| |  | West Contra Costa
Association of REALTORS®
Providing outstanding member services and proudly serving the communities of Crockett, El Cerrito,
El Sobrante, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, Rodeo, San Pablo
and unincorporated western Contra Costa County since 1938. | |
| West Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®
423 - 46th Street
Richmond, California 94805-2301
T(510) 233-1152
F(510) 231-0243
e-mail: info@realtorswcc.org
Celebrating 70 years of service to our members and our communities.
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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| CURRENT EVENTS AND ISSUES
CAR Legislative Day - Wednesday, June 4th
Sign up to ride the WCCAR charter bus and join hundreds, if not thousands, of Realtors® from across the state, as we meet with our legislators. Lunch is $35 - that's your only cost for the day.
C.A.R. is looking forward to an entertaining and enlightening Legislative Day ! The Legislative leaders scheduled to speak to us about issues that affect our industry on Legislative Day are Senate President pro Tem-Elect Darrell Steinberg, Assembly Speaker-Elect Karen Bass and the Assembly Republican Minority Leader Mike Villines.
Check the flyer in the Top O' the Mart for details.
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WCCAR Affiliate Faire 2008
Thanks to those outstanding Affiliate Members whose invaluable participation made this event possible and successful:
Bank of America
Castle Rock Inspection Service
Fidelity Home Warranty
First American Home Buyers Protection
First American Title
HomeGuard
Homes and Land Magazine
Jarvis Home Inspections
M.A. Hays Insurance
Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau
U.S. Financial Mortgage
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CAR's 2008 Consumer Advertising Campaign
Radio and web site advertising are the key components of this year's campaign focusing on raising awareness of the REALTOR® brand and reinforcing the professionalism of REALTORS® who belong to CAR.
Visit www.car.org to preview the campaign.
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Keeping Your Pains and Gains Straight
With some recent media reports about real estate losses, housing slumps and home price declines, it can be easy to lose perspective. WCCAR President Joe Fisher says it’s time for a reality check.
“When you look closely at who’s experiencing real estate gains and losses, the overall picture comes into focus,” Fisher said. “Short-term fluctuations don’t have as much impact on owners and investors who bought with a long-term perspective.”
Over the past three decades, home values have risen an average of 6 percent annually. Of course, all real estate is local, and markets vary by region. In some markets, people who bought homes within the past year or two have seen the value of their investment go down. But real estate is not a quick-in, quick-out investment. On average, a buyer who purchased a median-priced home five years ago has seen a home value gain of $54,000 in that time; in Las Vegas, the gain averages $150,000, and in Miami, the same buyer would have averaged a $200,000 gain.
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New Loan Limits Announced
The Department of Housing and Urban Development
has implemented temporary increases in FHA loan limits
and both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming loan limits.
For Contra Costa County the new conforming loan limit is $729,750.
Visit entp.hud.gov for detailed information on the new loan criteria.
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HousingMarketFacts.com
NAR has launched a new web site, housingmarketfacts.com as a part of a public awareness campaign to promote the benefits of home ownership.
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WCWD Amended Sewer Later Ordinance
Sewer lateral inspections at point of sale are required by the amended ordinance effective April 1st.
West County Wastewater District has updated its web site to include more information on the ordinances, the requirements, and the grant program - visit www.wcwd.org or call 510-222-6700.
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CAR Offers DRE Continuing Education Online
including the Risk Management course that is now required for any license renewal. Visit car.learningcenter.com for more information.
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Visit Richmond
Did you know that Richmond is a visitor's destination?
Check out the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.VisitRichmondCa.com for more information.
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COMING EVENTS - - - SAVE THE DATES
Monday, May 12th
Knowledge is Power
"Managing Resistance / Commission Objections"
a 50-minute David Knox video
1:00 PM in the Board Room
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Wednesday, May 14th
EBRD Computer Training at WCCAR
"PC for Real Estate Professionals I"
9:00 AM in the Board Room
"PC for Real Estate Professionals II"
1:00 PM in the Board Room
Register at www.ebrdi.com and click on the Training link.
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Thursday, May 15th
Thursday Morning Conversation
"Are Your Clients Ready For The Next Earthquake?"
with Larry Guillot / www.quakeprepare.com
8:00 AM for networking and refreshments.
8:30 - 9:30 meeting and tour information
El Sobrante Boys & Girls Club - 4660 Appian Way
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Monday, May 19th
Knowledge is Power
"Pricing Presentation" - a 34-minute David Knox video
1:00 PM in the Board Room
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Wednesday, May 21st
EBRD Computer Training at WCCAR
"Paragon Essentials"
9:00 AM in the Board Room
"Customizing"
1:00 PM in the Board Room
Register at www.ebrdi.com and click on the Training link.
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Thursday, May 22nd
Thursday Morning Conversation
"NAR Midyear Meetings Report"
8:00 AM for networking and refreshments.
8:30 - 9:30 meeting and tour information
El Sobrante Boys & Girls Club - 4660 Appian Way
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Monday, June 2nd
Knowledge is Power
"Buyer Counseling" - a 30-minute David Knox video
1:00 PM in the Board Room
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Wednesday, June 4th
CAR Legislative Day and Expo in Sacramento
Put the date in your schedule and get on the bus
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Monday, June 9th
Knowledge is Power
"Showing Homes / Closing the Buyer"
a 37-minute David Knox video
1:00 PM in the Board Room
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Monday, June 16th
Knowledge is Power
"Presenting & Negotiating Purchase Agreements"
a 41-minute David Knox video
1:00 PM in the Board Room
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Friday, June 20th
WCCAR Day at the Races
Golden Gate Fields
$30 includes admission, valet parking and lunch
Call Sherri at 233-1152 for details and reservations
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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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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…
THURSDAY MORNING CONVERSATION AND TOUR
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 1:30 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 1:00 PM.
= = Doors open at 8:00 AM for coffee and networking. = =
= = Meetings start at 8:30 AM and end 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.car.learningcenter.com - CAR online continuing education site
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
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Contact Numbers
CAR Legal Hotline on Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 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 Help Desk at 925-906-5200 or 800-974-2123
EBRD Training Department at 925-906-5128 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.
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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.
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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®
Celebrating 70 years of service to our members and our communities
The WCCAR "PLAN":
WCCAR provides its members with
Professional Development
Leadership
Advocacy and
Networking
to assist them with their success and profitability.
2008 President
Joe Fisher / Fisher REALTORS®
jlfisher@aol.com
2008 President-Elect
Alberta Huston / Bay Area Dream Homes
rmxalberta@aol.com
2008 Treasurer
Renee Bartels / Coldwell Banker Bartels REALTORS®
renee.bartels@coldwellbanker.com
Immediate Past President
Sharon Brown, CRS / Prudential California Realty - El Sobrante
sharonsell@aol.com
Executive Vice President / Secretary
Terry Murphy, RCE, CRB, CRS, e-PRO
TerryMurphy@RealtorsWCC.org
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