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 Nelson Janes  Friday, February 3rd, 2012  The Oxford English Dictionary tells us that a profession involves the application of specialized knowledge of a subject to a fee-paying clientele. According to Wikipedia, a profession is a specialized occupation characterized by intensive training and subsequent licensure by a regulatory body.
The word is derived from Latin, meaning to swear an oath. That oath is based upon adherence to ethical standards which include client confidentiality, truthfulness and striving to be an expert. There is also a stipulation about upholding the good name of the profession.
Starting to sound familiar? Your REALTOR® Membership defines you as a professional. SAR, with the state and national REALTOR® organization, has been doing so for over 100 years.
Along with this overriding benefit, there are tangible savings, discounts and value that you receive through your Membership in the REALTOR® organization.
Excellence in educational programming is a prime and perennial benefit of SAR Membership. You can take all of the courses that you need for license renewal at a Member discount of at least $10 each course. You are also entitled to knowledgeable advice at no charge on how to renew your license.
Continue reading: Communicating Your Value as a Professional REALTOR
Stella Ling Friday, January 27th, 2012
California courts have recently been considering lawsuits brought by borrowers who claim their lenders wrongfully foreclosed on their homes. Join us on Monday, February 6, from 1 to 2 p.m., for a free, interactive Legal Live webinar to discuss these recent foreclosure cases. C.A.R. veteran attorneys, Stella Ling and Sanjay Wagle, will go over [...]
Caylyn Brown Monday, July 18th, 2011
In a major victory for REALTORS®, Governor Brown signed into law a C.A.R.-sponsored bill, Senate Bill 458, prohibiting a deficiency after a short sale for one-to-four residential units, regardless of whether the lender is a senior or junior lienholder. Effective immediately for transactions closing escrow from this day forward, both senior and junior lienholders [...]
Devyn Henry Friday, June 10th, 2011
 2011 marks SAR’s 49th year of awarding scholarships to deserving Sacramento area students. The Scholarship Fund was initially a $600 yearly program that provided $100 to $200 scholarships for Sacramento students attending American River Junior College, Sacramento City College, and Sacramento State College (now California State University, Sacramento). Over the years SAR has expanded [...]
Janelle Fallan Monday, June 6th, 2011
When 34 area students receive college scholarships from the Sacramento Association of REALTORS® on June 7, they will join a group of students reaching back 49 years.
Their scholarships, ranging from $750 to $2500, total $38,250 this year.
“Through all the ups and downs of real estate over the years, Sacramento REALTORS® have always supported higher education through their own contributions,” Perry Georgallis, REALTOR® and chair of the Scholarship Foundation Trustees, said.
The scholarship fund began as a $600 program that provided $100 to $200 scholarships for Sacramento students attending American River Junior College, Sacramento City College, and Sacramento State College (now California State University, Sacramento). Over the years, SAR has expanded the scholarship program to support students in a variety of other fields at many different institutions.
“Education is one of the most important gifts we can give today’s youth. Education benefits not only the student but the entire community. The students who receive a SAR scholarship to attend college may one day be our clients, our co-workers and our community leaders. All these young people are so outstanding, they give us faith in the future,” Georgallis said.
Continue reading: REALTORS® Award $38,000 to Local Students
Bonnie Becker Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
 SAVING YOU TIME
C.A.R. Enters the Blogosphere— Curious about the perils of refinancing? Longing for sage advice from a real estate lawyer? Wondering if the latest tech gadget is really worth the investment? Log on to the new C.A.R. blog (http://blog.car.org) for these and other timely posts. The resourceful blog offers tips of the trade, industry news, tech talk, first-person tales from the trenches, and more. C.A.R. staff members contribute to the easy-to-read blog, which includes new posts several times a week, but the blog also is open for guest blogging. If you have wise tips or stories of success you’d like to share with other members, contact Lindsey Moss at lindseym@car.org. However, be warned: This is a pitch-free zone, so submissions aren’t about self-promotion.
SAVING YOU MONEY
Two Days in Sacramento—Mark your calendars for early May to attend Legislative Day (May 4) and California REALTOR® Showcase (May 5) in Sacramento. Legislative Day offers members an opportunity to descend on Capitol Hill and meet with their state legislators to discuss issues that affect the real estate industry. The day starts with a morning briefing at 9 a.m. Members interested in attending can register through their local association. For more information, visit http://www.car.org/governmentaffairs/getinvolved/legday/. The following day, California REALTOR® Showcase serves up free seminars on the latest developments in social media, how to navigate a short sale transaction, and what industry top producers are doing to succeed in today’s market. In addition to a tabletop exhibit, California REALTOR® Showcase also will feature a luncheon lecture, “Why Lenders Can’t Lend: The Uncertain Future of Real Estate Finance,” presented by C.A.R. CEO Joel Singer. Tickets are $55 through April 28; $60 onsite. For more information, visit www.car.org/meetings/showcase.
Continue reading: C.A.R.’s Your Membership, Your Way April 2011
Leon Williams Friday, February 25th, 2011
 Leon Williams Federal Reserve has Finalized Rule on Jumbo Loan Escrow Requirements
The rule raises the threshold requirements for establishing an escrow account (property taxes ad insurance) on a first-lien jumbo mortgage.
The rule essentially says that if the APR on a first-lien jumbo loan is 2.5 percentaage points (previously 1.5 percentage points) or more above the average prime offer rate, an escrow account is required.
The provision was one of the reforms outlined in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, three years ago. Yes, three years to finally wade through that act to come up with this.
Other proposed rules are listed here:
- A rule that effectively Continue reading: Federal Reserve has Finalized Rule on Jumbo Loan Escrow Requirements
Patti Martinez Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
 We’re off and running into 2011 now with lots of REALTOR® events to look forward to in the coming year. Last year was challenging, but it surely wasn’t because the offerings through SAR were limited. A plethora of classes, seminars and workshops were offered. This year will be no different.
Besides all of the classes offered through SAR, the Masters Club has a number of upcoming events that are sure to help you garner new business. In fact, the Educational Roundtables that were just held were an outstanding success! It was again a sold out event and attended by new as well as seasoned agents. What a bargain to learn all the tips of the “Masters” AND receive a free breakfast to boot. I am a firm believer in gleaning as much information as possible from those who have already done it…..and rarely do you find a successful REALTOR® who isn’t willing to share their knowledge with anyone who asks.
Speaking of things past….the deadline has now passed for submission of Masters Club applications. However, applications for the 2010 production year may still be submitted for review with a $100 late filing fee in addition to the regular $65 Masters Club dues assessment. The $100 late filing fee acts as a gentle but firm motivator to submit your application on time.
Masters Club Annual Luncheon
Mark your calendar for March 11. This is the date for the Masters Club Luncheon to be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel downtown. Invitations will be going out soon. Everyone is invited. Make sure you mail your check as soon as invitations arrive, as space will be limited. It is always a fun and lively event.
Masters Club Spring Mixer
Reserve Thursday, March 31 for our next mixer. The venue has not been determined as of this writing, but invitations will be going out with all pertinent information very soon. The last mixer at the Rail Bridge winery was a rousing success with a silent auction and live music. All of the proceeds from the auction benefitted the SAR Scholarship Fund.
Continue reading: Masters Club Corner-February 2011
Stella Ling Thursday, January 6th, 2011
Let’s kick off the New Year with a Legal Live webinar on the new laws for 2011. California REALTORS® are invited to attend this free webinar on January 10, 2011 from 1 to 2 p.m. C.A.R. attorney Stella Ling will address 2011 laws, including the prohibition against short sale deficiencies, new disclosure requirements, and [...]
Caylyn Brown Monday, December 20th, 2010
On December 1, 2010, Fannie Mae announced an update to its selling guide that provides a new option to fund energy-efficient home upgrades while maintaining Fannie Mae’s principles of borrower sustainability. All Fannie Mae loan products are permitted to include the energy improvement feature excluding certain refinance loans. Eligible borrowers will be allowed to [...]
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