| |  | West Contra Costa
Association of REALTORS®
WCCAR is now located at 3065 Richmond Parkway, Suite 108A
Providing outstanding member services and proudly serving the communities of Crockett ,El Cerrito,
El Sobrante, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, Rodeo, San Pablo
and the unincorporated areas of western Contra Costa County since 1938. | |
| West Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®
Where Community Matters
3065 Richmond Parkway #108A
Richmond, California 94806
T(510) 233-1152
F(510) 231-0243
Office and REALTOR® Store Hours
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Fridays
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
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| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Working Together to Make a Difference ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
CURRENT EVENTS AND ISSUES
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Learn About the New REALTORS® Federal Credit Union
Visit www.realtor.org for details.
Another Membership Benefit
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CAR 2009 Consumer Advertising CampaignC.A.R. has launched the Association’s 2009 Consumer Advertising Campaign on the Web, on radio and -- for the first time in 10 years -- on TV. Building on our successful "Your Piece of California Your Peace of Mind" theme, www.yourpieceofcalifornia.com the 2009 campaign highlights the value REALTORS® bring to the transaction while raising awareness of the REALTOR® brand.
~ The Web sites also remind consumers why they should use a REALTOR® in all of their real estate transactions and contain links to the "Find a REALTOR®" page on car.org (www.car.org), the Association's official Web site, as well as The California Living Network at www.ca.realtor.com and www.sucasa.net for property searches.
~ Visit www.car.org, and click on the "2009 C.A.R. Consumer Advertising Campaign" button in the “About C.A.R.” section of the Web site. You can watch the television ad, listen to the radio spots, view the Web banner ads, and learn more about the campaign and its history. The television ad and radio spots will air through August, and the online advertising will continue through the end of October.
Another Membership Benefit
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C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection ProgramThrough the California Association of REALTORS® Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program, first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month for up to six months to help make their mortgage payments.
~ First-time home buyers must request an application for the H.A.F. Mortgage Protection Program from their REALTOR®.
~ For applications and other information on this exciting new program, go to www.car.org . There is no cost to either you or your clients to participate.
Another Membership Benefit
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N.A.R.'s Right Tools / Right Now Initiative
In response to the needs of the members during this current economic market, NAR will make available over 300 valuable publications, education, services, resources and tools to members for FREE or at significantly reduced pricing. The intent of the initiative is to put more NAR tools and resources into members' hands to help them with their business -
- RIGHT NOW. Click on www.realtor.org every month for more information.
Another Membership Benefit
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Housing Stimulus Laws for 2009
CAR's Legal Department has created a list of 100 Q&As covering both state and federal legislation. Check it out at www.car.org
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Making Home Affordable Home Program
Find Out If You Qualify For the Making Home Affordable Refinance
Find Out if You Qualify For the Home Affordable Modification
www.makinghomeaffordable.gov
Important Contact Information:
Fannie Mae
- 1-800-7FANNIE (8am to 8pm EST)
- www.fanniemae.com
Freddie Mac
- 1-800-Freddie (8am to 8pm ESP)
- www.freddiemac.com
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WCCUSD School Locater
Click on the link, enter a property address, and find the schools available for that specific property.
locator.schoolsiteonline.com
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calREDD™ launches new Web site
calREDD™, a service provided by CALMLS, the statewide Multiple Listing Service (a subsidiary of the California Association of REALTORS®),
has launched its new web site at www.calredd.com.
The site provides information for REALTORS® about calREDD™ products, services, rules, policies, and much more.
The site includes the following information:
~ Services offered by calREDD™
~ Product demos and videos
~ Calendar of upcoming events and product demonstrations
~ Frequently Asked Questions
~ Dedicated informational sections for brokers and local REALTOR® associations
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When an Agent Changes Offices… certain things have to be done.
~ Brokers/Managers - You are required to notify DRE of the arrival or departure of an agent within 5 days using form RE204 (Broker Change Application) or RE214 (Salesperson Change Application). www.dre.ca.gov
~ Brokers/Managers - Notify WCCAR of the arrival or departure of an agent within 5 days by sending / faxing / mailing us a copy of form RE204 (Broker Change Application) or RE214 (Salesperson Change Application). www.dre.ca.gov . We will make the appropriate record changes and forward that information to CAR and NAR.
~ Brokers/Managers / Agents - Notify WCCAR of any changes in your e-mail address and/or your mailing address.
~ Brokers/Managers / Agents - Don’t keep it a secret - Agents notify your brokers and brokers notify your agents of any changes!
~ Brokers/Managers / Agents - The Employing Broker’s business practice determines what happens to listings taken by a departing agent – the listings may stay with the office or go with the agent or some other option may be negotiated. By law, all listings belong to the employing broker.
~ Brokers/Managers / Agents – You can make required information changes / renew licenses / etc by enrolling in DRE’s eLicensing online system at www.dre.ca.gov
~ Brokers/Managers – a reminder that the NAR, CAR and WCCAR bylaws make the broker of record responsible for the payment of dues for every licensee associated with that office. WCCAR conducts periodic “accuracy audits” to ensure compliance with this requirement.= = = = = = = = = =
Customer Service
We strive to do better today than we did yesterday
and to do better tomorrow than we did today.
- Kaizen philosophy of business.
Whenever you have suggestions and/or comments on how we can make WCCAR better / more productive / more responsive for you, our valued members, please e-mail them to shirley@realtorswcc.org
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COMING EVENTS - - - SAVE THE DATES
Thursday Morning Conversation and Tour Meeting
Once a month at the El Sobrante Boys & Girls Club
Call the Association office for dates
at 4660 Appian Way (next to the Fire Station)
The doors open for networking and refreshments at 8:00 AM
The Conversation goes from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM.
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Another Membership Benefit
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Wednesdays
Paragon Essentials 9-12
CMA 1-4
Click on the Training link at www.ebrdi.com to register
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POINT OF SALE REQUIREMENTS
Contra Costa County
The Gas Shut Off Devices Ordinance 2006-44 requires gas shut-off valves be installed downstream of the meter and at the point of appliance on all buildings sold within unincorporated areas of the county prior to entering into an agreement for sale, or prior to close of escrow when an escrow agreement has been executed in connection with the sale.
For more information visit:
www.co.contra-costa.ca.us
For questions or to request a required plumbing permit application ($62.25 fee) or to schedule an inspection of installed valves call the Contra Costa Building Inspection Department at 925-646-4108.
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Contra Costa County
The mandatory Residential Rental Inspection program covers all single and multiple-family residential rental units in the unincorporated areas. For more information visit: www.co.contra-costa.ca.us
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Crockett Community Services District
As local sanitary districts continue to try to clean up their acts and prevent “inflow & infiltration”, another sewer lateral inspection program has taken effect. The Crockett Community Services district passed a sewer lateral inspection ordinance that requires sewer laterals to be inspected prior to close of escrow. Copies of the ordinance are available at WCCAR.
For more information,
contact the Crockett Sanitary Department at 510-787-2992.
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City of Richmond Sanitary Sewer District #1
Richmond has an ordinance requiring the inspection of all sewer lateral connections serviced by Richmond Sanitary Sewer District #1 during 2007 - 2009. The ordinance includes a point-of-sale requirement and is now in effect. This covers all properties in the City of Richmond not served by West County Wastewater District or Stege Sanitary District. Check the property tax bill to confirm the service provider. For a copy of the ordinance click here www.ci.richmond.ca.us
Owners of property built before August 1, 1991 are required to hire a licensed plumber to inspect their sewer lateral - repair, if necessary - and submit a report to the City of Richmond ($100 fee) for issuance of a Certificate of Lateral Compliance. A waiver is available for those properties constructed within the past 15 years ($25 fee).
Copies of the application form, FAQ sheet and list of plumbers were distributed with the September 6th issue of the Top O' the Mart.
For questions contact the City of Richmond Engineering Department at 510-412-2062.
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Rodeo Sewer Lateral Ordinance
Rodeo Sanitary District has passed a new sewer lateral inspection and required backflow prevention device ordinance.
~ Owners / Agents are to contact a competent / experienced company to perform a video inspection of the sewer lateral.
~ The test needs to be coordinated with Mark Thompson at RSD
510-799-2970 or 510-719-0606.
~ The results will be sent to RSD for review - a list of needed improvements or certificate of complaince (good for 10 years) will be issued.
~ There are no RSD fees at this time.
RSD has reserved grant funds for the voluntary replacement of sewer laterals or an exceptional circumstance during the sale of a property.
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San Pablo Residential Health & Safety Inspection
Visit www.ci.san-pablo.ca.us for more information on this point-of-sale required inspection on all residential properties.
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Stege Sanitary District
The Stege Sanitary District, serving Kensington, El Cerrito and the Richmond Annex, has an ordinance that requires the inspection of sewer laterals. For details visit stegesd.dst.ca.us or call 510-524-4668.
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West County Wastewater District
The West County Wastewater District has ordinances requiring the inspection / installation of a Backwater Overflow Prevention Device and a Sewer Lateral Inspection at point-of-sale.
The WCWD service area covers approximately 17 square miles in San Pablo, all of the northern subdivisions of Richmond, portions of Pinole, communities of El Sobrante, East Richmond Heights, Tara Hills, Rollingwood, Bayview, and portions of unincorporated Contra Costa County.
WCWD also has a "Building Sewer Replacement Grant Program" to help defray a portion of the costs of the required upgrade. That maximum amount of assistance available is 50% of the cost up to $2,000.
Visit www.wcwd.org for more information on the ordinances, the requirements, and the grant program.
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CITY OF HERCULES ZONING ORDINANCE Chapter 34
Sign Regulations (abbreviated version)
Section 34.500
A. Real Estate Sign…shall not be located on City of Hercules rights-of-way, landscaped medians or parkways.
C. Temporary Off-Site Residential Real Estate Open House/Directional Signs. Portable off-site residential real estate signs within any residential zone which is intended to provide directional assistance for an “open house” shall be:
1. “A-frame” in design. “Stick signs” are strictly prohibited.
2. Allowed only for residential real estate developments that are located within the City of Hercules.
3. Limited to one sign for each direction at any intersection for each real estate company regardless of the number of listings located in that direction.
4. Limited to a maximum total of three temporary off-site residential real estate signs at the corners of major arterial/collector streets and intersections; provided motorist visibility is not obstructed. Signs on secondary or residential streets and intersections shall be limited to a maximum total of two temporary off-site residential real estate signs at the corners of the intersection; provided, motorist visibility is not obstructed.
5. Designed to include directional arrows on each sign.
6. Limited to 30 inches in height and 6.25 square feet in sign face area.
7. Signs may be placed on private property only after first obtaining permission from the property owner.
8. Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way. Signing is prohibited in the center divider, any landscaped median, sidewalk, and/or traffic islands of public streets, bicycle paths or public walking trails. The A-frame, real estate open house signs shall be placed behind the sidewalk if the sidewalk is adjacent to the curb, or in the landscaped parkway if the parkway is adjacent to the curb. Signs shall not be placed on fences, utility poles or walls, or taped to traffic lights or light standards.
9. No signs shall be posted within sixteen (16) feet from the curb returns on all intersections.
10. Signs may be displayed only on weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and broker’s touring days between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., during the period when the property is available for public showing. Signs shall be removed after each day of showing.
11. Violations. All signs in violation are subject to seizure by the City of Hercules. (Note: These signs will be removed and stored at the City of Hercules Corporation Yard for a maximum of ten (10) days. After ten (10) days, the City will dispose of the sign if not claimed. Signs may be retrieved by contacting the Public Works Department and paying a seventy-five ($75.00) dollar retrieval fee per sign.
12. No balloons or attachments are permitted on the A-frame real estate open house…
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THURSDAY MORNING CONVERSATION AND TOUR NOW HELD ONCE A MONTH - OCTOBER 15, NOVEMBER 12 AND DECEMBER 10
WCCAR Thursday Morning Conversation and Tour - expectations
To maximize the exposure of your open house, you should plan to:
- Add your Brokers’ Open House information to
the EBRD Thursday West Contra Costa tour list
(before 1:00 PM on Wednesday);
- Attend the TMC meeting at the El Sobrante Boys and Girls Club
(4660 Appian Way / TBM 589:D1);
- announce the availability of your listing’s Brokers’ Open House;
- encourage people to visit the property; and
- hold the property open from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
= = Doors open at 8:00 AM for coffee and networking. = =
= = Meetings start at 8:30 AM and endS by 9:30 AM. = =
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Some Helpful Websites
www.realtor.org - National Association of REALTORS®
www.car.org - California Association of REALTORS®
www.store.car.org - CAR Online Store
www.leginfo.ca.gov - California laws
www.dre.ca.gov - California Department of Real Estate
www.factcheck.org - Annenberg Political Fact Check
www.snopes.com - Urban Legends Reference Pages
www.recyclemore.com - West County Recycling Resources & Information
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Contact Numbers
CAR Legal Hotline
on Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM
and on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM
For Agents at 213-739-8282
For Managing Brokers / Office Managers / Designated REALTORS® at 213-739-8350
(Another Membership Benefit)
WINForms Tech Support at 586-840-0140 or tech@zipform.com
(Another Membership Benefit)
EBRD MLS main number 925-363-2330
EBRD MLS Help Desk at 925-363-2333
EBRD MLS Training Department at 925-363-2336 or www.ebrdi.com
KIM DisplayKEY update (a manual update option, if you missed your automatic eSYNC) at 888-968-4032
RELAY™ Tech Support: RELAY™ Tech Support: 586-840-1168 or support@rebt.com
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Finding Your NRDS (nerds) Number
The simplest way to find your nine-digit NRDS ID number is to log onto CAR Online at www.car.org and click on "Sign In" located at the top of the screen. The sign-in box that appears contains a link that reads "I forgot my member number". This option takes you to a page where you can search for your member number by first and last name. If you still have trouble determining your unique ID, you can also look at the address label of your California Real Estate magazine.
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Reservations Policy
Due to the challenges of dealing with restaurants / caterers and attendant financial commitments, and to treat fairly those members who make timely reservations, the following policy has been implemented:
Any event requiring commitment to a caterer / restaurant will require advance reservations by a specific date. Reservations made after that date are subject to availability and an additional charge of at least $10.
"Walk-ins" will not be allowed at "reservations required" events.
Tickets will not be sold at the door.
If you plan to attend an event, please make your reservations in a timely manner to avoid confusion and disappointment.
"Time is of the essence" in making reservations as well as in real estate.
= = = = = = = = = = Is Your Information Current?..
Please check the Members section (upper left corner) for the online directory to confirm the accuracy of your information. Then take a moment to send any changes/corrections AND your e-mail address to info@realtorswcc.org. Thanks very much.
= = = = = = = = = = Directions to WCCAR
We're at 423 - 46th Street between Barrett and Nevin (TBM:589-A7)
- one block SW of the intersection of Barrett and San Pablo in Richmond
From I-80 Westbound take the San Pablo Ave exit / turn left at the traffic light onto Barrett / go one block under the overpass and turn right onto Wilson and 46th. We're at the end of the block.
From I-80 Eastbound take the San Pablo Ave exit and turn right at San Pablo Ave / go two blocks to Nevin and turn right / go two blocks to 46th and turn right. We're on your left side.
West Contra Costa
Association of REALTORS®
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Working together to make a difference ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The WCCAR "PLAN"
WCCAR provides its members with
Professional and ethical development,
Leadership, Advocacy and Networking
essential to their success and profitability
which, in turn,
~ strengthens the REALTOR® image;
~ protects and promotes private property rights;
~ and benefits the community.
WCCAR OFFICERS
2010 President
Christine Padilla / Coldwell Banker Bartels REALTORS®-Pinole
christinepadilla@aol.com
2010 President-Elect
Eric Meyers / Westpro Realty, Pinole
eric@westprorealty.com
2010 Treasurer
Renee Bartels / Coldwell Banker Bartels REALTORS® - El Cerrito
renee.bartels@coldwellbanker.com
Immediate Past President
Alberta Huston / Bay Area Dream Homes - Pinole
rmxalberta@aol.com
Executive Vice President / Secretary
Jeff Wright
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