• Forms Advisor^TM
  
  On April 1, 2008, C.A.R. released Forms Advisor^TM to its members as a new member benefit. Forms Advisor^TM is an online software program that help you identify which C.A.R. Standard Forms to use and how to complete the forms.  Forms Advisor^TM features C.A.R. Forms Tutor^TM, which provides audio and text instructions for competing the forms and a legal Q&A component.

Using Forms Advisor^TM is easy. You enter transaction type (residential, multi-unit, foreclosure, short sales, etc.) and agent representation (buyer or seller).  Forms Advisor^TM directs you to relevant forms for that specific transaction.  The process is fast and simple to use.  There are three methods to access Forms Advisor^TM below.

1. Via link on car.org on the Transaction Tools page.
2. Via WINForms® Desktop by following the link on the www.car.org Transaction Tools page.
3. Via WINForms Online® software in three ways:

• Through the drop down list box next to each transaction on the transaction list page. This opens the Forms Advisor^TM on that specific transaction and restores all of the answers to the questions to the state they were in the last time you used the Forms Advisor^TM on that transaction.
• By creating a new transaction using the Forms Advisor^TM. This is a new option that is available to you after you click on the Add (Create) button.
• By clicking the Forms Advisor^TM link at the top of the transaction list page.

You can register for Forms Advisor^TM Webinars at http://www.winforms.com/formsadvisor/.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: REVISED NODPA AVAILABLE AS SAMPLE FORM

C.A.R. has revised its standard form Notice of Default Purchase Agreement (NODPA) to accommodate a buyer's agent representing an investor buying one-to-four residential units from an owner-occupied seller when a notice of default has been filed on the property. The revised NODPA and a new Declaration and Proof of Real Estate License (DPL) are now available as sample forms, click here  for sample form.

These forms should also be available on WINForms® on or about April 14, 2008. For a home equity sales contract, a buyer's agent may use the revised NODPA (dated 4/08), the new DPL (4/08), and the preexisting Notice of Cancellation of Notice of Default Purchase Agreement (HENC) (1/06). C.A.R.'s Home Equity Explanation and Agency Agreement (HEAA) has been eliminated. 

These changes were made to conform with a recent California Court of Appeal decision in Schweitzer v. Westminster Investments, ruling that the bond requirement for buyers' agents under the home equity sales contracts law as unconstitutional and unenforceable.

C.A.R. Education opportunities now expanded!

Order the license renewal package binders at http://www.store.car.org & get new benefit of taking the exam online.

• · Conveniently take the exam from either your own home or office
• · Download your certificate
• · Save gasoline
•  

First Time License Renewal Salesperson Package (Five mandated courses totaling 15 CE hours)

• · Agency
• · Ethics
• · Fair Housing
• · Trust Fund Handling
• · Risk Management
•  

First Time License Renewal Broker Package (45 hours of Continuing Education credit)
  
A. Five Mandated Courses - 15 CE Hours includes Agency, Ethics, Fair Housing, Trust Fund Handling, and Risk Management.

B. Three Courses Approved for Consumer Protection - 30 CE hours

• · Disclosures
• · Listings
• · Buyer Representation Agreements
• · California Purchase Agreement
• · Counter Offer

Subsequent License Renewal Salesperson and Broker Package (Five courses totaling 45 CE hours)

• · Survey - A Licensee's Guide to Agency, Ethics, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing
• · Risk Management
• · A Licensee's Guide to Disclosures in a Residential Sale
• · A Licensee's Guide to Listings and Buyer Representation Agreements
• · A Licensee's Guide to the California Purchase Agreement and Counter Offer

Order the license renewal package binders at http://www.store.car.org .

WINForms® Certified Trainer Programs

The WINForms® department is offering a one-day course for WINForms® Certified Training that includes instruction for both the Desktop version and the Online version.

This program is designed for anyone who wants to be an instructor of WINForms®, C.A.R.'s most popular member benefit. Couse features will give you working knowledge of the software and insight to the training skills that are vital to teaching others. Along with account access, your name will be advertised at www.winforms.com/certificate as a WINForms® Certified Trainer.

To register or for more information, visit the website www.winforms.com/certificate or call Fatima Sogueco at (213)739-8315. The cost is $199.

Below is a current list of Associations that have been certified to teach WINForms®. If you do not see your Association listed, please contact them and ask when they expect to make training available in your area. In order to ensure that you or your office is receiving the best, most up-to-date WINForms® information, please remember to use only Certified WINForms® Instructors. The following is a list of Associations, which are staffed with certified WINForms® trainers.

For a list of all Certified trainers, enter the following URL on your Internet browser Address: http://www.winforms.com/certificate/

C.A.R. Risk Management Live Lecture Course

This course reduces the chance of a lawsuit filed against you highlights areas which cause the greatest incidence of claims. Limit your liability and  learn how to handle of a claim. The major categories covered in this course include: -

• · High Areas of Risk
• · Legal Responsibility
• · Risk Reduction Issues and Practices 
• · Claims

To purchase the home study version or online Risk Management course, visit http://www.store.car.org

For local live lecture, please check the schedule at http://education.car.org/ and click on Education Calendar.