Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ...

September is REALTOR® Safety Month: Stay Safe on the Job!

September 8, 2023 in California Housing Market, National Association of REALTORS®, Real Estate, Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Housing Market | Leave a comment

REALTORS® face job-related risks every day. Being aware of potential dangers and taking precautions will help you avoid risky situations. In an ongoing effort to keep safety top-of-mind for our members, the National Association of REALTORS® and the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) dedicate September as REALTOR® Safety Month.

Learn to identify potential risks, anticipate threats, and respond proactively. Empower yourself with vital knowledge to navigate a dangerous situation, ensuring your personal safety on the job.

Follow Tips for Showing Properties the Safe Way

When you are showing a vacant property, you can take these simple steps to empower yourself against an attack or theft.

* Be sure to use the lockbox property-key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety. A reliable, secure lockbox system ensures that keys don’t fall into the wrong hands.

* Show properties before dark. If you are going to be working after hours, advise your associate or supervisor of your schedule. If you must show a property after dark, turn on all lights as you go through the home, and don’t lower any shades or draw curtains or blinds.

* Call the office, a friend or family member every hour to let them know where you are.

* Prepare a scenario so you can leave or encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone or beeper went off and you have to call your office; you left some important information in your car; or another agent with buyers is on his way.

* When showing a property, always leave the front door unlocked for a quick exit while you and the client are inside. As you enter each room, stand near the door.

* Do not display purses or wear anything of value like expensive jewelry or watches
while at a property. Lock your purse in the car trunk before you arrive. Carry only non-valuable business items except for your cell phone.

* Park at the curb in front of the property, rather than in the driveway. It is much easier to escape in your vehicle if you don’t have to back out of a driveway. Parked in a driveway, another vehicle could purposefully or accidentally trap you.

See more safety tips, videos and webinars at www.REALTOR.org/Safety

DRE issues alert for growing vacant land property scams

August 9, 2023 in California Housing Market, Real Estate Scams, Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Housing Market | Tags: California Department of Real Estate (DRE), vacant land and property scams | Leave a comment

There appears to be a growing number of fraudsters posing as owners of vacant land and contacting real estate agents and requesting their assistance to sell a property they don’t own. The California Department of Real Estate has issued a warning to all California licensees, as law enforcement agencies and District Attorney offices around California are reporting a sharp increase in this type of real estate fraud.

In the scheme, the criminal:

• Searches public records to:
1. Identify properties that are free of mortgage or other liens.
2. Identify the property owner – This often includes vacant lots, long-term rentals, or vacation rentals, with targeted properties often owned by the elderly and/or foreigners.

• Poses as the property owner and contacts a real estate agent to list the property for sale

• Requests that the property be listed below market value to generate immediate interest.

• Requests that no “For Sale” sign be posted on the property.

• Requests preference for a cash buyer, quickly accepts an offer, and demands a quick closing.

• Refuses to meet in person, preferring to be contacted through email, text, or over phone, and typically refusing video calls.

• Refuses to attend the signing and claims to be out of state or country.

• Demands to use their own notary, who then provides falsified documents to the title company or closing attorney.

• Insists that proceeds are wired to them.

On their own, these characteristics may not be red flags. But, when several or most occur, the risk becomes more apparent. Unfortunately, the scheme is usually only discovered when recording the transfer of documents with the appropriate county.

SILVAR is urging all REALTOR® members to exercise due diligence in taking the proper steps to verify the owner of a property before accepting a listing.

Follow these tips from the DRE on how to prevent the scam:

• Request an in-person or virtual meeting and see proper government-issued identification.

• If they won’t meet, require them to utilize the services of third-party identity verification service provider.

• Conduct an online search using the name of the property owner. Look for a phone number and recent photo. If you find a number, contact that person and verify they are the actual owner.

• Send via overnight mail a copy of the electronically signed listing to the address or record with a request to confirm the listing’s accuracy. This will alert the legitimate owner of potential fraud.

• Require that the property owner provide a copy of a voided check with the seller’s disbursement authorization form.

• Use a wire verification service or confirm wire instructions match account details on the seller’s disbursement authorization form.

DRE also encourages brokers to develop written policies with respect to listing properties in which the licensee and seller have never met in-person. Alleged cases of this or any other type of real estate fraud should be reported to local law enforcement authorities or local District Attorney’s office. If there is another real estate licensee potentially involved in the fraud, you should provide the information to DRE through its Enforcement Online Complaint System.

REALTORS® share insurance resources with clients

July 12, 2023 in California Housing Market, Real Estate, Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Housing Market | Tags: Allstate Insurance, American Internatioal Group (AIG), California Association of REALTORS, California Department of Insurance, Jim Hamilton, State Farm Insurance | Leave a comment

State Farm and Allstate insurance companies’ recent announcements that they will stop writing new property insurance policies in California have shaken many property owners in the state. Silicon Valley REALTORS® are aware this will impact their clients and future homebuyers and are ready to provide resources to help with their insurance needs.

State Farm General Insurance Company announced it would cease accepting new applications, including all business and personal lines property and casualty insurance, effective May 27, 2023. This decision does not impact personal auto insurance. State Farm says it made this decision “due to historic increases in construction costs outpacing inflation, rapidly growing catastrophe exposure due to climate change, and a challenging reinsurance market.”

Allstate soon followed with the same announcement stating the company “paused” its offerings so they “can continue to protect current customers.” These two large insurance companies join American International Group (AIG), which notified thousands in California that their policies would not be renewed last year.

“Many of the problems in California are a result of the increasing risks in certain areas of the state, in part due to climate change. The increased risk of fires and floods in more areas have put a strain on both the companies and potentially on the FAIR plan, which is California’s insurer of last resort,” said Jim Hamilton, president of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®.

The California Association of REALTORS® has good information and resources for those who are affected by these recent developments, said Hamilton. “We are asking our members to share the following facts and tips with their clients. Additionally, United Policyholders, a non-profit insurance information resource organization, features a free webinar titled ‘Keeping Your Home Protected When Insurance Options are Limited and Expensive?’ on their website at www.uphelp.org to help consumers find insurance in fire-prone areas.”

Will State Farm and Allstate continue to service and renew policies of existing clients in the state. Yes, and they will continue to offer new auto insurance policies.
What are the implications of the decision for prospective homebuyers? In certain high-risk areas of the state, there are very few insurance companies willing to write new policies. In those areas, unless the Insurance Commissioner is successful in his effort to get more private insurers to write policies in such areas, the generally more-costly California FAIR plan may end up being the only property insurance available for those homeowners.
Will more companies follow State Farm and Allstate’s move? There are still a wide range of companies writing policies in California. However, those willing to write new policies are declining to include properties in higher risk areas. With the departure of State Farm and Allstate, property owners in more high-risk areas may have no other option than the FAIR plan.
What are the main problems for the insurance market in California? The California market is heavily regulated and has various strict requirements for rate increases, which were put into place by Proposition 103 in 1988. However, there are two areas where possible changes could result in a better climate for insurance without requiring major changes to consumer-friendly rate increase requirements. Those include allowing insurance companies to have rates that better reflect their reinsurance costs and allowing insurance companies to utilize forward looking risk models. Current law only allows companies to look back when setting rates. However, given the issues with climate change, many insurance companies argue that looking backward does not allow companies to adequately capture risk.
Where can I go for more information about homeowners insurance? The California Department of Insurance provides several information guides, tips and tools to help understand home/residential insurance. You can also call the CDI Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357 for assistance.

Silicon Valley REALTORS® award scholarships to 18 high school seniors

June 23, 2023 in Real Estate | Leave a comment

The Silicon Valley REALTORS® Charitable Foundation Trust, the charitable arm of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, presented scholarships to 18 graduating seniors from public high schools in Silicon Valley at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Each student received a $1,500 scholarship. The scholarship awards are made possible by donations from SILVAR members.

Now in its 24th year, the Charitable Foundation Scholars Program is a partnership effort between the foundation and educators in public high schools located in SILVAR’s service areas. The program recognizes students for their outstanding achievements in academics, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

The selection committee, chaired by Scholars Program chair Nina Yamaguchi, includes representatives from the local business community and SILVAR. Since its start, the program has awarded $490,500 in scholarships to graduating seniors in communities served by SILVAR members.

“The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® established our scholars program as part of a long-term effort to support our communities and schools, and to invest in our youth. Our high schools are among the best in the nation. In addition to honoring our students, the program is an opportunity to thank the teachers, administrators and school board members who make our schools special,” said Nina Yamaguchi, scholarship program chair.

Students who received scholarships, the schools from which they graduated, and the colleges/universities they plan to attend are Celina Ke Yang, Cupertino High School (UC Berkeley);Quan Quoc Bui, Fremont High School (UC Riverside); Emily Z. Serrato, Henry M. Gunn High School (Santa Clara University); Elise Vambenepe, Homestead High School (UC Berkeley); Chaeeun Kwon, Leigh High School (Emory University); Audrey Zhu, Los Altos High School (UC Berkeley); Sharaniya Balasingam, Los Gatos High School (Stanford University); Qihui Sun, Lynbrook High School (Cornell University); Ada Yi Jue Cai, Menlo-Atherton High School (New York University); Hernan Maldonado, Monta Vista High School (UC Riverside); Devan Melwani, Mountain View High School (UC Berkeley); Cayden Gu, Palo Alto High School (Stanford University); Adrienne Ferguson, Prospect High School (Columbia University); Heidi A. Hu, Santa Clara High School (UCLA); Christina Chang, Saratoga High School (New York University); Maddon Hoh-Choi, Westmont High School (UC Berkeley); Sharvi Agrawal, Wilcox High School (Case Western Reserve University); and Keira Mahoney, Woodside High School (UC Berkeley).

“We are very happy that we can continue to assist our youth as they embark on their college career,” said Eileen Giorgi, president of the REALTOR® Charitable Foundation. “The seniors selected for the SILVAR Scholars Program have worked hard and deserve to be recognized. We also thank our members, whose contributions have made it possible to continue our program for 24 years.” Members of the local REALTOR® group presented the scholarship awards to the recipients during senior awards night at their respective schools. The scholarship presenters included Adriane Alston (Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno), Joanne Fraser (Compass), Jim Hamilton (Compass), Jimmy Kang (eXp Realty of California), Wendy Marioni (Compass), Tracey McNeely (Compass), Sunita Merchia (Merchia Realty), Russell Morris (Coldwell Banker Realty), Navneet Parmar (Real Estate Experts), Tammie Peters (Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno), Robert Reid (Keller Williams Realty), Sarah Sanusi (Keller Williams Realty), Stacey Woods (Compass), Selena Young (Coldwell Banker Realty).

SILVAR REALTOR® Bernie Leung among 50 finalists in REALTOR® Magazine’s 30 Under 30 contest

March 27, 2023 in Real Estate, Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Housing Market | Tags: Bernie Leung, National Association of REALTORS, REALTOR® Magazine, REALTOR® Magazine Class of 30 Under 30 | Leave a comment

SILVAR is proud to announce SILVAR member Bernie Leung is among 50 finalists vying for a spot in REALTOR® Magazine‘s 2023 Class of 30 Under 30. Leung is a REALTOR® with Compass Menlo Park.

Every year, REALTOR® Magazine‘s Class of 30 Under 30 recognizes top accomplished real estate professionals nationwide. Selection of finalists is based on business success, innovation, and community involvement. The finalist who receives the most online votes is guaranteed a spot in this year’s 30 Under 30 class and will be the Web Choice Award winner. Judges then select the other 29 honorees from the field of finalists.

Born in San Francisco, Leung has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Menlo College in Atherton and graduated from both Stanford University’s Influence and Negotiations Strategies and Harvard University Negotiation & Leadership Program. He is also an event organizer for Silicon Valley Startup: Idea to IPO, a 26,000+ member organization.

He believes in real estate and wants to make his clients happy and them make their dream of homeownership come true. “I have a super client obsession,” Leung remarked.

Ironically, it was Leung’s father who pushed him to get into real estate. “My dad would say there are only two paths in life – stocks and real estate.” He got his real estate license in 2016, “just to make my dad happy.” Previous work as an accountant for a non-profit got him a job in DeLeon Realty’s finance department. Then one day, the firm was short-staffed and asked him to host an open house. It was then that he discovered that his natural talents and skillset were well-suited to a people businesses like real estate. Transitioning from finance to becoming a real estate agent was inevitable.

During his seven years at DeLeon Realty, he became the most senior top producing agent at the firm. From 2019-2021, Leung’s annual sales volume ranged from $40-50 million. He is happy his dad pushed him toward real estate.

“My dad is both my mentor and hero,” he exclaimed.

Today, with Compass, Leung is a solo agent and a top producer with a current sales volume of $34 million. His average sales transaction is $3.8 million.

Leung said he entered the 30 Under 30 contest because at age 28 (he’ll turn 29 next month), being the youngest REALTOR® with his sales volume in a market dominated by much older peers, he wants to show younger or new agents that anything is possible and prove that you can succeed in real estate despite being under 30 years old.

“Age is just a number. My goal is to inspire the next generation of movers and shakers in real estate to defy all odds and find success by carving out their own unique path,” said Leung.

Leung has a chance to do just that by being part of REALTOR® Magazine‘s 30 Under 30 Class of 2023.

Voting is now open. See Bernie’s profile HERE, then click on Read More and vote, or you can directly vote for him HERE.

You can vote once every 24 hours per candidate. The voting period closes March 31 at 10 AM PT.

SILVAR wishes Leung the best of luck in the contest!

2023 Silicon Valley REALTORS® leadership installed

February 10, 2023 in Real Estate | Leave a comment

The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) 2023 leadership team was installed on February 2 at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club. 2002 California Association of REALTORS® President Robert Bailey administered the oath of office to 2023 SILVAR President Jim Hamilton and 2023 C.A.R. President Chris Kutzkey installed SILVAR’s 2023 officers and board directors. 2021 C.A.R. President Dave Walsh served as master of ceremonies. 2007 C.A.R. President Colleen Badagliacco led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance, and 2022 C.A.R. President Otto Catrina delivered the Inspiration Message.

Joining Hamilton as lead officers are Eileen Giorgi, a REALTOR® with Christie’s International Sereno, President-elect; and Jeff Bell, broker manager of Coldwell Banker Realty Cupertino, Treasurer.

SILVAR’s 2023 board directors are Brett Caviness (Compass), Past President; Joanne Fraser (Compass), Region 9 Chair; Denise Welsh (Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno), National Association of REALTORS® Director; District Chairs Jasmine Lee (Coldwell Banker Realty), Menlo Park-Atherton District; Stacey Woods (Compass), Palo Alto District; Patricia Robison (Intero), Los Altos-Mountain View District; Tracey McNeely (Compass), Cupertino-Sunnyvale District, and Tammie Peters (Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno), Los Gatos-Saratoga District; and Directors At-large Alan Barbic (Barbic Real Estate Group), Elizabeth Doyle (Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno), Jimmy Kang (eXp realty of California), Sunita Merchia (Merchia Realty), Navneet Parmer (Real Estate Experts) and Suzanne Yost (Compass).

A broker associate at Compass Los Gatos, Hamilton has extensive involvement in REALTOR® association leadership at the local, state and national levels. At SILVAR, he has served as president-elect, board director, and chair of the Los Gatos-Saratoga District. He also served as 2002 treasurer and 2005 C.A.R. president and as an NAR director and regional vice president. He was president of the South Bay Association of REALTORS®, and named REALTOR® of the Year by both the national and local Associations of Realtors, including SILVAR in 2019 and the South Bay Association.

California Association of REALTORS® works to address past discriminatory policies

November 23, 2022 in Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Housing Market | Tags: Brett Caviness, California Association of REALTORS®, California Fair Employment and Housing Act, California Real Estate Association (CREA), Fair Housing, Fair Housing Act of 1968, Otto Catrina | Leave a comment

The California Association of REALTORS® formally apologizes for its past discriminatory policies, including Proposition 14, a successful 1960s ballot initiative that overturned the State of California’s first fair housing law. C.A.R.’s leaders issued the apology in a press release and in a live press conference.

Regrettably, the California Real Estate Association (CREA), now known as C.A.R., once played a leading role in segregation and exclusionary practices in housing. California communities still grapple with wealth and homeownership inequities. For decades, CREA promoted policies that encouraged discrimination and the idea that neighborhood integration would negatively impact property values. The Association endorsed racial zoning, “redlining” and racially restrictive covenants.

“The Association was wrong. We not only apologize for those actions, we strongly condemn them, and we will continue working to address the legacy of these discriminatory policies and practices,” said C.A.R. President Otto Catrina.

CREA was behind Article 34, a law passed in the 1950s that remains in place that makes it very difficult to build affordable housing in California. The Association also excluded women and people of color from membership.

In the 1960s, California’s first fair housing law, the Rumford Fair Housing Act, was passed. CREA actively encouraged its members to support Proposition 14, a law that overturned the Rumford Act and modified California’s constitution so that the state could not prohibit private property owners from engaging in discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the proposition as unconstitutional.

In the years since the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and other fair housing laws, C.A.R. has prioritized understanding and addressing the unique homeownership barriers impacting communities of color and other historically excluded communities.

“We have continued to unpack our difficult and sometimes obscure history of opposing fair housing laws, promoting segregation and racial exclusion prior to the Fair Housing Act of 1968. As an organization that deeply values inclusion, we can’t change the actions of the past, but we are taking bold action now to help build a more equitable and just future,” said Catrina.

For instance, C.A.R. recently sponsored a law requiring periodic implicit bias training for all real estate salespersons. Additionally, C.A.R. helped shape a new law that strengthens consumer protection in instances of appraisal bias.

Currently, C.A.R. is working to address the legacy of discriminatory policies in a variety of ways. These include:

● Offering a closing cost grant for members of underserved communities.

● Donating to the Black Wealth Builders Fund, a down payment assistance program for Black home buyers in the Bay Area.

● Partnering with and sponsoring the work of nonprofit organizations that support greater homeownership for members of underserved communities.

● Sponsoring and supporting a variety of policies that address supply and affordability challenges for communities of color.

● Co-sponsoring a bill that would overturn Article 34, a law California REALTORS® helped pass in the 1950s that makes it much harder for California communities to build affordable housing.

● Supporting a law that provides a system for redacting restrictive covenants in property records.

“The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) has always promoted homeownership for all. We have promoted C.A.R.’s Fairhaven simulation, an innovative online simulation training, where agents walk in the shoes of a homebuyer facing discrimination. The training provides customized feedback that agents can apply to daily business interactions,” said Brett Caviness, president of SILVAR. “We have also introduced a number of diversity, equity and inclusion programs to our members, so all are aware that discrimination is not allowed in any facet of real estate.”

Safety at Open Houses

September 23, 2022 in California Housing Market, Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Housing Market | Tags: Brett Caviness, National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), open houses, REALTOR® Safety Month | Leave a comment

Every day REALTORS® across the nation put themselves in positions where they can be victims of dangerous crimes. Whether it’s putting up signs along the highway, meeting a new client, or showing a house to a prospective buyer, your personal safety is often at stake. To raise awareness about this important issue, the month of September is officially designated by the National Association of REALTORS® as REALTOR® Safety Month.

“The safety of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®’ 5,000 members is a top priority. An open house can be a great sales tool, but it also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Thieves and assailants have been known to prey on open houses. We always caution our members to be watchful of suspicious behavior when hosting an open house,” said Brett Caviness, president of SILVAR.

Take these steps to stay safe at open houses:

If possible, always try to have at least one other person working with you at an open house.

Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial.

Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several “escape” routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.

Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.

Have all open house visitors sign in. Ask for full name, address, phone number and email.

When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.

Avoid attics, basements, and getting trapped in small rooms.

Notify someone in your office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to call you.

Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.

Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

For more information on REALTOR® and consumer safety, visit www.realtor.org/safety.

REALTORS® invited to test their fair housing knowledge

August 19, 2022 in California Housing Market, Education, National Association of REALTORS®, Real Estate, Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Housing Market | Tags: Fair Housing, Fairhaven, housing discrimination | Leave a comment

Have you ever walked in the shoes of a homebuyer facing discrimination? Fairhaven, the National Association of REALTORS^®fair housing simulation for REALTORS^®, uses the power of storytelling to help members identify and address discriminatory practices in real estate.

Visit the fictional town of Fairhaven and work against the clock to sell homes while confronting realistic scenarios of discrimination in the homebuying process. Throughout the simulation receive actionable feedback that you can apply to your daily business interactions.

The training also includes powerful testimonials demonstrating the impact of housing discrimination in real people’s lives. Hold yourself accountable and make sure you’re adhering to fair housing laws by exploring the town of Fairhaven.

Get started now and complete the training HERE.

To learn more, visit nar.realtor/fairhaven.

SILVAR forms partnership with Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance

June 29, 2022 in California Housing Market, National Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, Silicon Valley Housing Market | Tags: Brett Caviness, Jessa Walsh, LGBTQ+ Rea; Estate Alliance, Paul Cardus, Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance | Leave a comment

The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR)has formed a new partnership with the Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. A Memorandum of Understanding between the local REALTOR® association and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance local chapter was approved by SILVAR’s Board of Directors at its meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. The collaboration will allow both groups to identify opportunities that cultivate LGBTQ+ leaders and mobilize members in support of mutually beneficial federal policies, among other pro-LGBTQ+ and real estate industry initiatives.

“SILVAR has long championed homeownership for all, and this includes the LGBTQ+ community. We’re proud to announce our partnership with the Silicon Valley Alliance as we celebrate Pride Month in June and work toward initiatives that will benefit the real estate industry and our communities as a whole,” said SILVAR President Brett Caviness.

Homeownership in the U.S. is currently around 65%, while LGBTQ+ homeowner rates are lower, at about 49%. The LGBTQ+ community continues to face housing discrimination and does not feel they are welcome in certain communities where they would like to live. Nearly half of renters do not pursue homeownership due to fears of discrimination.

The National Association of REALTORS® amended its Code of Ethics in 2011 and 2014 to ensure REALTORS® uphold housing protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community. NAR has worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development as it has reinforced its Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“SILVAR’s partnership with The Alliance is in line with NAR’s core values to lead change while advancing diversity and inclusion,” said SILVAR CEO Paul Cardus. “SILVAR and Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance have a shared commitment in protecting private property rights and advancing the American Dream of homeownership for all.”

“The Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance is grateful for the partnership and support SILVAR has offered us without hesitation,” said Jessa Walsh, Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ Alliance president. “Homeownership is the single most fundamental building block for creating long-term and generational wealth. It’s a challenging goal for anyone, especially in Silicon Valley. It’s our goal through the Alliance to ensure no one in our community experiences additional barriers in their pursuit of homeownership based on who they love or how they identify.”

Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance vision is to create a world free of housing discrimination. “We believe it is imperative to educate ourselves, our agents, and our staffs on how to work with the LGBTQ+ community and ensure there is an inclusive space for everyone within our real estate industry,” said Walsh.

Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says …