Santa Maria Association Of Realtors

11/03/2026

Prop 37 Explained: What REALTORS® Should Know Before Election Day
Dear REALTOR® Members,
Election Day is November 3, and one of the measures on California's ballot addresses an issue we all know too well: the growing challenge of housing affordability and achieving homeownership.
What is Prop 37?
Proposition 37 would establish a new homeownership assistance program designed to help eligible middle-income Californians purchase newly constructed homes.
Here's what it would do:
🏡 As little as 3% down: Eligible homebuyers could qualify for assistance that allows them to purchase a qualifying new home with a minimum 3% down payment.
🏗️ Encourage new construction: The program is intended to stimulate construction of new homes and expand homeownership opportunities.
💰 No direct cost to state or local taxpayers: The program would be funded through revenue bonds repaid by participating homeowners through their loan payments, rather than through state or local taxpayer funds.
Help Share the Information
As REALTORS®, we understand how important homeownership is to California's families and communities. We encourage you to learn more, ✅ VOTE YES on Prop 37, and help others access accurate information before Election Day.
Vote by November 3.

09/07/2026

Register for the Sept. 9 REALTOR® Safety Webinar!
Tracey Hawkins
Join us for “Fake, Fraudulent or AI?” on September 9 at 1 p.m. CT to learn about outsmarting wire fraud, deepfakes, crypto scams, and the new real estate scam playbook. Tracey Hawkins, former host of an NAR safety podcast, discusses how to educate buyers and sellers, establish safer verification practices, and make cybersecurity part of your client experience.

Generative AI is changing the real estate scam playbook. For the first time, the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report included a dedicated section on artificial intelligence, documenting 22,364 complaints involving AI-related information and more than $893 million in reported losses. Learn how to educat...

08/25/2026

🔥 Thank You, Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council! 🔥

A big thank you to the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council for joining us at today’s MLS Meeting! We appreciate the valuable information and resources shared with our members on wildfire preparedness, defensible space, home hardening, and ways we can help make our communities more fire resilient. 🏡🔥

And don’t forget—our next event is all about getting out, having fun, and learning something new! 🏓

FREE Pickleball Training
📅 Saturday, September 24
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Hagerman Sports Complex
3300 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria

All ages and skill levels are welcome! Whether you’ve never picked up a paddle or just want some extra practice, come join us.

👉 Register today and come play with us!

08/20/2026

Bring a friend or the whole family !! Register Today https://pickleballagent.ai/join-a-session

07/13/2026

We would like to share an important staff update with our members.

After nearly three years with the Santa Maria Association of REALTORS®, Bonnie has officially retired. We are grateful for her dedication, service, and contributions to our Association, and we wish her all the best in retirement.

We are pleased to welcome Rocio, who will be assuming Bonnie’s responsibilities. Members who have attended our recent MLS meetings may already recognize her, as she was first introduced at our June 8 meeting. Over the past several weeks, Rocio has also been training alongside Bonnie to help ensure a smooth transition.

As Rocio continues becoming familiar with our systems, procedures, and the unique aspects of the real estate industry, we appreciate your patience and understanding. She is committed to supporting our members and providing the level of service you have come to expect from SMAOR.

Please join us in thanking Bonnie for her service and welcoming Rocio to her new role.

07/13/2026

The passage of H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, represents an important step forward in addressing our nation’s housing challenges. The legislation modernizes and expands a number of existing housing programs, creates and incentivizes new programs, helps improve access to affordable rental housing, and includes provisions that support the growth and availability of manufactured housing.

While no single bill can solve the housing crisis overnight, H.R. 6644 demonstrates that Congress recognizes the need for meaningful action on housing and is willing to work across party lines to advance solutions. We appreciate Congress’s leadership and commitment to this effort.

Looking ahead, C.A.R. remains focused on expanding homeownership opportunities, as well as advancing policies that help unlock existing housing inventory.

07/01/2026

We’re excited to announce the launch of FOREWARN, a new REALTOR® safety benefit for Santa Maria Association of REALTORS® members. This tool is designed to help members verify prospects, stay informed, and conduct business with greater confidence.

Members: Please check your email for instructions that were sent earlier today on how to activate and access your FOREWARN account.

06/26/2026

Thank you all for calling!!!

Victory for California Homeowners!

Because thousands of California REALTORS® took action and made their voices heard, AB 736, a bill that would have incentivized cities to raise transfer taxes on property, particularly higher-value homes, will not move forward.

When the threat emerged, REALTORS® across California responded immediately. In just over 24 hours, more than 12,000 calls were made by REALTORS® to members of the Legislature, urging them to oppose the bill. That overwhelming response sent a clear message: increasing taxes on homeownership is not the answer.

This outcome is a powerful reminder that REALTOR® advocacy works. When REALTORS® engage, lawmakers listen. Your calls, emails, and outreach helped stop a proposal that would have made buying and selling a home more expensive for California families.

Thank you, C.A.R. members, for standing up for homeowners, homebuyers, property rights, and taxpayers across California. This victory belongs to you.

06/25/2026

LIKE & SHARE!

RED ALERT: AB 736, a transfer tax bill currently moving through the California Legislature, could significantly increase the taxes homeowners pay when they sell their homes. This issue matters to every homeowner in California. Please urge your legislators today to vote NO on AB 736.

AB 736 would allow local governments to increase transfer taxes on home sales far beyond what most Californians pay today. For example, for a home that sold for $900,000, the tax could increase from roughly $1,000 today to as much as $13,500 or even $27,000 in some cases.

For many homeowners, that money would come directly out of the equity they have worked for years to build. Whether you're planning to buy, sell, or remain in your home for years to come, policies like AB 736 that increase housing costs will affect all Californians.

06/25/2026

URGENT C.A.R. RED ALERT !! Keep the Pressure on AB 736
-- Transfer Tax -- OPPOSE Like & Share!!
Good Afternoon,
Yesterday, you-and all of C.A.R. members-received a Red Alert on AB 736.
This is the largest Red Alert C.A.R. conducted since before COVID, and the response so far has been strong: over 11,000 C.A.R. members have already called their legislators.
That said, we need to keep the pressure on. C.A.R. re-sent the Red Alert this morning to all members who have not yet responded, and your continued engagement today is critical—especially as the Legislature has delayed the vote on this bill.
We appreciate-and truly need-the support of each of our member's right now.
The Ask:
Contact your assigned legislators IMMEDIATELY. Remember this is being heard in both houses, so if you are assigned to senators and assemblymembers, contact both. Urge them to oppose the bill by voting No or Abstaining.
Senator Monique Limón (District 21):
Santa Barbara District Office: 222 E. Carrillo Street, Suite 309, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 | Phone: (805) 965-0862
Assemblymember Gregg Hart (District 37):
Santa Barbara District Office: 411 E. Canon Perdido Street, Suite 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 | Phone: (805) 564-1649
Thank you to everyone who has already taken action on the AB 736 Red Alert. We need to make sure every call is properly recorded so your advocacy counts.
Please take a moment to complete the Red Alert process here:
https://ca-redalert.action.aristotle.com/.../29ba9e77...
When completing the Red Alert, please remember to do both of the following:
Make both calls — one to your Assembly Member and one to your Senator.
After each call, click “End Call” so the system records that the call was completed.
This step is important. If you do not click “End Call” after each call, your calls may not be tracked, even if you made them.
The good news is that if you already made the calls but forgot to log them or click “End Call,” you can still go back through the Red Alert link and complete the process so both calls are recorded.
Please see the attached screenshots/graphics for a quick walk-through.
Thank you for helping us keep the pressure on and making sure your voice is counted.