SAR's News You Can Use

Update: SAR Staff is pleased to announce that Sacramento County has updated their Public Health Order, and included our recommendation that occupied residences are now able to be shown. The order becomes effective at 11:59 p.m., May 1, and will be in effect until 11:59 p.m., May 22, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the Health Officer.

The language now reads, “Service providers that enable residential transactions (including rentals, leases and home sales), including, but not limited to, real estate agents, escrow agents, notaries and title companies, provided that appointments and other residential viewings must only occur virtually or, if a virtual viewing is not feasible, by appointment with no more than two visitors at a time residing within the same household or living unit and one individual showing the unit. These services must be carried out in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Order, to the extent possible…”

Read the Full Order +

SAR Staff is pleased that Sacramento County now defines real estate as “Essential Services”. However, we want to share our thoughts, as well as C.A.R’s on ‘Best Practices’ during this time. This in no way means you should go back to business as usual. This is an unprecedented situation and should be treated as such. Keep reading for our recommendations:

In the world of COVID-19 it seems like everything is constantly changing. Initially the federal governement published a list of essential services during this time of restricted activity. It did not include real estate as an essential service.

The National Association of REALTORS® evaluated their membership demographics and compared certain aspects from 2017 to 2018 and found some interesting changes. In that one year, there was a 4% increase in the number of female REALTORS® and a 5% increase in net income for REALTORS® overall. REALTORS® continue to see an overall growth in diversity of membership as a growing number of minorities and women are entering the profession. Since 2001, there has been a 20% increase in females and a 120% increase in minorities. The infographic below shows recent findings of who makes up their membership.

As 2019 comes to a close, we want to make sure we update you on the legislation that becomes law on January 1, 2020. It has been a busy year for our Government Affairs Team, but we know that these pieces of legislation have important impacts on your business.

The Sacramento City Council voted and passed a budget proposal for Measure U funds earlier this month. Unlike a typical city budget vote, this one received a great deal of attention and controversy due to the exclusion of two districts when determining which local projects an initial $16 million from Measure U would fund. These are projects throughout Sacramento that Mayor Darrell Steinberg referred to as “early wins.”

More Articles ...

  1. The True Cost of Electrification
  2. Legislation Update: What You Should Know
  3. Gavin Newsom Housing Plan Support
  4. PACE Loans: Consumers Beware
  5. New Vision for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Page 2 of 4