Category: News

REALTORS may have received an email from “Contactnarmember <contactnar.member@gmail.com>” about being qualified for a federal compensation program. This is a scam and do not reply or click on any links.  Questions about the legitimacy of any request from NAR may be answered at 800-874-6500, or via live chat or email.

Bay East has learned that a scammer is targeting vacant listings. An agent was contacted by someone posing as a PG&E employee who asked the agent to tell their client they were delinquent in paying their utility bill and gave bogus instructions on how to pay. Please be cautious if you are contacted by anyone claiming that a client has a delinquent utility bill that must be paid. PG&E has provided more information here.

Effective Tuesday, August 3, real estate professionals and their clients are required to wear face coverings, regardless of vaccination status, during Broker Tours, open house tours, in real estate offices, and other activities that occur indoors in Alameda County.  Additionally, face coverings are required for property showings in Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma counties.  More counties may be added to this list as additional information is received.

Fueling your Success – The Forest for the Trees

How can real estate professionals make sense of the big picture?  Leslie Appleton-Young, former C.A.R. Chief Economist, shares insights on the real estate profession.

Leslie Appleton-Young served as the Chief Economist for the California Association of REALTORS® for more than 30 years.

 

 

Visit the podcast page, subscribe and start listening today!

The COVID-19 DRE deadline extensions expire June 30, 2021.  DRE alerts licensees and examinees to take action now to beat the upcoming deadline.  Read all the details from the DRE here.

New Open House Rules and Resources:

The Quick Guide from C.A.R. answers many questions about the new Open House rules. Here is the latest information available about Open Houses and property showings:

  • Alameda and Contra Costa counties do not have their own rules about open houses – they are both following the state rules, for now.
  • The Open House and Broker Tour functions in the Paragon System have been reactivated. You can enter this information into the MLS system.
  • If you’re an agent, please check with your Broker and/or Office Manager about your firm’s showing policies.
  • Check the California State Industry Guidance to Reduce Risk for updates to the rules regarding Real Estate Transactions.
  • All in-person showings of properties, like open houses, must follow the indoor gatherings capacity limits in the CDPH gatherings guidance. The Attendance section of the gatherings guidance shows how many people may be in a property based on the County COVID-19  tier.  FYI – Alameda and Contra Costa Counties are currently in the “Orange” tier.  You can find the tier status for other counties here in the “California Blueprint Data Chart.”

We are proud to have our incredible members representing us in Leadership at the California Association of REALTORS®!  We are thrilled to share Otto Catrina has officially been elected as the C.A.R. 2022 President and Jennifer Branchini has officially been elected as the C.A.R. 2022 President-Elect.  Both Otto and Jennifer, long-time Bay East members and Past Presidents, are dedicated professionals and we are fortunate they volunteer time for the advancement of the real estate industry.  Congratulations Otto and Jennifer!!

Bay East appointed C.A.R. Directors attend the California Association of REALTORS® Business Meetings three times a year. This report brings you updates from the Spring Business Meetings. Hear from President Tina Hand for the top updates and check the written reports for additional information. Please contact Bay East staff 925.730.4060 if you have any questions.

Information Tina references in C.A.R. Meeting Recap:

New rules for showing properties in Alameda County will allow for more visitors while still following State safety protocols.

According to the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, real estate professionals now only have to follow the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Industry Guidance for real estate transactions.  There will not be any Alameda County rules at this time related to showing properties. The Cal/OSHA rules allow more than two people from the same household to view a property while being guided by their real estate agent. Homebuyers must still make an appointment to view properties, wear face masks, and follow social distancing practices while in the property.

Traditional open houses are still not permitted.

County officials said that while they will not be issuing any additional property showing restrictions or procedures beyond the Cal/OSHA rules, they recommend that all property showing activities be kept as small as possible, and that, if possible, windows and doors be kept open and any visitors who are ill, or have any symptoms that they may be ill, not visit properties for sale.

Bay East was made aware that Glide, a Bay East and C.A.R. member benefit vendor, has agreed to join Compass. Glide assures us your data will remain private and secure, stating “Glide user and transaction data from Glide.com and the Glide app will not be accessible by Compass’ brokerage.” Bay East Board of Directors will review our agreement with Glide.

For more information, view the Glide FAQ.