Here is a list of some of the companies offering assistance and what
you can expect from them.

Are you are worried about making payments now or in the near future?

Now is a good time to conserve resources for your family to weather this crisis for the foreseeable future.

NOW is the time for you to CONTACT your service providers! There is Coronavirus Mortgage, Rental, Credit Card, Auto and Personal Loan Relief but you have to ask for it!  - CLICK HERE -

REALTOR®s who have specific questions about the CARE act, unemployment or other COVID-19 benefits, call  C.A.R.’s COVID Relief Hotline by calling 1+(213) 351 8450,  Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA updated its list of essential services during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis and expressly included residential real estate. Since Governor Newsom’s March 4, 2020 order incorporates this list, the order now includes residential and commercial real estate, including settlement services as essential services in California. However, if a city or county has an order with a more restrictive standard regarding what qualifies as an essential service, or more restrictions on activities, those guidelines will still govern the activities of a licensee. Notwithstanding this new development, all real estate licensees must take into account the health and safety of their clients and fellow licensees and follow the protocols that exist for protecting against the spread of COVID-19. If such heath safeguards and protocols are not followed, the rule for the state could easily change to stop or restrict all real estate activity.

To that end, in conformity with current health guidelines, real estate licensees should follow all CDC and local health mandates. This includes the following: 1. No open houses should be held. (CRMLS has removed the option of holding Open Houses) 2. Showings should be done virtually.

Read more from C.A.R. here.

Our Virtual Town Halls offer a benefit to our members as we “live alone together”

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in ways unimaginable over the past few weeks. It’s on every channel, every news website and part of every conversation. Shelter in place orders and self-quarantines are keeping millions of people around the world hunkered down in their homes. In our lifetime, we’ve never had a crisis of this magnitude.

PSAR is addressing this reality proactively, and one of the steps taken is to launch a twice-a-week Virtual Town Hall meeting to deliver Covid-19 news updates, valuable information and insights related to our industry.  These meetings start at 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, utilizing the Zoom online video conferencing platform. All PSAR members are invited to join these live meetings. Zoom membership is not required to participate. You can download the Zoom link and login number for future PSAR Virtual Town Hall meetings on the PSAR website (click button).

Rich D’Ascoli, PSAR’s Chief Executive Officer, is the host of the meeting. Guests are invited to provide industry updates and information. Members are invited to share their experiences and accumulated knowledge of conducting business in a very challenging landscape.  The virtual aspect of these meetings in itself is instructional to members who want to learn more about how to use technology to enhance their own business practices.

“We’re concerned about how COVID-19 will impact our members personally, including the health of their businesses,” said D’Ascoli. “We know the coronavirus pandemic is leaving people feeling fragmented and disconnected. Nobody wants to spend their days in isolation. But, social distancing does not mean social isolation. We all still want to connect with each other and we’re learning how to do that in different ways.

“So, our Virtual Town Halls offer a benefit to our members as we 'live alone together'". We at PSAR and all of our association members will be here to keep you company. All of us are always at our best when we respond to challenges as a PSAR community. Right now, helping people get the right information to stay healthy and keep their businesses moving is more important than ever. We all have a role in this endeavor.”

On Thursday, March 26, nearly 200 PSAR members participated in the latest Virtual Town Hall meeting, which included appearances by Ernie Dronenburg, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder Clerk, Joel Singer, CEO of the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) and Kristian Hoysradt, Political Representative with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

They offered various perspectives on the impact of the virus.

The C.A.R. and NAR representatives  announced the launch of microsites on their websites that will deliver COVID-19 updates. The C.A.R. site is at www.CAR.realtor/coronavirus. The NAR site is at www.NAR.realtor/coronavirus.

PSAR has a special COVID-19 landing page at  https://info.psar.org/covid19.  There is also a page with financial resources for REALTORS® and their clients https://info.psar.org/financialhelp.  PSAR’s services during this crisis can be found here: https://info.psar.org/services.  Following are some of the notable points that were brought out in the Thursday Town Hall meeting.

Dronenburg said his office is fully operational and all exemption programs are continuing without interruption. He’s also planning to send a letter to Gov. Newsom requesting that REALTORS® and real estate are deemed as “essential businesses.”

Singer discussed the recent “safer at home” guidelines for open houses. C.A.R. is recommending a cessation of all face-to-face marketing or sales activities, including showings, listing appointments, open houses and property inspections. Clients and other consumers are also subject to these orders and should not be visiting properties or conducting other business in person.

However, property management and repair work, which generally involves maintaining sanitary and safety conditions, is permissible. Additionally, many other aspects of the real estate industry can continue to occur without in-person contact, including documentation and signing, and in many circumstances, closings.

Singer  referenced the availability of a “Coronavirus Addendum” to the standard real estate buy-sell transaction contract. The addendum allows a party in a real estate transaction to terminate or suspend the transaction for up to 30 days in the event of “unforeseen circumstances, which the parties could not have anticipated or are beyond their control.” C.A.R. said travel restrictions, government required isolations and closures of business offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic could inhibit a buyer or seller from signing documents in person, preventing a close of escrow.

Governor. Newsom’s announcement of a 90-day mortgage grace period was also mentioned by Singer. More than 200 banks, including Wells Fargo, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase and U.S. Bank, have agreed to a moratorium on mortgage payments for homeowners. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has asked banks to take “reasonable and prudent steps” to assist consumers affected by the pandemic. Likewise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Housing Administration and Fannie Mae said hardship forbearance should be an option for distressed borrowers.

Hoysradt, speaking from the NAR offices in Washington, D.C., talked about the historic $2.2 trillion emergency package that was nearing final approval on Friday. He said the rescue package, intended to help revive the American economy and prevent it from collapsing, will help millions of small businesses facing a coronavirus cash crush, and individual Americans caught in a COVID-19 lockdown who may be unable to pay bills. 

Among the bill’s provisions, individuals who earn $75,000 or less in adjusted gross income would get direct payments of $1,200 each, while those making more than $75,000 would see smaller direct payments. Those making $99,000 or more would be excluded entirely from the direct payments. The bill also provides for up to $350 billion in federally guaranteed loans for small businesses and $500 billion in loans for larger businesses affected by the pandemic and subsequent closures.

Emergency funds will also be funneled into unemployment benefits, increasing payouts to nearly 100 percent of lost wages.  Benefits payout timeframes will be extended an additional four months.  And gig workers and independent contractors for the first time will be eligible

“As we all continue to navigate our new normal together, PSAR is committed to ensuring our members have what they need to be productive and successful,” said D’Ascoli. “We recognize that our members rely on us, perhaps more than ever, to help them stay productive. We take that responsibility seriously.  I can assure our members that we are here to help and serve them.

“In that spirit, our Service Centers are remaining open, weekdays from 9 to 5 p.m, to receive phone calls, personal emails and those from our help page . All hands are “on deck”. Some staff members are available to provide in-person services at our Service Centers by appointment. For those in-person encounters, we will of course maintain a six-foot, social distance requirement in support of the CDC recommendations.  Everyone stay healthy and good luck to you!”

The Senate has just passed the Coronavirus aid, relief and economic security (CARES) Act, a stimulus package that will provide assistants to Realtors.   C.A.R. is closely monitoring the legislation.   Review CAR's update here.

C.A.R. has issued guidance on the Governor's stay at home order.  This is not guidance from PSAR or our Board of Directors.  CAR has a legal team that is qualified to interpret and opine on legal matters.  Please consult your own legal council for advice and consult.  PSAR, CAR and NAR leaders continue to communicate with officials to educate them about the real estate business in this time of crisis.  

For more information please follow this link: 

Please check PSAR's landing page for the latest updates regarding the CVOD-19 situation including cancellations and resources.  Updates will be posted here:

https://info.psar.org/covid19

The R.E.A.L. Awards program to honor PSAR’s top producing agents will be postponed.

Due to concern for public safety as a result of COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus and in recognition of state health officials’ recommendations, PSAR will delay the inaugural Real Estate Achievement and Leadership (R.E.A.L.) awards event, originally scheduled for Friday, March 27, at Viejas Casino and Resort. The event will be rescheduled to a future date.

Earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom joined state health officials from the California Department of Public Health in recommending the cancellation of gatherings of 250 or more people across the entire state, escalating efforts to slow the spread of the virus.

All who purchased tickets to the March 27 event will be given the option of attending the future event or receive a refund.

Of course, we’re disappointed about the delay of this exciting event. However, the health, safety, and well-being of the entire PSAR community is the top priority for the Association leadership. I can assure you that your Association will continue to closely monitor this public health crisis and stay in contact with local, state and federal health experts to ensure that best practices are being followed and if additional precautions are advised. Some other PSAR meetings may be cancelled while others will be held remotely.

Over the next two weeks we will take time to regroup, and when the storm passes, put on an amazing event. The R.E.A.L. awards will be a celebration, with over 400 real estate professionals, of the successes we have respectively had in our businesses. Nobody is more disappointed in the delay than each of our dedicated group of volunteers who worked diligently during the past two months to make this event a memorable experience.

The R.E.A.L. Awards Committee members include Yvonne Cromer, Reshia Guarnotta, Amber Tannahill, Lupe Soto, Laurie Mac Donald, Carey Guthrie and Tony Santiago.  

The R.E.A.L. awards programs will honor PSAR’s top producing agents and provide a platform on which to be recognized for their hard work and dedication by their associates, other professional peers and PSAR. Award recipients are agents and brokers who have achieved excellence through production and industry leadership. Awards are based on either sales volume dollars or units sold, including listings or sales units entered in the MLS, and closed in 2019.

For information about other PSAR rescheduled programs (click here).

The virus, which causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19, first appeared in Wuhan, China, last year.. Cases have been recorded in more than 100 countries and on every continent except Antarctica. More than 4,717 people have died and more than 128,000 others have been infected, many of whom are in China. In the U.S., more than 1,700 people have been infected across at least 46 states with at least 41 deaths, and 31 of them were elderly people from the state of Washington.

As the virus spreads, causing the shutdown of offices and schools across the U.S., many people are understandably on edge. However, the same preventative measures recommended to prevent the spread of influenza are also effective in reducing the risk of contracting or spreading coronavirus. Here are some recommended actions that will reduce the risk of contracting and spreading coronavirus:

• Stay home and do not travel if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other cold or flu-like symptom.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use    an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve 
• Call ahead to your doctor before visiting

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, Councilmember Steve Goble and Councilmember Phil Oriz, thank you for listening to the concerns of PSAR and El Cajon residents.

Following testimony by PSAR members, the El Cajon City Council recently voted “no” on a proposal to add sewer charges to homeowners’ property tax bills.

PSAR testified that adding sewer charges to property taxes would have had a far-reaching negative impact for homebuyers and for the city of El Cajon. If approved, it would have meant that future homebuyers would need more money to qualify for a mortgage. It also would have resulted in a loss of buying power for homebuyers. Adding the charges would lower housing values and reduce equity, since a higher property tax bill will shrink a homebuyer’s available pot of money needed to purchase a home. 

Fortunately, three members of the El Cajon City Council, including Mayor Bill Wells and council members Steve Goble and Phil Ortiz, agreed with PSAR and voted to protect homeowner interests by not placing property sewer charges on the San Diego County property tax roll.

“Our members are gratified at the city council’s decision,” said Rich D’Ascoli, CEO, PSAR. “We look forward to sitting down, rolling-up our sleeves and helping El Cajon develop a mutual, long-term solution that will not adversely affect homebuyers and home sales. We’re ready to work with the city to find a better solution. Adding sewer charges to property taxes would have reduced the buying power of homebuyers. We have a number of better ideas that will not hurt homebuyers.”

This is not the first time the El Cajon City Council has attempted this. In July 2013, a proposal to add sewer charges to property tax bills was flushed down the proverbial toilet.  In El Cajon, the city maintains nearly 200 miles of underground pipeline, the majority of it construction before 1965. Many lines date back to the 1920s.