Seems everyone I meet knows someone, or is related to someone, in real estate.  Well, the simple truth is that in the past five years the number of real estate licensees in California has nearly doubled.  That is why it is important to be certain to work with a REALTOR® - a real estate professional who is a member of the California Association of REALTORS® and is held to the highest ethical standards in the industry.

The California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) is sponsoring two important bills before the California State Legislature this year to further ensure the State of California promotes the highest standards of professionalism and supervision by brokers who can truly be mentors, counselors and leaders for their agents.  During the mid-year legislative update June 7-9 in Sacramento for C.A.R. members C.A.R. members are participating in meetings with legislators to promote C.A.R. sponsored legislation. 

Assembly Bill 2429 (Real Estate Licensure) proposes to eliminate the conditional license and, after October 1, 2007, and requires every salesperson applicant to complete all three of their pre-license courses prior to being issued a license.

Assembly Bill 1963 (Real Estate Brokers License) - Given that brokers are mentors for the future generations of REALTORS®, C.A.R. wants to ensure they all have the tools to lead.  Under the current rules provide that any applicant with a four year degree can get a brokers license without experience.  C.A.R. is sponsoring AB1963 to require two years of "general real estate" experience regardless of education.  This bill was authored by Assemblyman Tim Leslie, a former CA real estate broker prior to entering politics.

The California Association of REALTORS® legislative affairs team along with agents and brokers around the state are fighting to help REALTORS® succeed.  C.A.R. is raising the bar so all real estate licensees can become great REALTORS®.

Ever want to know what it takes to get a building built?  Don't understand the planning process?  As a REALTOR and active community member I did.  To find the answers I turned to to Sacramento City Planning Academy.

For anyone interested in how things "get done" in Sacramento the City of Sacramento Planning Academy is just the ticket.  As a  graduate of the City's 5th Planning Academy, I was very pleased with the quality of the program and information provided, both from City Staff, public officials, and private sector individuals. 

Since the Planning Academy's inception several years ago approximately 175 residents have attended the City Planning Academy.  Most have continued in their community involvement and some have even gone on to sit on the City Planning Commission, other City Commissions or Boards and one past Planning Academy graduate has even gone won a seat on the City Council. 

The City Planning Academy was a structured six week course run by the Development Services Department of the City of Sacramento.  The Academy was specifically designed to educate and engage residents and business and community leaders in the Citys planning process.

The sessions were designed to include discussion, Q&A, interactive group exercises, and field trip of projects throughout the city. Classes covered a broad spectrum of planning issues and practices, including:

• The City's General Plan Update process and how citizens can be involved
• The legal and implementation framework for planning
• Examples of smart growth and sustainable development
• Successful elements of classic, older neighborhoods
• The City's infill strategy
• Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
• Community involvement in plannin decisions

The Planning Academy gave students the tools to:

• Identify the regional costs and impacts associated with urban sprawl versus infill development
• Identify the elements of successful projects
• Effectively participate in the planning and development review process
• Educate other community members about smart growth and how they can support development proposals.

The class size was 25 and each of us were from different neighborhoods and diverse backgrounds.  Each student brought many ideas and areas of interest, concerns and/or activism with them.  Hopefully most of us left with knowledge of the development process and a better understanding of the issues facing the many parts of our great and growing community.

The Planning Academy was a phenomenal way for me to learn about development and the challenges faced by residents, developers, and the City government in one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas. I would encourage anyone interested to look at the City's website http://www.cityofsacramento.org for more info or to contact assistant planners Mr. Ashley Feeney or Ms. Helen Selph in the City's Development Services Department. 

SACOG, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, is introducing a new interactive online tool to seek greater input and participation in the public decision making process for the six counties in the Sacramento Region.

The new interactive web-site, www.regionalgateway.org, provides residents of the region with a portal for information specifically related to land use planning, air quality, transportation issues.  It will enable residents to do interactive searches for current regional news, important calendar information and specific data searches.  For those wanting to do more to shape our community a discussion board allows people the ability to contribute to regional dialogue in a meaningful way.  Additionally, residents will be able to post information regarding public meetings, workshops and community events, and offer public input.  

Give a try.  Get involved.  Build a better Sacramento!