Dear CAR Member,
I’m very excited to begin my term as your 2022 C.A.R. President. First, I’d like to thank our outgoing president, Dave Walsh, for serving this organization so well over the past year. I know he put in many miles traveling around the state to meet as many of you as possible. Thank you, Dave, for your commitment and enthusiasm to organized real estate.
I’ve been a full-time Bay Area real estate broker/REALTOR® since 2002. In addition to serving my clients, I’m also active with my local, state, and national associations of REALTORS®, serving in various leadership positions.
I’ll be joined by a very talented 2022 Leadership Team comprised of President-elect Jennifer Branchini and Treasurer Heather Ozur. I plan to work with this team to ensure that C.A.R. is focused, relevant, and ready to execute.
Some of the Leadership Team’s focus this year will be working to protect homeownership and property investment at both the state and federal levels as the REALTOR® Party. We’ll also look at protecting our industry while protecting the environment by examining REALTORS®’ role in climate change and sustainability.
Each month in this newsletter, I’ll bring you important issues and topics to keep you informed.
This month, I’ll start with the new California Residential Purchase Agreement (RPA), which goes live December 14. The RPA form is the cornerstone of every successful real estate transaction in California, and there are several essential concepts, principles, and facts about this form that all REALTORS® should know, so you’ll want to be prepared.
C.A.R. Education, Standard Forms, and Member Legal are all working together to bring RPA classes to members. Get detailed instructions from an expert C.A.R. attorney on how to properly complete and use the new RPA form in all your transactions. C.A.R. has been offering webinars and Online Anytime classes since this summer. Get the guide for using the new RPA and sign up for classes here or visit the resource page here for all things RPA 2021, including links to the RPA and RPA-related forms, training, legal presentations, and publications.
Have some down time over the holidays? Last month, more than 70 expert speakers shared their insights, tips and strategies to strengthen and grow your business across 30+ sessions at REimagine! Real Estate Virtual Conference & Expo. You can still catch up if you haven’t registered for the event yet, missed a session, or want to go back and replay your favorites.
Register for free now to gain access to the platform, or sign into the event platform, and view all sessions in the Auditorium including: 2022 Housing Market Forecast, Creating Your 2022 Business Plan, 10 Videos You Must Create Right Now, and much more. All 30+ sessions, speaker presentation slides and other must-have resources are available for free to C.A.R. members through Dec. 31. Visit reimagineexpo.org for more info.
We’re planning to hold next year’s REimagine! Conference & Expo, live and in person Oct. 11-13, in Long Beach, so I hope to see you there.
I don’t have to tell you about the hurdles to achieve homeownership: a dearth of homes for sale, down payment obstacles and high housing costs. That’s where C.A.R.’s Transaction Rescue comes in, providing agents with all the lending and down payment tools and resources needed to help you make the best decisions for your clients. Join a two-hour, free STEPS Toward Homeownership virtual program on Dec. 8 and get information from experts for every step in the transaction. First-time buyers are facing an unprecedented real estate market. Here’s an opportunity for you to provide your clients with all the tools and resources needed to make the best decision for their situation. Confirm your free virtual spot here!
Sincerely,
Otto Catrina
C.A.R. President