Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS

The Palo Alto & Menlo Park-Atherton Districts Eventure Series' this afternoon focused on "What's New in Local Housing Development & Trends." Peter Levy, with Palo Alto Forward and director of the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy, talked about housing supply and future housing growth, while Michelle Ronco, senior product marketing manager with Aculist, talked about housing trends, in both San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

Thank you to Atsuko Yube, chair of SILVAR's Global Business Council, who served as today's emcee, and GBC members Jimmy Kang, who served as moderator for our panel, Chika Mori, who manned the Wheel of Names for our prize giveaways, SILVAR President Joanne Fraser, and Government Affairs Director Ryan Carrigan, who introduced our speakers and relayed questions from the Chat. Fraser thanked everyone for attending and invited members to join the upcoming SILVAR Leadership Academy.

SILVAR presented an excellent program this afternoon, with valuable insights and thoughts from our six panelists - Dexter Lat (CAREA), Paige Nguyen (VNARP), Hilda Ramirez (NHORA), Chika Mori (AREAA SV), Mark Taylan (FAREPA SV) and Ketan Jashapara (RRC), past and current leaders of multicultural real estate associations. "Faces & Voices of Leadership in Real Estate" also featured as key speakers Bay East REALTOR and community leader Mony Nop and SILVAR REALTOR and Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee. Their stories of their lives, how they came to this country as immigrants and became successful and are now giving back to their communities were inspiring and touched many hearts. In between the program conducted polls, a breakout-out session and prizes were given away. Thank you to everyone who attended the program!

"What's New in Local Housing Development & Trends" with the following speakers and topics: Housing Growth with Steve Levy, Palo Alto Forward & Director, Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy Housing Trends with Michelle Ronco, Sr. Product Marketing Manager, Aculist... Real Estate & Politics with Ryan Carrigan, SILVAR Government Affairs Director

Among the speakers at this morning's Cupertino-Sunnyvale District Virtual Tour Meeting were Farmers Insurance agent and 2020 SILVAR Affiliate of the Year Kyle Chuang and Shawn Parr, Esq., with the Parr Law Group. Chuang said earthquake insurance, like flood insurance, is not covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Despite the probability that there is a greater than 99 percent chance that one or more M6.7 or greater earthquake will strike the state, only 13 percent of Calif...ornians have earthquake insurance for their residence. Parr discussed real estate issues related to the title of a property. He advises buyers to always look at the preliminary report - the report prepared prior to issuing a policy of title insurance that shows the ownership of a specific parcel of land, as there have been instances when the report may show liens and other liabilities which will not be covered, or another party’s name is included since that person was a co-signer of the loan.

Tomorrow's main speakers will be Shawn Parr, Esq. with the Parr Law Group, on Real Estate Hot Topics, and Kyle Chuang with Farmers Insurance, on Earthquake Insurance & The Facts.

"The Latest on U.S. Immigration: What REALTORS Should Know" is tomorrow at 2 pm with immigration attorney Sophie Alcorn. Registration for this program is nearly full. Only few seats left!! SILVAR members were sent an email invitation to register. Others may email [email protected] in case seating is still available.

The first Los Gatos-Saratoga District Virtual Tour Meeting of the new year had great information about staging from Thora Tam with 365 Staging, and Brock Dunyon with Aerial Canvas. Elizabeth Doyle is this year's District Chair.

Tomorrow is Los Gatos-Saratoga District's first virtual tour meeting of the new year on Zoom, featuring "What's Staging Got To Do With It?" with Anu Deshpande, Aerial Canvas, and Thora Tam, 365 Staging Inc.

The second CIPS course SILVAR is offering members and non-members is the course on Europe on Monday, February 22, 9 am-4 pm with NAR instructor and 2020 NAR Global Ambassador to Germany Christel Silver. Cost is $100 if registered by February 15.

Here is instructor Bobbi Decker telling you more about the course on The Americas.