Prop 33 Defeated!
S.A.R. is proud to announce a major victory: the defeat of Proposition 33! This success is the direct result of dedicated efforts by our association and countless REALTORS® across California who came together to protect property rights and housing affordability for all Californians. Our collective campaign against Prop 33 sent a powerful message, emphasizing the importance of protecting homeowners, renters, and the entire housing market from detrimental policies.
Prop 33, if passed, would have allowed local governments to impose extreme rent control on single-family homes and condos, leading to potential disruptions in property values, increased costs, and reduced housing availability. By voting against this measure, Californians affirmed their commitment to sustainable, fair housing policies that support the growth of all housing types.
In addition to preserving property values and shielding single-family homes from rent control, this victory also ensures that the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act remains intact, helping to keep rental costs manageable across the state. We’re thrilled to celebrate this win, which strengthens California’s housing market today and safeguards the future of housing development statewide.
Thank you to everyone who supported this critical campaign and helped us protect the interests of California homeowners, renters, and the broader real estate community. This success marks a pivotal moment in S.A.R.’s commitment to advocating for a robust, fair, and sustainable housing market in California.
Legislative Wins for California Housing
This year’s legislative session brought substantial victories for California’s housing market. C.A.R. and S.A.R. worked together to support, amend, or oppose key bills, including:
- AB 2992 (Nguyen): Signed into law, this broker/buyer agreement bill strengthens consumer protections in transactions.
- SB 1462 (Glazer): Prevented this bill from passing, which would have allowed developers to use buyer deposits for risky investments.
- AB 2216 (Haney): Opposed by C.A.R., this bill would have forced property owners to allow unlimited pets without extra deposits. The bill was blocked in committee.
- AB 1932 (Ward): Stopped this bill that aimed to remove mortgage interest deductions for second homes, protecting homeowners’ tax benefits.
- SB 684 (Caballero): Passed with C.A.R.’s support to streamline small housing project permits, increasing homeownership opportunities.
- ACA 13: Prevented this initiative, which threatened to weaken Prop 13 protections on property tax increases.
- SB 1103 and AB 2493: Amended to address C.A.R.’s concerns about property and tenant rights.
- AB 2584 (Lee): Opposed legislation that could have restricted individual property ownership, successfully stalled.
- AB 2230 (Bennett): Blocked this bill that would have raised housing costs.
A Year of Leadership and Growth
We want to extend our gratitude to 2024 C.A.R. President Melanie Barker for her leadership and dedication. Under her guidance, we’ve faced a challenging market and adapted to new forms, processes, and professional standards. We’re confident that this commitment to growth and excellence will continue with the incoming 2025 leadership team, led by President Heather Ozur, President-elect Tamara Suminski, Treasurer Mark Peterson, and C.A.R. CEO Phil Hawkins.
At S.A.R., we know that what we do truly matters. Real estate professionals are with clients through life’s major transitions, offering support that extends beyond each sale. This year’s achievements and victories underscore our commitment to making a meaningful difference in our communities and clients’ lives. Thank you to all members for your active involvement, and here’s to a successful 2025 and beyond!
