ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT Realtors Launch Fair Housing Website y Dane Sydet, Presdert, and Dvid Waker HONORING Souhiand Regional Association of Reators The California Association of Realtors proudly presented recently a brand-new website dedicated to providing Real- KEN KELLY SOUTHLAND REGIONAL tors with information about fair housing best practices, building inclusive businesses and orga- nizations, and promoting more equitable communities. ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS", INC. 1928-2021 housing opportunity persist. The website offers informa- tion about Fair Housing, C.A.R.'s advocacy on behalf of underserved communities and tools to help Cali- fornia Realtors support the homeownership needs of all communities. one's homeownership journey. The Association has compiled books, reports, C.A.R. and NAR resources, videos and more to help ensure that Realtors are stewards of fair The website can be found at: https:// THLAND REGIONAL OCIATION OF R TORS", INC. housing. www.fairhous- ingcalifornia. The Southland Regional Associa tion of Reatorse s a local trade association with more than 10.300 members serving the San Femando and A video honoring the life and accomplishments of Ken Kelly, an award-winning local Realtor, a Hughes Aircraft and JPL engineer, an inventor, and a past president of the San Fernando Valley Fair Housing Council, is available for viewing at www.SRAR.com. Kelly passed away in February. The video recently was used to open a Cali- fomia Association of Realtors virtual meeting attended by more than 800 Realtors. Because of now-illegal restrictive covenants, Kelly twice over his lifetime asked white friends to buy a home in communities where the family wanted to live, including in Northridge. Kelly was remarkable because he suc- ceeded in forging relationships and navigating three worlds - engineering, real estate, and the ongoing campaign to ensure fair housing for all. org As the first point of contact for many home seekers and owners, Realtors can make a huge The website offers an op- portunity to learn about what C.A.R. is doing to expand housing opportunity for all Californians and to address the legacy of once-legal Santa Clarita Valleys. SRAR s one of the lang est local associations Realtor Diane Sydel, 2021 SRAR President difference in some- FAIR HOUSING in the nation. discrimination. The Association supports a diverse community of more than 200,000 members and the equally diverse communities that those COVID-19 Market Update Market Optimism Remains High Realtors serve. "We are committed to protect- ing and expanding the opportunity for every Californian to sustainably own, use and transfer real property," Optimism about the housing market remains high as Califor- nia consumers remain relatively bullish on selling and, despite a highly competitive market environment, relatively undaunted on buying as well, This is due in large part to a gradually improving picture of California's pandem- ic mumbers and the corresponding growth in the broader economic indicators in the state. However, the prospect of rising rates is creating more urgency tor woukl-be buyers, which is pushing prices up and affordability down. Califormia Housing Market Continues to Grow in First Week of May-Based upon the first week of sales in May and more complete reporting on closed sales in April, Califomia shoukd see an acceleration in the market for last month. Every week of April recorded a 40 percent or higher increase com- pared to the same point in 2020, which was when the market collapsed due to the pandemic. Realtor optimism in the California Association of Realtons' weekly survey was among the highest measured since the onset of the crisis, Public Health Numbers Remain Encouraging Overall, Califormia's public health numbers continue to improve, with L.A. moving into the yellow tier. Forbearance Numbers Continue to Improve Less than 4.5 percent of all mortgages are currently in forbearance according to the latest weekly data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. That is down slightly from the week before and almost half the forbearance rate from its peak in June 2020. Encouragingly, only 15 percent of those homeowners who have gotten out of forbearance have no plan in place. Mortgage Applications Ease from Previous Highs Last weeck saw the 49th consecutive increase in new mortgage applications for home purchases on a year-to-year basis, but the pace of growth dipped from more than 50 percent to "just"34 percent last week. However, on a weekly basis, the purchase index has been falling from its cycle-high of the previous week. Demand remains strong, and C.A.R.s monthly consumer survey showed that the percentage who thought it was a good time to buy in April remain undaunted thus far. the Association stated. Even with long-standing state, federal and local laws prohibiting discrimination, many communities remain segregated while housing discrimination and barriers to equal Promoting Green Tools in Listings is Valuable than half of those surveyed 55 percent - said their clients were interested in sustainability. "A growing number of consumers are seeking homes with features that are good for the environment and, by extension, good for their wallets by reducing utility expenses in the long run," said Jessica Lautz, NAR více president of demographics and behavioral insights. The pandemic has led to an increased focus on well- ness and sustainability is an important variable in that overall equation for some people. A strong majority of Realtors - 82 percent - said One out of three Realtors said they had been directly involved with buying or selling a prop- erty that had green or eco-friendly features in the past 12 months, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors. The report, which was released in recognition of this year's Earth Day, surveyed Realtors about sustainability properties with solar panels were available in their issues facing the real estate industry. Sixty-five percent of respondents said promot- ing energy efficiency in listings was valuable, with 36 percent reporting that their multiple listing service had green data fields. Among Realtors who did have MLS green data fields, 36 percent used them to promote green features, 25 percent highlighted energy informa- tion, and 13 percent listed green certifications. More market and 40 percent said solar panels increased the perceived property value. Twenty-two percent of respondents said that a high-performance home - defined as a systematic building science approach to home improvements that enhance indoor comfort, health, operational efficiency and durability - increased the dollar value offered compared to other similar homes. THE VOICE OF REAL ESTATE IN THE SAN FERNANDO AND SANTA CLARITA VALLEYS www.SRAR.com | Real Estate Questions? E-mail Diane Sydell, SRAR 2021 President, c/o DavidW@SRAR.com REALTORS is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a Member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSe and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethies. ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT Realtors Launch Fair Housing Website y Dane Sydet, Presdert, and Dvid Waker HONORING Souhiand Regional Association of Reators The California Association of Realtors proudly presented recently a brand-new website dedicated to providing Real- KEN KELLY SOUTHLAND REGIONAL tors with information about fair housing best practices, building inclusive businesses and orga- nizations, and promoting more equitable communities. ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS", INC. 1928-2021 housing opportunity persist. The website offers informa- tion about Fair Housing, C.A.R.'s advocacy on behalf of underserved communities and tools to help Cali- fornia Realtors support the homeownership needs of all communities. one's homeownership journey. The Association has compiled books, reports, C.A.R. and NAR resources, videos and more to help ensure that Realtors are stewards of fair The website can be found at: https:// THLAND REGIONAL OCIATION OF R TORS", INC. housing. www.fairhous- ingcalifornia. The Southland Regional Associa tion of Reatorse s a local trade association with more than 10.300 members serving the San Femando and A video honoring the life and accomplishments of Ken Kelly, an award-winning local Realtor, a Hughes Aircraft and JPL engineer, an inventor, and a past president of the San Fernando Valley Fair Housing Council, is available for viewing at www.SRAR.com. Kelly passed away in February. The video recently was used to open a Cali- fomia Association of Realtors virtual meeting attended by more than 800 Realtors. Because of now-illegal restrictive covenants, Kelly twice over his lifetime asked white friends to buy a home in communities where the family wanted to live, including in Northridge. Kelly was remarkable because he suc- ceeded in forging relationships and navigating three worlds - engineering, real estate, and the ongoing campaign to ensure fair housing for all. org As the first point of contact for many home seekers and owners, Realtors can make a huge The website offers an op- portunity to learn about what C.A.R. is doing to expand housing opportunity for all Californians and to address the legacy of once-legal Santa Clarita Valleys. SRAR s one of the lang est local associations Realtor Diane Sydel, 2021 SRAR President difference in some- FAIR HOUSING in the nation. discrimination. The Association supports a diverse community of more than 200,000 members and the equally diverse communities that those COVID-19 Market Update Market Optimism Remains High Realtors serve. "We are committed to protect- ing and expanding the opportunity for every Californian to sustainably own, use and transfer real property," Optimism about the housing market remains high as Califor- nia consumers remain relatively bullish on selling and, despite a highly competitive market environment, relatively undaunted on buying as well, This is due in large part to a gradually improving picture of California's pandem- ic mumbers and the corresponding growth in the broader economic indicators in the state. However, the prospect of rising rates is creating more urgency tor woukl-be buyers, which is pushing prices up and affordability down. Califormia Housing Market Continues to Grow in First Week of May-Based upon the first week of sales in May and more complete reporting on closed sales in April, Califomia shoukd see an acceleration in the market for last month. Every week of April recorded a 40 percent or higher increase com- pared to the same point in 2020, which was when the market collapsed due to the pandemic. Realtor optimism in the California Association of Realtons' weekly survey was among the highest measured since the onset of the crisis, Public Health Numbers Remain Encouraging Overall, Califormia's public health numbers continue to improve, with L.A. moving into the yellow tier. Forbearance Numbers Continue to Improve Less than 4.5 percent of all mortgages are currently in forbearance according to the latest weekly data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. That is down slightly from the week before and almost half the forbearance rate from its peak in June 2020. Encouragingly, only 15 percent of those homeowners who have gotten out of forbearance have no plan in place. Mortgage Applications Ease from Previous Highs Last weeck saw the 49th consecutive increase in new mortgage applications for home purchases on a year-to-year basis, but the pace of growth dipped from more than 50 percent to "just"34 percent last week. However, on a weekly basis, the purchase index has been falling from its cycle-high of the previous week. Demand remains strong, and C.A.R.s monthly consumer survey showed that the percentage who thought it was a good time to buy in April remain undaunted thus far. the Association stated. Even with long-standing state, federal and local laws prohibiting discrimination, many communities remain segregated while housing discrimination and barriers to equal Promoting Green Tools in Listings is Valuable than half of those surveyed 55 percent - said their clients were interested in sustainability. "A growing number of consumers are seeking homes with features that are good for the environment and, by extension, good for their wallets by reducing utility expenses in the long run," said Jessica Lautz, NAR více president of demographics and behavioral insights. The pandemic has led to an increased focus on well- ness and sustainability is an important variable in that overall equation for some people. A strong majority of Realtors - 82 percent - said One out of three Realtors said they had been directly involved with buying or selling a prop- erty that had green or eco-friendly features in the past 12 months, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors. The report, which was released in recognition of this year's Earth Day, surveyed Realtors about sustainability properties with solar panels were available in their issues facing the real estate industry. Sixty-five percent of respondents said promot- ing energy efficiency in listings was valuable, with 36 percent reporting that their multiple listing service had green data fields. Among Realtors who did have MLS green data fields, 36 percent used them to promote green features, 25 percent highlighted energy informa- tion, and 13 percent listed green certifications. More market and 40 percent said solar panels increased the perceived property value. Twenty-two percent of respondents said that a high-performance home - defined as a systematic building science approach to home improvements that enhance indoor comfort, health, operational efficiency and durability - increased the dollar value offered compared to other similar homes. THE VOICE OF REAL ESTATE IN THE SAN FERNANDO AND SANTA CLARITA VALLEYS www.SRAR.com | Real Estate Questions? E-mail Diane Sydell, SRAR 2021 President, c/o DavidW@SRAR.com REALTORS is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a Member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSe and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethies.