Among the provisions of the recently-passed stimulus package benefiting real estate: $25 billion in rental assistance to states and clarification that business owners can deduct business expenses on their federal tax returns that were paid using a forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and other industry groups argued that […]
Government Affairs
Housing 2021: First-Timers, Forbearance, Fannie & Freddie
Some of the top sources for real estate business news predict a strong 2021 for housing. Economists from Redfin, Zillow, FORBES, Bloomberg, realtor.com, HousingWire and more see mortgage rates remaining low while demand for housing remains high. But the question on many minds is, how will the new administration affect the industry? One of the […]
Record Prices in Inland Empire
The busiest November in 14 years pushed Inland Empire home prices to record highs. In Riverside and San Bernardino counties, a combined 6,888 residences sold, existing and new, a study of closed transactions by DQNews said. That’s up 22% in a year and the largest November tally since 2006. The region’s homebuying rebound continued in November […]
Riverside Agency Drops Controversial PACE Program
A loan program that critics say misleads homeowners with promises of energy savings before saddling them with unaffordable debt will no longer be offered by a Riverside-based public agency. The Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), an alliance of 18 western Riverside County cities, county government, two water districts and the county schools superintendent, will […]
Dec. 21 – CVAR Connect
CVAR’s COVID-19 Resources REALTORS®: Updates & Guidelines What’s Happening at CVAR under COVID-19 restrictions Latest COVID-19 Updates from C.A.R. Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® is conducting all business remotely. Meetings and classes presented by CVAR will be online and free of charge (see classes below). ____________ CVAR Calendar Dec. 24-26 | CVAR Closed – Merry Christmas! Jan. 4 […]
Stimulus Vote – Updated
President Donald Trump signed the coronavirus relief bill on Sunday, Dec. 27, which includes a $900 billion relief package and averts the government shutdown that would have started Tuesday. Because pandemic relief programs lapsed on Saturday, some of the more than 12 million Americans who rely on them may experience a blip in aid. The […]
IRS: Steps for Filing in 2021
The Internal Revenue Service encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions in the final weeks of the year to help file federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021. A special page, updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take now to make tax filing easier in 2021. This year, there are some key […]
Should You Start Taking Social Security Now?
If you’re laid off in the COVID-19 economy and you’re an older adult, you might be wondering: Am I going to have to take Social Security earlier than I planned? How much will that reduce my monthly benefits in the long run? What happens if I get a new job? For many older adults, claiming […]
Dec. 2020 – Cities Report
ELECTIONS – Local cities Compiled by Bill Ruh CVAR Government Affairs Director With the elections now certified, I will include the names of the local winners below in each city that held elections. With only a few exceptions, CVAR knew the winners in each of our cities. We encourage REALTOR® members to contact the winners […]
Thieves Pose as SCE for Scam
Rancho Cucamonga resident and businessman Gordon Broney became one of the latest victims of a scam targeting customers of Southern California Edison. Telephone callers pretending to be employees of the electricity utility have this year stolen almost $300,000 from 433 customers by threatening to shut off their power over unpaid bills unless immediate payment is […]