| Education |
Recap: Speaker Series | Hot Topics & Conversations Q4.19
On Thursday, October 17, SAMCAR members gathered at Devils Canyon Brewing in San Carlos for the final 2019 quarterly Speaker Series for presentations on hot topics including ADUs, first time homebuyer programs, fire insurance, title insurance and cannabis, and rent control followed by conversations with each presenter.
Accessory dwelling units (ADU)
Ken Cole (San Mateo County Housing Director)
San Mateo County Housing Director Ken Cole provided resources for homeowners interested in building a second unit or ADU, including:
-
www.SecondUnitCenterSMC.org
-
www.HomeforAllSMC.com
-
@HomeforAllSMC on Twitter and Instagram
First Time Homebuyer Program
Boris Vatkin (HEART of San Mateo County)
Boris Vatkin from HEART of San Mateo County spoke about HEART's first time homebuyer program in San Mateo County including details of loan and income qualifications, and special acknowledgement of SAMCAR's role in providing closing costs assistance to more than a dozen first time buyers thanks to a grant from the California Housing Affordability Fund (HAF).
HEART Homebuyer Assistance
(650) 204-5639 | bvatkin@heartofsmc.org
Tips for getting fire insurance in fire prone areas
John Leland (Allstate Insurance)
Recent wildfires in California evoke similar concerns for insurers as earthquakes prior to the creation of the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), noted John Leland from Allstate Insurance, who mentioned California FAIR as an option for homeowners and insurers struggling to find fire insurance for properties in high-risk areas.
California FAIR Plan Property Insurance
Title insurance and cannabis
Monique Stevens (Cornerstone Title)
Monique Stevens from Cornerstone Title discussed the unique real estate concerns of cannabis-based businesses given the status of cannabis in federal law versus the more than 36 states where some form of legal cannabis exists.
(650) 529-5276 I Monique.Stevens@CSTitleCo.com
Rent control issues: "AB 1482 – How do we live with it?"
Gina Zari (SAMCAR Government Affairs Director)
With the recent passage of AB 1482, SAMCAR Government Affairs Director Gina Zari acknowledged the diligent effort of volunteers with SAMCAR's Coalition for Housing Equality in defeating similar measures locally and the concerning implications of this new statewide rent control law. More than 70% of housing providers in San Mateo County are "mom and pop" operations and more than half of all units are priced under market, she noted. In addition to concerns for private property owners' rights, the new law is expected to precipitate increased displacement through preemptive evictions before the law takes effect and maximum rent increases.
AB 1482 (Statewide Rent Control) Information
