Check out this month's DRE Bulletin and gain awareness of the DRE's priorities this quarter.  Below are highlights. Download the PDF for the full update. Take a look at the California DRE Spring Bulletin here

• Update from Commissioner Douglas McCauley:  DRE prioritizes equity, fraud, and consumer communication campaign to assist first-time buyers. It also emphasizes how to select an agent and understand mortgages.  
• Download the 2023 DRE Real Estate Law Book.
• Living in a Common Interest Development.
• Helping your client understand an architect's role.
• Broker Supervision: What is the broker's role?  Broker's obligation to supervise, assign supervisory authority, broker supervision in advertising, and ensure license requirements are met.
• Updated Rules for Discrimination as a Basis for Discipline.
• A look inside DRE’s complaint process: Filing a complaint, Complaint review, Formal investigation, and Clear and Convincing Evidence. 
• PG&E warns of an emerging scam initiative
• The important role of Enforcement in regulating California’s Real Estate industry
• Los Angeles County launches Property Owner e-Notification Alert (San Diego Launched Owner Alert last year).

Douglas R. McCauley

Real Estate Commissioner
Department of Real Estate

What are live buyer tours?
If you use Cloud CMA, then you’re likely already familiar with buyer tours, the reports that build on MLS data to give your buyer clients a better sense of what they’re looking at. In fact, buyer tours have become one of the most popular types of reports in Cloud CMA overall! 

Live buyer tours build on the existing functionality to turn static reports into dynamic ones—with real-time data that you and your buyers can easily read on any device. So you get a new way to show off properties, and your clients get live access to the most relevant information about their favorite listings. 

What can your clients see with live buyer tours? 

Their list of showings, organized by time 
Details like drive time and directions 
Feedback fields that share directly with their agent 
And more! 
 

Why the change? 
Home shopping and touring habits aren’t what they used to be.  Now, people have pocket computers with them constantly, so they can browse listings, request showings, get directions, whatever they need to do—all from the palm of their hands. 

Paper tours are outdated.  With live buyer tours, your clients have the technology on hand to interact with you and tour property more seamlessly. It’s a subtle contributor to their overall experience; they’ll appreciate the convenience and thoroughness of the information you provide. 

 
Here is how it works.

It was a night of celebrating “Real Estate” professionals for their “Achievements” and “Leadership.” It was PSAR’s 2023 R.E.A.L. Awards Gala (R.E.A.L. is an acronym for Real Estate, Achievements, and Leadership). The R.E.A.L. Awards honored PSAR’s top-producing agents and brokers who achieved excellence based on units closed or volume production as compared to all other agents based out of San Diego County, according to 2022 CRMLS data.

The gala was held Friday, March 17 at Sycuan Casino and Resort’s Heritage Events Center. More than 450 PSAR members attended the event which featured cocktails, dinner, dancing, and the presentation of awards to individuals to recognize their industry leadership and success. 

2023 PSAR President Jason Lopez and 2024 PSAR President Laurie Ohnesorgen-MacDonald served as emcees. The national anthem was sung by Katriz Trinidad.

Richard D’Ascoli, PSAR CEO, outlined how this celebration event aligns with PSAR's Mission to Empower Real Estate Professionals, he also introduced elected officials in attendance and industry leaders.

Elected officials: Brian Jones, California State Senator; Jordan Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk; Ditas Yamane, City Council Member, City of National City,

Industry Leaders: Chris Hasvold, board chair of California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS).

PSAR members serving as California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) directors. They included Ditas Yamane, Max Zaker, Jason Lopez, Lupe Soto, Laurie Ohnesorgen-MacDonald, Yvonne Cromer, Nikki Coppa, Jeff Campbell, Jan Farley, and Robert Cromer.

PSAR member Anthony Andaya, serving as a director with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

2023 PSAR board of directors: Max Zaker (Immediate Past President), 2023 PSAR President Jason Lopez, 2024 PSAR President Laurie Ohnesorgen-MacDonald, Sam Calvano (2023 secretary-treasurer), Anthony Andaya, Merrie Espina, Camille Bruno, Valerie Gardner, Paula Gonzalez, Dylan Graham, Amy Ruiz, Amber Tannehill, Rafael Perez, Norma Scantlin, and Martha Garcia.

Past PSAR presidents: Pat Russiano, Nikki Coppa, Peter Mendiola, Jeff Campbell, Bob Olivieri, Carey Guthrie, Jan Farley, Robert Cromer, Ditas Yamane, and Max Zaker.

Following the introductions, Senator Brian Jones delivered the invocation and presented a proclamation to 2022 PSAR President Max Zaker.

Also recognized were contributors to the REALTOR® Action Fund (RAF). RAF advances the goals of the REALTOR® Party. It promotes and advocates for the rights and values of REALTORS®. Every dollar of this fund is used to protect the interests of REALTORS® in government.

Qualifications for a R.E.A.L. Award included the following categories (number of PSAR members who achieved the particular production levels appears in parenthesis):

-- Top 1%, at least 27 sides or $31,779,040 in volume (59); View recipients

-- Top 3%, at least 17 sides or $18,483,537 in volume (83); View recipients

-- Top 5%, at least 13 sides or $13,329,500 in volume (70); View recipients

-- Top 10%, at least 8 sides or $8,075,500 in volume (235). View recipients

All top achievers attending the REAL awards were recognized.
 
Last year's recipients of Affiliate, Broker/Office Managers, and REALTOR of the Year were called to the stage.  They included Andrea Martino, Mauricio Perez-Vazquez, Bob Olivieri, Jeff Campbell, Amber Tannehill and Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales.

Also at the gala, four PSAR members were presented with Professional of the Year awards. They included: Ditas Yamane, Broker of the Year; Steven Sladek, Realtor of the Year; Michelle Hickin, Affiliate of the Year; Nikki Coppa, Distinguished Realtor Award.

The R.E.A.L. Awards Committee included Charmaine Orcino-Gonzales, committee chair, as well as 2023 PSAR President Jason Lopez, 2024 PSAR President Laurie Ohnesorgen-MacDonald, Yvonne Cromer, Zoe Khetani, Martha Garcia, Amber Tannehill, Valerie Gardner, Vicki Lisama, Richard D’Ascoli, Sally Valdez and Kevin McElroy.

The major sponsors of the night included Caliber Home Loans, The Phana Par Group, and the California Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Additional sponsors included: Aftermath Exterminating - Gillz Building Services, Inc. - PSAR YPN - Preferred Inspections - Mac Printing - Big Block Realty - Property ID - South Shore Appraisals - Navy Federal Credit Union - SD Realty Gals - Sam Calvano Home Loans - NixTermite - Old Republic Home Protection - Gardner Insurance Services - San Diego Estates - RanchoTed Hard Money Lending - Edward Jones - Farmers Insurance - Metro South RE Producers - Morrison Inspections - Fidelity National Home Warranty - Ooh La Lash & Beaut - Insight Photos and Elizabeth Ireland Photography.

________ PHOTOS FROM THE 2023 EVENT ________

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Cal Fire is looking for public input on proposed changes.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, typically called CAL Fire, is updating its wildfire risk maps for rural, unincorporated areas throughout the state. It’s been 15 years since the maps were updated.

The updates have the potential for increasing the cost of homeowners insurance in those rural communities reclassified by CAL Fire as more susceptible to wildfires. Metropolitan cities and urban areas are not included in the current updates process.

The public is invited to comment and ask questions about updates to CAL Fire’s Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones (WHSZ) maps. The deadline for public comment is Feb. 3, 2023.

PSAR members are invited to visit a website and enter a property’s address on a map showing CAL Fire’s updates to WHSZ maps. Visit https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/divisions/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/wildfire-preparedness/fire-hazard-severity-zones/, then scroll to the bottom to find “FHSZ Viewer” and enter an address in the search bar.

You can also visit https://bit.ly/calfiremaps to compare proposed 2022 updates to WHSZ maps, compared to WHSZ maps used in 2007, the year when WHSZ maps were last updated. At this website, you can use a swipe tool to toggle between the maps from 2007 and 2022, and see how ratings for areas have been changed to moderate, high and very high risks.

A CAL Fire statement said fire scientists and wildfire mitigation experts have used science-based and field-tested models to assign a hazard score based on factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior. Factors include fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetations), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain and typical fire weather for an area.

CAL Fire also said insurance companies, including insurance agents and brokers, have been involved throughout the process to ensure cooperation between all sectors to better support Californians.

These changes to wildfire ratings are expected to impact insurance rates, as well as eligibility. While California has a FAIR property insurance plan that provides basic insurance to individuals unable to get coverage, this coverage is considered a “temporary safety net” until the homeowner can obtain a traditional homeowners policy. Even then, homeowners may need to obtain additional insurance from another carrier to increase their coverage to an adequate level.

Written comments can be mailed to FHSZ Comments, California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460.

Comments also can be emailed to Josh Black, San Diego’s contact for the WHSZ map updates program. Black can be reached at josh.black@fire.ca.gov or (619) 609-3413.

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.

The Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR), a 4,000-member real estate trade group for San Diego-area REALTORS®, recently noted the 10-year anniversary of its merger between two San Diego regional REALTOR® associations, including the El Cajon-based East San Diego County Association of REALTORS® (ESDCAR) and the Chula Vista-based PSAR.

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.

Call for Nominations!!!

Do you know a fantastic PSAR REALTOR^®, Broker/Office Manager, or Affiliate? Now is the time to give them the recognition they deserve. Three other awards will also be presented at the R.E.A.L. Awards Event.  PSAR Distinguished Service Award, PSAR Community Service Award, and the PSAR Friend of the Industry Award.
Please take a few minutes to nominate your candidate(s).

You can use either of these two methods to nominate.

Nominations must be received by Friday, December 16, 2022.

PSAR shall recognize a REALTOR^®, Broker, and Affiliate each year as well as the following three awards:

___________________________

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.

Candidates for the 2022 General Election who are Pro Real Estate

 

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.

The California Department of Real Estate released its fall bulletin.  Check out the highlights in this quarter's issue.

In this issue:

New Required CE Coursed Now Available. Licensees renewing for the frst time on or after January 1, 2023, complete a new two-hour course in implicit bias training and a revised three-hour course in fair housing that includes an interactive participatory component

The Important Role of Enforcement in Regulating California’s Real Estate Industry  DRE posts on its website summaries of the most serious enforcement actions taken against licensees, as well as other disciplinary actions. 

Licensees Urged to Protect Themselves from ID Theft Scam  DRE recently issued a statewide Consumer Alert. 

DRE Stats include a 5% reduction in licensees prior to last year.  5,202 Complaints received.  67,768 exams administered.

External Audit Stats on Property Management, Broker Escrow, Mortgage Loan, and Sales.  Given DRE’s number of auditors as compared to its licensee population, audit efforts in FY 2021-22 focused on brokers who handle a high volume of trust funds. Audit cases completed during the fiscal year revealed a troubling high incidence of trust fund shortages.

Legal Activity, Enforcement, Subdivisions, Communications, and a look forward.

Learn from a wealth of information and insight provided in the Fall Real Estate Bulletin.

Click Here

IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD A $2,600 fine, PLEASE do help yourself and understand the MLS rules. PSAR doesn't have any power when it comes to CRMLS fines.  The rules are made by REALTORS who serve on the CRMLS Board of Directors.

Think you know the rules? Take this Compliance Quiz.

If you get less than 100%, think about taking some training.

It is important that you understand top MLS violations and avoid costly fines. By taking this Top Violations Overview training, you will be educated on CRMLS Rules & Regulations and fines, the CRMLS Citation Policy, and a whole lot more.