{re}source | may 2010

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i. 5 / vol. III www.samcar.org Monthly Newsletter of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS ® MAY 2010 SAMCAR Legislative in this issue... Message from the President page 1 SAMCAR Announcements page 2 Legal Update at April Combined Meeting pages 7 & 8 Superintendent at South Tour page 8 Affiliate Spotlight page 8 SAMCAR Foundation Update page 9 Member Alert! New EPA Rule In Effect Regarding Lead-Based Paint pages 5 & 6 San Mateo County Midcoast Local Coastal Plan page 3 Legislative Day: June 9, 2010 page 4 MLS MLSListings, Inc. Updates page 7 NAR NAR Updates page 4 CAR CAR Updates page 4 MEMBER ALERT! New EPA Rule in effect regarding Lead-Based Paint pages 5 and 6 Are you Reading this? Please help SAMCAR communicate more effectively with you by taking our 10-minute Communications Survey. www.samcar.org/survey

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May 2010 edition of the {RE}source, monthly newsletter of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS.

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Page 1: {RE}source | May 2010

i. 5 / vol. III

www.samcar.orgMonthly Newsletter of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®

May2010

SaMCaR

Legislative

in this issue...

Message from the Presidentpage 1

SAMCAR Announcementspage 2

Legal Update at AprilCombined Meetingpages 7 & 8

Superintendent at South Tourpage 8

Affiliate Spotlightpage 8

SAMCAR Foundation Updatepage 9

Member Alert! New EPARule In Effect Regarding Lead-Based Paintpages 5 & 6

San Mateo County Midcoast Local Coastal Planpage 3

Legislative Day: June 9, 2010page 4

MLSMLSListings, Inc. Updatespage 7

NaRNAR Updatespage 4

CaRCAR Updatespage 4

MEMBER ALERT!

New EPARule in effect regarding

Lead-Based Paintpages 5 and 6

Are youReading

this?Please help SAMCAR communicate

more effectively with you by taking our 10-minute Communications Survey.

www.samcar.org/survey

Page 2: {RE}source | May 2010

monthly newsletter of the

San Mateo CountyAssociation of realtors®

www.samcar.org

tel. (650) 696-8200fax (650) 342-7509

2010 PresidentPresident Elect

Region 25 ChairDirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorDirector

Affiliate DirectorDirectorDirector

Jennifer TastoSusan VaterlausOlivia T. EdwardsEric BerggrenRobert BrisbaneJohn CliffordBobbi DeckerSuzan Getchell-WallacePhillip HoustonKaron KnoxAnne OlivaDennis PantanoEdgar TulcanazaDiane WilsonDavid Zigal

SAMCAR {RE}source is published monthly by the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®, 850 Woodside Way, San Mateo, CA 94401 and distributed to more than 4,000 recipients. E-mail [email protected] your questions or comments.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EDITORIAL TEAM

Director of Government Affairs Publications Designer

Michon Coleman Dalen Gilbrech

Copyright © 2010

Our VisionThe Voice for Real Estate Professionals

and Property Owners in San Mateo County.

Jennifer F. Tasto2010 SAMCAR President

A very sincere thanks to all of you who have taken the time to email, meet, or call me with your concerns, triumphs, and tribulations as it relates to our business

of real estate. There is a topic of “ethics” that has often come up in the concerns you voice.

Some of the frustrations I have heard are that “agents have no respect for how business is done”; “some agents do not even return phone calls or messages”; “agents are not considerate of the buyers or sellers”; “agents are being asked for information that is inappropriate and confidential by other agents.” These concerns are about ethics. What values do we have as it pertains to our business and business practices?

While I still believe that REALTORS® are aware of their duties to their clients, customers, and other REALTORS®, we have to continually remind ourselves that we are held to a high standard when we establish that “fiduciary relationship.” The fiduciary relationship places real estate licensees on the same level of agency responsibility as other professionals. We are met with challenges as it pertains to dealing with buyers, sellers, and other real estate agents. The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of REALTORS® is a document that we should continue to review as it comes to our business practices. I would also recommend an article from CAR that deals with “Ethical Issues to Consider Dealing with Prospective Buyers.” NAR has a booklet Antitrust and Real Estate – Antitrust Compliance Guide that also gives guidance to REALTORS®.

Message from your 2010 President

Ethics is a code of values which guide our choices and actions and determine the

purpose and course of our lives

—Ayn Rand, novelist and philosopher (1905-1982)

Page 3: {RE}source | May 2010

Be a part of Your AssociAtion

San Mateo CountyAssociation of realtors®

YOUR Voice , YOUR Association

Sales statistic reports are available on samcar.orgEvery month SAMCAR formats data compiled by MLSListings Inc. into PDF sales statistic reports for Single Family Residences and Common Interest Developments in San Mateo County including sales price, average days on market, median price and more.To view monthly Sale Statistic reports online at www.samcar.org/stats

REALTOR® Magazine’s Good Neighbor AwardsThe Good Neighbor Awards recognize REALTORS® who’ve madean extraordinary commitment to improving the quality of life intheir communities through volunteer work. Five winners eachyear receive $10,000 grants for their cause.Application deadline: May 21, 2010. For more information visit:www.realtor.org/gna

Tax Credit for New/First Time BuyersThe Department of Real Estate (DRE) is working with the Office of Governor Arnold Schwar-zenegger to promote the availability of the Homebuyer Tax Credit, which was recently extended by $200 million. Not only does this tax credit encourage the purchase of new and resale homes in our communities, but it also improves our economy through job creation.

The DRE would like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit its website and view theImportant Information provided by the Franchise Tax Boardwww.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/new_home_credit.shtml

Should you have any specific questions regarding the credit in general, please contact theDRE’s Mortgage Loan Activities Unit(916) 227-0770.

SAMCAR Communications SurveyPlease help SAMCAR by taking this 10 minute survey and beentered to win one of three FREE advertising opportunities!

You can take the survey online at www.samcar.org/survey

Residential Purchase Agreement Class at SAMCARJune 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. at SAMCAR

Gov Hutchison (Assistant General Counsel and Staff Vice President of the California Associa-tion of REALTORS®) will provide an overview of the recent and substantial changes to the new C.A.R. Residential Purchase Agreement. If you are an active REALTOR®, you must know the changes to the RPA to avoid potential liability.4 hours of Consumer Protection Continuing Education Credit | Cost: $59

Register for this class by calling SAMCAR(650) 696-8200

REAlTORS®

Welcome New MembersThe following members joined in April 2010

Tarun Vikash Anand, Pacific Star Realty

Barbara Breen, Prudential California FHD

Steve Davis, Cashin Company

Robert William Grubb, Grubb Properties

Edward C. Ho, Intero Real Estate Services

Dave Landeck, Intero Real Estate Services

Chun Li, Ameribanker-Luxury Real Estate

Jonathan Lin, Jonathan Lin, Broker

Brutus Lo, Cig Realty & Loans

John McMullen, Terrace Associates

Raul G. Meza, Bay City Realty

Carlos Montano,Casa Latino Bay Area Realty

Fatemah A. Nikchehi,RE/MAX Star Properties

Annette O’neill, ZipRealty, Inc.

Camilo Perez, J. V. & Associates, Inc.

Svetlana Raleigh, Raleigh Real Estate

Yefim Raysberg, Manhattan Realty Group

Cher Rowland, RE/MAX Today

Lourdes Garcia Rubio, RE/MAX Westlake

Eunice Suk, New Star Realty & Investment

MAY 2010 2

Page 4: {RE}source | May 2010

SAMCAR Endorsed Candidates C.A.R. Supported Ballot Measures

LEgISLATIvE UPDATES

San Mateo County MidcoastLocal Coastal PlanOn Tuesday, April 13th the SMC Board of Supervisors held a

final public hearing regarding the Midcoast Local Coastal Plan (LCP) update. The Board of Supervisors initiated a voluntary

update to the LCP over 10 years ago, which serves as the land use plan-ning roadmap for the unincorporated areas of the Midcoast, including El Granada, Montara, and Moss Beach. During the years-long process, SAMCAR has commented extensively regarding the proposed changes to land use in the unincorporated areas along the Midcoast.

A few months ago, the Board submitted its final draft to the California Coastal Commission (Commission) for comment. In return, the Com-mission delivered a 300+ page document that rejected a number of the County’s proposed policies and added numerous other provisions that,

These policies would: Impose a “lot retirement system”, which require applicants for subdivisions and conditional certificates of compliance to acquire, and set aside as open space, a number of vacant de-velopable lot(s) equivalent to the number of new lots created; Prohibit new private wells within the urban area until a com-prehensive groundwater management plan is incorporated;Introduce new (and reduced) annual growth limits that prevent the development of non-residential and non-Coastal Act priority uses until traffic levels improve;Eliminate grandfathering provisions and apply the amend-ments to currently pending projects; andEstablish standards for public works projects that restrict capacity according to the availability of other existing public services rather than the buildout allowed by the LCP.

At this hearing, the Supervisors needed to consider whether to accept or reject the Commission’s recommendations. Accepting the provisions would make the Commission’s draconian proposals the “law” of land use planning for the next 20 years or longer. Rejecting the recommenda-tions is not an easy choice, as it would render void, the past 10 years of community involvement, input and the County staff’s time. Ultimately, the Board decided to attempt one last meeting with the Commission to determine if any consensus could be reached on these remaining items. A final decision is scheduled for May 11th.

JUNE PRIMARY ELECTION

vote “YES” on Proposition 13Property Tax: New ConstructionExclusion – Seismic Retrofitting. This proposition will provide a property tax reassessment exclusion for all seismic retrofitting components made to an existing structure, and deletes the 15-year time limit for exclusions under Proposition 23. Proponents argue that the proposition will promote equity among taxpayers who reconstruct or improve structures to comply with local ordinances relating to seismic safety. Excluding seismic retrofits from property tax valuation will provide a financial incentive for property owners to upgrade their unreinforced masonry structures for seismic safety and will eliminate the disparate treatment between seismic safety improvements made under Proposition 23 vs. Proposition 127. Additionally, proponents point out that buildings upgraded under Proposition 23 have rarely been reassessed after the 15-year period expires.

vote “NO” on Proposition 16New Two-Thirds Requirement forPublic Electricity Providers. Current law permits local governments to aggregate and facilitate the purchase and sale of electrical energy to residents and businesses in their jurisdiction upon the approval of the locally elected officials. This measure, known as the “Taxpayer Right to vote Act,” would require local governments utilizing various forms of public financing to obtain the approval of two-thirds of the voters before creating a new municipal electric utility, providing electricity to new customers or expanding utility service to new territories. Additionally, the proposition requires the two-third vote requirement be satisfied both in the local government’s jurisdiction and any new territory that will be served by the public utility.Proponents argue that California law requires a two-thirds voter approval to increase taxes and that the use of public funds, borrowing and bonds by local governments to start or expand a public utility should be subject to that same voter approval.Opponents argue that this measure is nothing but a power play to restrict competition and line the pockets of the ballot sponsors (PG&E) who hope to stop public utilities from undercutting their pricing and taking their customers.

Richard gordonState Assembly, 21st District(current incumbent, Ira Ruskinis termed out)

Carole groomSan Mateo County Board of Supervisors, District 2

Don HorsleySan Mateo County Board of Supervisors, District 3(current incumbent, Richard Gordonis termed out)

in the view of many, serve only to infringe upon private property rights and halt any and all development in that area.

MAY 20103

Page 5: {RE}source | May 2010

NAR has published a “Myth & Facts” sheet that provides detailedinformation about H.R. 2454. You may view this document at:www.realtor.org/government_affairs/gapublic/american_clean_energy_security_act

If you have any questions please feel free to contact yourGovernment affairs Director: Michon Coleman at (650) 696-8200.

LEgISLATIvE UPDATES

LEgISLATIvE DAY 2010 CAR UPDATE

AB 1796Regulation of Appraisal ManagementCompanies (AMCs)

AB 1796 sought to clarify that regulation and oversight of AMCs would reside within the Office of Real Estate Appraisers. CAR recently issued two Red Alerts, urging members to contact legislators on the Assembly Business and Professions Committee. We would like to thank each of our SAMCAR members who responded to the Red Alert and shared their unfortunate experiences about out-of-area appraisers. As well, a small group from SAMCAR met with Assemblyman Hill and discussed the need for AMC regulation.

Unfortunately, the Committee decided that it was too soon after last year’s legisla-tion to make any changes to the law in this area and chose not to vote on it at this time. Your Government Affairs staff will keep you apprised of any new proposed legislation.

NationalFloodInsuranceProgram extended

Congress passed, and President Obama signed, legislation to renew the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

through May 31, 2010. NAR is working with members in Congress to help ensure a lasting reauthorization and extension is reached prior to the May 31 deadline. Congress allowed the NFIP to expire on March 28, 2010. By law, flood insurance is required for the purchase of real estate in a 100-year floodplain. The lapse in flood insurance resulted in many delayed, and even cancelled, transactions. During the lapse period, NAR worked with federal agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and bank regulators to clarify what lenders and insurers may and may not do to help work through the program’s expiration.

A number of members have asked Government Affairs staff about H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and

Security Act. There is an email circulating that warns REALTORS® that pursuant to this bill, residential energy audits will be mandated at the point of sale.

The bill, (still dormant in the Senate) does not create a federal energy audit or labeling requirement. As introduced, the original bill would have required energy audits and labeling at the time of sale. However, NAR succeeded in making many positive changes before the bill passed. Many published reports are not based

on the version of the bill that was considered by the House.

As approved, the bill:Does not create energy audit require-ment for real property at the time of sale.Exempts existing homes, multifamily and commercial buildings from any federal energy labeling guidelines such as the existing federal Energy Star label program.Leaves the decision entirely to state governments whether to pass a law to require labels, but expressly prohibits labeling during a transaction.

Legislative Day is an opportunity for REALTORS® from across California to meet with their state legislators to discuss the critical issues that affect the real estate industry the most. Attending Legislative Day is not only a great investment in your business, it will also provide you with an opportunity to hear from the state’s most dynamic political leaders and the leader-ship of your state association, and enjoy a fantastic networking reception. Legislative Day will be Wednesday, June 9th.

Legislative Day kicks off with an opening session and legislative briefing, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Sacramento Convention Center. State Assembly Speaker John Perez and Senate Minority Leader dennis Hollingsworth are scheduled to provide a legislative

update to the membership. After the opening session, SAMCAR will co-host a joint luncheon with SILvAR & SCCAOR, which will feature a prominent political consultant who will discuss the legislative landscape, the Primary election results and November’s general Election. Thereafter, SAMCAR members will serve as advocates when we meet with our elected legislators to discuss our industry issues.

The cost to attend Legislative Day is $40. However, if you have made your $197 investment in the REALTOR® Action Fund, there is no cost! This year, SAMCAR will provide a fuel rebate to members who wish to travel to Sacramento on their own and participate in the day’s events and meetings with our state legislators.

MAY 2010 4

Page 6: {RE}source | May 2010

NewEPA Rulein Effect RegardingLead-Based Paint

MEMBER ALERT

Effective April 22, 2010, renovations that disturb lead-based paint in older residential dwellings and child-occupied facilities must generally comply with

the Lead-Based Paint Renovation Rule of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). REALTORS® acting as listing agents or property managers who advise their clients to perform renovations, repairs, or painting projects for such properties may, as a matter of prudence, also want to inform them about these lead renovation requirements. One common example is when a listing agent recommends that a seller has a home painted to improve its marketability.

The EPA issued this rule in 2008, but delayed implementation until now. Under the newly implemented rule, renovators of target housing built before 1978 must now be trained and EPA-certified to perform safe work practices to prevent lead contamination. Additionally, renovators must deliver EPA’s lead renovation pamphlet to an occupant within 60 days before a project begins (and, if mailed, at least seven days before a project begins). Renovators must also obtain the occupant’s signed acknowledgment of receipt or substitute documentation as specified.

A D v E R T I S E M E N T S

Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender © 2009 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. 00-62-0110D 04-2009 AR70153

Shaveta SareenVice PresidentSr. Mortgage Loan Officer650.645.8807

Your trusted resource for home financing solutions

MAY 20105

Page 7: {RE}source | May 2010

MEMBER ALERT

The rule generally applies to building contractors, handymen, residential landlords, property managers, and anyone else who is paid to perform renovations or to direct workers to perform renovations as specified.

The lead renovation rule does not apply to homeowners renovating the homes they live in. However, sellers of target housing must, among other things, disclose to their buyers any known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards (C.A.R. Form FLD).

Renovation work covered by the lead renovation rule is defined as a modification of an existing structure that disturbs a painted surface, such as surface restoration or surface preparation activity. Excluded are minor repair and maintenance activities that disrupt up to 6 square feet of interior painted surface or 20 square feet of exterior painted surface. Demolitions and window replacements are not considered minor repairs.

The National Association of REALTORS® has launched a new site with videos and FAQs to help members under-

stand the new rule. The guide on this site describes the new lead-based paint safety practices established by the rule, and what steps real estate agents, brokers, and property managers need to take to comply with the new procedures. The guide includes a short introduction, two narrated presentations, and two sets of frequently asked questions (FAQ) answered by EPA officials and regulatory experts—one video each for real estate agents and brokers, and property managers.

Please follow this link to access the new NAR site:www.realtor.org/government_affairs/lead_paint_main

Please go here access EPA’s pamphlet and other resources: http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm

A D v E R T I S E M E N T S Reserve your ad spot today! Contact Dalen gilbrech at SAMCAR: [email protected] or (650) 696-8206

Ed SobralMortgage Loan OfficerPlatium [email protected]://mortgage.bankofamerica.com/edsobral

Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender © 2009 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a com-mitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. 00-62-0114D 04-2009 AR69352

MAY 2010 6

Page 8: {RE}source | May 2010

news from COMBINED TOUR

Contributed by Julie Ziemelis

MLsListings uPdAte

Legal advice is a highly sought after commodity these days and June Barlow, C.A.R.’s general Counsel provided just that at the April 6th Combined Tour meeting.

Ms. Barlow provided a legal update that covered the April 28th new Residential Purchase Agreement roll out and Legal Action Fund cases. Following are some highlights from her presentation . . .

Listing agents sometimes include a transaction form preference in the private remarks area, requesting that a particular form be used (i.e., PRDS vs. C.A.R.) for presentation of an offer.

Crucial LegalInformation

From C.A.R.

The RPA changes are the most extensive changes C.A.R. has made to the contract since 2002. She said the major changes deal with the deposit and personal property. Due to homeowners installing integrated home theater systems and high-end appliances, it became apparent that a contract revision was needed to clarify if these elements should remain with a home or not. Home theater systems will be included as a default. Other forms ARE affected, as well. Other purchase agreements, the contract paragraph matrix, contingency removal and Notice to Perform have also been revised. Most changes conform to language numbering and format of the RPA.

Ms. Barlow stated that REALTOR® feedback is welcome on the new contracts and to direct your input to [email protected].

Ms. Barlow also stressed the importance of attending an intensive RPA class to understand all the changes on the contract.

SAMCAR heeded this call for our members and invited gov Hutchinson, C.A.R. general Counsel to present a four-hour Continuing Education accredited class on June 17th from 1 to 4 p.m. at SAMCAR. Cost is $59 to attend.

SAMCAR Members Given

The Rules Committee has recently reviewed andreconfirmed MLS Listings’ policy on this issue, as follows:

While the MLS is silent (neutral) on form type as well as the practice of requesting particular forms to be used, it does require that all offers must be presented. All offers must be presented until closing “unless precluded by law, governmental rule or expressly instructed by the seller/landlord otherwise.” An agent who fails to submit an offer is in violation of both MLS rules and the REALTOR Code of Ethics, which declared the fiduciary duty of an agent as the ‘highest standard of care’ in the client’s best interest.

MAY 20107

Page 9: {RE}source | May 2010

news from COMBINED TOUR

AffiLiAte news

1. Can you give us your background: Where were you born? Where do you live now and how long have you lived here?Born in San Franisco and raised in San Bruno. My husband Jon of 29 years and I also raised our three children Johnny, Richie and gina in San Bruno and all attended St. Roberts School in San Bruno. The boys went off to Serra High School and both played football and baseball for the Padres. gina attended Burlingame High School and played soft-ball, soccer and ran track. Johnny is a UCSD graduate, Richie a graduate of Fresno State and gina is attending William Jessup University and is playing on the first year softball team, having a great time.

2. Tell us about your family, hobbies...In my very little spare time I attend Bayhill gym 4-5 mornings a week and walk my adorable dog Brady every night, rain or shine. I also love to cook, so I mainly find time on Sundays to cook my favorite soups and spaghetti sauces. I make sure the children know that Sunday is family night and not to make plans with anyone else.

3. What organizations, affiliations are you a part of and /or what designations do you hold?I have been working with the Examiner for thirteen years and before that the San Mateo Times when it was a family owned busi-

ness. A lot of my friendships still remain from the San Mateo Times. I have been with newspapers for almost 30 years and working with realtors and mortgage brokers. I am a gold sponsor for SAMCAR and have been involved in special events committee for over 9 years and attending every functions taking photographs and having them published in our paper along with stories from SAMCAR. I am also a sponsor for WCR group and my primary job is also taking photos and publishing them in our newspaper.

In 2006 my co-worker Anson and I received a very big honor from SAMCAR which was the “Affiliate of the Year” award and we were greatly honored and surprised.

4. Do you want to share with us your value statement, your personal message to clients and prospective clients?I feel my success with the Examiner is having personal relationships with my clients and going the extra mile each and every time whether a large client or a small client.

FEATURINgMaryann Bologna

The Examiner

SAMCAR President Jennifer Tasto (r) with C.A.R. General Counsel June Barlow at the April Combined Meeting in San Mateo. Ms. Barlow provided a legal update to SAMCAR members including information on the new Residential Purchase Agreement.

Other Points of Interest:

1. There is a mediation clause and attorney’s fees in the C.A.R. contract. Buyers and sellers must mediate orlose the ability to get attorneys fees covered in lawsuits.

2. New standard of practice: You cannot break a clientcontract when you leave a brokerage.

3. Once you leave a brokerage, you can not advertise yourpast listings you had at that company if the advertisinglooks misleading.

4. Blogs: If you know a statement made by a REALTOR® ontheir blog is false or defamatory, you have the right to have the blog post taken down.

Ms. Barlow discussed a variety of court cases that C.A.R. was involved in and stressed the importance of using the C.A.R. forms to cover you and your brokerage in the event of a lawsuit.

MAY 2010 8

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SAMCAR FOUNDATION UPDATE

Nationwide Open House WeekendCreated A Flurry Of Open Homes

Thank you to all the REALTORS® who came to SAMCAR, picked up your balloons and held open houses during the weekend of April 10th- 11th. The weather did not quite cooperate, but many of you took the opportunity to show your sellers that you were part of a nation-wide event to encourage buyers to take advantage of the expiring tax credit and come take a look at the available inven-tory.

Nationwide, REALTOR® Associations reported a noticeable up tick in the amount of homes held open during that weekend versus the same time last year and the year before that. Word on the street nationally is that REALTORS® are definitely noticing more activity as buyers are out in force looking to get into contract and under the deadline of the tax credit and sellers getting their houses on the market to capture this buyer demand.

The National Association of REALTORS® felt the effort was a success and will help to make this event even bigger next year.

On Sunday, April 18th, the community non-profit, “My New Red Shoes” held the 4th Annual Community Walk-a-thon, called “Walk in Their Shoes”. Whose shoes you may ask? The shoes of children who are homeless in the Bay Area. I took a personal interest in this event, because the SAMCAR Foundation awarded this organization with a $2500 grant and I wanted to share in this experience and see for myself the children’s shelter.

Although I did not walk, I greeted the participants at Washington Park, where they held a family festival of music and games and educational activities. Then the participants did a spirited walk through downtown Burlingame ending with a visit to Shelter Network’s “First Step for Families” shelter. They held guided tours led by “My New Red Shoes” teen advocacy council members. I was encouraged to see such a beautiful facility which included a teaching day care, pre-school and a community room for adult education.

My New Red ShoesA Personal Journey To SupportA sAMcAr foundation charityContributed by Suzan Getchell-Wallace, SAMCAR Foundation Chair

Contributed by Julie Ziemelis

To connect with SAMCAR’s charitable Foundation, please visit

www.samcar.org/Foundation

For more information about “My New Red Shoes” you can go towww.MyNewRedShoes.org

The mission of “My New Red Shoes” is to help homeless children look and feel confident as they start the school year while educating the community about the challenges facing homeless families. To achieve this goal, “My New Red Shoes” provides homeless children with brand new clothing and shoes, and it rallies youth and adults around this effort by raising awareness about homelessness.

Since 2006, “My New Red Shoes” has clothed over 4,600 homeless Bay Area children, partnered with over 52 shelters and youth serving agencies, and has rallied over 1500 students to support their homeless peers.

It was a pleasure to get involved with this community event and participate in an organization that the SAMCAR Foundation proudly supports.

MAY 20109

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EDUCATION

c.A.r. offers free webinar on homebuyer tax creditsGet Informed!!Members are invited to attend a free Legal Live webinar on the home buyer tax credits on April 27 at 1 p.m.

In the one-hour session, C.A.R. staff will discuss both the new California tax credit of up to $10,000 and the existing federal tax credit of up to $8,000.

Deputy Chief Economist ROBERT KLEINHENz will explain how quickly California’s $200 million allocation may run out.

Additionally, Senior Counsel STELLA LINg will review the eligibility requirements of both tax credits as well as potential liability issues for REALTORS®.

Registration is simple, but spaceis limited, so sign up now at: car.org/legal/legal-live-webinars/

Check online for a schedule of continuing education and many other courses

www.samcar.org/EducationOr call SAMCAR at (650) 696-8200

There are several options available for completing your Continuing Education Requirements. There are Live Seminars, Video Classes, Online Options, Home Study Courses and Real Estate Schools. SAMCAR education staff can answer questions about DRE Continuing Education Requirements and can assist you with planning the best possible schedule and types of classes for you to take to renew your license.

A quick reference guide forContinuing EducationRequirements

What classes do I need to renew?Within 4 years of License Issuance Date Between 4 and 8 years of License Issuance

Date (and every 4 years thereafter)

3-hour Ethics3-hour Agency3-hour Fair Housing3-hour Trust Fund Handling3-hour Risk Management

6-hour course covering the fourmandatory subjects (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing)

18-hours Consumer Protection12-hours of either Consumer Service or Consumer Protection courses

3-hour Risk Management

I’m a salesperson, renewing for the first time and I received my license before 10/1/07

I’m a salesperson, renewing for the first time and I received my license after 10/1/07ORI’m a broker, renewing for the first time

I’m a salesperson or broker,completing my second 4-year renewal

MAY 2010 10

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Classes & Events

Weekly Education, Events & Tour Calendar

May 1911 a.m.

Coastside Legislative Committee MeetingLocation: Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce& Visitor’s Bureau - 235 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

Legislative Committee Meetings

SAMCAR Board of Directors Meetings

May 199:30 – 11 a.m.

PeninsuLa Legislative Committee MeetingMembers welcome to attend these monthly meetings. | Location: SAMCAR

MaY 2010

May 268:30 a.m.

saMCaR Board of directors MeetingMembers welcome to attend these monthly meetings. | Location: SAMCAR

May 138 a.m. – 5 p.m.

GRi 113: Real Property, tax and exchangingLocation: SAMCAR | Cost: $149Registration: http://www.eDesignations.com or 888-785-4800

May 69:30 a.m.

PaCifiCa Legislative Committee MeetingLocation: 450 Dondee Way, Suite 7, Pacifica

May 310:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

MLSListings: REALIST TrainingApplication Navigation, Search Queries, Map Search, Reporting and Results Options, Foreclosure Reports, Map Labeling, Saving Searches, Data Exporting. Location: SAMCAR | Cost: Free | Register: (650) 696-8200

May 31:30 – 3 p.m.

MLSListings: Mastering MatrixAdvanced skill: Sorting Results, Statistics from Results, CMA’s from Results, Area Statistics, Customizing Results, Building Hotsheets, Emailing Results & Auto Emailing.Location: SAMCAR | Cost: Free | Register: (650) 696-8200

June 1712:30 registration1 – 5 p.m. presentation

Gov Hutchinson presents C.A.R. Forms UpdateGov Hutchison (Assistant General Counsel and Staff Vice President of the California Association of REALTORS®) will provide an overview of the recent and substantial changes to the new C.A.R. Residential Pur-chase Agreement. If you are an active REALTOR®, you must know the changes to the RPA to avoid potential liability. 4 hours of Consumer Protection Continuing Education CreditLocation: SAMCAR | Cost: $59 | Register: (650) 696-8200

May 19 & 208:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.both days

Accredited Buyers RepresentativeThe Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) Designation course are to: Prepare real estate professionals to represent buyer-clients in real estate transactions and to provide the quality of service and degree of fidelity to buyers that sellers have customarily enjoyed. Offer ideas for building a buyer representation business. Develop a self-customized tool for con-ducting a buyer counseling session. Instructor: Debbie RodgersCost: $250 | Location: SAMCAR| | Register: (650) 696-8200

June 411 a.m. – 1 p.m.

LUNCH & LEARN: Microsoft Word Mail MergeLearn how to create and print Envelopes, various Labels and how to set up a Mail Merge. You’ll create a customized name, address list, and merge the list to print onto personalized letters, labels and envelopes.Location: SAMCAR | Cost: Free | Register: (650) 696-8200

July 1912 p.m. shotgun start6:30 dinner 7:30 auction

annual Charity Golf tournament & auctionInformation on golfing and sponsorship packages coming soon.Location: Green Hills Country Club, 500 Ludeman Lane, Millbrae, CA

Marketing MeetingsTuesday, May 4

MLS Tour Sheet Deadline Reminder

Broker/Property toursTuesdays 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

deadline to add tours in MLsMondays, 11 a.m. Deadlines subject to change for holidays.

deadline for Monday holidaysprior Friday at 11 a.m.

View tour sheet by Monday afternoonwww.samcar.org/tour

APRIL 30 – MAY 7

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa25 26 27 28 29 30 0102 03 04 05 06 07 08

8:30 a.m. May Combined TourElks Lodge 229 West 20th AvenueSan Mateo

Presentations: Annual Meeting of the AssociationandAnn Lanphar,Vice President and General Counsel for First American Real Estate Services

Breakfast:TBA

9 a.m. Half Moon Bay Tour Community Center 535 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay

9:30 a.m. Pacifica TourCommunity Center540 Crespi Drive, Pacifica