As a reminder, when having open houses it is imperative that agents do not place directional signs in the public right-of-way. This includes sidewalks, bike lanes, and other areas of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Real estate signs are an essential part of your business. By ensuring that REALTORS® everywhere comply with sign regulations you can help minimize the potential for the laws to become more restrictive and thereby decreasing your ability to drive traffic to your open houses. A list of jurisdictional sign regulations is available by clicking here. If you have additional questions about regulations in a particular jurisdiction, please call the number listed

The State Senate is expected to vote on SB 1178 (Corbett) the week of May 24, extending anti-deficiency protections to homeowners who have refinanced “purchase money” loans and are now facing foreclosure. For more information and to watch the video from the California Association of REALTORS®, click here.

Recently a REALTOR® in Coronado found squatters living at a property which recently closed and was undergoing renovations. A suspicious man had also been sighted at several open houses, perhaps scouting out vacant properties for such a scenario. Police were notified and the squatters have since left. REALTORS® are reminded to keep a close eye on vacant properties, especially during evenings and weekends, and to be on alert at open houses for suspicious individuals. Read More

REALTORS® asked Congress to strengthen the Federal Housing Administration, extend the FHA’s high-cost loan limits, and get flood and disaster insurance reforms passed as part of their push on Capitol Hill during the association’s annual legislative conference in May. READ MORE

The California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) recently released its 2010 Annual Historical Data Summary.  The publication includes historical data generated by C.A.R.’s Research and Economics Department and other statistical information about the California housing market compiled from 1968-2009. READ MORE