If you are looking to Chat or File a Ticket with CRMLS Compliance or Support, it's moved.  Here is a quick video Tutorial on where to look.

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Picture a frantic call from a potential renter who's just realized they've been scammed using your property's listing.

Scammers are increasingly targeting properties listed for sale, marketing them as rentals on platforms like Craigslist and Zillow. This alarming trend not only undermines trust in real estate transactions but also creates significant issues for property owners and REALTORS®. As REALTORS®, it's crucial to be vigilant and take proactive measures to protect your listings. Here’s how you can stay ahead of these scams and what to do if it happens to you.

Understanding the Scam

A typical scam involves a fraudster picking up a "For Sale" property and posting it as a rental. They solicit application fees and deposits from unsuspecting renters, claiming to be the owner. One such incident involved a scammer posting a rental listing on Craigslist and Zillow, soliciting an application fee. The scam is usually identified when a potential renter contacts the legitimate listing agent or the homeowner.

The Impact on Agents and Owners

While tenants can lose money, the repercussions for property owners and agents can be equally as severe. A defrauded tenant might move into the property, and due to California’s tenant protection laws, removing them can be a lengthy and complex process for both the tenant and the owner. This situation creates legal and financial challenges for the property owner, the tenant, and the REALTOR® managing the listing.

Steps to Prevent Scams

1. Regular Monitoring:

   • Frequently check platforms like Craigslist, Zillow, and others for unauthorized rental listings of your properties.
   • Set up Google Alerts for your property addresses to receive notifications if they are mentioned online.  Here are instructions for doing so.

2. Clear Communication:

   • Inform your clients about the potential for scams and advise them to contact you if they receive any suspicious inquiries.
   • Ensure your contact information is prominently displayed on your listings and signage.

3. Educate Your Clients:

   • Inform sellers about the scam and encourage them to report any suspicious activity they encounter.
   • Provide them with a list of red flags to look for, such as requests for payment before seeing the property or communications from email addresses that do not match the legitimate owner’s contact information.

What to Do If Your Property Is Scammed

1. Report Immediately:

   • Contact the platform where the fraudulent listing is posted (e.g., Craigslist, Zillow) and request immediate removal.
   • Report the scam to local police, the County Sheriff, and the District Attorney’s office.
   • Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Attorney General’s office.
   • Here is a list of contacts provided by the San Diego DA

2. Inform All Parties:

   • Notify your seller and any legitimate tenants about the scam.
   • Advise them to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

3. Document Everything:

   • Keep detailed records of the fraudulent listing, including screenshots, communication with the scammer, and any reports filed with authorities.

4. Legal Considerations:

   • Consult with legal professionals to understand the implications of a defrauded tenant occupying the property.
   • Prepare for possible eviction proceedings, which may require legal assistance due to California’s tenant protection laws.
5. Secure the Property
   • Change the locks to prevent unauthorized access.
   • Add security cameras to notify you of unauthorized access.
   • Consider removing lockbox access.
   • Consider private security.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of your listings being targeted by scammers. Stay vigilant and proactive to protect your clients and your reputation in the real estate market.

How to Set Up a Property Alert Using Google Alerts

Setting up Google Alerts is an effective way to monitor your property addresses and stay informed about any unauthorized listings or mentions online. Here’s a step-by-step guide to create a Google Alert for a property address:

1. Go to Google Alerts:

   • Open your web browser and go to Google Alerts.

2. Enter the Property Address:

   • In the search box at the top of the page, enter the property address you want to monitor. Use quotation marks around the address for more precise results (e.g., "123 Main Street, San Diego, CA").

3. Customize Your Alert:

   • Click on “Show options” to customize your alert settings:
     • Frequency: Choose how often you want to receive alerts (e.g., as-it-happens, once a day, once a week).
     • Sources: Select the sources you want to include (e.g., news, blogs, web, video).
     • Language: Set the language for your alerts.
     • Region: Specify the region to refine your results.
     • How many: Choose between "Only the best results" or "All results" based on your preference.

4. Set Up Notifications:

   • Enter your email address to receive the alerts. If you are signed in to your Google account, it will automatically use your account email.

5. Create Alert:

   • Click on “Create Alert” to finalize the setup. You will start receiving notifications according to your specified preferences.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you are promptly informed about any online activity related to your property listings, allowing you to take swift action if unauthorized listings or mentions are detected.

High mortgage rates continued to hamper home sales in San Diego County in June 2024, according to the latest home sales and price report from the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.).

The sales pace for San Diego County home sales declined in June 2024 in both monthly and yearly comparisons. Sales of existing, single-family homes in June 2024 in San Diego County decreased 9% from May 2024, and 1.9% from June 2023.

Statewide, the sales pace in June 2024 decreased 0.8% from May 2024, and 2.7% from June 2023. Year-to-date statewide home sales edged lower by 0.5%. California home sales remained stagnant for the second consecutive month in June 202, as mortgage rates remained above 7% throughout most of May when escrows were opened for most of June’s sales.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 270,200 in June 2024, according to information collected by C.A.R. 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 2024 if sales maintained the June pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

The sales pace has remained below the 300,000-threshold for 21 consecutive months, and year-to-date home sales have fallen behind last year’s level by -0.5 percent through the first half of this year.

“With interest rates coming down to the lowest levels since February and the availability of homes loosening up further in the last few months, the housing market is gearing up for another run in the second half of the year,” said C.A.R. President Melanie Barker, a Yosemite REALTOR®. “We could see a pickup in market momentum at the start of the third quarter if rates decline in a more sustainable way in the coming weeks and buyers decide to take advantage of lower costs of borrowing.”

Meanwhile, the average price for an existing, single-family detached home in San Diego remained at more than $1 million in June 2024. It was the fourth consecutive month for the median price to exceed $1 million (March, $1,020,000; April, $1,047,500; May, $1,025,000; June $1,054.180).

June 2024 County Sales and Price Activity
(Regional and condo sales data not seasonally adjusted)

San Diego’s median sales price in June 2024 was $1,054,180, a 2.8% increase from the $1,025,000 posted in May 2024. A year ago, in June 2023, the median price for a San Diego home was $958,250, a difference of 10.0%.

Statewide, the median home price took a step back in June 2024. The California median price was $900,720 in June 2024, compared to $908,040 in May 2024, a difference of 0.8%, and $837,850 in June 2023, a difference of 7.5%.

Home prices will likely continue recording positive year-over-year gains in the second half of the year, though the pace of growth could moderate if the rest of the year follows the traditional seasonal pattern.

Sales of higher-priced homes are a contributing factor to California’s rising median home price, especially since homes priced at $1 million and above are selling faster than lower-priced homes.

In a year-over-year comparison between June 2024 and June 2023, the million-dollar-and-higher market segment rose 2.0%, while the sub-$500,000 segment declined by 21.0% in the same time period. Currently, sales of homes priced above $1 million now make up 36.3 percent of all sales, nearly the biggest share in at least the last five years. California easily boasts the most cities with million-dollar-priced homes, followed by New York and New Jersey. 

“Home sales pulled back in June as interest rates remained volatile at the end of the second quarter. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage began to decline since early July though and recently reached the lowest level in five months as the inflation cooling trend continued,” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. “While it will take a couple of more reports for the Federal Reserve to begin cutting rates, housing affordability for qualified buyers should begin to see some improvement in the coming months.”   

Other key points from C.A.R.’s June 2024 resale housing report include:

•  At the regional level, home sales in all major regions continued to be softer than year-ago levels, including -11.5% for Southern California.
  
  
•  At the regional level, all major regions registered an increase in their median price from a year ago, including a gain of 7.4% for Southern California.
  
  
• The unsold inventory statewide index, which measures the number of months needed to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate, improved from both the prior month and year. The index was 3.0 months in June, up from 2.6 months in May and up 2.2 months in June 2023.

June 2024 County Unsold Inventory and Days on Market
(Regional and condo sales data not seasonally adjusted)

• The unsold inventory index of available existing homes for sale in June 2024 in San Diego County was 2.7 months. The figure was 2.0 months in June 2023. For previous 2024 months, the figures were 2.4 months in May, 2.2 months in April and March, 2.3 months in February and 2.6 months in January. Inventory levels indicate the number of months it would take for the available supply of homes on the market to sell-out given the current rate of sales.

• Active listings at the state level rose on a year-over year basis for the sixth consecutive month.
  
  
• The median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home was 18 days in June and 15 days in June 2023.
  
  
• In San Diego, the median number of days it took to sell an existing, single-family home was 14 days in June 2024. The figure was 11 days in June 2023. For previous 2024 months, the figures were 12 days in May, April and March.
  
  
• C.A.R.’s statewide sales-price-to-list-price ratio was 100.0 percent in June 2023 and 100.0 percent in June 2023. Sales-to-list-price ratio is an indicator that reflects the negotiation power of home buyers and home sellers under current market conditions. The ratio is calculated by dividing the final sales price of a property by its original list price and is expressed as a percentage. A sales-to-list ratio with 100 percent or above suggests that the property sold for more than the list price, and a ratio below 100 percent indicates that the price sold below the asking price.

• The statewide average price per square foot for an existing single-family home was $440, up from $412 in June a year ago. Price per square foot is a measure commonly used by real estate agents and brokers to determine how much a square foot of space a buyer will pay for a property. It is calculated as the sale price of the home divided by the number of finished square feet. C.A.R. currently tracks price-per-square foot statistics for 53 counties.

• The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 6.92 percent in June 2024, up from 6.71 percent in June 2023, according to C.A.R.’s calculations based on Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage survey data.

Updated October 25th, 2024

PSAR's CRMLS subscribers can exchange registered old Gen 1 and Gen 2 lockboxes for new ones at a discounted price of $126 while supplies last!

With the sunsetting of Sentrikey cards by Sentrilock back in March, these features are no longer available on the non-BlueTooth lockboxes:

• Non-Bluetooth lockboxes should not be bought or sold, as ownership cannot be transferred

• If one of these boxes has been inactive/not accessed for over a year and needs an internal clock reset, that action cannot be performed, which means the box will no longer function.

For more information, contact PSAR at support@psar.org, call: (619) 421-7811, or visit one of our offices.

Effective August 13:

1. Removal of Compensation Fields
   • From Matrix, Paragon, and Flexmls.
   • CRMLS Rules and Policy changes go into effect.
   • The concession field at Close will include a category list.

Key Points:

• Reason for Removal:

  • NAR settled the Sitzer/Burnett case regarding MLS commissions.
  • Compliance with the settlement requires MLS systems to remove all Compensation fields.

• Impact on Active Listings:

  • Compensation fields for Coming Soon, Active, Hold, and Withdrawn listings will be removed.

• Historical Listings:

  • Compensation fields for Active Under Contract, Pending, Closed, Expired, and Cancelled listings will remain but cannot be edited.

• C.A.R. Forms:

  • Release of updated forms postponed. Updates will be provided.

• Payment Methods Post-Removal:

  • Buyer's Broker compensation can be included in the buyer's offer.
  • Payment details can be included in the Escrow Instructions if using the C.A.R. Residential Purchase Agreement.

• CRMLS Rules & Policy Changes:

  • Rule 7.15: Renamed to No Offers of Compensation in the MLS.
  • Rule 7.19: Renamed to No Disclosure of Listing Broker Total Commission.
  • Rule 9.1: Renamed to Showings.
  • A signed Buyer Broker Agreement is required before showing a property.
  • View all changes here.

• Reporting Seller Concessions at Close:

  • New required fields: Closing Costs, Property Improvements, Financing Costs, Buyer Broker Fee, Other, and Total Calculated.

• Difference Between Concessions and Compensation:

  • Concessions allow buyers to choose how money is spent, supporting a consumer-centric model. Watch the Concessions vs. Compensation video for more information.

• Staying Updated:

  • Visit the CRMLS Resource Center frequently for updates and information.

2025 President-Elect
Claudia Zaker

2025 Secretary / Treasurer
Michael Dullea

The Election winners for the 2025/2026 Director Term

David Fletes	Mike Anderson	Valerie Gardner
Robert Cromer	Oscar Vega	Phana Par Affiliate Director

The 2024 Board of Directors and Officers will remain and serve PSAR until December 31st, 2024.

Your Board of Director Team for 2025

Yvonne Cromer, 2025 President

Claudia Zaker, 2025 President-Elect

Michael Dullea, 2025 Secretary-Treasurer

Laurie MacDonald, Immediate Past President

Mike Anderson, 2025/2026 Director

Robert Cromer, 2025/2026 Director

David Fletes, 2025/2026 Director

Valerie Gardner, 2025/2026 Director

Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales, 2024/2025 Director

Paula Gonzalez, 2024/2025 Director

Monica Greenwood, 2024/2025 Director

Jim O'Donnell, 2024/2025 Director

Norma Scantlin, 2024/2025 Director

Oscar Vega, 2025/2026 Director

Phana Par, 2025/2026 Affiliate Director

________________________________________________

PSAR's Mission is to empower Real Estate Professionals.

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.

Thank you to those who were nominated to lead PSAR. Great things are expected from the elected candidates and those serving on PSAR's committee leadership roster.

As of June 24th, the Access by Appointment (ABA) setting is now available for Sentrilock users. LIcensees can now restrict access to their lockboxes, allowing entry only to agents with an approved appointment on SentriKey. This feature can be easily enabled using either the SentriKey Real Estate (SKRE) app or the SentriKey website. 

Enabling ABA ensures that only approved licensees can access your property’s lockbox, enhancing security and control. Follow these simple steps to get started and secure your listings effectively.

What is Access by Appointment?

Access by Appointment (ABA) is a feature that requires REALTORS® to have an approved appointment in the SentriKey system to access the lockbox assigned to a listing. This feature adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that only those with scheduled access can enter the property.

How to Enable ABA on the SentriKey Real Estate App:

1. Open the SKRE App: Start by opening the SentriKey Real Estate app on your smartphone.

2. Access the Menu: From your Home Screen, tap the Menu icon in the upper left-hand corner.

3. Select My Lockboxes: Navigate to 'My Lockboxes'.

4. Assign the Lockbox: If the lockbox is not already assigned to a property, select 'Assign/Unassign Property' and complete the assignment process. If the lockbox is already assigned, proceed to 'Property Access Settings' and choose the listing.

5. Enable ABA: Select' More Settings' once the lockbox is assigned. Here, you can turn on the ABA feature.

How to Enable ABA on the SentriKey Website:

1. Log In to SentriKey: Visit the SentriKey website and log in to your account.

2. Go to Listings: Select 'Listings' from the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen.

3. Select Your Listing: Click on the Ellipses (three dots) on the right-hand side of the listing you wish to manage.

4. Enable ABA: Choose 'Enable ABA' from the dropdown menu.

By following these steps, you can easily manage property access and ensure that only approved REALTORS® can enter your listings.

Stay Informed and Secure

Keeping your properties secure is crucial. SentriLock’s ABA feature provides peace of mind by adding layer of control over who can access your listings. For more tips and tutorials on managing your properties effectively, subscribe to our blog and stay updated with the latest real estate technology insights.

Let’s unlock success together!

Key Changes:

1. New Concession Fields (CiP):

   • Added to the MLS on May 29.
   • Concessions are now formally introduced at the listing level.

2. Removal of Compensation Fields:

   • Effective August 13, compensation fields will be removed from the MLS.

How It Works:

• Concessions:

  • The seller may agree to pay the buyer for concessions, such as closing costs or loan points.
  • These concessions must be included in the purchase agreement and negotiated between the buyer and seller.
  • The buyer can allocate concession amounts to various costs, including reducing the purchase price, covering loan points, or paying for title and escrow fees.

• Buyer Representation Agreements:

  • Starting in August, the fee for the Buyer’s Broker will be set in a mandatory buyer representation agreement before property tours.
  • This ensures that the Buyer’s Broker’s fee is predetermined and not influenced by concessions.

Benefits:

• For Buyers:

  • More flexibility in how to use concession amounts.
  • Greater transparency in the costs associated with purchasing a property.

• For Sellers:

  • Flexibility to offer concessions without specifying exact amounts.
  • It helps buyers craft more tailored offers.

CRMLS Adjustment Period:

• As these new practices are implemented, there will be a period of adjustment.
• CRMLS is committed to transparency and efficiency as users adapt to these changes.

This new approach aims to provide more flexible options for buyers and sellers in real estate transactions.

Questions? 

Chat with CRMLS Compliance Here

A recent forum at the PSAR East County Events Center addressed California’s homeowner's insurance crisis. Experts shared insights and discussed ongoing efforts to improve the situation. Key takeaways include:

• Legislative Efforts: Legislators and state officials are actively working to solve insurance problems.
• Appeal Process: Consumers can appeal insurance cancellations through the California Department of Insurance.
• Regulatory Changes: The California Department of Insurance is considering regulations for forward-looking risk modeling to facilitate policy writing.
• Rate Hikes: State regulators may approve double-digit rate hikes as part of the Sustainable Insurance Strategy.
• HOA Challenges: Homeowners associations face significant increases in master policy prices.
• Early Shopping: Members’ clients should start shopping early for homeowners insurance due to rising costs.
• Cal Fire Resources: Cal Fire offers maps, home inspection resources, and suggestions for creating defensible space.
• Economic Realities: Factors like home age, and age of electrical, plumbing, and roofing systems contribute to higher rates. Inflation and increased home values also drive premium surges.
• Catastrophe Modeling: Allowing insurers to use future risk assessments with historical data might reduce reliance on the FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort.
• FAIR Plan Safety Net: The FAIR Plan is crucial for many Californians amid climate-related threats.
• Legislative Insights: Insights into legislative efforts to control insurance costs were provided by Chris Jonsmyr from Assemblymember David Alvarez’s office.

The panelists included: Cal Fire Battalion Chief Alex Elward, Sharon Smith - California Department of Insurance, 
Maureen Moran - PSAR Member & Insurance Agent, Bob Hillard - PSAR Member & Insurance Agent, and Chris Jonsmyr - Office of Assemblymember David Alvarez

Thank you to Kay LeMenager - PSAR Broker, Organizer of the Forum, and Chair of PSAR’s Government Affairs Committee who worked with the East San Diego County Government Affairs Sub-Committee to host this informative event.  

Please see this link for an FAQ from the California Commissioner of Insurance.