You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Real Estate’ category.
April is National Fair Housing Month and reminds every American that all persons have equal access to housing and that fair housing is not an option; it is the law. The Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, protects people from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and family status.
The National Association of REALTORS® and civil rights groups are currently pressing Congress to pass the Equality Act, which adds sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics under the Fair Housing Act and all other federal laws. NAR amended its Code of Ethics to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in 2011 and gender identity in 2013.
Under the NAR REALTOR® Code of Ethics, REALTORS® cannot deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
A home seller or landlord cannot discriminate in the sale, rental and financing of property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. They cannot instruct their real estate agent to convey any limitations in the sale or rental of their property.
Buyers or renters have the right to expect:
- housing in their price range made available without discrimination
- equal professional service
- the opportunity to consider a broad range of housing choices
- no discriminatory limitations on communities or locations of housing
- no discrimination in the financing, appraising, or insuring of housing
- reasonable accommodations in rules, practices and procedures for persons with disabilities
- non-discriminatory terms and conditions for the sale, rental, financing, or insuring of a dwelling
- freedom from harassment or intimidation for exercising their fair housing rights.
If you or your clients suspect discrimination, visit https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/ to file a complaint.
The California Association of REALTORS® is alerting members about a fraudulent email that has been sent to several REALTOR® members from around the state asking them to wire their delinquent REALTOR® 2019 dues. In these reported cases, the email with the subject line “2019 Dues Deadline – LAST CALL” came from a yahoo.com email address.
If you have received such a message, please DO NOT respond to it. It is likely that the sender is phishing for your financial information, or seeking information for other phishing attempts later.
Valid emails regarding your dues should come from your REALTOR® Association’s email address. If you have paid your 2019 dues, please completely disregard the spam email. If you have not paid your 2019 dues, or are not sure if you have, please contact your REALTOR® Association.
According to the Chinese calendar, 2019 is the Year of the Earth Pig, and unlike last year’s Year of the Earth or Mountain Dog, which was a year of highs and lows, market volatility, political and economic chaos and protectionism, the Year of the Earth Pig will bring a progressive business climate, more compromise and concessions. Unlike the Mountain Dog that doesn’t back off, the Earth Pig is gentle, cherishes friendships, takes responsibility seriously and is willing to compromise, according to prominent astrologer, fortune teller and Feng Shui Master Y.C. Sun.
Sun told members of the Silicon Valley Association REALTORS® that this year will bring an energy change that will impact people’s behavior and thinking. People will tend to make a change, such as relocation, job change, commute or go abroad for job or travel.
Investments will increase as will company mergers, buyouts, joint ventures or expansions. This year will be good for real estate as inventory will increase. Parents will encourage and help their high-tech, healthcare and MBA children buy their first home or upgrade to more ideal homes. The market should experience a temporary rejuvenation and home sales activity should pick up by June.
Sun said this year will be a productive year for real estate, but also a critical year which could define the next three years for agents. This year agents need to show their value. Also, because the pig likes to compromise, expect subprime mortgages to surface, but they will be better structured than in the past.
Sun predicts an end to the U.S.-China trade war, with a final deal struck in June. He predicts President Trump will do well, especially in the first two weeks of March, though clashes between him and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will continue. Sun explained Pelosi, born in 1940, is a Dragon, and Trump, born in 1946, is a Dog. Dogs and Dragons clash in the Chinese Zodiac and can’t tolerate each other.
Jobs and businesses in demand this year are information technology, software and high tech hardware engineers, data scientists, drug production, particularly in cannabis and health care. There will be intense competition in the restaurant business, in electronics, computers, solar energy, entertainment.
Sun predicts the economy will start to stabilize in late August. The stock market will still be volatile, but there will be signs of rejuvenation in mid-August.
The pig can also be naïve and believe in easy money schemes. “Remember that there is no free money,” warned Sun.
The Feng Shui master and astrologer added this year people should avoid overindulging on high fat, high cholesterol foods and junk food. Health problems could revolve around the spleen, kidney, intestines, eczema, gastroenterology, urinary tract, reproductive organs, cold, flu, and swine fever virus.
The 20th annual Silicon Valley REALTORS® Scholars Program for graduating seniors from 18 public high schools in Silicon Valley is under way. The scholars program is sponsored by the Charitable Foundation Trust of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR), a professional trade organization representing over 5,000 Realtors and affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.
The Silicon Valley REALTORS® Scholars Program is a partnership with local high schools in the region. Principals and faculty at 18 participating public high schools nominate three exceptional graduating seniors. The program awards a $1,000 scholarship to one nominee from each school in recognition of their exemplary record, outstanding academic performance and community spirit. Since it started, the program has awarded $342,000 to graduating students in Silicon Valley.
The scholars from the class of 2019 will be selected from high schools in the communities served by members of SILVAR. Final selections will be made by a committee that includes representatives from the local business community, area high schools, area colleges and the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®.
“Silicon Valley REALTORS® are very proud of our excellent schools. They are a major reason why Silicon Valley is a top housing market,” said Nina Yamaguchi, chair of the scholars program of the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. “The annual Silicon Valley REALTORS® Scholars Program is an opportunity for our members to show our support for our schools and thank the students, teachers, administrators and school board members in our communities for their hard work and dedication in making the schools in our communities among the best in California and in the nation.”
The participating schools are Leigh High School and Lynbrook High School in San Jose; Westmont High School in Campbell; Fremont High School in Sunnyvale; Los Altos High School in Los Altos; Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos; Gunn High School and Palo Alto High School in Palo Alto; Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton; Santa Clara High School and Wilcox High School in Santa Clara; Cupertino High School, Homestead High School and Monta Vista High School in Cupertino; Prospect High School and Saratoga High School in Saratoga; Mountain View High School in Mountain View; and Woodside High School in Woodside.
The scholarship is open to graduating seniors from the above-mentioned high schools who plan on attending a four-year college or university. Information about the scholarships, including requirements and applications, may be obtained from the respective schools’ guidance or career counselors.
The completed application must be returned to the high school’s counselor by Monday, March 4, for submission to the Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. For further information, please contact Nina Yamaguchi at (408) 861-8822 or nyamaguchi@cbnorcal.com.
SILVAR members recognized.
A REALTOR® for over four decades, Phyllis Carmichael has achieved so much for the Association in many different roles. She is pictured here with 2018 SILVAR president Bill Moody and Executive Officer Paul Cardus.
A highlight of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® Installation Gala last night was the presentation of the 2018 Recognition Awards by SILVAR 2018 President Bill Moody and Executive Officer Paul Cardus. The awards recognize certain members for their valuable contributions to the Association last year.
Moody first thanked his fellow board members and committee chairs for their support last year. He said it has been a privilege to serve SILVAR’s membership as president.
Recognized for their outstanding contributions were:
2018 REALTOR® of the Year: Phyllis Carmichael (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
The announcement of REALTOR® of the Year was met with loud applause and cheers. Moody described Phyllis Carmichael as a REALTOR® “who brings forward the best in any board or committee on which they serve.” Moody said Carmichael’s ability to build consensus while pursuing the bold path forward is a hallmark of her decades of service.
A REALTOR® for over four decades, Carmichael has achieved so much for the Association in many different roles. As director, president and treasurer, at the California Association of REALTORS®, on issues ranging from political to governance to financial, she has shared her tremendous expertise with SILVAR and its members.
“Through strong and calm leadership, always with a twinkle and a smile, even in tense moments, she created and grew our Association,” said Moody. “She is sharp, skilled and effective. She is our happy warrior.”
2018 Affiliate of the Year: Audrey Hutton (Hutton Mortgage Team)
The Affiliate of the Year is someone through his or her actions has unequivocally embraced and adopted the principles, goals, and purposes of the Association. Moody said Audrey Hutton “has proven to be a dedicated workhorse and a great proponent of our Association.” He noted Hutton’s firm provides mortgage services in a timely manner with great attention to detail for SILVAR’s REALTOR® members and their clients. He praised her professional support for all SILVAR programs across the Association, with a particular dedication to her home district, Los Gatos-Saratoga.
“Her willingness to help where needed enhances the image of our Association and our REALTOR® and affiliated professional members,” said Moody.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) 2019 leadership team was installed last night at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club. California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) 2019 President-elect Jeanne Radsick administered the oath of office to SILVAR President Alan Barbic and the 2019 officers and board directors. C.A.R. 2005 President Jim Hamilton served as master of ceremonies and welcomed members and guests at the special event. Immediate Past President Bill Moody led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and 2019 President-elect Mary Kay Groth delivered the inspiration message.
SILVAR’s 2019 officers include Barbic, a broker associate with Sereno Group Los Gatos; Groth, a REALTOR® with Sereno Group Los Gatos, President-elect; and Jeff Bell, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cupertino, Treasurer.
Joining SILVAR’s lead officers are Moody (Referral Realty), Past President; Denise Welsh (Alain Pinel Realtors), Region 9 Chair; Leannah Hunt (Sereno Group), NAR Director; Jasmine Lee (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage), Menlo Park-Atherton District; Lynn Wilson Roberts (Compass) Palo Alto District; Greg Boudreau (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage), Los Altos-Mountain View District; Jim Light (Jim Light Broker), Cupertino-Sunnyvale District; Jim Hamilton (Alain Pinel Realtors), Los Gatos-Saratoga District; Directors At-large Mark Burns (Referral Realty), Joanne Fraser (Alain Pinel Realtors), Katherine Frey (Katherine Frey Real Estate), Penelope Huang (Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Real Estate), and Karen Trolan (Alain Pinel Realtors).
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® Los Gatos-Saratoga District got off to a good start for the new year with over 100 members in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting. An upbeat District Chair Jim Hamilton told members 2019 “will be what you make it.”
The first meeting featured a top producer panel with Carol Jeans (Sereno Group), Michael Nevis (Alain Pinel Realtors), Mary Clark (Intero Real Estate Services), Chuck Nunnally (Keller Williams Bay Area Estates) and Audrey Hutton (Hutton Mortgage Group).
The panelists, all experienced in the business, are doers and work hard. Nevis said “the knowledge that this is my business” is what motivates him each day. Nunnally stressed real estate takes hard work and like a hunt, he is constantly searching for business.
Asked their thoughts on forming teams, Nunnally, Jeans and Clark prefer to be independent, while Hutton believes teams are important to grow your business. Her team is comprised of five people who each have roles in the business. Nevis also has a team and finds it serves as a good sounding board. He did note you have to really get to know the person before forming a team.
The top producers stressed the importance of referrals. Referrals only happen through relationships and maintaining then, said Nevis. He likes to invite clients to his home for dinner, to meet his family and get a glimpse of his lifestyle.
“This way things are more real, more personal than talking about average price and days on market,” said Nevis.
Hutton likes to wow her clients, pleasantly surprising them with candy and the like. She holds parties and education classes for past clients.
The REALTORS® stressed the need to get to know clients at an intimate level and connect frequently. Jeans likes to write her past clients, while Clark likes to stop by their home twice a year to connect. She also holds annual client appreciation parties or invites them to events, like a Giants game.
“Keep in touch with past clients and show them your care,” said Nunnally. “This is a people business.”
The REALTORS® said the 2019 housing market may not be as fast and furious as in the past, but they don’t believe it will crash and burn either. Nunnally advises agents to attend seminars, get educated about the market, and spend money. You need to spend money in order to make money in real estate, he said.
Jeans encourages agents to learn as much as they can, work with discipline, build relationships and “remain who you are in the business.” She believes there will always be a demand for homes in the region.
Nevis encourages agents to team up with someone with experience and “find your cheerleaders,” while Hutton advises agents to be specific, have a purpose, and share their goals with their clients.
“This year will be awesome. There is opportunity in any market,” said Clark.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 