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 Steve Goddard  Wednesday, February 10th, 2010  Steve Goddard - 2010 C.A.R. President
Dear C.A.R. Member:
The C.A.R. Board of Directors meetings in Indian Wells concluded last weekend, and as always covered a lot of ground in a short period of time. More than 50 committee meetings during the week culminated in the official meetings of the full board on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
Your board of directors is a dedicated group of volunteers who give their time and expertise to your state association and to our industry. If you’re not directly involved in your local association, or aren’t yet a volunteer at the state or national level, I encourage you to do so. It’s an opportunity to give voice to the issues important to you and your peers, and to directly impact your livelihood and the future of our industry. My involvement over the years has enriched both my professional and personal life.
At the meetings, changes to the California Residential Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions–most often referred to as the “RPA”–were approved by the board. The RPA is the standard form, produced by C.A.R., used in nearly every residential real estate transaction in the state. The RPA hasn’t been significantly modified since 2002, and the changes approved this past week followed nearly two years of effort by the RPA Study Group and the Standard Forms Advisory Committee, with over 1,000 comments from members helping inform the process.
Changes regarding the initial deposit; the notice to perform; FHA/VA loans; financing; the appraisal contingency; the wood pest inspection; home warranty coverage; and contingencies and cancellations; among others, were approved and will be incorporated in the revised form, scheduled for release April 28. For a complete timeline regarding the RPA release, visit http://www.car.org/legal/standard-forms/. Final Drafts will be posted Feb. 22. Classes will be held throughout the state and begin next month. Please click here for more details.
Continue reading: Your February Message from C.A.R. President Steve Goddard
Steve Goddard Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
Steve Goddard - 2010 C.A.R. President
Dear C.A.R. Member:
A new year, and with it, new beginnings and new opportunities. Like you, I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges that invariably present themselves as we get underway.
It’s heartening to see encouraging signs in both the general economy and the real estate market in California. As is often the case, California is ahead of the nation in market recovery. The state’s median home price increased year over year in November for the first time since August 2007, sales bottomed out more than two years ago, and the median home price reached its trough in February 2009. Going forward, we expect the statewide median home price to rise 3.3 percent to $280,000 this year, with a slight decrease in sales. While no one has an infallible crystal ball, it looks like the worst is behind us, and we can move forward with confidence that better days are ahead.
There’s exciting news to share on the statewide MLS front: calREDD™ on Monday officially launched at the Lake County Association of REALTORS®. We remain convinced that a true statewide MLS is in your best interests, and we will continue to work to that end. It’s a complicated process, but as calREDD™ Chairman Mike Silvas so succinctly stated, it’s always easy to criticize innovators who are shaking up the status quo. Following Monday’s successful launch in Lake County, calREDD™ now will focus on deployments at the Chico, Oroville, and Paradise associations later this month, with more to follow in March and April.
Continue reading: Your January Message from C.A.R. President Steve Goddard
Caylyn Brown Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
2010 C.A.R. President Steve Goddard sent out the following letter concerning short sales:
Dec. 16, 2009
Dear C.A.R. Member:
I wanted to bring to your attention some important details about the recently announced Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program (HAFA), which provides instructions for lenders and servicers participating in the Making Home Affordable Program and [...]
Steve Goddard Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Steve Goddard - 2010 C.A.R. President
Dear C.A.R. Member:
I wanted to bring to your attention some important details about the recently announced Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program (HAFA), which provides instructions for lenders and servicers participating in the Making Home Affordable Program and Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).
HAFA helps standardize the short sale and deed-in-lieu process by creating an alternative to foreclosures for homeowners unable to successfully modify their troubled mortgage under HAMP.
Although not perfect, the program reflects C.A.R.’s efforts in the federal arena to standardize the short sale process, protect your business, and safeguard commissions. It also makes clear the timeframes by which servicers must respond to an offer on a short sale.
The HAFA program will permit pre-approved short sale terms before a property is listed; prevent servicers from attempting to reduce real estate commissions established in the listing agreement as a condition for short sale approval; release borrowers from future liability for the debt; and provide financial incentives to borrowers, servicers, and investors.
Continue reading: C.A.R. Update on Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program
Steve Goddard Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
Steve Goddard - 2010 C.A.R. President Dear C.A.R. Member:
2010 promises to be another challenging year for both the housing market and our industry. I am honored to be your 2010 president, and look forward to speaking, meeting, and interacting with you during the coming year, whether online or in person. During my term, I’ll be focusing on efforts to ensure that the REALTOR® remains at the center of the transaction, making certain private property rights are protected at both the state and national levels, and expanding our commitment to raise the level of professionalism within our industry. I look forward to communicating with you each month, and highlighting some of the many benefits available to you through your membership in C.A.R.
I hope you’ve taken advantage of the opportunity to upgrade to the new zipForm® 6, where you’ll be able to access new features and functionality not currently available with either WINForms Online® or WINForms® Desktop. I upgraded my software last month, and can tell you that it was essentially a quick and easy process. WINForms® is an essential part of my business, and I’m pleased with the new functionalities available to me now. To take advantage of free introductory webinar training, visit http://www.car.org/winforms/zipForm6/.
Next on the horizon, ePUBS™ for zipForm® 6 is going to be free for all C.A.R. members as of Jan. 1. ePUBS™ for zipForm® 6 makes it easy for you to e-mail critical mandated disclosure information like the Combined Hazards Book and helpful consumer guides to your client. You can e-mail the Combined Hazards Book with the separate signature file and offer your client a green alternative to printing out all 79 pages of the booklet — one step closer to a paperless transaction. Be on the lookout for more detailed information in coming weeks.
Continue reading: Your Monthly Message from C.A.R. President Steve Goddard – December 2009
Steve Goddard Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
Dear C.A.R. Member:
Given today’s challenging healthcare environment, I’m pleased to let you know that the open enrollment deadline for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance through C.A.R. has been extended through Dec. 15. You now have an opportunity to enroll for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2010.
This is your chance to get guaranteed issue health insurance through C.A.R.’s medical plan, as well as an opportunity to enroll for dental, vision, and life insurance coverage. After Dec. 15, you won’t be able to enroll in the C.A.R. program until April 2010 for a June 1, 2010, start date. I encourage you to make some time today to review the information below so you are able to make an informed decision regarding insurance options for yourself and your family.
Continue reading: C.A.R. Open Enrollment Deadline Extended to Dec. 15
Steve Goddard Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
Manhattan Beach REALTOR® Steve Goddard to head 2010 C.A.R. Leadership Team
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 17) – REALTOR® Steve Goddard will head the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) 2010 Leadership Team, C.A.R. announced today. REALTOR® Beth L. Peerce will serve as the Association’s president-elect, REALTOR® Don Faught as treasurer, and Joel Singer as state secretary. C.A.R.’s 2010 Leadership Team began their official term this week at the close of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) Conference and Expo in San Diego, Calif.
REALTOR® Steve Goddard is a broker and manager at RE/MAX Marquee Partners in Manhattan Beach, Calif. He began selling real estate 35 years ago, specializing in selling and leasing residential real estate, residential income properties, and commercial buildings. Goddard also is a developer and a licensed general contractor. During the past 28 years, he has consistently ranked among the top 10 agents in his company’s group of more than 400 agents. Over the past 17 years, he has chaired or served on myriad committees and forums at the local, state, and national association level. As president of C.A.R., one of Goddard’s goals is to shed light on housing-related issues, including the rights of private-property owners, and housing affordability at the local, state, and national levels.
Continue reading: C.A.R.’s 2010 Leadership Team
James Liptak Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
Dear C.A.R. Member:
The past few weeks have been very favorable for home buyers, our profession, and the real estate industry. President Obama on Friday signed a bill extending and expanding the federal tax credit for home buyers through April 30, 2010, and on Oct. 30 signed a resolution extending the current limits for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA loans through the end of next year.
These successes were a teaching moment for us all on the impact we can make in Washington when we unite behind a common cause. We called for action, and you delivered. California REALTORS® placed nearly 25,000 calls or e-mails to their congressional representatives, urging them to extend and expand the home buyer tax credit. Passage of legislation critical to our profession also underscored the importance of being politically involved, at the local, state, and national levels. It’s why I’ve been personally involved in our Association’s advocacy efforts for many years, and why I back up my commitment with an annual contribution to the REALTOR® Action Fund.
Continue reading: November 2009 Message from C.A.R. President James Liptak
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