Notice of Discontinuance of Supra XpressKEY

Supra XpressKEY Users,

This announcement serves as official notice from Supra that the XpressKEY® electronic touchscreen key will be discontinued by the end of 2021.

As 3G cellular networks and service are phased out by mobile carriers, XpressKEY devices will stop working. This will happen as early as January 1, 2022.*

Please know that we are working closely with our customers to enable a smooth transition for XpressKEY users. To continue to show properties, agents will need the Supra® eKEY® app on their smartphone.

The eKEY app has become the access method of choice for over 1 million real estate professionals. The eKEY app streamlines showings and delivers efficient access to powerful information, ultimately providing compelling value to consumers. Check out and share our great library of eKEY resources online to help new users get up to speed.

Below are the instructions to transition your key from XpressKEY to eKEY:

· To start the transition to the Supra eKeY app, please download the Supra License Agreement and the Returned XpressKEY Affidavit, complete both document and email to staff@bridgeaor.org. Once we have received your two documents we will start the process of switching you over to the eKEY app. Once you are switched over, you will receive an email with instructions on how to set up your eKEY.

· One final step, please use this link to set up your appointment to return your XpressKEY. Once we have possession of your XpressKEY, we will generate your key deposit check refund. Please expect 3-4 weeks to receive your refund check.

Your business is very important to us, and we thank you for our continued relationship. We are excited to partner with you on this journey of digital transformation as Supra brings you more solutions for our members.

Thank you,

Bridge AOR/bridgeMLS Staff

Contact Bridge AOR: staff@bridgeaor.org | 510-848-4288 | M-F (9 am - 5 pm)

Contact bridgeMLS: support@bridgemls.com | 925-363-2333 | M-F (9 am - 5 pm)

C.A.R. news release: C.A.R. releases its 2022 California Housing Market Forecast

C.A.R. releases its 2022 California Housing Market Forecast California housing market to remain solid if pandemic is kept under control, but structural challenges will persist.

• Existing, single-family home sales are forecast to total 416,800 units in 2022, a decline of 5.2 percent from 2021’s projected pace of 439,800.

• California’s median home price is forecast to rise 5.2 percent to $834,400 in 2022, following a projected 20.3 percent increase to $793,100 in 2021.

• Housing affordability* is expected to drop to 23 percent next year from a projected 26 percent in 2021.

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 7) – Supply constraints and higher home prices will bring California home sales down slightly in 2022, but transactions will still post their second highest level in the past five years, according to a housing and economic forecast released today by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

The baseline scenario of C.A.R.’s “2022 California Housing Market Forecast” sees a decline in existing single-family home sales of 5.2 percent next year to reach 416,800 units, down from the projected 2021 sales figure of 439,800. The 2021 figure is 6.8 percent higher compared with the pace of 411,900 homes sold in 2020.

The California median home price is forecast to rise 5.2 percent to $834,400 in 2022, following a projected 20.3 percent increase to $793,100 in 2021 from $659,400 in 2020. An imbalance in demand and supply will continue to put upward pressure on prices, but higher interest rates and partial normalization of the mix of sales will likely curb median price growth. Additionally, a shift in housing demand to more affordable areas, as the trend of remote working continues, will also keep prices in check and prevent the statewide median price from rising too fast in 2022.

“A slight decline next year from the torrid sales pace of the past year-and-a-half will be a welcome relief to potential homebuyers who have been pushed out of the market due to high market competition and an extremely low level of homes available for sale,” said C.A.R. President Dave Walsh. “Homeownership aspirations remain strong and motivated buyers will have more inventory to choose from. They will also benefit from a favorable lending environment, with the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage remaining below 3.5 percent for most of next year.”

C.A.R.’s 2022 forecast projects growth in the U.S. gross domestic product of 4.1 percent in 2022, after a projected gain of 6.0 percent in 2021. With California’s 2022 nonfarm job growth rate at 4.6 percent, up from a projected increase of 2.0 percent in 2021, the state’s unemployment rate will decrease to 5.8 percent in 2022 from 2021’s projected rate of 7.8 percent.

Growing global economic concerns will keep the average for 30-year, fixed mortgage interest rates low at 3.5 percent in 2022, up from 3.0 percent in 2021 and from 3.1 percent in 2020 but will still remain low by historical standards.

“Assuming the pandemic situation can be kept under control next year, the cyclical effects from the latest economic downturn will wane, and a strong recovery will follow,” said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Jordan Levine. “However, structural challenges will reassert themselves as the normalization of the market continues. Demand for homes will continue to outstrip available supply as the economy improves, resulting in higher home prices and slightly lower sales in 2022,” Levine continued.

Leading the way ...® in real estate news and information for more than 110 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with more than 200,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

Climate Action Corner: California Natives - The Keys to Beautiful Drought Tolerant Curb Appeal

California Natives—The Keys to Beautiful Drought Tolerant Curb Appeal

When most of us think about drought tolerant landscaping, you may think dry, colorless and boring.

Since we here at CAC believe in adding beauty to the world, we assure you that Native Planting not only offers plenty of logical reasons for planting but also adds some fabulous Curb Appeal to your home or listing.

With the drought upon us, it has never been more important to conserve this natural resource, not just for now, but for the foreseeable future. So read on for five compelling reasons to make the change. The approaching Autumn and Winter months are perfect times to plant.

Ceanothous at the SF Native Plant Garden

FIVE Great Reasons to Switch to Native Plants

1. Less effort and resources, meaning lower maintenance

Native plants and trees take less care and energy and ultimately will be healthier than planting exotic plants. They also require fertilizer treatments, translating into less time, energy and money being spent on maintenance.

2. Connect with nature

In addition to providing vital habitat for birds, many other species of wildlife benefits as well. The colorful array of butterflies and moths, including the iconic monarch, the swallowtails, tortoiseshells, and beautiful blues, are all dependent on very specific native plant species. Native plants provide nectar for pollinators including hummingbirds, native bees, bats as well as butterflies and moths. They also provide protective shelter for many mammals. The native nuts, seeds, and fruits produced by these plants offer essential foods for all forms of wildlife.

3. Beauty

It may surprise you that many native plants offer beautiful showy flowers, produce abundant colorful fruits and seeds, and brilliant seasonal changes in colors from the pale, thin greens of early spring, to the vibrant yellows and reds of autumn.

4. Help the Climate

Landscaping with native plants can combat climate change. In addition to the reduced noise and carbon pollution from lawn mower exhaust, many native plants, especially long-living trees like oaks and maples, are effective at storing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, as well as adding protective shade for your home.

5. Conserve Water

Because native plants are adapted to local environmental conditions, they require far less water, saving time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource especially now, water. Perhaps this should be the #1 reason to switch to natives!

Right now is a great time to convert those especially thirsty lawns to gardens planted with natives. EBMUD will reward you with rebates if you do! And if you plant your approved project between now and April, you may get an extra rebate, from 75 cents to $1.50/sq. ft. of area converted. Learn more here: https://www.ebmud.com/water/conservation-and-rebates/rebates/lawn-conversion-rebate/

So, what do you say? Make a project of it or add to your garden little by little. Whatever the choice, Native Plants are a great choice for any garden or landscape.

Join us for our next Firsty Thursday Green Home Happy Hour on Thursday, October 7th at 4:30 pm. We’ll keep this conversation going, sharing some of our favorite Native plants and resources. Have questions? We’ll try to provide the answers, and have some fun in the process! Register here, for our monthly gatherings: bit.ly/Firsty-Thursdays

RESOURCES:

For more information or a list of plant choices visit The California Native Plant Society https://www.cnps.org/gardening/prepping-and-planting/planting-california-natives

You can also find great resources on the EBMUD site. You’ll find a list of native plant nurseries, as well as planting guides and also a guide to 100 water-wise plants, and the link to a rebate application:

https://www.ebmud.com/water/conservation-and-rebates/watersmart-gardener/watersmart-plants/

These water-wise tips for planting California natives brought to you by your Climate Action Committee. Special thanks to Janine Hunt for providing much of this content!

The Climate Action Committee serves as a Bridge AOR resource, educating and facilitating activities in support of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction for a sustainable low-carbon future.