View the latest sales and price numbers. Find out where sales will be in upcoming months.
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Gain insights through interactive dashboards and downloadable infographic reports.
All Shareable Reports All Interactive DashboardsCatch up with the latest outreaches and webinars by the Research and Economics team.
C.A.R. conducts research with members and consumers on a regular basis to get a better understanding of the housing market and the real estate industry.
California Model MLS Rules, Issues Briefing Papers, and other articles and materials related to MLS policy.
Looking for information on how to file an interboard arbitration complaint? You've come to the right place! Find the rules, timeline and filing documents here.
Information for members who serve as volunteers in C.A.R.'s Professional Standards programs
Summaries and photos of California REALTORS® who violated the Code of Ethics and were disciplined with a fine, letter of reprimand, suspension, or expulsion.
The most recent edition of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of REALTORS® along with other important links to NAR information.
The California Professional Standards Reference Manual, Local Association Forms, NAR materials and other materials related to Code of Ethics enforcement and arbitration.
Designed to expand housing access, Proposition 37 proposes a $25 billion state bond program providing eligible middle-income homebuyers with fixed-rate second mortgages covering up to 17% toward the purchase of newly constructed homes.
Updates on C.A.R.'s legislative advocacy efforts in Sacramento.
Ballot MeasuresIssues briefing papers, handbooks and other background materials on local policy issues that affect real estate.
CREPAC, LCRC, IMPAC, ALF and the RAF comprise C.A.R.'s political fundraising arm.
The RAA: Protecting REALTORS® and Homeownership REALTOR® Action FundC.A.R. Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Sanjay Wagle discusses the end of the 2025-2026 Legislative Session.
Learn how you can make a difference, by getting involved yourself or by passing along valuable information to your clients.
professional standards volunteer resources
Thank you for being a part of our team of volunteers. Below are several resources and opportunities that might interest you!
ways to serve
Select one (or several) programs.
If you're interested in volunteering as one of our qualified statewide Arbitrators, please submit your application. Join the team!
If you're interested in volunteering as one of our qualified statewide Mediators, please submit your application. Join the team!
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The primary goal of the C.A.R. Ombudsman is to assist REALTORS® by mitigating complaints and to give the consuming public a positive experience, which will, in turn, create a positive image for the REALTOR® organization.
Serving on the Team
At a minimum, C.A.R. requires that ombudsmen be thoroughly familiar with the Code of Ethics and current real estate practice. Those REALTORS® who already have experience as ombudsmen for their local association are heavily favored. In addition, REALTORS® who speak a foreign language are sought, as the population of California is so diverse and many do not speak English.
Each ombudsman must agree to contact a caller within four hours of assignment or to notify C.A.R. within two hours if they are unable to do so. The ombudsman sends a "final report" to C.A.R. upon the resolution of each situation.
C.A.R.’s Role
C.A.R. receives requests from consumers and members alike. A few common issues are:
C.A.R.’s Ombudsman program helps with all of these problems and more! Whether the request results in referral to an ombudsman, to the DRE, or to the appropriate problem-solving department in C.A.R., our goal is to assist as many consumers per year as possible, on their first contact. C.A.R. ombudsmen may be able to resolve problems and avoid disciplinary complaints or other escalation.
Complainants may call or submit an online form when they need the assistance of an ombudsman. The intake coordinators are specially-trained administrative staff, who will take basic information and determine the best course of action. In addition, the intake coordinator will provide the REALTOR®’s broker’s information to the ombudsman, so that the broker may also be contacted about a problem with their agent.
C.A.R. sponsors an ombudsman round table at the C.A.R. Directors meetings or via virtual conference to give the ombudsmen an opportunity to talk about their experiences and help each other with particular problems.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
C.A.R. offers a free ethics infoline for REALTOR® members who would like assistance from a volunteer member who is trained in the Code of Ethics and can answer questions about non-legal ethics matters.
Members can ask questions about:
The Peer-to-Peer Ethics Infoline volunteer is NOT an attorney and CANNOT give legal advice or answer legal questions!
The Infoline is only available for members who are NOT currently involved in an ethics case at a local association OR members who are not a plaintiff or defendant in related, pending litigation.
All information will be provided orally. Local association grievance committees and ethics hearing panels are not bound by the opinions provided by Peer-to-Peer Ethics volunteers.
Serving on the Team
Become part of the team! A member of our team will contact you upon submission of your application and provide you with the Code of Ethics Training course. Pass the exam and you're in!
Peer-to-Peer Ethics volunteerss must agree to contact a caller within four hours of assignment or to notify C.A.R. within two hours if they are unable to do so. The volunteer sends a "final report" to C.A.R. upon the resolution of each situation.
Peer-to-Peer Advisor Application
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The C.A.R. Statewide Professional Standards Program is accepting volunteers from all local associations in California! You can join the program as a volunteer even if your primary local association is not participating in the program.
HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE TEAM
To become a statewide volunteer, simply (1) complete this application; and (2) take and pass the required exam.
There are separate exams for Grievance Committee volunteers, Professional Standards Committee volunteers, and Board of Directors volunteers. The exams are based on material covered in the annual professional standards trainings offered by C.A.R.
Interested applicants should already be serving as a volunteer at their local association and therefore have already completed the C.A.R. training. If you haven’t completed the training (or if you simply would like a refresher), you can reach out to [email protected] to receive a link to view the recording of the applicable class(es).
*SERVING ON THE TEAM
Once you have submitted the application and passed the exam, you will receive email confirmation that you have been added to the volunteer pool for the Statewide Professional Standards Program. You will then begin to receive further emails requesting information about your availability to participate in panels. On days you are available, you will be participating in panels with other volunteers from across the state, covering a wide range of professional standards cases. This is a great opportunity to get more involved in professional standards, particularly if your own local association does not receive very many professional standards complaints each year.
*Ongoing annual training and application required to remain part of the program.
Questions about becoming a Statewide Professional Standards volunteer? Contact our team by email.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Expand or refresh your knowledge as a Professional Standards volunteer:
Take a deep dive into the Code of Ethics. Visit NAR's website to find:
*DISCLAIMER: The CALFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® uses links to other Web sites in an effort to assist users in locating information on topics that might be of interest to them. These links are provided as a courtesy, are NOT maintained by C.A.R. and C.A.R. cannot be responsible for either their information content or their maintenance. Furthermore, linking to a Web site does not constitute an endorsement by C.A.R. or any of its employees of the sponsors of the Web site or the products presented on the Web site..
The Train-the-Trainer (TTT) course is for those seeking to become a certified professional standards trainer in order to train volunteers at local associations. If you are a first-time trainer, the prerequisite for the class is having previously attended a Professional Standards volunteer training at a local association or online. The TTT training is a two-hour Zoom meeting, followed by an exam. There are two sessions offered and interested parties may select one date. Course materials will be provided to registrants in advance of the training. Trainers must re-certify each year to remain on the trainers list.
View the calendar for dates and registration information.
Below are online courses which provide training for professional standards volunteers at the local association level. You only need to take one of these courses. Please select the course that matches your role at your local association. Once you have completed the course, you will be provided with a certificate of completion which you can provide to your local association to show that you are qualified to serve as a volunteer. You may also want to check with your local association to see if the association will reimburse you for the cost of the course.
Grievance Committee Course
This is a non-credit course. Not for license renewals.
This training course is for volunteers who will be part of the Grievance Committee at a local association of REALTORS®.
Professional Standards Committee Course
This is a non-credit course. Not for license renewals.
This training course is for volunteers who will be part of the Professional Standards Committee at a local association of REALTORS®.
Director Course
This is a non-credit course. Not for license renewals.
This training course is for volunteers who will be part of the board of directors at a local association of REALTORS®.
Missed a live training event? Visit our Professional Standards webinars library to find the topic you need.
