Sometimes one property can be two residential styles or can be two different property types.  If properties can serve different purposes depending on the buyer, why not serve the seller and market the property in multiple ways?

At CRMLS PSAR members don't need a variance request to use multiple property types.  Multiple entries of the same property listed as more than one Residential Style or Property Type are now permitted.

There are two small details that you may not be aware of. 

1. A reference must be made to the MLS number to the duplicate listing in the Confidential Remarks.

2. Upon closing, only the Listing in the actual Property Type that was sold shall be identified as Closed. Any duplicative listing must be Cancelled, with a reference to the Sold MLS ID number being made in the Agent Remarks.

No other duplicative listings are permitted in the MLS.

San Diego County’s housing market in June, 2019 saw a 10.2 percent drop in sales but a 2.3 percent increase in prices, according to the latest housing market report from the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

Sales of existing, single-family homes in San Diego was 10.2 percent lower in June in a month-over-month comparison with May 2019, as well as 12.5 percent lower in a year-over-year comparison with June 2018.

Meanwhile, San Diego County’s median, single-family home price of $665,000 in June 2019 was 2.3 percent higher compared to the figures from both May 2019 and June 2018, when the sales price was $650,000 for both prior months.

Statewide, California’s existing home sales fell below the benchmark 400,000 level in June 2019 after rebounding in May.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 389,690 units in, June, according to information collected 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 June pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

June’s sales figure was down 4.2 percent from the 406,960 level in May and down 5.1 percent from home sales in June, 2018 of 410,800. Sales fell below the 400,000 benchmark again after rebounding in May. Sales have been under the benchmark for 10 of the past 11 months.

Home sales in Southern California were down 9.1 percent in June with every county outside of Ventura (up 0.6 percent) posting declines. Los Angeles (minus-12.6 percent), San Diego, Orange (minus-7.6 percent), San Bernardino (minus-7.2 percent), and Riverside (minus-4.0 percent) experienced the biggest declines.

The statewide home price set another record in June 2019. June’s median price was $611,420, essentially unchanged from $611,190 in May 2019 and up 1.4 percent from $602,770 for June 2018.

Regarding regional level, median home prices in Southern California, only Ventura County experienced a year-over-year price decline. Other counties in the region recorded annual price growth ranging from 0.8 percent in Orange County to 5.7 percent in San Bernardino.

“With softer price growth and interest rates at the lowest levels in nearly three years, monthly mortgage payments on a median-priced home have fallen for four straight months,” said C.A.R. President Jared Martin. “This allows homebuyers to save hundreds of dollars a month on the same home or to potentially consider a slightly more expensive home for the same monthly cost. Combined with the long-term benefits of homeownership on personal wealth and quality of life, 2019 is a good time to purchase a home for the long haul.”

C.A.R. Senior VP and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young agreed.

“With low rates supporting sales and elevating home prices in the last few months, the market outlook has shown some improvement since the first quarter,” she said. “As such, we have revised our 2019 forecast upward for (California) home sales to reach 385,460 and for the median price to hit $593,000, from the previous forecast of 375,100 and $568,800, respectively.”

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

-- Active listings, which have been decelerating since December 2018, grew 2.4 percent from a year ago, the smallest increase since April 2018.

-- The number of homes available for sale has moderated significantly, suggesting that the market is getting back toward being more balanced between supply and demand, but inventory remains relatively tight from a historical perspective. The Unsold Inventory Index (UII), which is a ratio of inventory over sales, was 3.4 months in June, up from 3.2 months in May and up from 3.0 months in June, 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 median number of days it took to sell a California single-family home increased in June. Time on the market inched up from 18 days in May to 19 days in June. In June 2018, it took a median number of 15 days to sell a home in the state.

-- In San Diego County, it took less than two weeks to sell an existing single-family home in June 2019. The median number of days a home remained unsold on the market stood at 13 days in June, compared to 14 days in May, 17 days in April, 19 days in March, 22 days in February and 13 days in June, 2018.

-- The statewide sales-price-to-list-price ratio was 99.2 percent in June, 2019, compared to 100 percent in June, 2018. The figures for the previous month were 99.3 percent in May, 2019 and 100 percent in May, 2018. 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 last 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 property sold below the asking price.

-- The statewide price-per-square-foot average for an existing, single-family home statewide reached $292 in June, 2019, compared to $290 in June, 2018. The figures for the previous month were $292 in May, 2019, up from $286 in May, 2018. The May, 2019 figure was the highest level since late 2007.

-- The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 3.8 percent in June, down from 4.57 percent in June, 2018, according to Freddie Mac. The five-year, adjustable mortgage interest rate averaged 3.48 percent, compared to 3.82 percent in June, 2018.

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

-- San Diego County businesses are maintaining a relative upbeat outlook this summer, according to a recent survey by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The survey, which was fielded in late June, shows continued optimism among local businesspeople regarding hiring, hours offered and revenue in the coming months.

-- The San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos market had the sixth-highest average mortgage debt in the country among major metro areas in the year’s first quarter, according to Experian. The San Diego region ranked sixth with an average of $386,530 owed per homeowner. That average is a 2 percent increase over the San Diego metro area’s debt last year, which averaged $378,975 per homeowner in 2018’s first quarter. San Diego was one of seven of the top 10 metro areas with the highest debt to show an increase over their 2018 first quarter averages.

-- San Diego rents increased 0.1 percent in June, and have increased marginally by 0.8 percent in comparison to the same time last year, according to the most recent report by Apartment List. Currently, median rents in San Diego stand at $1,570 for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,030 for a two-bedroom. San Diego’s year-over-year rent growth lags the state average of 1.2 percent, as well as the national average of 1.6 percent.

-- San Diego is the fourth-best large city in the country in which to live, according to WalletHub, a personal finance website. WalletHub ranked cities with a population above 300,000 by evaluating their affordability, economic strength, education and health quality, quality of life and safety. A total of 62 cities were sampled for the list, with Virginia Beach, Vir., taking the top spot. San Diego ranked 51st in affordability but ranked among the top-10 cities in education and health, quality of life and safety, and 12th in economic strength. Joining San Diego and Virginia Beach among the top five were Austin, Seattle and Las Vegas in second, third and fifth, respectively.

-- WalletHub also reports that San Diego is among the top 20 best places to raise a family. WalletHub compared the family-friendliness of more than 180 cities across the country based on 47 key metrics. The data set ranged from the cost of housing to the quality of schools. San Diego ranked 18th, as well as fourth for family fun, 18th for education and child care, 21st for health and safety, 59th for socio-economics, and 96th for affordability.
Chula Vista also landed on the list in the 60th spot. The South Bay city ranked eighth for health and safety, 30th for socio-economics, 31st for education and child care, 97th for family fun, and 142nd for affordability.

-- San Diego has the second fastest rate of growth for tech talent in the nation, according to a new report by CBRE Group, Inc. The commercial real estate firm’s tech talent scorecard ranks 50 U.S. and Canadian markets according to their ability to attract and grow tech talent. While the San Diego metro was ranked 18th overall for tech talent, its year-over-year growth rate of 10.2 percent outpaced tech growth in both Los Angeles and Orange County. CBRE also found: San Diego ranks 14th in population growth of people in their 20s (5.6 percent); San Diego is 7th in tech labor market competitiveness; With 73,170 total tech jobs, San Diego has the 20th largest tech talent labor pool; San Diego ranks 7th in highest tech wages with an average salary of $106,047, 10 percent above the national average.

-- The unemployment rate in San Diego County ticked up from 2.7 percent in May to 3.3 percent in June, but year-to-year job growth remained strong, according to the California Employment Development Dept. The rate in San Diego remained well lower than the rate for California and the United States as a whole, which were 4.1 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively.

PSAR | CENTRAL	PSAR | EAST	PSAR | SOUTH
4340 Genesee Ave., #203 San Diego, CA 92117	1150 Broadway, #100 El Cajon, CA 92021	880 Canarios Ct., #100 Chula Vista, CA 91910

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Paragon: Agent Essentials
This course will provide you with an overview and solid foundation on how to use the CRMLS Paragon platform. Whether you are a new real estate professional, or getting back into the business, this course is a great place to start. In this course, you will learn • What’s on the Home Page • How to set up your email signature, photos, and message • How to create, save, print, and email basic property searches
CENTRAL | AUG 08 @ 10 AM	............... REGISTER
EAST | AUG 21 @ 10 AM	............... REGISTER
SOUTH | AUG 27 @ 10 AM	............... REGISTER

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Paragon: ShowingTime for the MLS
In this course, you will learn how to maximize and track your showings using ShowingTime software. It’s a simple to use, robust tool for online scheduling and management. • Learn how to set up showing schedules for your listing. • Buyers’ agents can quickly submit a request. • Receive showing requests via email, phone call, or text
CENTRAL | AUG 08 @ 11 AM	............... REGISTER
EAST | AUG 21 @ 11 AM	............... REGISTER
SOUTH | AUG 27 @ 11 AM	............... REGISTER

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Cloud Agent Suite
From the eye-catching reports of Cloud CMA to the “smart search” options in Cloud MLX to the lightning-fast branded alerts of Cloud Streams, these products will help develop your skill set as a real estate professional. The products are: • Cloud CMA, an online comparative market analysis report generator • Cloud MLX, a streamlined MLS prioritizes search and communication • Cloud Streams, a listing alert and client collaboration tool
CENTRAL | AUG 08 @ 1 PM	............... REGISTER
EAST | AUG 21 @ 1 PM	............... REGISTER
SOUTH | AUG 27 @ 1 PM	............... REGISTER

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San Diego County REALTORS®, did you know that a misuse of Public Remarks violation occurs when certain information is placed in any public remarks field in the MLS?

Pro tip: The remarks in the Property Description field are limited to the physical and aesthetic characteristics of the property. Stick to describing the listing.  

The Property Description and other public facing fields may not include:

1.  Access codes ​
2.  Showing Instructions​
3.  Compensation Information​
4.  Lockbox information ​
5.  Occupancy status of the property such as “vacant” ​
6.  Email addresses ​
7.  Website addresses ​
8.  Phone numbers ​
9.  Agent or brokerage information ​
10.  Open house information
11.  Language that violates applicable fair housing laws and guidelines

Keep your clients safe, avoid fines and list property like a professional.  MLS Rules are created by brokers and agents active in the business.  This rule 12.5 in the CRMLS Rules and Regulations.  Read about it here.  Want to know which fines can be levied without a warning?  See this list.

I am honored to share with you the reasons why I’m involved as an active volunteer with PSAR, and why you should not wait another day to join me in showing a greater level of support for our Association.

It’s fair to say that our industry is under attack. Our profession is being threatened in a number of ways, including questions about the value that seasoned, experienced and knowledgeable agents can offer to clients. It seems the only constant in real estate is change.

When discussing how the changes the real estate industry is facing certain changes, you may have heard the word “disruptors,” which could refer to a variety of factors: ranging from new franchisers; tech-centric start-up brokerages;the iBuyer model; MLS data aggregators; reduced commission structures and the intersection between technology and real estate.

As a result of the changes in our industry, the role our Association plays becomes even more critical in empowering our REALTOR® members and protecting personal property rights.  Actually these industry changes provide an outstanding opportunity for REALTOR® Associations like PSAR to stay ahead of the curve and to step forward in support of its members. So, I want to be part of this. I want to be involved in something that is part of the bigger picture and better for all of us.

My own career in real estate has encompassed a variety of business models, ranging from traditional to start-up to hybrid. I believe there’s enough room for everyone to stay connected and to succeed.

There’s another reason why I’m eager to volunteer with PSAR.

I have found that my involvement benefits the bottom line of my own business because of the opportunities to become acquainted with my fellow REALTORS® and brokers. At the end of the day, real estate is a relationship business. Yes, we may all be competitors, but we can also work together on deals. And I would prefer to undertake transactions with colleagues whom I know and trust. We all know the hard sell no longer works. People do not respond to a guy yelling at them about an amazing deal that they can’t live without. Instead, we choose to do business with someone we like and can communicate with. Good relationships don’t happen by accident. They take cultivation, time and effort. 

In fact, being involved in PSAR helps me discover ways to bring people together. It’s true that there’s a lot of conflict in our world. It’s a world filled with wars, division, arguments, prejudice and partisanship. But, PSAR provides a platform that allows our members to become bridge builders, not wall builders. PSAR is here to encourage members. You will need others in rough times, and we can encourage each other in the process.

Consider the universal principle of “use it or lose it.” For example, if you don’t exercise, your muscles get smaller. If you don’t use your mind, it will become duller as you grow older.  It’s the same with PSAR. If you have a talent and refuse to share it, then you’ll lose that talent. The opposite is, of course, true. If you use your muscles, they get bigger. And if you use your talent to help others at PSAR, then you’ll develop even more skills and abilities that will help you throughout your life.

Let me recommend that you decide today to become more involved with PSAR. PSAR is your hometown REALTOR® Association. As you know, home field advantage can mean everything in sports. Teams who play at “home” win more often than when playing on the road. And, when a team has their hometown fans cheering them on, they can often exceed their ability. All of us at PSAR are here to cheer for you. It all starts with you giving back by joining a committee, volunteering at an event and looking for opportunities to serve at a higher level. Thanks in advance for your greater involvement and membership participation.

* * *

Jason Lopez, who has worked in real estate for the past 25 years, became involved in PSAR leadership in 2016 while serving on a District Council. In 2018, he was elected to a two-year term on the PSAR board of directors. He was recently elected for a second term through 2021. He also will be serving as a C.A.R. Director in 2020. Currently, he is also serving as a facilitator of the weekly City Pitch Marketing Session at the PSAR Central San Diego Service Center in Clairemont.

The recent election results for the 2020 PSAR board of directors is destined to provide the Association with forward-thinking leadership and a strong future of growth and benefits for members.

In the recent election, Ditas Yamane was elected to serve as the 2020 President-Elect. Sam Calvano will continue his role as Secretary-Treasurer in 2020.

Also recently elected to serve as Directors in 2020 on the PSAR board: Jason Lopez, Laurie MacDonald, Yvonne Cromer, Peter Mendiola and Mike White.

Continuing to serve in 2020 on the PSAR Board include Robert Cromer as president, Robert Calloway as immediate past president and directors Mike Anderson, Carey Guthrie, Sean Hillier, Robert Kilbourne and Norma Scantlin, and with Tony Santiago as affiliate director.

We’re grateful for the following board members whose terms will end Dec. 31, 2019: Shonee Henry and Dennis Ryan, along with Jan Farley as immediate past president.

Ditas has been involved with PSAR since 2002. She joined the Government Affairs Committee and became chairperson three years ago. Born and raised in the Philippines and immigrated into the U.S. in 1988. She worked for a leading commercial airline as an International Flight Attendant flying international routes for 22 years. In 2002, she earned her real estate sales license. Two years later, she became a broker. Her family has operated a business in the South Bay since 1991.

Ditas has been involved in the community serving as President of the National City Chamber of Commerce and President of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of San Diego County. She currently serves as a Planning Commissioner for the City of National City, overseeing land use, permitting and zoning changes. She is also President and CEO of the Mabuhay Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes a better quality of life. 

“I would like to thank the PSAR Membership for their trust and confidence in voting me in as their 2020 President-Elect,” said Ditas. “As the PSAR President- Elect, I will work side by side with our incoming President Robert Cromer in continuing to grow PSAR and continue to serve our members to thrive in our industry. I will again encourage our members to participate and support our mission to empower all of us. We are PSAR!”

Sam has served as a PSAR Board Director for the three years and as secretary-treasurer for the past six years. Sam began his real estate career as a sales agent in 1976 and then switched to real estate lending in 1983. As Treasurer Sam has been led the Board’s efforts to shore up the association's reserve fund while keeping dues low.  PSAR’s annual dues are fifty dollars less than they were ten years ago. Sam led efforts to build solar, renovate our buildings and parking lots and ensure the long term sustainability of PSAR. Sam represented PSAR as a CAR Director in 2019.

Jason has worked in real estate for the past 25 years. He became involved with PSAR leadership while serving on a District Council. He loves to ride skateboards and has an extensive collection of vinyl records of “British Invasion” music bands from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Jason is currently a facilitator of the City Pitch Marketing session in Clairmont.  He will also be serving as a CAR Director in 2020.

Laurie became involved with PSAR leadership as a member of the East County Government Affairs Committee. She served as PSAR YPN chair in 2017 and 2018. She also currently serves as chair of the PSAR 2019 Charity Committee. She has traveled to Sacramento in the past for C.A.R.’s “Legislative Day” events. She also traveled to 28 countries before turning 30 years of age. She is a fourth generation San Diegan. Her great-great-grandparents arrived in San Diego from Halifax, Nova Scotia sometime in the 1890s and her great-grandmother was born here in 1909.

Yvonne has previously served on the PSAR Charity Committee, organizers of the PSAR REALTOR® Games. She joined the PSAR board of directors in 2018. The Chula Vista native was a synchronized swimmer and a member of the Chula Vista's Dolphinettes, a competitive swim club that no longer operates. After graduating from Hilltop High School in Chula Vista (class of 1991), Yvonne attended the University of Utah. During Christmas break, she met her future husband Robert at a Christmas party.

Peter, a past PSAR president (2012), and Served as a CAR Director in 2011 and 2012. Peter was a driving force behind the efforts to merge the East San Diego County Association of REALTORS and the PSAR.  Peter grew up in National City, attending Las Palmas Elementary School, Granger Middle School and Sweetwater High School (class of 1996). He started his company in February 2007 as a Realty World office. It became a Coldwell Banker operation on Dec. 11, 2011.

Mike became involved in PSAR leadership in 2011 as the founding member of the PSAR Tech Committee. He has been selling real estate since 1980 and is currently serving as an assistant manager at his brokerage. He also has served on the Sandicor Technical Users Group and the C.A.R. ZipForm Committee. He got his first computer at age 18, a Commodore 16 with only 16 kilobytes of RAM. He graduated from Patrick Henry High School (class of 1979), and then attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where he played trumpet in the marching band. At UCLA, Mike was among the final group of students required to learn the Fortran computer language using punch cards. And, he was also one among the first students at UCLA at the time to type homework assignments and term papers on a computer.

The PSAR Board wishes to thank everyone who ran for a Board position. All the candidates were committed and involved members of the Association. They volunteer their time to the industry to improve it and to the community to build home ownership opportunities, defend private property rights and support those in need.  

• Gain knowledge you need to maximize zipForm Plus to complete contracts and manage transactions.
• Practice on the new and updated interface along with new tools designed to save time and protect you from mistakes.
• Discover features such as templates, MLS Connect, Photos and adding non-C.A.R. documents to your transaction, clause manager and more...

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 | 10 AM TO 12 PM
PSAR EAST SERVICE CENTER
1150 BROADWAY, EL CAJON CA, 92021

Instructor: Certified zipForm Trainer, Jan Farley

Cost: FREE for PSAR and NSDCAR Members, $20 for Non-Members

Or call (619)579-0333 to register. 

The new SentriKeyTM Real Estate app offers you a simple design and action-based layout so you can get potential buyers in the home and get it sold. Simply download the app at Google Play or the App Store and get those showings scheduled.

You can learn more about the app and its versatile features by accessing our collection of educational tools that are sure to meet the needs of all types of users.

Educational Tools (click the links below)

• Webinar video
• iOS User Guide or Android User Guide
• Mobile Access Made Easy flyer
• How to Open the Key Compartment video
• Secure Temporary Access with SentriConnect flyer

 

These are just a few of the tools available to help you learn more about the SentriKey Real Estate app. Find how-to videos and frequently asked questions on the support page.

Clean listing data is an important CRMLS benefit; with a regulated, level playing field, agents can all do better business. 

San Diego Paragon: Violations That Do Not Require a Warning
This list of violations, if committed, may lead to a fine without a warning. These violations cannot be corrected, may give a violator an unfair marketing advantage, or egregiously violate San Diego Paragon rules and/or state or federal law.

CRMLS Matrix: Violations That Do Not Require a Warning
For those of you who use Matrix, please also familiarize yourself with this list of Matrix-specific violations that may lead to a fine without a prior warning.

Citation Notices, Fines, and the Citation Review Process
This is the Citation Review Process. (Pro Tip: make sure to correct the violation as soon as possible to prevent issuance of additional citations.)

California Regional MLS Compliance Center
CRMLS has developed a comprehensive Compliance Center to guide agents to all the Compliance resources available. Here you will find FAQs, exclude a listing from the MLS, chat with a CRMLS Compliance Analyst, or learn more about CRMLS Rules and Regulations.

Bookmark the links above and visit crmls.org/compliance for compliance questions.

PSAR’s success at helping San Diegans with the American dream of home ownership is becoming known statewide.

The California Board of Equalization (BOE), a state agency, has recognized PSAR for its leadership role in a housing affordability program that is continuing to assist disabled military veterans in San Diego achieve homeownership, stay in their homes and save money on their property taxes.

The BOE recently presented a resolution to PSAR President Robert Calloway in recognition of the association's success with the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Program. The resolution recognized PSAR and the program’s leaders, including the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), for exemplary leadership and their innovative approach to reaching and serving California’s disabled veteran population.

Presenting the official state resolution to PSAR was Mike Schaefer, BOE board member for District 4, which encompasses all of San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and Orange counties and a small portion of San Bernardino County. BOE is a state agency that oversees county property tax assessors. Schaefer also presented resolutions to Ernie Dronenburg, San Diego County Assessor, and Ricardo Pacheco, state director, VAREP. The San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s (ARCC) Office manages the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Program.

The program, promoted by both PSAR and VAREP, connects disabled veterans and their spouses with the Assessor’s Office so they can qualify for a reduction of their property taxes. In 2018, the program, initiated by Jordan Marks, Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate with the Assessor’s Office, resulted in assisting more than 8,000 local disabled veterans with the little-used property tax exemption provided for in the California Constitution. The number of local disabled veterans helped was more than 1,400 vets served the previous year, a 28 percent increase for 2018. As a result of the program, enacted without any additional government funding, 100 percent veteran homeowners benefitted from a collective $1.9 million in property tax savings.

The little-known property tax exemption, found in the California Constitution and Revenue and Taxation Code Section 205.5, provides a property tax exemption on the home of some disabled veterans or an unmarried spouse of a deceased disabled veteran. The exemption is available to a 100 percent disabled veteran who, because of an injury incurred in military service, is blind in both eyes, or has lost the use of two or more limbs, or is totally disabled as determined by the VA or by the military service from which the veteran was discharged.

The Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Program in San Diego County provides veterans with a reduction in property taxes in two ways:

-- A “Basic Exemption” is available for all veterans with a 100 percent disability rating or their unmarried surviving spouse. The Basic Exemption provides a savings of more than $1,000 per year.

-- A “Low-income Exemption” is available for veterans in households earning less than $60,000 annually. The amounts and income limits are adjusted annually for inflation.

Here’s how PSAR members can share with veterans the information on how to apply: Applicants should have their DD214 discharge with any rating other than dishonorable and their letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs detailing their disability rating. New homebuyers should file by the end of the year of purchase. The exemption will renew automatically after that.

Online applications are available at www.sdarcc.com. In-person assistance is available at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Coast Highway, Room #103, San Diego. For assistance or appointments, call (619) 531-5773, or send an e-mail at ARCCdvets@sdcounty.ca.gov. Jordan Marks also is available for questions at Jordan.Marks@sdcounty.ca.gov.

“At PSAR, we use all tools available to us to achieve homeownership for everyone,” said Calloway. “Through member education, veterans and homebuyers know when they have a PSAR agent they are getting the best customer service, along with education and experience. That is how we have helped over 1,400 veterans save $1.9 million and find a home in San Diego.”

At the resolution ceremony, BOE Board Member Schaefer remarked, “Our Assessor Ernie Dronenburg, the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors and the Veteran Association of Real Estate Professionals have gone above and beyond the call of duty by taking the initiative to reach out to disabled veterans. They exemplify the command, `lead, don’t follow.’ I applaud their outstanding efforts to bring the disabled veterans property tax exemption to an additional 1,400 disabled veterans in San Diego County. I have utmost respect for our veterans, especially those who are disabled as a consequence of their service to our country. I have a long-standing commitment to helping these courageous men and women who have sacrificed so much.”

Assessor Dronenburg added, “My San Diego County Assessor’s office is proud of our innovative partnership with the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors and the Veteran Realtors. Together we were able to show that without spending any additional taxpayer dollars, we could better serve our disabled veterans and their spouses. Our efforts helped 1,400 more disabled veterans save over $1.9 million in property taxes annually. We are honored to receive this recognition from Board of Equalization member Schafer and the State of California for being an exceptional model for serving our veterans, which can be implemented statewide.”

Dronenburg’s Assessor’s office affects nearly every San Diego county resident who owns property or rents. His office oversees assessing the value of real estate and personal property, as well as qualifying taxpayers for property tax savings which include disabled veterans, homeowners, affordable housing units, and organizations operating for the welfare of the community. The office has a $71 million budget with 415 employees and five offices throughout San Diego County.

The BOE, which is comprised of five constitutional officers, including California’s Comptroller, oversees county property tax assessors and sets other taxes, including the alcoholic beverage tax, railroad car tax and taxes for public utilities and insurers.