Ethica VoicePilot

Ethica VoicePilot is now available on the REALTOR® Secure Transaction dashboard as a new C.A.R. member benefit. Members can use voice or text to quickly create completed C.A.R. transaction forms from anywhere, helping save time and streamline document preparation. Visit the FAQ for more information.

Legislative Update
REALTORS^® Mobilize to Stop Costly Tax Proposal, Protecting California Homeownership

C.A.R. announced a major victory for homeownership in California after REALTORS^® statewide mobilized to stop AB 736 from moving forward in the California State Legislature.

In just over 24 hours, thousands of REALTORS^® from every corner of the state made more than 12,000 calls to members of the Legislature urging them to oppose AB 736, a proposal that would have incentivized local governments to raise transfer taxes on property sales. The unprecedented speed and scale of this grassroots response sent a clear message to lawmakers: California will not solve its affordability crisis by making homeownership more expensive.

“C.A.R. opposed AB 736 because higher transfer taxes would increase the cost of buying and selling a home at a time when affordability remains one of California's greatest housing challenges,” said C.A.R. President Tamara Suminski. “Expanding local transfer taxes would have placed additional financial burdens on families already struggling to achieve the dream of homeownership.

C.A.R.'s grassroots network is one of the most effective in California because it is powered by members who care deeply about protecting their clients, their communities, and the future of homeownership."

In addition to stopping this bill, California REALTORS^® also actively supported a broader agreement that will place a constitutional amendment to restore the requirement that certain local special tax increases receive approval from two-thirds of voters on the November 2026 ballot. Also, as part of that agreement, ACA 13 will no longer appear on the November ballot. C.A.R. strongly opposed ACA 13 because it could have weakened longstanding Proposition 13-style taxpayer protections, and the organization was prepared to commit significant resources to defeating the measure.

"These victories extend well beyond stopping a single bill," Suminski stated. "Together, they help protect Californians from higher costs, preserve important taxpayer safeguards and ensure homeownership remains within reach for more families. They also demonstrate the strength of our association. When REALTORS^® speak with one voice, California’s leaders listen."

"C.A.R. exists to protect homeownership, and our work doesn't end here," Suminski continued. "We will continue standing up for policies that expand ownership opportunities, defend taxpayers and keep the California Dream within reach for future generations. We do this because homeownership isn't just about owning a home — it's about building opportunity, security and a stronger future," Suminski said.

Inman Connect San Diego Broker Invitation 

We wanted to personally invite you to join us at Inman Connect San Diego this July. It’s always one of the more thoughtful gatherings in our industry, bringing together leaders who are shaping what’s next. If you plan to attend, let us know. If you are already registered and planning to attend, please let us know as well. We will include you in a broker dinner on July 29 and a broker conversation on July 30. You can register using this link for a discounted pass. 

Legal Update

BRBC Persistent Issues and Solutions Quick Guide

Since August 2024, REALTORS® working with buyers have been required to have a written buyer representation agreement prior to showing a buyer a residential property, with one to four units, offered for sale (NAR nationwide settlement).  Since January 1, 2025, all California real estate licensees have been required to have a written buyer representation agreement with a buyer of any real property offered for sale (residential and commercial) at the earliest practical time but no later than prior to submitting an offer (California Buyer broker law).  The DRE has declared that there will be a rebuttable presumption that the earliest practical time is before showing a property for sale.  Since these rules became effective, California licensees have developed good buyer practices, but some problems persist.  This Quick Guide discusses these ongoing issues and suggests solutions.  

Legal Live Webinars 

We invite you to attend our next Legal Live webinar, Contractors State License Board, scheduled for Tuesday, July 14 at 1:30 p.m. This call will feature Mike Jamnetski from the Contractors State License Board.  Register here to attend. A recording will be available following the program.   

C.A.R. introduces new and revised forms twice per year – in June and December, and this year was no different. Don’t worry, be prepared and be happy - Join the C.A.R. standard forms legal staff to learn about the most significant changes for the June forms’ release. Watch the recording here.
Please log-in to your C.A.R. account to access the materials listed above.

Nominate Your Rising Star Agents for C.A.R.’s Rising Star Awards 
C.A.R.’s Rising Star Awards program is back to recognize exceptional new real estate talent. This initiative highlights ambitious, high-performing agents early in their careers who are already making an impact and showing strong production, professionalism and potential. Honorees receive opportunities to spotlight their achievements, strengthen their network and promote their work alongside their firm. If you have a Rising Star on your roster for the 2025 production year, nominate them now! Candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered: 

• Be an active C.A.R. member who joined the association in 2024 or later. 

• Have closed a minimum of five (5) transactions or achieved at least $9.0 million in total sales volume between 1/1/2025 and 12/31/2025 (subject to verification). 

• Be nominated by their broker or office manager (self-nominations are not accepted). 

• Hold an active California real estate license with no restrictions or Code of Ethics violations. 

Access the nomination form, view the full rules and more info at on.car.org/risingstar. Nominations are due by July 17. 

Market Update

Recent housing and economic indicators offer some encouraging signs, even as uncertainty and affordability barriers remain issues in the next six months. Consumers are showing renewed interest in homeownership, AI is helping buyers navigate the process more efficiently, and softer energy prices are lifting sentiment from recent lows. Meanwhlie, real estate professionals continue to play an important role by helping consumers make sense of market conditions and evaluate options through the homebuying process. Despite the market outlook turning slightly more positive in the past week, elevated mortgage rates and cost-of-living pressures will continue to weigh on the market. As such, improvement in the second half of 2026 should be gradual and dependent on further progress on inflation and buyer confidence. Read the full weekly report here.

Key Read of the Week
“Home-price growth continues to cool and provide relief to priced-out prospective homebuyers throughout the first half of this year, as the latest S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index saw an “essentially flat” report in April, as characterized by Nicholas Godec, head of Fixed Income Tradables & Commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices.

The Case-Shiller Index saw home prices grow 0.8% year-over-year in April, the slightest tick up from 0.7% in March. Godec noted that “with inflation accelerating to 3.8% in April, U.S. home values have now declined in real terms for an 11th straight month.”

Month-over-month, the index saw national home prices grow 0.8%. However, after seasonal adjustment, growth actually observed a 0.1% fall.” Read this article from RisMedia here.