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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
LeFrancis Arnold Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
 Dear Member,
I’m excited to begin my term as your 2012 President, but I first want to thank our outgoing C.A.R. President Beth L. Peerce for serving this organization so well over the past year. She helped keep you, the REALTOR®, at the center of the real estate transaction during this challenging time. Thank you Beth for your service to organized real estate!
Like Beth, I also am a second-generation REALTOR®. I followed my mother into the real estate business in 1976 and became a broker a year later. I have served as a C.A.R. director since 1994. I’m going to continue serving the organization this year by helping you get through the tough economic times and be successful in your business.
But I won’t be doing it alone. I’ll be joined by a very capable 2012 Leadership Team comprised of President-Elect Don Faught, Treasurer Chris Kutzkey, and C.A.R. Executive Vice President Joel Singer. I’m excited to serve with this incredible team.
As one of my first duties, I’m pleased to share with you the good news that the FHA loan limit was reinstated last month so that middle-class home buyers have access to affordable home financing. The higher loan limit expired on Oct. 1, 2011, when it was reduced to $625,500, but now has been restored to $729,750 for an additional two years, through Dec. 31, 2013. However, the higher loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans were not reinstated. C.A.R. and NAR both have long advocated for making higher loan limits permanent.
Continue reading: C.A.R. Monthly Message from President LeFrancis Arnold
Caylyn Brown Friday, December 9th, 2011
The Senate passed another short term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that would keep the NFIP funded through May 31, 2012. The measure awaits action in the House.
The current extension expires in one week, on December 16th. While the new extension provides more time, it is imperative that a [...]
Caylyn Brown Monday, November 21st, 2011
The United States House and Senate restored FHA loan limits to the level they were at before they were allowed to expire at the end of September. As a result, the limits will rise to 125 percent of the area median home price from 115 percent, up to a maximum of $729,750, from $625,500. [...]
Beth L. Peerce Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
 Dear Member,
Last month I informed you that Congress failed to extend the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA conforming loan limits and allowed them to expire Sept. 30. Since then, the Senate passed an amendment to an appropriation bill that would restore the $729,750 loan limits through December 2013. The Senate and House are now working out the differences between the Senate bill and the House bill, which the House passed earlier this year, but it did not reinstate the higher loan limits. If the House and Senate agree on a final bill, we will have a two-year extension to the conforming loan limits. C.A.R. is also working with the California Congressional Delegation to ensure this provision is included in the final bill.
C.A.R. and NAR are now working to get support for the extension in the House, but we need your help also. Please look for a Call for Action email from NAR asking you to call Sen. Dianne Feinstein and possibly other members of Congress. Please act now and urge your representative to extend the higher loan limits for GSEs and FHA. Well-qualified buyers don’t need another hurdle to access affordable mortgage financing.
Big changes on the way to help millions of distressed borrowers. Late October, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced important changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to help millions of underwater borrowers whose mortgages are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The changes will allow borrowers who are current on their mortgage payments to save an average of $2,500 a year by refinancing their mortgages, regardless of what their homes are worth. The revamped HARP Program will also streamline the refinancing process, eliminating certain types of appraisals and underwriting requirements, and reducing or eliminating fees that prevented homeowners from refinancing in the past.
The FHFA is working on details of the new rules, which should be finalized by Nov. 15. Banks may be able to start issuing refinanced loans by Dec. 1. We’ll continue to keep you updated on this issue.
Continue reading: C.A.R. Monthly Message from President Beth L. Peerce – November 2011
Caylyn Brown Monday, October 31st, 2011
Time is running out on the temporary extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). After November 18, the NFIP will expire, if a longer term plan is not approved. The House has endorsed a five year plan which Congresswoman Matsui was very involved in and includes important updates for areas of Sacramento like [...]
Janelle Fallan Monday, October 17th, 2011
 The Sacramento Association of REALTORS® has renewed its partnership with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD). SAR previously partnered with SMAQMD to distribute thousands of “Check Before You Burn” flyers to educate residents about approved burning days for wood stoves and fireplaces. This program was a great success in helping SMAQMD meet [...]
Caylyn Brown Thursday, October 13th, 2011
On October 6, 2011, the Senate Finance Committee held another in a series of hearings on tax reform, this time focusing on housing incentives. Five witnesses testified from a variety of perspectives, but they were unanimous on one point: Now is not the time to make any changes to the mortgage interest deduction (MID). [...]
Beth L. Peerce Monday, October 10th, 2011
October 10, 2011
Dear REALTORS®,
Important news on the housing policy front. Despite efforts by C.A.R. and NAR to fight for an extension of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA conforming loan limits, Congress failed to extend the $729,750 loan limits and allowed them to expire Sept. 30. This means the maximum loan amount that Fannie, Freddie, and FHA will buy or guarantee is $625,500, and anything above that amount will be non-conforming and will require a jumbo loan. These loans typically carry a higher mortgage interest rate and require a higher down payment, increasing the monthly payment, which will particularly be hard on middle-class buyers and sellers.
However, I’d like to applaud Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) for jointly introducing a bill that would have made the current loan limits permanent, and Congressman John Campbell (R-Calif.), who introduced a bill that would have extended the current loan limits. And of course, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who introduced a bill in the Senate that would have extended the conforming loan limits.
C.A.R. and NAR will continue to work with Congress to attempt to restore the higher limits as quickly as possible.
View the new loan limits.
Continue reading: C.A.R. Monthly Message from President Beth L. Peerce
Caylyn Brown Thursday, September 29th, 2011
On September 26, 2011, the Senate passed the Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 2608), which also includes a provision extending the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until November 18, 2011. Next week, the House is expected to approve this extension and has ensured that there will be no lapse in NFIP authority in the interim. [...]
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