee to live in the property as a principal residence.

PSAR members who have additional questions about the benefits of Prop. 19 are encouraged to contact either C.A.R. or the office of San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC) Ernest J. Dronenburg, Jr. The ARCC office oversees assessing the value of real estate and personal property (property taxes constitute the largest share of revenue for the county). The office also involves registering business names and issuing marriage licenses, birth and death certificates. 

For assistance from the Assessor’s office please contact Taxpayer Advocate Jordan Marks. Jordan is a PSAR member and welcomes calls and emails from PSAR members. He can be reached at Jordan.Marks@sdcounty.ca.gov. For emergency assistance you can reach Jordan on his cell phone is (619) 372-0226.The website for the ARCC office is www.SDARCC.com.

Step-by-Step Paragon Instructional & Quick Fix Videos for CRMLS Paragon (CRP) in San Diego County

Walk through the most important steps in setting up and using various CRMLS Paragon features. The Paragon Upgrade Resources page, hosted by CRMLS, also is loaded with information that will help you better perform day to day tasks as well as grow your business.

Issues?  CRMLS will address individual concerns via customer support. support@crmls.org. Please call or submit a trouble ticket if you experience  feature or function difficulties.  Submitting a ticket could surface a widespread problem and result in the resolution of it for all users.

Finding Documents for SDMLS Listings In CRMLS Paragon (CRP)
There is a glitch with Chrome.  Either use Firefox or follow these easy steps.

Search for Leased Property

Search for View Properties

Updating the Preference Wizard Will Fix Many Issues

Updating The Collab Center Preferences Wizard

Updating The CRMLS CMA Preference Wizard

Setting Up The Market Monitor

Results Options and Custom Exports

How To Edit A Saved Search

Creating A Custom Search Template

Check out our PSAR YouTube channel for more videos.

You may have seen the recent headlines about the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) having filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) maintained illegal, anticompetitive restraints on REALTOR® competition, including business practices and policies that prohibited multiple-listing services from disclosing commissions for buyers’ agents to prospective buyers.

The Justice Department accused NAR, the real estate industry’s largest trade group with more than 1.4 million members and 1,400 local associations, with restraining free trade under the Sherman Act, thus creating an environment in which there was little visibility for homebuyers to learn about the commission a buyer’s agent would earn.

This announced action sounds alarming.

However, with a look past the headlines, you will see that the current settlement between the DOJ and NAR, which was announced at the same time as the antitrust complaint filing, means that future outcomes are expected to trend positive for our real estate profession.

According to NAR, who maintained that there was no wrongdoing committed, the settlement requires the following changes in the way in which REALTORS® compete:

 #1. Public display of buyer broker compensation.
“The amount of compensation offered to a buyer’s agent for each MLS listing will be made publicly available. Publicly accessible MLS data feeds will include offers of compensation, and buyers' agents will have an affirmative obligation to provide such information to their clients for homes of interest.”

#2. Consumer access to all properties that fit their criteria.
“MLSs and brokerages, as always, must provide consumers all properties that fit their criteria regardless of compensation offered or the name of the listing brokerage.”

#3. Forbidding buyers’ agents from representing services as “free.”
“While NAR has long encouraged buyers' agents to explain how they expect to be paid, typically through offers of cooperative compensation from sellers' agents, there will be a rule that more definitively states that buyers' agents cannot represent that their services are free to clients.”

#4. Lockboxes and licensed agents.
“With the seller's prior approval, a licensed real estate agent will have access to the lockboxes of properties listed on an MLS even if the agent does not subscribe to the MLS.”

“For the most part, these changes more explicitly state what already is in the spirit and intent of the NAR Code of Ethics and MLS policies regarding providing information about commissions and MLS participation,” said Robert Cromer, 2020 PSAR President. “PSAR has long sought to ensure fairness, transparency and a competitive real estate market for home buyers and sellers. We have always been committed to an MLS system that puts consumers first and benefits homebuyers, sellers and brokerages.”

According to a statement from Makan Delrahim, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, “Buying a home is one of life’s biggest and most important financial decisions. Home buyers and sellers should be aware of all the broker fees they are paying. Today’s settlement prevents traditional brokers from impeding competition, including by internet-based methods of home buying and selling, by providing greater transparency to consumers about broker fees. This will increase price competition among brokers and lead to better quality of services for American home buyers and sellers.”

The California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS) said in a statement, “CRMLS plans to fully comply with the terms of this government-mandated agreement, once finalized. Visit www.go.CRMLS.org/NewRules to keep up to date on how CRMLS will implement these rules.”

Inman News Service posted recent news articles covering possible disruptive consequences from the DOJ lawsuit and proposed settlement. These consequences include:

-- Commissions may be squeezed since consumers will have more visibility into options when choosing which real estate brokerage or agent with whom to work.

-- MLSs can no longer hide commission rates.

-- REALTORS® will not be allowed to set a filter in the MLS for homes for potential buyers based on commission levels.

-- Buyers’ agents cannot make misrepresented statements, for example, “My services are free” (because they aren’t free if the seller pays the commission).

-- A licensed agent cannot be denied lockbox access on the basis of not being an MLS member.

The DOJ-NAR settlement is not yet final as the DOJ is still receiving public input. A DOJ statement said comments regarding the proposed final judgment may be submitted to Chief, Office of Decree Enforcement and Compliance, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20530. The DOJ also stated, “At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, the court may enter the proposed final judgment upon a finding that it serves the public interest.”

A group of PSAR members gathered on Friday, October 23^rd, in Downtown La Mesa to plant trees and shrubs in a parkway parcel near the site where an historic building once stood. This landmark was destroyed by rioters taking advantage of an initially peaceful demonstration supporting racial equality May of this year.

The participating PSAR members all agreed that the landscaping project experience was meaningful in many ways. They felt proud to be part of an organization that cares about helping the communities in which it does business. And they each were grateful for the opportunity to help a part of their hometown rebuild and revitalize.

Organized by Tracy Hollingworth, PSAR Government Affairs Director, the event also symbolized PSAR’s ongoing commitment to championing policies and causes that focus on safe and inclusive communities.

Notable participants in the work day effort were La Mesa City Council member Kristine Alessio and PSAR CEO Rich D’Ascoli.

The landscaped parcel is located near Palm Avenue at Allison Avenue, adjacent to an historic building that once housed Randall Lamb Associates, an engineering services firm that operated in that location for 42 years. The building, gutted and burned to the ground by fire ignited by vandalizing and looting arsonists, is now gone. A vacant lot remains in its place.

The flora planted by the landscaping team includes bunches of evergreen perennial flowers (Calylophus Drummondii) that bloom bright yellow flowers in spring and summer, plus several magenta red autumn sage shrubs (Salvia Greggi Furmans Red), an attractive and tough drought-tolerant plant that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Also planted were two Forest Pansy trees (Cercis Canadensis) known for their striking foliage of pea-like, rosy-pink flowers and the abundant shade they create.

Hard costs, including the purchase of vegetation, shovels and work gloves, were covered by a Community Rebuilding Grant from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as part of NAR’s Urban Initiative, which provides funding to assist urban areas in addressing challenges in their communities.

For PSAR members, the experience went beyond the mere planting of flowers and trees. In their own words, they expressed what volunteering for this activity personally meant:

-- “We were all heartbroken by what happened in La Mesa, so to participate in this landscaping project was very important to show everyone how PSAR cares about the communities our members serve,” said Robert Cromer, 2020 PSAR President. “I am so proud of our PSAR members and especially how our Association is supportive of transformational policies that promote fairness, justice and inclusiveness in our communities.” -- Robert Cromer, 2012 PSAR President.

 “I am very proud to be a part of PSAR, an organization that not only cares about the communities its Realtors serve, but whose members go above and beyond by putting a shovel to the ground to help revitalize a community that suffered damage during recent protests.” -- Jan Farley.

-- “I am proud to be a member of PSAR. I recognize the importance for our members to assist in revitalization of urban areas and, in this case, on my city’s local main street. 

My hometown had recently suffered damage during the protests earlier this year. My local bank was burned to the ground and numerous other businesses suffered damage. It was clear our peaceful village was hurting. Our gift was re-beautifying a little corner with trees and drought-tolerant plants. 

Hopefully, this will be the first of many rays of light to return to our city. This project was near and dear to my heart as I drive by weekly and see our beautiful little corner come to life. It is important for my real estate community and PSAR to support efforts to heal the damage in La Mesa.” -- Deirdre Bramberg.

-- “I was proud to join my fellow PSAR directors as we restored this little park. I was so glad to see PSAR members helping to beautify this little corner of La Mesa. I’ve lived near La Mesa Village for 20 years, and love our little town. I helped clean up after the rioting last May. I love it when Realtors pitch in to make their communities better.” -- Sean Hillier

-- “It was a great experience to be a part of this project as I grew up in La Mesa and I'm now a homeowner and Realtor in the area. It was very sad to see my hometown being destroyed during the riots, I wanted to help take action and assist in creating the change that so many of us want to see in our communities.  I'm very proud to be a part of PSAR and its efforts to not only help revitalize La Mesa and other Urban Areas but to be involved as PSAR leads the way in building safe and inclusive communities.”  -- Dylan Graham.

-- “I am very proud to be a part of PSAR. I was honored to help with the La Mesa landscape project. I want to be more involved in serving and supporting my community as well as others. I want to make a difference together with PSAR as a team to keep our communities looking beautiful and to encourage our neighbors that we care. We can get through these uncertain times together by keeping the Faith!” -- Katherine Mannin

California’s housing market outperformed expectations in September 2020 with home sales at their highest level in more than a decade and the median home price at another record high for the fourth straight month.

According to the most recent monthly home sales and price report from the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), home sales and prices are setting records despite the lowest inventory in years.

The statewide inventory of 2.0 months in September 2020 was lower than 3.6 months in September 2019. It was the lowest statewide level since November 2004. In San Diego County, the inventory declined by nearly half from 3.1 months in September 2019 compared to 1.7 months in September 2020.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California approached the 500,000 level in September, making the Covid-19 pandemic that depressed California’s housing market earlier this year seem like a distant memory, although year-to-date homes sales were down 3.7 percent in September.

CAR said home sales totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 489,950 units in September 2020, according to information collected from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLS statewide. The September 2020 statewide home sales number was up 5.2 percent from August 2020 and 21.2 percent higher than September 2019. It was the third straight month for home sales to exceed the 400,000 level and the highest level recorded since February 2009. September sales rose 5.2 percent from 465,400 in August 2020 and were up 21.2 percent from a year ago, when 404,030 homes were sold on an annualized basis in September 2019.

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

In San Diego County, September 2020 homes sales rose 7.5 percent compared to August 2020 and 32.8 percent higher than September 2019.

To complement high home sales figures, the statewide median home price hit another new high in September 2020, after setting records in June, July and August. California’s median home price exceeded the $700,000 mark for the second consecutive month, as it reached $712,430 in September 2020, edging up 0.8 percent from $706,900 in August 2020, and jumping 17.6 percent from $605,680 in September 2019. The yearly price increase was the highest recorded since February 2014 and higher than the six-month average of 5.3 percent observed between March 2020 and August 2020.

In San Diego County, the median price for a single-family home in September 2020 was $735,000, a 0.3 percent difference from $732,560 in August 2020, and 15.4 percent higher than the $636,750 figure from September 2019.

Home sales in all price segments are continuing to bounce back since the Covid-19 crisis depressed the housing market earlier this year while sales of higher-priced properties are recovering faster than the rest of the market.

Analysts say factors causing price increases include a lack of homes for sale leading to price wars, plus record low interest rates and workers stuck doing jobs from home are raising homeownership levels and some are looking for more square footage space.

“As motivated buyers continue to take advantage of the lowest interest rates in history, home sales will be elevated in the next couple of months, and the housing market should remain a bright spot in a broader economy that continues to struggle,” said C.A.R. President Jeanne Radsick, a second-generation REALTOR® from Bakersfield, Calif. “And with many employers allowing the flexibility of working remotely, homebuyers now also have the option of searching in less expensive areas where homes are more affordable and buyers can get more home for their money.”

“With the statewide home price hitting new highs for the past four months, it’s sounding like a broken record as California home sales and prices continue to outperform expectations,” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “However, with the shortest time on market in recent memory, an alarmingly low supply of homes for sale, and the fastest price growth in six and a half years, the market’s short-term gain can also be its weakness in the longer term as the imbalance of supply and demand could lead to more housing shortages and deeper affordability issues.”

Reflecting the rise in home prices, consumers continue to say it is a good time to sell, according to C.A.R.’s monthly Consumer Housing Sentiment Index. Conducted in early October, the poll found that 56 percent of consumers said it is a good time to sell, down from 58 percent a month ago, but up from 52 percent a year ago. Meanwhile, low interest rates continue to fuel the optimism for homebuying; 28 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 22 percent said it was a good time to buy a home.

Other key points from the September 2020 resale housing report included:

-- At the regional level, homes sales increased in the high double-digits compared to last year in all major regions. The Central Coast and the San Francisco Bay Area had the strongest sales growth in September with both regions surging 42 percent and 34.2 percent, respectively. That was followed by increases in the Far North (28.3 percent, Southern California (25.0 percent and the Central Valley (18.4 percent).

-- At the regional level, home prices posted double-digit increases compared to last year in all major regions. The Central Coast had the highest increase in median price, rising 20.6 percent from last year, followed by the San Francisco Bay Area (20.5 percent, the Far North (19.0 percent, Southern California (15.2 percent) and the Central Valley (14.6 percent. All regions except the San Francisco Bay Area set a new high in median price in September.

-- Active listings in September 2020 continued to decline significantly in all major regions. The Central Coast had the biggest drop (-60.3 percent) from last September, followed by the Central Valley (-51.5 percent), Southern California (-49.9 percent), the Far North (-43.9 percent), and the San Francisco Bay Area (-31.9 percent).

-- Housing inventory tightened by double-digits in all price segments, but the constraint was more pronounced in the affordable markets. Active listings in every price range continued to decline sharply from last year, with for-sale properties priced below $1 million falling 56 percent on a year-over-year basis. Compared to a year ago, the supply for homes priced between $1 million and $3 million declined 30.4 percent, and homes priced at or above the $3 million benchmark declined 19.4 percent.

-- The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home was 11 days in September 2020, down from 24 days in September 2019. It’s the lowest statewide figure ever recorded. The 11-day figure compares to 13 days in August 2020, 17 days in July 2020, 19 days in June 2020, 17 days in May 2020, 13 days in April 2020, 15 days in March 2020 and 23 days in February 2020.

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

-- In San Diego County, the median number of days an existing, single-family home remained unsold on the market was seven days in September 2020, compared to 18 days in September 2019. The 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 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 2.89 percent in September, down from 3.61 percent in September 2019, according to Freddie Mac. The five-year, adjustable mortgage interest rate was an average of 2.98 percent, compared to 3.38 percent in September 2019.

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

-- The Commerce Department reported the nation’s third-quarter domestic product (GNP), a measure of the total goods and services produced in the July-to-September 2020 period, expanded at a 33.1 percent annualized pace. That’s the fastest growth ever for the U.S. economy and it follows the worst quarter in history when the economy plunged 31.4 percent in the second quarter 2020. The previous GNP quarterly record of 16.7 percent was set following World War II in the first quarter of 1950.

-- Realtor.com said the housing market is bucking the traditional trend of a cool-down in the fall season, which typically occurs as students return to school. While buyers normally begin to hunker-down this time a year, instead sellers are getting top dollar for their home outside of the prime selling season, said Realtor.com.

-- CoreLogic reports the September 2020 median home price in San Diego reached a new high of $650,000, which was a 10.2 percent increase since the Covid-19 lockdown began in March. September’s number exceeds the previous record of $640,000 in August 2020.

-- A recent S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller reports home prices in San Diego increased 7.6 percent over the past year, the third-fastest in the nation and at a rate not seen in more than two years. The other cities with faster increases were Phoenix, up 9.9 percent, and Seattle, up 8.5 percent.

-- Redfin reports the median price of a single-family home in San Diego County rose 15.7 percent over the past year since September 2019 to $665,000. That compares to a 14.4 percent increase in the nationwide median home price to $333,900.

-- Zillow reports the median price of a single-family home in September was $632,264, marking a 7.6 percent increase from a year ago. Nationally, the typical home value rose 5.8 percent in a year-over-year comparison to $259,906 in September.

-- The Federal Housing Finance Agency said home prices increased 1.5 percent nationally from July to August, the largest month-to-month increase since 1991. Prices were 8 percent higher in August 2020, compared to August 2019.

-- A Redfin survey of more than 3,000 people in October revealed that 16 percent of them would consider moving to another country outside the U.S. if their preferred presidential candidate loses in November. That’s up from 9 percent four years ago. Redfin’s survey also found that 20 percent of Biden voters say they would leave the U.S. if he loses. Among Trump supporters, 15 percent said they’d depart if the President loses reelection. A greater percentage, 24 percent, said they are considering moving to another state. Redfin also reports landlords in multiple states are thinking about raising rents if Biden wins.

CRMLS Paragon has a new set of Client/Agent Reports called Agent Preferred 1 and Client Preferred 1. These are not the default reports that, for many agents, cut off the text in the remarks section.

The recent Paragon upgrade added more space to type in the public and private remark fields. The added text gets cut off on the standard old Paragon reports. CRMLS developed a new set of reports that address this issue and some other recent issues that have been around for many years. See if you can find what has been addressed?  PSAR will be working with CRMLS to create new reports for agents to choose from in the future.

Here is a look at the old report which is now called the Agent Preferred 2. In this report, you can see the text in the public remarks is cut off.  The text in the private remarks are also cut off.

The Agent Preferred 1, it looks like this.

To make this new report your preferred detail report, meaning to see this view each time you search for property go to the Preferences Wizard and scroll through to page 7.

Then in the 'Default Double Click Report' box, select the Agent Preferred 1 as your default report.

In the 'Default Manual Email Report' box, select the Client Preferred 1 as your default report.

The NAR-mandated Clear Cooperation Policy was implemented in May.  CRMLS provided a period of limited enforcement and generous warnings to give subscribers the opportunity to learn the new rules.

Per a vote from the CRMLS Board of Directors which is made up of volunteer brokers, effective November 1st, 2020, CRMLS will eliminate the warning notice that is given to users who show a listing in the Coming Soon status.

Starting 11/1/20, if a CRMLS user shows a Coming Soon listing, that user will be subject to a fine of 1% of the list price, not less than $500 and not to exceed $2,500. This is the current fine structure for any Clear Cooperation Policy violation.

As a reminder, showing a listing in Coming Soon status is a violation of Rule 9.3 of the CRMLS Rules and Regulations. Rule 9.3 states:

9.3: Availability to Show or Inspect. Listing Brokers shall not misrepresent the availability of access to show or inspect a listed property. For any property in which Listing Broker selected a status of Coming Soon or Hold, Listing Broker represents that the property shall have no showings or tours, whether conducted by Listing Broker or otherwise, until such time as the Property is placed in the Active or Active Under Contract status.

Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:

• CRMLS Coming Soon Form
• Report Off-MLS Marketing (click on Report Off-MLS Marketing button)
• Differences Between the Registered and Coming Soon Statuses
• CRMLS Citation Policy
• CRMLS Matrix Compliance FAQ
• CRMLS Paragon Compliance FAQ
• CRMLS Flex Compliance FAQ

PSAR is encouraging all of our members, and all San Diego-area real estate industry professionals, to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election. Your vote counts!

PSAR has an active and vital group of REALTOR® members who serve on the PSAR Government Affairs (GA) Committee. The GA Committee has three subcommittees that focus on specific geographical areas of the county.

GA Committee members offer political endorsements, and act as political advocates and review public policy and its impact on the PSAR membership in particular and the real estate industry as a whole. In addition, GA Committee members address a variety of complex and multi-dimensional issues impacting the protection of private property rights.

GA Committee members are acutely aware of the importance of voting, even more so in this upcoming general election. The stakes are high. If issues and candidates affecting your realtor business and the industry itself matter to you, then it matters that you vote on them.

With early voting underway, GA Committee members were recently asked about the importance of voting. Below are their comments (names appear in alphabetical order, some quotes were edited for clarity).

-- “Our committee is made up of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and others. We research, conduct interviews, review questionnaires, and our decisions are primarily based upon the notion of property rights, expanding homeownership, rights of tenants, and the rights of owners of commercial and rental properties. We will endorse candidates whom we feel best support these values over their opponents. It’s important to elect leaders who will work with REALTORS®. We all have our own choices of candidates, but we hope by supporting pro-real estate candidates and propositions, it might help influence voters who agree with us that property rights and the expansion of homeownership are essential to all Americans.” -- Mike Anderson

“Democracy is vital to real estate. If people don't vote, then it’s the corporations and banks that set policy that affects your ability to buy a home. When you vote, you make your voice heard. Be a voice for our communities where we can work towards a country where everyone has the opportunity to be a homeowner.” -- Deirdre Bramberg

--“ I sat with my family and we reviewed each proposition and discussed ones we were not clear on. Let’s use the voting season to engage and unite families.” -- Jeff Campbell

-- “Elected officials are political beings. They listen to the people in the communities who vote and they also listen to the people and organizations who contribute resources that allow them to reach out to those voters. Making sure your voice is heard as a voter is every bit as important as for whom you vote.  Communities and neighborhoods with high voting percentages attract more attention and resources.  Citizens who vote have a voice with politicians and those who do not vote have no voice." -- Richard D’Ascoli, Chief Executive Officer, PSAR

-- “It is a civic duty to vote and every single vote makes a difference. As a citizen of the country, the right to vote is one of the freedoms the county gives its people. It is a chance for our voice to be heard and an opportunity to select the leaders we believe have the ability to represent us in our government.” -- Merrie Espina.

-- “Each PSAR member should exercise their right and obligation to vote. In this election, as in most elections, your future earnings, your tax obligations, and the laws that enable or hobble our industry are all in play. PSAR, C.A.R. and NAR can all be influential as supporting organizations, focusing on critical policy issues. But, in the final analysis, it is your individual vote and the power of our collective votes that will select our elected officials and establish the policies that impact our lives and our business environment for years to come.” -- William Hall

-- “Our votes this election are more important than ever as our region, state and country stand at a pivotal time.  PSAR’s Governmental Affairs Committee, as well as C.A.R. and NAR, spend a lot of time each election interviewing and weighing which candidates and propositions uphold basic property rights. REALTOR® endorsements have been made available to all of our members and we hope that you will read and consider the recommendations when you cast your votes as you believe best represents your views.” Kay LeMenager

-- “In all areas of life having your opportunity to vote is of utmost importance. I feel it is our duty as Americans to make voting a serious commitment in support of the sacrifice of those before us to fight for our right to do so. My children were educated to study the propositions and follow the federal, state and local elections and vote from the age they became eligible. It starts with us as parents to lead by example.”  -- Colleen McDade

-- “It’s very important to get out there and vote. Many people complain about the results, but if you don't vote, don’t complain. Every vote counts, so do your part and get out there and vote.” -- Patricia McFadden

-- “Voting is how we convey our desires for change. Please exercise your right to vote with the goal of making a better today and tomorrow for us all.” -- Paul Moses

-- “Every vote really does matter. Just last cycle, San Diego District 8 primary was decided by 3 votes, my college board race was decided by 23 votes. Vote and get your friends and family to vote, too.” -- Rafael A. Perez

-- “I am involved in Government Affairs and I try to be as active as I can be in politics is because it does have an impact on our industry. One can be part of the problem or the solution. I can stand by and complain or I can do what I can do to act.  Rome was not built in a day, and as we all know California has its issues which have a direct impact on our business. Be impactful and relevant. Part of doing that is reading the voters guide and voting. It’s common sense, do nothing and one can only expect nothing. So, why not be relevant and do something.” -- Rebecca Pollack-Rude

-- “I’ve been a member of the Government Affairs Committee for many years because I believe the grass roots portion of our local governments are truly the roots of our way of life as it pertains to the freedoms that are rightfully ours. Voting is the most important right and freedom that, as a U.S. citizen, we enjoy, or should enjoy. The committee is a way to hear from our peers, our local government officials and the candidates at various levels of government who have an impact at every level of our community life, and most especially as it pertains to housing and private property rights. In this unprecedented time of pandemic, the value of the roof over our head has never been more in the spotlight. Personally, I’ve grown to appreciate greatly our rights as individuals, as members of our local communities, our country and lately as a member of humankind. Register to vote, inform yourself. Make choices because you understand the issues and the candidates, not because someone else told you that it’s the best way or the only way or just because. Exercise your most valuable right. Vote and understand and appreciate that right.” -- Pat Russiano

-- “I have always felt that it is one’s responsibility to be knowledgeable regarding the election process, issues and then vote. I taught my children and now grandchildren that they have a responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America to vote.” -- Norma J. Scantlin

-- “Our GA Committee spends a lot of time vetting our recommendations with input from REALTORS® from various backgrounds and party affiliations. Please let your voice be heard and vote. If nothing else, vote NO on the real estate related propositions 15, 19 and 21.” -- Mark Scott

-- “I have never once missed the honor and the obligation to vote. It is the glue that binds us as Americans, giving us the confidence that we are a nation guided by the rule of law.  It is fundamental to the American success story and to our sense of pride in being an American.” -- Mitch Thompson

-- “As a REALTOR® Party member, 2021 PSAR President-Elect, and as an individual, I care deeply about the future of our country. I know first-hand that our vote is needed in this election more than ever before. Your GA committee and the PSAR Board of Directors have spent a great deal of time to vet all PSAR endorsed candidates. I hope that you would consider these candidates as you cast your vote. The future of our country is in our hands. Please vote.” -- Max Zaker

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Our 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 & development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County. This program is only open to REALTORS® and PSAR Affiliate Members. There is no cost for attending this program.

PSAR is recommending a “No” vote on California Proposition 21, a rent control ballot proposition known as the “Rental Affordability Act.” The Governor and Legislature have already passed rent control into law. This Proposition goes too far and has too many unintended negative consequences.

If approved, Prop. 21 would change state law to allow cities to apply new rent control ordinances and/or expand existing ones. New laws could be enacted affecting homes at least 15 years old. Prop. 21 exempts single-family homes owned by landlords with more than two properties.

Proponents claim cities should be allowed to approve additional limits on rent increases to protect California families who are one rent hike away from being driven out of their neighborhoods by landlords. They further claim this proposition will stop homelessness and gentrification.

The fact is that Prop. 21 would make it less desirable for builders to construct more housing, affordable or otherwise, at a time when California has a massive housing shortage. It would also decrease revenue for city and state governments, already cash-strapped by the fallout from the Covid pandemic. It would reduce the number of housing units in the state and allow bureaucrats to add fees on top of base rent, thereby increasing the cost of living at a time when Californians can least afford it. In fact, only two years ago, in 2018, Californians made their decision about rent control at the polls.

In 2018, voters in 56 of 58 California counties overwhelmingly rejected a statewide rent control measure by a 20-point margin. Why is this subject being revisited so soon? Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation and its President, Michael Weinstein, funded a signature collection drive that once again put the measure on the ballot. This appears to make this issue a special interest one.

Last year, state legislators passed a new law that set a 7 percent ceiling on yearly rent increases. CalMatters, a public interest journalism venture, concluded that the action by Sacramento lawmakers in 2019 was an effort to ward off another statewide rent control ballot measure by Weinstein and company that clearly was unsuccessful.

According to CalMatters, Prop. 21 opponents include Governor Gavin Newsom, California Apartment Association, California Seniors Advocate League, Essex Property Trust and Prometheus Real Estate Group. Prop. 21 supporters include the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Eviction Defense Network and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), Apartment Association of Orange County and Californians to Protect Affordable Housing, a coalition of housing advocates, renters, businesses, taxpayers and veterans encourage a “NO” vote on Proposition 21.

Other organizations opposing Prop. 21 include the California Council for Affordable Housing, California Community Builders, the California State Conference of the NAACP, Si Se Puede, Congress of California Seniors, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council.

A CalMatters headline stated “Proposition 21 rent control will discourage construction of affordable housing.” A CalMatters opinion writer asserted: We must protect small property owners who, in contrast to corporate landlords, often are natural affordable housing providers, operate on small margins, give applicants a chance if they don’t meet all of the rental qualifications, and help maintain the integrity of a community. The state of California is facing a new economic challenge, and families across our state are struggling. What we need most is new investment in our housing market, not an extreme measure like Proposition 21 that will further destabilize it.”

The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper editorial board wrote: “Expanding rent control will make the California housing crisis worse. Rent control is the wrong way to help Californians struggling with housing. Lawmakers who are juggling a lot during this pandemic need to not lose sight of that. The long-term solution is listening to experts and building new houses.”

The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper editorial board described Prop. 21 as “a rent control retread unimproved by age.”

The Press Democrat newspaper in Santa Rosa, Calif. said Prop. 21 is a proposed “rent control law that won’t end the housing crisis.” Its editorial resource stated: “California voters soundly rejected rent control in the November 2018 election for a good reason: It won’t alleviate the state’s housing problems. In fact, economists almost universally agree that imposing rent control would be counterproductive. State lawmakers voted in 2019 to cap rent increases anyway, while requiring landlords to show `just cause’ for evictions. Yet, here we are again, barely a year later, asked to decide another rent control initiative. Voters should once again say no.”

The headline in the Orange County Register read, “Rent control is the horrible idea that won’t go away.” Its editorial stated: “California’s housing affordability isn’t that complicated. There is high demand and inadequate supply. If the goal is to expand the accessibility of housing, it is necessary to increase supply. Rent control is incredibly effective at backfiring on that front. Research has shown that San Francisco’s rent control policies resulted in many landlords removing housing units from the market. Renters in non-rent-controlled units, meanwhile, faced even higher rents than would otherwise be the case.”

For more information about the campaign against Prop 21, visit www.noonprop21.org.

_______________________________

Our 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 & development of the Real Estate industry in San Diego County. This program is only open to REALTORS® and PSAR Affiliate Members. There is no cost for attending this program.

DRE ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF REVISED LANDLORD/TENANT GUIDEBOOK

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) announced today that it has completed a major revision to the widely used resource guidebook titled, California Tenants – A Guide To Residential Tenants' and landlords' Rights and Responsibilities.

The Department of Consumer Affairs last published the guidebook in 2012. Since then, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, many new laws addressing landlords and tenants. Recognizing the need to update this guidebook, DRE revised it to reflect the addition of new laws, including the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) and the
Tenant, Homeowner and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act (AB 3088), which includes the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020. These updates are critically important to landlords and tenants, especially during this time of economic uncertainty.  “Equipping tenants and landlords with detailed and timely information to help them make
informed decisions was DRE’s main focus with this project,” Real Estate Commissioner Doug McCauley said. “Keeping Californians housed is crucial in the public health climate and this resource will provide much-needed clarity on key rental issues.”

Relevant and detailed revised chapters in the guidebook include but are not limited to: Before You Agree to Rent, Dealing with Problems, Terminations and Evictions, Tenant Protection Act of 2019, Resolving Problems, Getting Help from a Third Party, and a Glossary.

This guidebook and other useful information for landlords and tenants can be found at the DRE-created website HousingisKey.com. The online version of the guidebook can be easily translated into other languages using the google translate function on the website.

Printed copies will be available later this year.  Here is a link to the downloadable PDF version of the document.