Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Keeping you up to speed on the California coronavirus outbreak from the
C.A.R. encourages all members to stay up to date on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, which is currently sweeping the globe. We will be updating this website regularly with information on C.A.R. events, market implications and advice for California REALTORS®, home buyers, home sellers and renters.
UPDATE: MARCH 27, 1:30 P.M.
President Trump signs $2 trillion stimulus package that includes REALTOR® relief
President Trump has signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. Learn more about the financial relief options the CARES Act makes available to REALTORS® — including forgivable SBA loans and pandemic unemployment assistance — on our REALTOR® Relief page.
UPDATE: MARCH 27, 2020, 10:30 A.M.
Congress passes the CARES Act, relief on the way for REALTORS®
Congress has just passed the CARES Act, which now awaits the president's signature. For more information on the relief programs available to REALTORS® through this $2 trillion stimulus package, see our REALTOR® Relief page.
UPDATE: MARCH 26, 2020, 8 A.M.
C.A.R. President Jeanne Radsick gives an update on support for your transactions and providing relief
Read Jeanne's update on what C.A.R. is doing to push for relief for REALTORS® here.
UPDATE: MARCH 25, 2020, 8:38 P.M.
Senate passes $2 trillion aid package with REALTOR® relief.
The Senate has passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a stimulus package that will provide direct financial assistance to small business owners and independent contractors. For information on provisions in the bill that will affect REALTORS®, as well as information on several financial assistance programs available now, see our new REALTOR® Relief page.
The CARES Act still needs to pass the House and be signed by the president before it becomes law.
UPDATE: MARCH 24, 2020, 10 A.M.
C.A.R. releases second issue of California Coronavirus Weekly Recap newsletter
In this issue:
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Around the State: REALTORS® should conduct as much business as possible virtually
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The Market: C.A.R. currently forecasts home sales to decline in high single digits in 2020
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The Economy & Your Finances: Aid is on the way
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Health Check-Up: Covered California extends special enrollment period
UPDATE: MARCH 21, 2020, 11 A.M.
C.A.R. and NAR ask Congress for aid for REALTORS®
In response to Gov. Newsom’s Stay at Home order issued last week, C.A.R. has asked the California Congressional Delegation to provide forgivable SBA loans to self-employed, independent contractors, which includes the majority of C.A.R. members.
Because REALTORS® cannot conduct business under the Stay at Home order, C.A.R. members find themselves with no ability to earn a living and no safety net. And, as independent contractors, REALTORS® do not have access to the safety net of unemployment benefits afforded to millions of others during this crisis.
Both C.A.R. and NAR are requesting meaningful, long-term relief so that the real estate market can recover quickly.
UPDATE: MARCH 20, 2020, 5:30 P.M.
C.A.R. issues guidance on Governor's stay-at-home order
Yesterday Governor Newsom and the State Public Health Officer issued Executive Order N-33-20 requiring all Californians to stay home except as needed to maintain continuity of operations in 16 infrastructure sectors. This supersedes all existing local city and county orders that are less restrictive. The real estate industry is not exempt from this prohibition except as needed to maintain “continuity of operation … of … construction, including housing construction.” Therefore, REALTORS® should cease doing all
in-person marketing or sales activities, including showings, listing appointments, open houses and property inspections. Clients and other consumers are also subject to these orders and should not be visiting properties or conducting other business
in person.
UPDATE: MARCH 20, 2020, 1 P.M.
C.A.R. releases February home sales and price pre-COVID-19 outbreak report
Before the coronavirus outbreak hit the state so severely, California’s housing market was getting a strong foothold, with home sales and prices posting healthy increases in February. A C.A.R. flash poll conducted between March 14-16 found that more than half (54 percent) of REALTORS® had clients who backed out from buying a home because of the coronavirus, and less than one-half (45 percent) had clients who backed out from selling a property.
Watch a video on the market outlook here.
UPDATE: MARCH 19, 2020, 7:30 P.M.
Governor issues statewide stay-at-home order to all 40 million residents
Governor Newsom's order, which goes into effect on Thursday night, March 19, asks residents to stay at home and only leave for essential services, to encourage social distancing and slow the spread of COVID-19. The order is in place "until further notice" and has no specified end date.
Essential services such as grocery stores, pharmacies, take-out and delivery restaurants, banks and laundromats will remain open. For more information, visit the California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website.
$2 TRILLION STIMULUS PACKAGE SIGNED INTO LAW
President Trump has signed the CARES Act, which provides financial relief for independent contractors and small business. Learn more.
GOVERNOR NEWSOM ESTABLISHES STATEWIDE MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS
The order prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for nonpayment of rent and prohibits enforcement of evictions by law enforcement or courts. Read more.
C.A.R. SENDS LETTER TO CA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING REAL ESTATE AS ESSENTIAL SERVICE
Read the full letter here.
C.A.R. MEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR ANTHEM SPECIAL OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD
Anthem has agreed to hold a Special Open Enrollment Period (SEP) to allow anyone who was eligible for coverage as of January 1st to now enroll in the C.A.R. Anthem plan. This will allow any current C.A.R. member or full time W2 employee who could have enrolled for January 1st to now enroll with an April 1st effective date. Learn more here or call 1-800-939-8088.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR, BIG BANKS AGREE TO 90-DAY MORTGAGE GRACE PERIOD
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced Wednesday that more than 200 banks, including Wells Fargo, Citi Bank, JPMorgan Chase and US Bank, agreed to the moratorium for homeowners. Read more.
COVERED CALIFORNIA SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD EXTENDED
Effective immediately, any eligible member can enroll in health coverage without experiencing a qualifying life event or other special circumstance. This new policy will be in effect until June 30, 2020. Contact RealCare for more information.
ALL 40 MILLION CALIFORNIANS ORDERED TO STAY AT HOME
Governor Newsom's order, which has no specified end date, asks residents to stay at home and only leave for essential services, to encourage social distancing and slow the spread of
COVID-19. Read more.
QUARTERLY FEDERAL INCOME TAXES DEFERRED
The IRS confirms individuals can postpone their initial quarterly estimated federal income tax payments for the 2020 year from the normal April 15 deadline to July 15 without incurring any IRS interest change penalty.
FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC, HUD SUSPENDING ALL FORECLOSURES
The moratorium will last for at least 60 days. Read more.
REAL ESTATE EXAMS CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 30
The DRE is cancelling real estate salesperson and broker license exams in all exam centers through April 30. Examinees with questions or concerns regarding canceled exams can contact DRE’s
Licensing program at
(877) 373-4542 or by email at
Ask.DRELicensing@dre.ca.gov.
NEW CORONAVIRUS ADDENDUM FOR REALTORS®
Form CVA allows parties to agree on a way forward for existing contracts and address potential issues in contracts that have not yet been formed. Read more.
UPDATE: MARCH 19, 2020, 8:00 A.M.
C.A.R. President Jeanne Radsick gives an update on new member tools for the coronavirus pandemic
C.A.R. has also released a new press release: More California REALTORS® expect COVID-19 to impact housing market
UPDATE: MARCH 18, 2020, 5:50 P.M.
Congress Passes the Families First Coronavirus Act
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Act. The relief package provides for paid sick leave, expansion of family leave benefits, and other aid to eligible individuals and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus. Notably, the relief package includes support for workers who are self-employed, which offers many REALTORS® benefits that they are not eligible for under current California law. Specifically, eligible self-employed individuals may claim refundable tax credits against income and self-employment taxes for sick leave (which includes leave taken to care for a child due to school closure) and for family leave. C.A.R. will continue to provide updated information as new developments occur.
For more information, see NAR's resource on what REALTORS® need to know about the emergency coronavirus legislation.
UPDATE: MARCH 17, 2020, 6 P.M.
C.A.R. releases NEW coronavirus form
We know many of you are in the middle of, or about to enter into transactions that may be affected by the coronavirus situation. In response to this unprecedented crisis, we are pleased to inform you that C.A.R. has just released a new form called the Coronavirus Addendum/Amendment (Form CVA). It will be in zipForm® tomorrow but in the meantime you can download it here and use it in your transactions.
UPDATE: MARCH 17, 2020, 4:00 P.M.
C.A.R. releases COVID-19 guide for open houses and showings
At C.A.R., we are trying to keep REALTORS® informed about how COVID-19 impacts you and your clients. Our biggest priority is making sure you are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones. Know that the decision to host an open house remains at the discretion of you and your seller. In addition, local government and health authorities may alter what is permissible in a given area at a given time. For example, in the Bay Area there should probably be no open houses held for the next three weeks. This guide will help you and your clients understand the environment around open houses.
UPDATE: MARCH 17, 2020, 3:36 P.M.
DRE cancels all real estate exams through April 7
The Department of Real Estate (DRE) is cancelling real estate salesperson and broker license exams in all exam centers from March 18, 2020 to April 7, 2020. This action is being taken to comply with multiple county public health agencies ordering residents to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Examinees affected by these cancellations will be notified by email and will be allowed to reschedule their canceled exam dates using DRE’s eLicensing system. Exam rescheduling fees will be waived for this cancellation event.
Examinees with questions or concerns regarding canceled exam dates can contact the Department’s Licensing program at (877) 373-4542
UPDATE: MARCH 16, 2020, 10 A.M.
C.A.R. releases first issue of new California Coronavirus Weekly Newsletter
This newsletter, which will be released every Tuesday beginning on March 24, is designed to keep you updated on the state of the coronavirus outbreak in California and its impact on the real estate market.
Click here to read the first issue.
In This Issue:
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The Market: California housing market in flux
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Around the State: Community transmission on the rise
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Containment Efforts: Persons 65+ to self-isolate, schools and businesses close
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Health Check-Up: New travel guidelines and when to seek emergency medical attentio
We will be keeping an archive of all issues on this website.
UPDATE: MARCH 13, 2020, 9:00 A.M.
C.A.R. President Jeanne Radsick updates members on C.A.R.'s response to
the coronavirus pandemic.
UPDATE: MARCH 12, 2020, 9:00 A.M.
The C.A.R. Spring Business Meeting and Legislative Day will NOT be held as
scheduled from April 28 to May 1.
The Leadership of C.A.R. makes this decision following careful consideration, with the benefit of much thoughtful input from Directors and Committee Members, and with optimism that we will all continue to support each other during the difficult
and uncertain times ahead.
We will provide further updates soon to let you know about the alternative plans we are developing so that the Association’s essential business activities and policy decisions can still be addressed by the Committees and the Board of Directors. These alternatives include conducting virtual meetings using video conferencing technology, rescheduling the meetings to take place in Sacramento at a later date, or perhaps a combination of virtual meetings online and rescheduled meetings in person.
Our number one concern is the health and safety of our members and staff who participate in the C.A.R. Business Meetings, and who volunteer or work on behalf of the Association throughout the year. If you have comments or questions,
please contact us at any time.
