This course is designed for the agent who is looking to work in Commercial Investment Property! During this 2-hour course you will learn:

• The language of the investor and what to say to show you're knowledgeable.

• Terminology such as GRM, CAP, ROE, ROI, OM, C.A.R., A.I.R., L.O.I., expenses and vacancy factors. 

• Dynamic scripts for communicating with Commercial Brokers. 

• Strategies to help Sellers understand that they could be getting a better Return on Equity.

• Strategies to help Buyers understand that they could be getting a better Return on Investment.

This course will teach you how to effectively stand out, get business, and get paid!

Event Details: Thursday, June 13th, 2019
Time: 1 PM - 3PM | PSAR East County Service Center
1150 Broadway #100, El Cajon, 92021

Cost: $25

Space is limited. 

Salute to Service: By Shonee Henry

Life is short and it is here to be lived. Which is a main reason why I believe that passion is so important. Passion is what energizes life. It turns the impossible into the possible. I’m passionate about volunteering and staying involved with PSAR. And, here’s why you should join me.

I don’t think twice about volunteering. It’s natural for me to do it. God made me to be a helper and volunteer. People might think I’m crazy, but I don’t feel wholesome if I don’t help.

I didn’t realize how effective I could be at volunteering until I actually started volunteering. Does that make sense?

Let me explain: I have been fortunate to volunteer at the national level with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Starting in 2009, I began serving as NAR’s President’s Liaison to the Philippines. Four years later, I was appointed regional coordinator to Asia Pacific, and United Arab Emirates from 2013-2016 representing the NAR President.  In my collaborative role, I helped establish partnerships in other countries to promote NAR educational programs and professional designations, including the International Realtor Membership (IRM) and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS).

Serving with NAR forced me to make public speeches. Before then, I had never been a public speaker. But, I was passionate about helping to lay a global foundation for our real estate industry. I believe success in business is possible only with passion, vibrancy, energy and enthusiasm. Passion is the instinct that drives all great souls. Passion is the fuel which generates pride, ambition and dreams. Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion of conviction. Your passion for success must be greater than any fear of failure.

So, as a result, my public speeches were filled with passion. Then, after the speech, people said to me, “You’re really good at this. Your speech was inspiring. You really made a difference.” All of that was news to me. Then, I realized my purpose and what I was created to do in life. Passion and purpose go together. The more purpose driven you are, the more you know your purpose for both living and leading as a volunteer. So, only after I started serving did I realize how effective that someone could be and the impact you could make as a volunteer.

Also, volunteering can make you a better REALTOR®. That’s because when people see the passion you have for volunteering, then they will choose to do business with you and your business will grow organically. I have never volunteered for the purpose of increasing my business. However, I have seen that volunteering and sharing the lessons you’ve learned in life has led to new friends and trustworthy contacts and, eventually, to new clients. By sharing your talent, you’re creating a better atmosphere for our industry. So, let me encourage you to share your experience and your talent. Help from the heart.

Because the more focused you are, the more effective you will be. And volunteering helps you to focus. There’s awesome power in a focused life. For example, diffused light doesn’t have much of an effect on what it touches. But, when you focus light, like the rays of the sun through a magnifying glass, you can ignite a piece of paper or grass. If you can focus it even more, it becomes a laser. And, lasers can cut through steel and destroy cancer. The same is true with your life. If you’re directionless, you’ll just drift through without much impact. But, if you focus on a few key goals, such as volunteering, then you can make more of a powerful impact in the world.

Time is your most precious gift you have because we have only a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can’t make more time. When you give someone your time in volunteer service, then you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your volunteer time.

Let me encourage you to allocate part of your time to PSAR, increase your passion, expand your participation and volunteer with our Association. Yes, as a PSAR, you can make a difference and be a change-maker for the betterment of our Association.

Sometimes you might think you have the knack for something, but you’re not sure quite where to start. I would say to just face your fears, think outside the box and jump-in with both feet and try it anyway. There are so many opportunities to serve to help others and many ideas that need to be cultivated. Small can turn out to be a big deal. Little can turn out to be much. 

Start with the needs of others. If you want to connect with people, start with their needs, their hurts, what they want. Seek to understand before seeking to be understood. Life is all about relationships. Remember, the world does not revolve around you.

You’re braver than you know. You might not think of yourself as courageous, adventuresome, fearless and unafraid. But, I think you should give yourself credit for bravery when you volunteer. Don’t listen to the voices that say, “Who do you think you are?” or, “It can’t be done,” or “Forget about it.”

Maybe you’ve tried to volunteer in the past and it didn’t work-out well. Let me encourage you to try again. We must not permit the failures of the past to defeat victorious living today. Failures of the past do not nullify purposes in the future. Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you. Do not allow the fears of the future to rob us of passion today. Instead, explore and discover your hidden talents. When you volunteer, you will discover the better part of yourself.

You were created for more than just selling real estate. I started in real estate to help me achieve my dream of sharing wealth and wisdom with those less fortunate. Life is not about things. You’ve got to maintain the right perspective about possession, or you’ll be possessed by your possessions. The greatest things in life aren’t things. But, passion as a volunteer helps you get out of bed in the morning. It’s because you know there’s something bigger than you are and you can hardly wait to get at it again. So, get involved and take action today about volunteering with PSAR.

Shonee Henry began her real estate career in 2002. 

The lowest mortgage interest rates in more than a year boosted California’s housing market and kept home sales level in March 2019, after a stronger performance the previous month, according to the latest housing market report for home sales and prices from the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R).

After hitting the lowest level in 12 months in February 2019, the statewide median home price bounced back and reached the highest point since October 2018. The statewide median home price rose 5.9 percent to $565,880 in March 2019 from $534,140 in February 2019 and was up 0.2 percent from a revised $564,820 in March 2018.

The statewide median home price in March 2019 was $565,880, down 5.9 percent from February’s $534,140 figure and up 0.2 percent from March 2018’s figure of $564,820.

In San Diego County in March 2019, the median single-family home price of $623,800 was 0.2 percent lower than the $6250,000 figure for February 2019 and 0.3 percent lower than the $62,400 figure for March 2018.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 397,210 units in March, according to information from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2019 if sales maintained the March pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

“The lowest interest rates in more than a year gave would-be buyers the confidence to enter the housing market and provided a much-needed push to jump-start the spring homebuying season,” said C.A.R. President Jared Martin. “Pending sales also showed healthy improvement in March, which suggests a brighter market outlook could be in place in the second quarter.”  

“The median price has been softening since it reached a peak last summer, and March’s year-over-year price increase was the smallest in seven years,” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “The flattening home prices, coupled with low mortgage rates, bode well for housing affordability and may bring more buyers who may have given up back to the market.”

Other key points from the March 2019 resale housing report included:

-- The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home rose from 16 days in March 2018 to 25 days in March 2019. This compares to 33 days in February 2019 and 37 days in January 2019. Meanwhile, in San Diego County, the median number of days a home remained unsold on the market stood at 19 days in March 2019, compared to 22 days in February 2019 and 12 days in March 2018.

-- Home sales in the Inland Empire declined 10.4 percent from a year ago as Riverside and San Bernardino counties posted annual sales declines of 9.3 percent and 12.2 percent, respectively. In the Southern California region, home prices increased in San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura while they declined in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.

-- Active listings continued to climb from the prior year, increasing 13.4 percent from last March. It was the 12th consecutive month active listings rose year-over-year and the ninth month in a row they grew double digits from the prior year. The pace of increase, however, was the slowest since July 2018, and the growth rate has been decelerating since December 2018.

-- The Unsold Inventory Index (UII), which is a ratio of inventory over sales, improved on a year-over-year basis but decreased on a month-to-month basis. The Unsold Inventory Index was 3.6 months in March, down from 4.6 months in February but up from 3.0 months in March 2018. The index measures the number of months it would take to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate. The jump in the UII from a year ago can be attributed to the moderate sales decline and the sharp increase in active listings.

-- The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 4.27 percent in March, down from 4.44 percent in March 2018, according to Freddie Mac. The five-year, adjustable mortgage interest rate also declined in March to an average of 3.83 percent from 3.65 in March 2018.

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

-- The number of San Diego County homebuyers who had their first offer accepted skyrocketed in the first quarter of this year, according to real estate firm Redfin. In the first quarter last year, only 38 percent of local homebuyers got their first offer accepted. That figure climbed to 53.4 percent in the first three months of 2019. Nationally, 56 percent of homebuyers got their first offer accepted in the first quarter, according to Redfin, the highest first offer acceptance rate in the past three years.

-- San Diego County's home inventory rose 20.4 percent year-over-year in March, significantly outpacing the national inventory growth of 1.2 percent, according to a recent Zillow report. Zillow said the increase is not because there are many new listings, but rather homes are staying on the market longer. Despite an increase in the total pool of for-sale inventory, the number of new listings on the housing market has fallen year-over-year in each of the past four months, Zillow said.

-- Median home prices were unaffordable to 71 percent of average wage earners in the U.S. in the first quarter. According to Attom Data Solutions latest report, median home prices in the first quarter of 2019 were not affordable for average wage earners in 335 of 473 U.S. counties analyzed in the report. Attom said San Diego County's annualized weekly average wage figure of $61,269 means an individual or family would have to spend 65.4 percent of their income to afford a median home price of $540,250. It's recommended that no more than a third of income should be spent on housing in any given month.

-- The number of San Diego County homes in foreclosure remains at a low level. Attom Data Solutions found local foreclosure filings amounted to 1,040 in the first quarter. While it marked a 280-unit quarter-over-quarter decline, it was up by nearly 150 foreclosures from a year ago. Foreclosures both in San Diego and nationally are still at or near 11-year lows.

-- Millennials are struggling to come up with a down payment to pay for a home, according to Clever Real Estate, a referral service. Nearly half of Californian millennials pay less than the traditional 20 percent down on a home. This leads to high monthly payments and, sometimes, buyer’s remorse. Also, a lack of funds to start with means many use credit cards, or loans, for home renovations.

-- San Diego County is the seventh most favored rental market in the nation. According to HotPads, monthly rent in San Diego County, combining both single-family units and apartments, has reached $2,740. Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta are currently the most popular rental markets in the United States, said HotPads.

-- The unemployment rate in San Diego County was 3.7 percent in March, edging up from a revised 3.5 percent in February, according to a monthly jobs report from the California Employment Development Department. During the same period, the unadjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent for California and 3.9 percent for the nation.

-- California’s population growth in 2018 was the slowest in state history, as births declined, student enrollment fell and the death rate continued to climb as baby boomers aged. According to the state Department of Finance, the state added 186,807 residents last year, bringing California’s estimated total population to 39,927,315 people as of Jan. 1. The overall growth rate slipped to .47 percent last year from .78 pecent in 2017, the slowest since data collection started in 1900. Births in the state in 2018 were down by more than 18,000, compared with the previous year.

 3rd Annual Realtor Games!

Friday, June 21, 2019
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Come Tailgate & Cheer on Your Favorite Team!
16 Teams will be competing in Mental & Physical challenges for Charity. Enjoy Games, Awards, Raffles, Food and Fun!  BYOC - Bring your own Cooler!

The first 100 Realtors to arrive will receive a free food truck lunch ticket!

SCOBEE PARK | Chula Vista, CA 91914

Team Check-in at 11:30 am.
Tailgate/Realtor Appreciation at 12:00 pm.
Realtor Games begin at 1:00 pm sharp!

$250* PER TEAM OF FIVE ($50 per team member)
Cost includes: Taco plate and T-shirt.

4 PHYSICAL CHALLENGES:  Sack Race, Balloon Launch, Cornhole and Free Throw Contest
4 MENTAL CHALLENGES:  Spelling Bee, Jenga, Puzzle and Realtor Feud


                                                                             

VIEW FLYER  |  SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Product, Service and Equipment Sponsors

Preferred Home Inspections
Cafe Tazza
Fine Wood Finishing
Pacific Drain & Plumbing
Minuteman Press
Award Sign Company
William Fagan - DJ
First American Home Buyers Warranty
Elsa Flores Photography

INCLUDED WITH THIS COURSE
• Agency, Ethics, Trust Funds, Fair Housing, Risk Management
• The new Management & Supervision course
• Course material will be made available via downloadable PDF files
• Optional review to prepare to take the easy exams
• Instructions to take the exam online

REQUIREMENTS
Once you register, you will receive your PDF file from Duane Gomer. Please provide your email address and DRE license when registering. DRE Regulations state that you may take no more than 15 hours of exams in a 24 hour period and start testing 5 days after the receipt of your study materials.

Anyone who fails an exam can take a second test at no cost any time within one year from date of registration or take the class again at no cost. Courses are for all licensees. These courses are approved for Continuing Education Credit by the California Department of Real Estate. However, this approval does not constitute an endorsement of the view or options which are expressed by the course sponsor, instructor, author or lecturers. DRE VENDOR #0054

CHECK-IN ....... 8:45 am - 9:00 am
REVIEW .......... 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

REGISTER HERE  |  VIEW FLYER

QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ANSWERED
- Backflow Prevention Requirements
- Fire Flow Services
- Development Improvements
- Do's & Don'ts of Plan Checks
- Subdivisions
- Individual Projects

VIEW FLYER

EVENT DETAILS
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center 
140 East 12th Street
National City, CA 91950

A light breakfast will be served.

REGISTRATION
Please RSVP to Alessandra Angelone
aangelone@sweetwater.org  |  619-409-6721

Congratulations to PSAR. Your Association is compassionately taking an active role in the community efforts to help homeless people. 

The El Cajon City Council at its April 23 meeting hosted a presentation that recognized a $5,000 grant from PSAR to the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The PSAR grant helped pay for creating a website featuring resources intended to assist homeless people living in the East County.

PSAR representatives at the presentation included: Robert Calloway, 2019 PSAR President; Kay LeMenager, PSAR member and Communications and Marketing Committee chair with the East County Homeless Task Force; Tracy Morgan Hollingworth, PSAR Government Affairs Director.

Representing the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce at the presentation was Joe Mackey, interim CEO. Also attending were: Anna Marie Piconi Snyder, Consulting Project Director, East County Homeless Task Force; Carol Lewis, Coordinator, El Cajon Collaborative.

Since its founding in November 2016, the  East County Homeless Task Force has been working collaboratively as a grass roots effort involving more than 300 East County community leaders to develop solutions to reduce homelessness in the East County communities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and Alpine.

The Task Force’s organizational structure has 10 “solution groups.” Officials said the Access to Services Solutions group and the Communications and Marketing Committee group worked together to create a website offering ways a homeless person could get help in the East County and provide a way for the public to contribute to those solutions.

The website, www.ECAssist.org, is a one-stop online resource that allows users to navigate services based on either location or need. At the website, people looking for food resources can go to a column on the left and find links to pantries in various East County locations. Another click leads to phone numbers for various hotlines to medical care and shelters.

“I’m very proud of our Association’s efforts to assist in finding solutions to reduce homelessness,” said Calloway. “This website is an excellent resource that will help the homeless and near homeless in the East County.”

“It’s very rewarding to be part of the Homeless Task Force,” said LeMenager. “Our group discovered that helpful information was not organized and accessible to our homeless population. That’s when the idea of a homeless resources website came together.”

“Access to information and communications powered by technology is nearly universal in today’s world,” said Hollingworth. “The presentation at the El Cajon City Council meeting demonstrated how important organizations such as PSAR can make significant contributions to our community.”

The $5,000 from PSAR went to the East County Chamber Foundation, the Chamber’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation. 

Studies have confirmed that a majority of people experiencing homeless have cell phones providing access to the Internet. One study said that 70 percent of homeless patients visiting emergency departments had cell phones. Another study conducted by researchers Melody Kim, Melissa Cameron and Alex Fung found that 8 out of 11 homeless people in San Diego County had cell phones and the other two were seeking replacements.

It’s estimated that East County has more than 1,000 homeless residents, according to a 2018 study, called the Point In Time Count, conducted by the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless, as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The presentation at the El Cajon City Council meeting was scheduled for the month of April in recognition of Fair Housing Month, as declared by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 2018, the Fair Housing Act celebrated its 50th anniversary. The act is designed to protect Americans from discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on color, race, national origin, religion, sex and disability.

(from left to right) Tracy Morgan Hollingworth, Joe Mackey, Robert Calloway, Kay LeMenager, Carol Lewis, Anna Marie Piconi Snyder.

PSAR is proud to welcome as new members Sellstate Next Gen Realty of San Diego and broker Nicole Turner’s entire office of 25 agents.

“With our previous Association, we were not receiving adequate service and support,” said Nicole, who has 13 years of experience in real estate sales. “My agents had concerns, and so did I. For over a year, I had been researching PSAR and asking them lots of questions, and I was receiving good answers that matched what I was looking for with our team. Eventually, it came to a point that it was time to make the switch.”

When Nicole asked her agents to make the move to PSAR in March, they approved it enthusiastically, she said.

“I see a lot of similarities between PSAR and our office, including professionalism, teamwork, family atmosphere, genuineness and culture,” Nicole said. “The PSAR leadership and staff are first class. When you walk into a PSAR office, you are not greeted with a grumpy face or corporate stuffiness. Instead, you are treated with respect as a business owner and friendliness. With PSAR, I see opportunities for our agents to connect and gain knowledge and benefit from state-of-the-art technology, like additional property exposure with the CRMLS (California Regional Multiple Listing Service).

“So far, it’s been an eye-opening experience with PSAR. No one likes change, but my agents were willing to move with me. Today, my agents are extremely happy that we made the move. We love the support and teamwork at PSAR, with teamwork you can never go wrong. Plus, we love to support and be side-by-side with our agents as they continue to reach their dreams. I’m looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship and greater involvement in the future.”

Nicole and her San Diego regional business partners, John Werkmeister and Kathie Young, acquired Sellstate’s first San Diego franchise in 2009. Last June, they moved to their new home in Mission Valley, 438 Camino del Rio South, San Diego.

“Our leadership team has more than 76 years of experience,” said Nicole. “Our agents are not only our business partners, but also family members. We have a lot of fun in our office and love doing business together.”

Sellstate was recently presented with the Tech Titan Award from RIS Media. The award is presented to brokerage leaders who have demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt and integrate new and innovative tools and services within their organization to improve and enhance the overall consumer experience.

“It’s always great to welcome a new brokerage to PSAR,” said Robert Calloway, 2019 PSAR President. “We congratulate Sellstate for looking out for the best interests of their clients with cutting-edge technology, which is an identical commitment to PSAR and the same reason why we joined CRMLS in 2018.”

Nicole’s office is also involved in giving back to the community. Last year, the office hosted a charity fundraising golf tournament, called “Swingin’ with Sellstate.” The tournament benefitted the Warrior Foundation Freedom Station, a San Diego nonprofit that assists injured military personnel with support and transitional housing designed to assist during recovery from injuries and transition from military service to civilian life. This year’s tournament will be held Oct. 19, 2019, at Riverwalk Golf Club.

Sellstate Next Gen Realty also supports 1st Saturday, a program that collects clothes, backpacks, blankets, food items and toiletry items that are combined in “Care Packs” and distributed to homeless people on the first Saturday of the month.

For more information on Sellstate Next Gen Realty in San Diego, visit www.sellstatenextgenrealty.com.

Sign up, and be a part of PSAR’s Leadership by becoming an Officer or Director.

PSAR's Nominating Committee is seeking Nominees for:

• President-Elect
• Secretary/Treasurer
• Director (There are 5 Director positions available)
• Deadline for Submission:  April 30, 2019 (5 PM)

Are you interested in becoming a Director of the California Association of REALTORS® representing PSAR for 2020?

• Are you active in the Real Estate industry?
• Are you an agent, manager, or Broker/Owner.
• Are you active in residential resale, commercial or property management?
• Take this opportunity to share your knowledge and make a difference.
• Deadline for Submission: April 30, 2019 (5 PM)

By Robert Calloway

As real estate professionals, it’s our responsibility to provide wise counsel about housing needs in the best way possible with our clients, including clients who are senior citizens. It’s been said that senior citizens represent the real estate industry’s greatest, untapped and under-served market. And, a growing market means opportunity. Serving most senior clients is likely to become a niche for a growing number of agents.

I believe agents have an obligation to understand and learn about the housing needs of seniors so that we can do right with this fast-growing and often vulnerable group. We need to be better listeners to their needs, wants, frustrations and fears. We need to understand the empathy and support needed from day one to establish trust.

It should come as no surprise to you that America’s population is aging at a rapid pace. People are living longer than ever before. None of us are getting any younger.

By 2030 (about 10 years from now), 1 of every 5 Americans will be retirement age, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projections. By 2035 (about 15 years from now), seniors will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history; it’s estimated there will be 78 million people 65 years and older, compared to 76 million people under the age of 18. The current median age of Americans is about 38 years old, up from 30 years in 1980 and 24 in 1970.

Consider these insights from the National Association of REALTORS® 2017 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report:

Buyers age 52-61: “The Young Baby Boomers”

-- Make up 16 percent of recent buyers.

-- Higher median household incomes.

-- More likely to have children under the age of 18 in their home.

-- More likely to buy multi-generational homes.

-- Buy for an array of reasons, such as job-relocation, downsizing, and being closer to friends and family.

Buyers age 62-70: “The Older Baby Boomers”

-- Make up 14 percent of recent buyers.

-- Often moving due to retirement, downsizing, and being closer to friends and family.

-- Typically move the longest distance.

-- Least likely to make compromises on their home purchase.

Buyers age 71-91: “The Silent Generation”

-- Make up 8 percent of recent buyers.

-- Often moving due to retirement, downsizing, and being closer to friends and family.

-- Least likely to purchase a detached single-family home.

-- 24 percent purchased in senior-related housing.

-- Tend to purchase the newest homes.

-- More likely than any other age group to find their home by visiting an open house.

So, when dealing with the housing needs of clients who are senior citizens, our goal should be to add value based on our experience, trustworthiness and knowledge as we work through various challenges.

To that end, keep in mind that senior citizens represent a large and diverse group of people. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for housing. Some seniors in their 70s and 80s prefer living in walk-up apartments with stairs because they admit the exercise keeps them strong and healthy. Other seniors have no children or grandchildren to move closer to. Other seniors would do well in a densely population walk-able areas that would require no driving and easy delivery of household goods and meals. Most seniors don’t want to travel far to the grocery store, gym or their doctor.

Also, keep in mind the following housing options so you can provide your client with the best housing solution, depending on their individual situation, as well as their social and health needs and available budget:

-- “Aging in place” refers to people who prefer their current residence and don’t want to move in their golden years. This option is perhaps the most comfortable option for seniors, but the downside is that many older homes are not equipped with built-in features for disabled people. A reverse mortgage could be an attractive way to pay for repairs and remodeling that could improve the home’s accessibility.

-- “Co-living” refers to living arrangements with roommates or group homes. This option can reduce loneliness but can mean less privacy when everyone wants to use the kitchen at the same time.

-- Living in retirement communities with rented condos or apartments for people over age 55 is another option. Common areas for group meals and social activities can give residents a built-in social network.

-- Moving-in with relatives is another option. Advantages of multi-generational households include a build-in support system with loved ones who can care for the elderly.

-- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also called granny flats, is another option. ADUs are second homes built on the same lot as an existing single-family house. Often, these smaller, secondary units are constructed by homeowners in backyards or above garages of single-family residences. They can be used for family members or rented out as a source of income for homeowners. PSAR has been a strong advocate for ADU’s this year. They are ideal for seniors and their children.

-- While seniors should consult a tax adviser, they should ask about Propositions 60 and 90.  Prop 60 gives homeowners 55 and older a way to move or downsize without greatly increasing their tax bills. There are restrictions in order to receive this benefit. Proposition 90 refers to property tax transfers from certain counties like San Diego to other select counties in California. Many seniors are not aware of this generous tax break.

Clearly, the future is old. I recommend you consider attending a class to earn your Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) professional designation from the National Association of REALTORS®. The SRES program is designed to equip you for serving the senior market. You will learn more about housing options and trends for older Americans, along with typical senior financial situations and how Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security can affect real estate decisions. PSAR is looking forward hosting classes for this designation later in the year.