Dear CAR Member,
I’m very excited to begin my term as your President. I’d like to thank our outgoing president, Jennifer Branchini, for serving this organization so well over the past year. I know she put in many miles traveling around the state to meet as many of you as possible. Thank you, Jennifer, for your commitment and enthusiasm to organized real estate. I’d also like to congratulate her on being named NAR’s 2023 California REALTOR® of the Year last month. It’s very much deserved!
Let me start by telling you a little about me. I’ve been a licensed REALTOR® in the Yosemite area since 2004 and became a C.A.R. director in 2007. My mom, Jan Ramos, and I are co-owners of Summit Real Estate, a sales and property management company in Oakhurst, Calif. A fun fact – I served in the U.S. Navy for four years as a quartermaster, handling ships’ navigation duties.
Your 2024 Leadership Team is also comprised of President-elect Heather Ozur, Treasurer Mark Peterson and is rounded out by CEO John Sebree. I plan to work with this team to ensure that C.A.R. is focused, relevant, and ready to execute as we are truly in transformative times.
Some of my goals this year will be continuing to influence and impact California real estate, ensuring members’ success in a changing landscape, developing coalition partners with housing advocates and community leaders, and enhancing C.A.R.’s relationship with the Department of Real Estate.
Another overarching goal of mine is knowing there is a next “thing” coming at us and understanding that we will need to adapt. We have areas that always have room for course correction because our industry is constantly changing and evolving.
I will advocate strongly if I see a need that is critical. I also believe that listening is extremely important, so I will actively seek conversations with you, our brokers, agents and association executives. After all, I have been elected to listen to you, and to be the voice and advocate for our California members. You can read more about my priorities and who I am in the current issue of California Real Estate magazine here.
The end of the year will soon be upon us, and that means you have only a few weeks left to register for C.A.R.’s free Buyer Broker Agreement Training. This course teaches you how to use the Buyer Representation Form and includes tips to overcome clients’ objections that you may encounter and strengthen relationships with buyers. As a reminder, the form is free to members in zipForm. Don’t delay, register today or before December 31. Once you sign up, you have one year to complete the class. Register here and enter the code FREE25 at checkout.
Finally, while Giving Tuesday was last week, it’s never too late to donate to C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund. To date, HAF has contributed $2 million to continue C.A.R.’s successful Pathway to Homeownership Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program. This initiative helps bridge the housing affordability gap for first-time homebuyers who are members of an underserved community by providing up to $10,000 in closing cost assistance.
In 2023, we successfully raised over $383,000 from member contributions and fundraising events to further our mission to address the ongoing housing affordability challenges facing California. Since its inception, the Housing Affordability Fund has assisted thousands of first-time homebuyers, all thanks to the unwavering determination and generosity of our REALTOR® members. Join in our efforts and donate here.
I’m truly honored to serve as your President. Join me by getting involved and supporting C.A.R.’s initiatives next year. I am so excited to be working on your behalf!
Have a very safe and joyous season of the many holidays and a Happy New Year! I look forward to meeting many of you in 2024.
Cheers!
Melanie Barker
2024 C.A.R. President