| |  | 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
No Thursday Morning Conversation on July 3rd
Check EBRD for brokers open houses.
The next TMC will be July 10th: New Member Ceremony; Breakfast; and EBRD MLS Update.
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Holiday Office Hours
Your Association office will be closed on Friday, July 4th,
in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
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It's Election Time at WCCARThe Nominating Committee has met and submits the following slate of candidates for 2009 Officers and Directors for your consideration and vote. The nominees are:
2009 Officers
President-Elect:
Christine Padilla / Coldwell Banker Bartels REALTORS® - Pinole
Treasurer:
Renee Bartels / Coldwell Banker Bartels REALTORS® - El Cerrito
Executive Vice President and Secretary:
Terry Murphy / WCCAR
Board of Directors
Director for the term 2009-2011:
Eric Meyers / Westpro Realty - Pinole
Melanie Hollingshead / Prudential California Realty - Hercules
Victoria Curtis / Prudential California Realty - El Cerrito
Director for the term 2009-2010:
Barbara Urbanic / Coldwell Banker Bartels REALTORS® - El Cerrito
Again this year, ballots will be distributed with the Top O' The Mart (the July 10th issue) to all REALTOR® members in good standing at their office addresses, and are to be returned no later than July 25th.
"Additional candidates for the offices to be filled may be placed in nomination by petition signed by at least twenty-five (25) REALTOR® members eligible to vote, with no more than five (5) names from any one office. The petition shall be filed with the Executive Vice President at least three (3) weeks (June 30th) before the election, together with the written acceptance of the nominee. The Executive Vice President shall deliver notice of such additional nominations to all members eligible to vote at least two (2) weeks (July 14th) before the election.
Note: "Except for Honorary Life Directors, CAR Regional Chair / Assistant Regional Chair or NAR Director, not more than three directors from any one office, firm, partnership or corporation shall serve on the Board of Directors at any one time."
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Continuing to serve you and WCCAR in 2009 are:
President:
Alberta Huston / Bay Area Dream Homes - Pinole
Past President:
Joe Fisher / Fisher REALTORS® - Richmond
Directors:
Brett Stratton / American Home Realty Network - San Francisco (2009)
John Ford / Security Pacific Real Estate - Richmond (2009)
Melva Baldain / Prudential California Realty - El Sobrante (2009)
Jack Burns, Jr. / Security Pacific Real Estate – Richmond (2010)
Ken Rogai / Security Pacific Real Estate – Richmond (2010)
Don Bartels / Coldwell Banker Bartels REALTORS® - Richmond (Honorary Director-for-Life)
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CAR Member Legal Services
has published two new articles:
MLS Short Sales and REO Issues www.car.org
and Understanding the Foreclosure Process www.car.org
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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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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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Proposed Rodeo Sewer Lateral Ordinance
Rodeo Sanitary District will propose a new sewer lateral inspection and backflow prevention device ordinance in July. The program will include an assistance financial grant component and a point-of-sale requirement.
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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
Thursday, July 3rd
NO THURSDAY MORNING CONVERSATION and TOUR this week.
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Thursday, July 10th
Thursday Morning Conversation
"New Member Ceremony" and Breakfast
and "EBRD MLS Update"
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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Thursday, July 19th
Thursday Morning Conversation
"Internet Marketing for Lead Generation" with Amos White
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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Thursday, July 24th
WCCAR Member Appreciation BBQ & Dessert Contest
in the WCCAR parking lot from 11:30 to 2:00
Reservations required for this FREE event.
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Monday, August 18th
WCCAR Golf tournament
Richmond Country Club
Registration at 10:00 - Shotgun start at Noon
$130 per person for golf, greens fee, and dinner
$30 for dinner only
For more information contact:
Contact Rudy Wilson 222-8870 or Carl Schober 724-7800 x15
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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 12:00 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.
= = = = = = = = = = 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®
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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