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Government Affairs

Government Affairs

Government Affairs is the voice of the REALTORS® in local government. Our goal is to protect the REALTORS® of San Mateo County from ordinances, rules and regulations that would be a hindrance to the success of their businesses.  Government Affairs also works to advance one of SAMCAR's primary objectives: the preservation of private property rights throughout San Mateo County.

The Government Affairs staff informs and advises the Board of Directors and SAMCAR's Legislative Committees regarding pertinent land use and zoning policies, state and federal legislation, and local political issues. In conjunction with SAMCAR REALTORS®, the Government Affairs staff executes the legislative and political directives of the Board of Directors.

Government Affairs serves as a liaison between SAMCAR and the California Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®, and assists with member mobilization for state and federal issues of importance to the real estate industry.


Government Affairs Director

850 Woodside Way, San Mateo CA 94401 (map)
(650) 696-8200
 
 

Feds Won't Back Mortgages Seized by Cities
A controversial plan to use a municipality's eminent domain powers to seize properties in defaulthas suffered a severe setback with FHA, Ginnie Mae, and HUD now having no funds to insure, securitize, or establish a federal guarantee of any mortgage or mortgage backed security that refinances or replaces a mortgage that was subject to eminent domain condemnation or seizure.
Fannie & Freddie Urged to Ease Up on Credit Qualifications
The FHFA has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to explore "alternate" credit-score models and the credit history of the loans they back. The move is part of several efforts by FHFA to ease tight mortgage standards and help more potential buyers qualify for financing.
San Mateo to Get $3M for LED Streetlights
California Energy Commission approved nearly $18 million to fund projects that will help the state meet its climate and energy goals. The City of San Mateo will receive a $3 million loan to replace more than 5,000 streetlight fixtures with LED lighting.
SAMCAR Member Robert Ross Bids Farewell to San Mateo City Council
It's a bittersweet beginning to the New Year for the City of San Mateo. During the first Council meeting of 2015, the San Mateo City Council accepted the resignation of Council Member (and SAMCAR Broker member) Robert Ross and began discussions on how to appoint his successor.
Collateral Underwriter (CU) Viral Video Contains Fallacies
NAR has informed all local AORs that during the recent holiday break, many in the real estate industry received a video about changes coming to appraisals conducted for Fannie Mae transactions. The video is sent by email and usually contains the subject line: "Appraisal Time Bomb." Although the video has received much attention, it is not accurate.
Speier Sponsors Affordable Care Act Info Sessions
Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
With the deadline looming to enroll in the Affordable Care Act (AKA ‘Obamacare'), Congresswoman Jackie Speier will be holding a "Healthcare 411: Information & Advice about the Affordable Care Act" on Saturday, January 31.
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