On April 2, 2009 the Housing Affordability Fund launched a new program designed to provide peace of mind to first-time buyers who are hesitant to enter the housing market due to concerns about potential job loss, and subsequently being unable to meet their monthly mortgage obligations. Qualifying buyers can receive up to $1,500 a month for up to six months in the event of job loss, a qualified co-buyer can also receive a $750 benefit for up to six months to help pay the mortgage.

To qualify for the Mortgage Protection Program, Applicants must:

• Be a first-time home buyer – someone who has not owned property in the last three years (includes co-buyer).
• Open escrow April 2, 2009, or later, and close on or before Dec. 31, 2009 (purchase agreement cannot be dated before April 2, 2009)
• Use a California REALTOR® in the transaction
• Purchase the property in California
• Be a W-2 employee (cannot be self-employed)

MORTGAGE PROTECTION PROGRAM PRE-QUALIFY YOUR CLIENT! Due to the demand for the program, we have created a pre-qualification process that will ensure you get a policy if your client meets the program qualifications and closes escrow before December 31, 2009. Just fill out the application and submit with a copy of the qualifying executed purchase agreement – your file will be approved pending the receipt of the HUD-1 Closing statement indicating the close of escrow for your buyer.

• For a copy of the REVISED MPP Application Click here.
  ( This must be submitted by an active California REALTOR®)
• For a REVISED list of Frequently Asked Questions Click here.
• For Examples on How The Program Works Click Here.

Terms of Use for MPP Marketing Flyer

You may download and distribute the MPP marketing flyer to your clients and customers. You may not alter the MPP flyer in any way, such as revising or adding text or graphics, and you may not copy or remove any graphics, pictures or other content in the MPP marketing flyer and use them in any other way without CARHAF’s prior written consent.

Click Here to view flyer as (pdf)

Click Here to view flyer as (jpg)

You get a new listing, you try to enter it in the system, but you get a duplicate warning…How come?

Prior to submitting a listing, MRMLS Matrix will notify you with a warning if your property already exists in the system.  Per the CARETS Data Integrity Standards, entering an existing active, back-up, pending, hold or withdrawn listing is a violation.

Questions and Answers:

Q. How can I check to see if my listing is already in the MRMLS Matrix System?

A.  You can check to see if your listing is already in the system in a couple different ways.  The best way is to run either an “Address” or “APN” search in MRMLS Matrix.

Q. How can I report duplicate listings as violations anonymously?

A. Reporting a violation link is included at the bottom of every listing on an Agent Full display.   It appears as it does below -

Note: At MRMLS, when a violation is reported, the reporting agent is given the option to submit the violation anonymously. Under no circumstances is the reporting party’s name passed on to the person in violation.

Realist tax NOW offers all property tax information throughout all of California.

Realist tax has added 58 Counties, Free Neighborhood reports and Assessors Maps!

NEW FEATURES:

• Search through all 58 California Counties
• Free Assessor’s Map
• Additional Neighborhood Reports – they include:
  • Demographic data
  • School Data
  • Business Data
  • Crime Data

Program provides up to $1,500 a month in event of job loss for up to six months

Home buyers concerned about losing their jobs and then having to make their monthly mortgage payments should take heart. A new CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) Mortgage Protection Program, available through your local REALTOR®, provides up to $1,500 per month, for up to six months, to eligible first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs.

Best of all, the Mortgage Protection Program is FREE to home buyers, with the monthly premiums for the program paid for by the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund. Qualified co-buyers also can participate in the Mortgage Protection Program, and receive monthly benefits of $750 per month for up to six months.

Launched in April by the statewide Association’s non-profit C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund, nearly 385 home buyers in California have had applications to the program approved so far, with more in the pipeline. California REALTORS® initially allocated $1 million to fund policies for the program.

“The Mortgage Protection Program was developed to help ease the anxiety of Californians concerned about potential job loss and its impact on their ability to meet their mortgage obligation,” said C.A.R. President James Liptak.

With more Californians able to afford a home than in recent years, interest rates at or near historic lows, and a wide selection of homes for sale, there may never be a better time to buy a home than today.

First-time home buyer Michael Sandoval was in the process of purchasing a home in Gilroy, Calif., when he heard about C.A.R.’s Mortgage Protection Program from his REALTOR®, Valerie Kemp of Alain Pinel REALTORS® in Morgan Hill, Calif.

“We were already looking at homes when we heard about this program,” said Sandoval.  “Knowing that we have an additional security blanket should anything happen with our jobs was a relief – and the fact that it’s offered for free is like icing on the cake.  It has helped us achieve the dream of homeownership and get our foot in the door.”
Attesting to the program’s success, C.A.R. also received an Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grant for $420,000 from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) to issue additional Mortgage Protection Program policies beyond the initial $1 million allocated by C.A.R. for the program.

To apply for the program, home buyers must request an application for the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program from their REALTOR®. But don’t delay. C.A.R.’s Mortgage Protection Program is scheduled to run through the end of 2009.

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Housing Affordability Fund (C.A.R.H.A.F.) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to addressing California’s housing crisis. It receives donations primarily from REALTOR® members and REALTOR® associations committed to addressing housing challenges in California. C.A.R.H.A.F. raises and distributes funds and partners with other groups to promote housing and homeownership and address housing opportunities locally and statewide.
Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with more than 163,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles

Don’t have time to inform your members about their benefits?  Let us do it for you!  We know your time is valuable, so let us help make things easier for you by sharing tips and tools to help your members make the most of their membership.

In this informative webinar, they will learn how to fully utilize their C.A.R. membership to save money, time, and ultimately gain peace of mind. Join us for an overview of C.A.R. Member Benefits and Member Advantage Program partners.

Topics covered include:

• Legal Services
• WINForms®
• Communication Tools
• Member Advantage Program

1. TransUnion/Smart Move – Learn how to be smart about screening your rental applicants with this fast, convenient, and cost-effective Member Advantage Program partner.
   
2. Mobile Real Estate ID™ –  Hear how you can allow buyers to access property information, pictures, and the customized contact info right on their cell phone via text message – all in real time and for less than $100 a year.

Maximize your membership—click here to register today! https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/549121931