January 2003

Webster's Dictionary defines ‘Opportunity’ as: 1) a favorable juncture of circumstances; and 2) a good chance for advancement and progress.

The Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS® is in the middle of a favorable juncture of circumstances. All tiers of the REALTOR® associations, national, state and local, are taking up the challenge of providing housing availability programs. One of Robert Bailey's many successes as 2002 President of CAR was to oversee the creation of a Housing Affordability Charitable Fund with $500,000 in seed money to address the issue of housing affordability in California. Cathy Whatley, National Association of REALTORS® 2003 President, says in the January 2003 issue of REALTOR® Magazine, "No one has the pulse of the consumer better than REALTORS®. No one plays as pivotal a role as REALTORS® in bringing the American dream to life for millions of Americans each year and no one is more aware of the unmet needs of buyers and renters."

Historically the term 'affordable housing' has been linked to the low-income, immigrant and minority housing sectors. The fact is, barriers to affordable housing impact all segments of the real estate market: low-income as well as moderate-income buyers, first time buyers, single parents, seniors, the disabled, retirees, renters, investors and sellers. In a broader sense, affordable housing is not just about homeownership but the opportunity for all households to have a place where they call home.

REALTORS® in our community are in a unique position to be the best advocates, educators and promoters of real solutions to today's critical housing needs. In October of 2002 your Association's Board of Directors approved in concept the creation of the ‘Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation.’ This foundation can provide education to our members, the public and our local legislators about many programs and initiatives that already exist in our community, develop and coordinate home buyer seminars, and support tax incentives and other solutions through political action contributions. Local Government Relations committee activities and pro-active volunteerism work with the HOF will spur the creation of affordable housing and be actively engaged with local government to ensure that well-meaning regulations don't overburden the industry and make housing less affordable and available.

Additionally, a foundation may be an avenue for organized real estate to collect funds and offer grants to benefit organizations and programs that affect the local housing industry in a positive manner.

President Cathy Whatley at the NAR Annual Expo last fall, recognized our fledgling efforts by quoting Philip Tedesco, our Association Executive, saying "This is a wonderful opportunity to raise the perception of REALTORS® within our community, as well as to be perceived as part of the solution rather than as part of the problem."

I am honored to be at the helm of our organization while the Housing Opportunity Foundation achieves 'liftoff'. At the January Board of Directors meeting I will propose that all proceeds from the Installation Dinner raffle be donated as symbolic seed money for our new Housing Foundation.

As the Association leadership passes into new hands for safekeeping, I'd like to invite all of you to join me in making 2003 a great year for our new Foundation, our profession and our community.

Ronnie Trubek

President 2003

Inside

- Annual Installation & Awards

- New REALTOR® Members

- Affiliate Member Spotlight

- 2nd Harvest Holiday Food Drive

- Bilingual Credit Initiative Launched

- New C.A.R. Tech Hotline

- New Law Summaries Online

- 2nd-Home Market Survey Available

- Near Record Home Sales Projected

- HUD Housing Opportunity Plan

- SCAOR Calendar

Annual Installation & Awards Dinner A Success

On Friday, December 6, 2002 the Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS® installed its 2003 Board of Directors. The event was held at the Association's 81st Annual Installation of Officers and Directors at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz.

Ronnie Trubek, of Century 21 Showcase REALTORS® was installed as the 2003 President of the Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS®. Judy M. Brose, Century 21 Lad Realty, will serve as President-elect; Bruce Southstone, Sherman & Boone Associates, Ex-Officio, and Daniel F. Sedenquist, Bailey Properties, Inc., as Secretary-Treasurer.

Comprising the Board of Directors are: Lori Strusis, Century 21 Showcase REALTORS®, Trevor Thorpe, Sherman & Boone Associates, Lela A. Willet, Unique Homes and Land, Dan Davis, Coldwell Banker Jackson & Mann, Debra Frey, Re/Max Real Estate Services, Bobbie Nelson, Longacre Real Estate, Dennis Stewart, Unique Homes and Land, and Suzanne Yost, Bailey Properties, Inc.

Presented with the 2002 REALTOR® of the Year Award was Peggy Gillett of Realty Executives of Santa Cruz County. Gillett was named REALTOR® of the Year for her extensive service to the real estate industry and ongoing commitment to the Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS®. Gillett has been a member of the association for eleven years and has served on numerous committees.

The Community Service Award was presented to Wayne Shaffer of Shaffer & Associates. Shaffer was awarded the Community Service Award in 2002 for his overall commitment and charitable contributions to the general welfare of the people and community of Santa Cruz. Shaffer's contribution to the community included serving on the Board of Directors for three separate non-profit organizations in Santa Cruz County: Saint Francis Catholic Kitchen; Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Home; and Siena House Maternity Home.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Robert J. Bailey of Bailey Properties, Inc. Bailey was recognized for inspirational leadership and generous service to the real estate industry at the local, state and national level. Bailey was also presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award for his contribution to the real estate industry as the 2002 President of the California Association of REALTORS®.

The Affiliate Representative of the Year Award was presented to Loree Doan of Santa Cruz Title. Doan was recognized for outstanding service, dedication and contributions to the association and real estate profession. Doan has been an active member of the Affiliate Committee since 1991, and also volunteers her time to "Meals on Wheels."

Legal Outreach

RPA-CA Training

Wednesday, January 15, 2003

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Gov Hutchinson

C.A.R. Legal Counsel

This session will provide an overview to the changes made to the California Residential Purchase Agreement.

Reservations required, please contact Leslie Flint at 831/464-2000 or lflint@scaor.org

NEW REALTOR® MEMBERS

Janet Rosenberg

PCS Realty Advisors

Janet Russell

David Lyng & Associates

Comments about an applicant’s admittance should be submitted in writing to the Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS®, 2525 Main St., Soquel, CA 95073.

Affiliate Member Spotlight

Country Home Inspection

Contact: Clive Belvoir

13535 Highway 9

Boulder Creek, CA 95006

Phone: (831) 338-6269

Fax: (831) 338-2810

Country Home Inspection has been in business since 1999. Clive and Lisa Belvoir take pride in their business and offer quality professional Home Inspection Services to the Santa Cruz County and beyond. The Home Inspection Reports have digital photos that come with the reports, which are completed on-site. The buyer receives a 200-page book with repair and maintenance techniques.

Competitive Price List below:

- 2,000 sq. ft. or less Home = $250

- Mobile Homes and Condos = $225

- Earthquake Water Heater Strapping = $62

Country Home Inspection is also a member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®

Second Harvest 2002 Holiday Food Drive Real Estate Food Drive Competition Results

The Second Harvest 2002 Holiday Food Drive was a tremendous success with over 27,000 pounds of food being donated through eighteen local Real Estate Offices.

Three prizes were awarded to outstanding producers:

1. Big Kahuna - Highest number of pounds for an individual office site, awarded to Century 21 Lad Realty with 7,800 total pounds collected.

2. Best Bunch - Highest number of pounds per employee, awarded to RE/MAX Real Estate /Central Coast with 554 pounds/per employee.

3. Super sales Team - Most creative marketing to your client base, awarded to Century 21 Lad Realty with 55% of contributions from clients.

Thank you to the following offices for participating: Bailey Properties, David Lyng & Associates, American Dream Realty, Century 21 Lad Realty, Century 21 Arrowhead Realty, Century 21 Award Real Estate, RE/MAX Real Estate/Central Coast, Real Options Realty, Thunderbird Real Estate, Sherman & Boone Associates, Unique Homes & Land, Brubeck-Wong REALTORS®, Main Street REALTORS®, SCAOR, and Old Republic Title.

New Tech Hotline Offers C.A.R. Members Free Tech Support

High-caliber tech support is just a quick phone call away for today's successful REALTOR®. C.A.R.'s Tech Hotline offers free, live help from real estate technology experts. Call (866) 432-3006 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. for answers to your questions about computer operating systems (such as Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, or Palm); popular software, including Top Producer, FileMaker, Microsoft's Office suite, Internet browsers, FrontPage and others; Internet access; e-mail applications; and more. (MLS hardware or software is not supported by the hotline). For more information please visit us online: http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzE1MjM=

New Law Summaries Available on C.A.R. Online

Summaries of new legislation of particular interest to REALTORS®, as well as the actual text of these laws, are now available to C.A.R. members on C.A.R. Online. Highlights include clearer procedures for making 1915 Bond Act and Mello-Roos disclosures; significant revisions to the state's landlord-tenant laws, including a 60-day notice requirement for terminating periodic tenancies and a tenant's right to request a move-out inspection; a revised state tax withholding law that requires withholding by buyers even for certain resident sellers; restrictions on local governments attempting to deny density bonuses or approvals for second units; and stricter requirements for homeowners' associations attempting to collect delinquent assessments via foreclosure. For more info: http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzE0NTM=

Freddie Mac, Hispanic Organizations Launch Bilingual Initiative

CreditSmart Espanol, a new bilingual credit-education program designed to help Hispanic families and individuals build and maintain good credit, recently was announced by Freddie Mac and seven of the nation's leading Hispanic organizations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, while 68% of the nation's families own their own homes, less than 48% of the nation's Hispanic families are homeowners. A recent survey by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals found that barriers to Hispanic homeownership include lack of credit, language and cultural barriers, and lack of information about the process.

The CreditSmart Espanol curriculum is designed to help increase consumers' financial literacy by providing life-long money management skills. For more info: http://www.freddiemac.com/creditsmartespanol.

Survey Establishes Benchmark on Second-Home Market

Most second homes are purchased primarily for recreational use, while a minority of buyers are motivated strictly by investment considerations, according to a new NAR survey, which is one of the largest, most complete surveys of second-home owners ever conducted. The survey also indicates that the potential of the vacation-home sector appears to be much larger than most analysts believed. The typical second-home owner is 61 years old, has owned the property for nine years, earns a household income of $76,900, is married, and bought the property for recreational use. For an executive summary, visit us online at: http://www.realtor.org/PublicAffairsWeb.nsf/Pages/2ndHomeSurvey02 .To purchase the entire survey for the member price of $50, call NAR's Information Central at 800-874-6500, order item No. 186-55-02.

NAR Projects Near Record Home Sales for 2003

After setting records in 2001 and 2002, home sales are projected to slip but remain historically strong next year, according to a recent NAR report. Even with the bulk of home sales taking place during the first half of this year, the forecast for total annual housing activity has been trending upward, NAR economists said, largely in response to the low level of mortgage interest rates that have predominated this year.

NAR projects expect existing-home sales to total 5.52 million units in 2002, up 4.2 percent from last year's record of 5.30 million. In 2003, sales are expected to fall to 5.29 million, the fifth year that existing-home sales exceed the 5.0-million benchmark.

For more information, please visit: http://www.realtor.org/publicaffairsweb.nsf/Pages/DecemberOutlook03?OpenDocument

NAR Outlines Housing Opportunity Plan For HUD

NAR has sent the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development an outline of its activities, priorities, and programs in affordable and fair housing. The outreach was initiated by HUD, which has been consulting with stakeholders, members of Congress, and industry partners such as NAR as part of its strategic planning process. NAR's outline spotlights the new Housing Opportunity Program and its efforts to promote decent affordable housing, increase awareness of the fair housing laws, renew the Fair Housing Partnership and At Home with Diversity: One America agreements with HUD, and advocate the continued use of REALTORS® in the disposition of HUD-held properties. To access NAR's comments to HUD, visit us online: http://www.realtor.org/realtorae.nsf/pages/naronhudplan

Graduate, REALTOR® Institute

GRI - 100

Agency Relationships Duties and Disclosures

GRI - 101

Ethics, Prof. Conducts & Legal Aspects

Friday, January 10, 2002

at the Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS®

Please call 888/785-4800 for more information

Women’s Council of REALTORS®

Legal Update with C.A.R. Attorney Gov Hutchinson

Wednesday, January 15, 2003

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

$20/Members $25/Nonmembers

West Coast Santa Cruz Hotel, 175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz

R.S.V.P. to Jennifer Walker by Friday, January 10th

wcrsantacruz@yahoo.com or 831/345-3675