A New Horizon: Our 2024 Officers and Directors Orange County REALTORS® selected the beautiful Balboa Bay Resort as the venue for the installation of its 2024 officers and directors, adding an air of sophistication to this significant event. Pictured here (from left to right) are Immediate PastPresident Scott White, President Jeffrey Jackson, Treasurer Charleen Nagata Newhouse, and President-Elect Ed Molina. With commitment and a clear focus, they stand ready to lead us into a year of innovation, growth, and success.
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CONTENTS Orange County REALTORS® selected the beautiful Balboa Bay Resort as the venue for the installation of its 2024 officers and directors, adding an air of sophistication to this significant event. Pictured here (from left to right) are Immediate Past-President Scott White, President Jeffrey Jackson, Treasurer Charleen Nagata Newhouse, and President-Elect Ed Molina. With commitment and a clear focus, they stand ready to lead us into a year of innovation, growth, and success.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
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Meet Jeffrey Jackson
The 2024 President of OC REALTORS® plans to focus on REALTOR® education, to continue community and government outreach programs, and to implement additional programs and benefits for Association members.
FEATURES
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THE ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING UPDATE
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Bouncing Along a Bottom
Steven Thomas says it is just a matter of time before trend lines start to rise from the established bottom. LEADERSHIP
Introducing the 2024 Directors
Features photographs of the four recently installed officers and the twenty Directors of Orange County REALTORS®.
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TRAINING
Code of Ethics
Sabrina Blair provides two easy steps to make sure you are in compliance for your Code of Ethics training requirement! CRMLS
The New Demands for Listings
The California Regional Multiple Listing Service introduces a free service to its users that takes the hassle out of floor planning. CubiCasa makes generating a floor plan as easy as taking a video on your phone.
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COVER STORY: TRENDS ON THE HORIZON
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The Evolution of Home Living: From Historical to Future-Focused
Gain a unique perspective on the evolution of home environments as Michelle McCann offers a glimpse into the past while illuminating the ongoing transformations that continue to redefine living spaces.
10 Home Design Trends Your Clients Will Love
Melissa Dittmann Tracey, a contributing editor at REALTOR® Magazine, shares predictions for the most buzzworthy home features in the new year.
Luxury Home Amenities at Every Budget
Sydney Smythe offers insight into elevating a living space with a range of luxury home amenities, catering to every budget from cost-effective to breaking the bank.
JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2024
OC REALTOR®
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On the Cover: Trends on the Horizon
DEPARTMENTS
10 22 33
Names in the News Education Central: Upcoming Classes by Track
The cover design by Print and Marketing Specialist Ivan Salmeron.
Members-for-Life
EVENTS
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The Installation of President Jeffrey Jackson and the 2024 Board of Directors Recounts the evening’s activities, includes event photos, and names Committees of the Year and President’s Award Recipients.
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75th Anniversary Gala
Recounts the evening’s activities, including event photos, sponsors, and the names of the Affiliates of the Year, Volunteers of the Year, and REALTOR® of the Year.
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Turkey Bowl
Includes event photos and the winning team!
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North Affiliate Appreciation Party South Affiliate Appreciation Party Follow us on social media Online Magazine
ORANGE COUNTY
REALTOR® MAGAZINE
Love OC REALTOR®? Did you know that you can read it online, anytime? Read past issues at www.ocrealtors.org/magazine.
25552 La Paz Road Laguna Hills, CA 92653
10540 Talbert Avenue, Ste. 225 West Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Mission Statement
949-586-6800
714-375-9313
2024 OFFICERS
Notice to All Members
Jeffrey Jackson President Ed Molina President-Elect Charleen Nagata Newhouse Treasurer Scott White Immediate Past President Dave Stefanides Chief Executive Officer
2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Erin Barry Mark Benett Kevin Budde Mary Jane Cambria Lisa Dunn Tony Faulkner Caleb Gonzalez Van Gordon Len Herman Laurie Johnson
Kevin Kaltenbach Jeremy Lehman Chip McAllister Steve Mino Eileen Oldroyd Mary Rampone Randy Rector Lacy Robertson Lisa Schulz Lynne Suzanski
MAGAZINE STAFF Sabrina Blair
Michelle McCann
Ivan Salmeron
Breanna Reed
Director of Communications sabrina@ocrealtors.org Print & Marketing Specialist ivan@ocrealtors.org
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Marketing Manager mmccann@ocrealtors.org Accounting Administrator breanna@ocrealtors.org
JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2024
The mission of Orange County REALTORS® is to promote the REALTOR® Code of Ethics; to provide education, services, and resources to our members; and to advocate the protection of real property rights. It is the long-established policy of this Association, California Association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS® to adhere to both the letter and spirit of the federal and state antitrust laws. For their own protection, members should be aware of the antitrust laws as they affect their specific business activities. Any illegal activity under the state and federal antitrust laws is not in compliance with Association policy, nor is it in the interests of the Association or its members. Participation in Association activities must occur only in harmony with these very important laws. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate, in advertising the sale or rental of housing, in the financing of housing, and in the provision of real estate brokerage services. The OC REALTOR® editor reserves the right to review and edit all submissions. Orange County REALTORS® makes no warranties and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily the opinions of Orange County REALTORS®. Orange County REALTORS® does not necessarily endorse the companies, products, or services advertised in this magazine unless specifically stated. OC REALTOR® (USPS 025-445, ISSN 1945-2179) Volume 15, Issue 1, is published by Orange County REALTORS®, 25552 La Paz Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653. Periodicals postage paid at Laguna Beach, CA, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Orange County REALTORS®, 25552 La Paz Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92653-5127. Annual membership dues include $6.09 for a one-year (6 issues) subscription to OC REALTOR® magazine. OC REALTOR® cannot be responsible for unsolicited materials. Publisher: Orange County REALTORS® Printer: The Monaco Group
OC REALTOR®
the 2024 President of Orange County REALTORS® Installed as President on November 30, Jeffrey Jackson has long been interested in politics, government, law, and real estate. He believes that Orange County REALTORS® deserve an ear that listens to their concerns regarding the state of the industry today and the direction it may go in the future and a voice that speaks for them in addressing these concerns. His extensive education and experience in both law and real estate have prepared him to be that ear and that voice. By Sherri Butterfield WRITER AND EDITOR Jeffrey Jackson was born and predominantly raised in Indiana but spent his junior high and high school years in Celina, Ohio, where he graduated in 1976 from Celina Senior High School. For a time, he attended Miami University in Ohio before transferring to Indiana University in Bloomington. Long interested in politics, government, and the law, Jeffrey earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1980. Two years later, he graduated from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a Master of Arts in Public Administration and went to Washington, D.C., where he spent four years working on Capitol Hill and for various trade associations.
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Next, Jeffrey returned to Indiana, where he served as a staff member for Lieutenant Governor John Mutz and then worked as Director of Grant Administration for a leading architectural and engineering firm before entering the Robert H. McKinney Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. Jeffrey received his Juris Doctor in 1995. After being admitted to the Indiana State Bar, he served as City Attorney for Seymour, Indiana, from 1998 to 2001. Jeffrey was also in private practice in Southern Indiana from 1998 until 2010, focusing on bankruptcy, criminal, family, and real estate law. In 2010, Jeffrey moved from Indiana to California, where he settled in Orange County and began serving as a legal consultant to various law firms.
Photo by adobestock.com/ nur
Photo by Marion Butterfield
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
At Orange County REALTORS®, Jeffrey has chaired both the Local Government Relations South Committee and the Political Affairs and Elections Committee (PAEC) and has served on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Bylaws, and Professional Standards Committees. He was first elected to the Orange County REALTORS® Board of Directors in 2018. He is a Director for both the California Association of REALTORS® (CAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and has served NAR as its Federal Political Coordinator for Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-47th District). When Jeffrey is not involved in politics, government, or the law, he enjoys jazz, blues, hard rock, and Broadway music; all sports (especially the Chicago White Sox, the Indiana Hoosiers, and the Indianapolis Colts); and anything having to do with American history. He adds that he “appreciates having escaped the Midwestern snow and ice by living in Orange County.” Jeffrey’s son, John Benton Jackson, attends college in Indiana.
Photos by Marion Butterfield
Real estate is Jeffrey Jackson’s third career. After spending many years as a governmental policy specialist and more than twenty years as an Indiana attorney, he chose real estate “for a chance to create my own career without the necessity of working a nineto-five job, something I can do on my own time with my own effort.” Jeffrey obtained his real estate license early in 2014 and joined Orange County REALTORS® (OCR) later that same year. Currently, he serves as Senior Risk Manager for Realty One Group West.
Installing Officer Gary Thomas affixes the official President’s Pin to Jeffrey Jackson’s lapel during the November 30 Installation.
Orange County REALTORS® 2023 President Scott White (on the right) hands the President’s Gavel to Jeffrey Jackson.
Installed as OCR President on November 30, Jeffrey Jackson has long been interested in politics, government, and the law. Although real estate is his third career, he believes strongly that Orange County REALTORS® deserve an ear that listens to their concerns regarding the state of the industry and the direction real estate may go in the future and a voice that speaks for them in addressing these concerns. When Jeffrey Jackson ran for a position on the OCR Board of Directors, he said that he wanted to be that voice and that ear, and he promised to focus on REALTOR® education, to continue community and government outreach programs, and to implement additional programs and benefits for Association members. Now installed a President, he is in an ideal position to listen, to speak out, to be heard, to implement, and to accomplish great things.
Among the responsibilities Jeffrey Jackson has previously taken on is that of serving as NAR Federal Political Coordinator for Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-45th District). They are pictured here at a League of Cities Luncheon held on March 1, 2019, at the Mission Viejo Country Club.
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IN THE Pictured during the Building Industry Association Centennial Gala dinner are Paula Cosenza, Rick Cosenza, 2024 OCR President Jeffrey Jackson, and Sherri Butterfield.
Orange County REALTORS® Congratulates . . .
Building Industry Association of Southern California Honors Orange County REALTORS®
The 146 Top Workplaces recognized for their excellence at the 14th gathering for O.C.’s Top Workplaces, which was held at the Irvine Improv on Wednesday, December 6. The three top winners were Trusted Mortgage Capital (recognized as No. 1 small company), Jobot (No. 1 midsize company), and Seven-Gables Real Estate (No. 1 large company). Other companies receiving recognition included the Moulton Niguel Water District (as a midsize company) and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County (as a small company). This is the 16th year in which the Orange County Register has partnered with Philadelphia-based Energage to determine Orange County’s Top Workplaces. Although employees are encouraged to nominate their workplaces, rankings are based solely on a scientific employee survey process.
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Illustrations by www.adobestock.com/klyaksun and Sylverarts
Director Lynne Suzanski, who was named Elk of the Month by the Huntington Beach Elks Club.
On November 10, the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) celebrated its first one hundred years by holding a Centennial All Regional Installation Gala in a specially erected large tent at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano. Although the occasion was formal, guests were encouraged to re-create the zoot suit and flapper looks of the roaring twenties and were warned to “Expect the Unexpected.” During the program, Orange County REALTORS® was honored as Nonprofit of the Year for being a “nonBIA association that exemplifies top-notch advocacy, representing and partnering with the housing industry for the region.”
“a non-BIA association that exemplifies top-notch advocacy, representing and partnering with the housing industry for the region.”
Photos by Marion Butterfield
NAMES IN THE NEWS
NAMES IN THE NEWS
Photos by Marion Butterfield
Proudly holding the award Orange County REALTORS® received at the Building Industry Association Centennial Gala is OCR 2023 President Scott White (center). Pictured with Scott are, from left to right, OCR Government Affairs Director Dirissy Doan, OCR 2024 President Jeffrey Jackson, OCR President-Elect Ed Molina, and BIASC Chief Executive Officer Jeff Montejano, who served as master of ceremonies for the event and presented the award.
Orange County REALTORS® President-Elect Ed Molina (center) is pictured with Chandy Andre and Laurie Johnson.
Also representing Orange County REALTORS® at the BIASC Centennial Gala were REALTORS® Tina Vo, Lisa Yi, Joyce Endo, and Elizabeth Otok.
Joining the BIASC in celebrating its first hundred years were REALTORS® Eileen Oldroyd, Erin Barry, Christina Fu, Ron Pascual, and Mary Rampone.
Diane Harkey, a former member of the California State Assembly and of the California State Board of Equalization, stopped by to greet OCR 2023 President Scott White and his wife Wendy.
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NAMES IN THE NEWS
NAR Leadership Team Unanimously Chooses Nykia Wright as Interim CEO The Leadership Team of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has unanimously chosen Nykia Wright to serve as interim Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of former CEO Bob Goldberg on November 20. In a letter dated November 2 and addressed to NAR Members, NAR President Tracy Kasper writes that Nykia “is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Sun-Times, an entrepreneur, and a strategic advisor to leading companies and universities.” Further, Nykia “has a deep understanding of the ways in which NAR empowers REALTORS® to help families across America realize the dream of homeownership. Nykia’s experience driving transformational change for mission-driven organizations positions her to help NAR embark on the next phase of leading our industry.”
Supervisors Establish Orange County Hall of Fame
Dave Wheeler Elected Laguna Hills Mayor On December 12 Laguna Hills City Council voted to elect Dave Wheeler (pictured on the left) to serve as Mayor of Laguna Hills, replacing former Mayor Janine Heft. Also pictured next to Mayor Wheeler is Jake Anderson and newly-elected Mayor Pro-Tem Josh Sweeney.
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In late November, the Orange County Board of Supervisors established the County’s own Hall of Fame and named as its inaugural class the following ten inductees: Amanda Beard, Kobe Bryant, Walt Disney, Frank Jao, Greg Louganis, William Lyon, Bill Medley, Henry Segerstrom, Gwen Stefani, and Tiger Woods. “This Hall of Fame signifies a pivotal moment for our community, where we come together to honor those who have shaped Orange County through their remarkable contributions,” said Third District Supervisor Don Wagner. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our residents whose impact resonates within and beyond our county.”
Photo by Marion Butterfield
NAMES IN THE NEWS
Pictured with State Senator Janet Nguyen (second from left) at Brio Tuscany Grille in Dana Point are, from left to right, Jim Thor, Laurie Johnson, Mary Rampone, and Reem Misto.
State of Laguna Hills
State Senator Janet Nguyen Announces Her Candidacy for the Orange County Board of Supervisors
State Senator Janet Nguyen (R–36th District) recently announced her candidacy to represent the First District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Senator Nguyen represented the First District on that Board from 2007 to 2014. Before being elected to the Board of Supervisors, she served on the Garden Grove City Council. At the age of 30, she was the youngest person ever elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the first woman to be elected from the First District, and the first Vietnamese-American county supervisor in the United States. From 2014 to 2018, she represented the 72nd District in the California State Assembly. And in 2022, she succeeded Patricia Bates as a member of the California State Senate. On November 13, former State Senator Bates was among the supporters who attended the “Senator Janet Nguyen for Supervisor Reception” at Brio Tuscany Grille in Dana Point.
Mayor Janine Heft (pictured center) hosted the 2023 Laguna Hills State of the City on November 8 at the Laguna Hills Community Center. Also pictured are Jake Anderson, Steve Mino, OCR Government Affairs Director Dirissy Doan, Mary Rampone, Laurie Johnson, Karl Heft, Joyce Endo, Mary Visconte, and Art Sanchez.
The Huntington Beach Marketing Meeting, led by facilitator Lori Jones, raised $2,365.00 from 50/50 raffle sales and presented a check to Kevin Budde for Giving Hands of Hope.
Illustration by www.adobestock.com/YummyBuum
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NAMES IN THE NEWS
North Marketing Meeting Donates $1,500 to OCAR Cares On December 6 at our weekly North Marketing Meeting, attendees gathered to present OCAR Cares with a $1,500 donation check. OCAR Cares is a member relief program aimed at helping OC REALTORS® members in need of financial assistance due to unexpected hardships.
Tony Faulkner Named Veteran of the Year On November 9, Supervisor Katrina Foley recognized OCR Director Tony Faulkner as Veteran of the Year at her Third Annual Veteran of the Year Awards at the Dana Point Women’s Club.
Congratulations to Mayor Glenn Grandis On December 5, by a unanimous vote of the council, Glenn Grandis (pictured left of REALTOR® Brian Genovese) was sworn in to serve as Mayor of Fountain Valley. Mayor Grandis succeeds outgoing Mayor Kim Constantine who was also honored for her service.
Names in the News is intended to be primarily a place where REALTOR® and Affiliate members of Orange County REALTORS® can share both personal and professional news—about births (of children or grandchildren), graduations, weddings, anniversaries, accomplishments, awards, and other milestones—with one another. If you have news to share, please submit it online at www.ocrealtors.org/names. Illustration by www.adobestock.com/rikkyal
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THE ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING UPDATE
Housing is finally at a point where year-over-year statistics will isolate the slightest signs of improvement in the housing market.
Photo by www.adobestock.com/DIMENSIONS, khwanchai and AlenKadr
By Steven Thomas REPORTSONHOUSING.COM Steven Thomas has a degree in quantitative economics and decision sciences from the University of California, San Diego, and more than twenty years of experience in real estate. His bimonthly Orange County Housing Report is available by subscription and provides housing market analysis that is easy to understand and useful in setting the expectations of both buyers and sellers. His website is www.ReportsOnHousing.com.
For many, peanut butter is a delectable treat that is wonderful on crackers, toast, bananas, celery and an incredible additional ingredient in chocolate and cookies. The jar often gets to a point where it necessitates scraping the bottom for every last morsel. When it is this low, it is just a matter of time before everything changes; a new jar is opened, and there is plenty of peanut butter to dip into.
Housing is just like that peanut bar jar. The supply of available homes, the number of homeowners willing to sell, and buyer demand are all very low, scraping the bottom compared to normal levels before COVID and sky-high mortgage rates. The current trend lines for these metrics cannot get much lower than where they are today. They have been at these low levels all year. It is just a matter of time before they start to rise from this established bottom.
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THE ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING UPDATE FIGURE-1
In October and November of 2022, mortgage rates eclipsed 7% for the first time since 2001. They had risen from 3.25% in January 2022 to 7.37% at the end of October, drastically higher in a very short period. The quick erosion in affordability slammed on the brakes of a nuclear-hot housing market. Demand hit a March peak 30% below the average peak for 2020 and 2021. It was 19% below the 3-year average peak in demand before COVID (2017 to 2019). Before homeowners were able to adjust to the much lower demand levels, the inventory climbed from historical lows in January, with only 1,100 homes during the first week, to a peak of 4,069 in August, a 270% rise. It was 60% higher than 2021’s peak at 2,537 homes. Yet, it was still 42% below the 3-year average inventory peak before COVID of 6,959.
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FIGURE-1 Demand in 2023 had been subdued all year due to the high mortgage rate environment and the lack of homeowners willing to sell. Demand had remained relatively flat, at bare-bones, inherent levels. There are always buyers in every market regardless of where rates climbed to. Yearover-year numbers were nearly identical from October through the end of 2023.
THE ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING UPDATE
FIGURE-2
The 2023 inventory also remained relatively flat, and it surprisingly dropped by 19% from January through April, when it usually rises. From there, it slowly climbed and did not peak until the beginning of November at 2,496 homes, 1% below the start of this year. The inventory normally peaks during the summer, between July and August. Year over year, there were a lot fewer homes on the market, bare-bones, inherent levels. Like demand, there are always sellers in every market regardless of underlying fundamentals. Another restrained statistic is the number of homeowners willing to sell. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s National Mortgage Database, 85% of Californians with a mortgage have a rate of 5% or lower, 69% are at 4% or lower, and 30% are at 3% or lower (through the Q-2 2023). Consequently, fewer homeowners opted to sell their homes in 2023’s high-rate environment. From January through October, 20,594 new sellers entered the market in Orange County, 14,800 fewer than the 3-year average before COVID, 42% less. In 2022, from January through December, there were 22% fewer sellers. Yet, year-overyear comparisons were almost identical in October, with 1,910 sellers in 2023 compared to 1,944 in 2022. Rates were above 7% in both years.
FIGURE-2 Annual comparisons will finally tell a story from this point forward. Housing is scraping the bottom in the number of homes available, buyer demand, and the number of homeowners willing to sell. Any rise in any of these metrics will provide quick insight into the housing market's direction. The economy is anticipated to cool a bit in 2024 from its hotter pace in 2023. For investors, a cooler economy typically means a flight to safe, long-term investments, 10-year bonds, and mortgagebacked securities. This flight to safety results in mortgage rates falling. As rates fall, demand will rise. If rates fall enough, more homeowners will be willing to sell. It is just a matter of time before something finally changes, and there will be more activity in housing. It will not bounce along the bottom forever. A new jar of peanut butter will be opened.
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LEADERSHIP
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Jeffrey Jackson PRESIDENT
Ed Molina PRESIDENT-ELECT
Charleen Nagata Newhouse TREASURER
SCOTT WHITE IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Erin Barry
Mark Bennett
Kevin Budde
Mary Jane Cambria
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OC REALTOR®
LEADERSHIP
Lisa Dunn
Tony Faulkner
Caleb Gonzalez
Van Gordon
Len Herman
Laurie Johnson
Kevin Kaltenbach
Jeremy Lehman
Chip McAllister
Steve Mino
Eileen Oldroyd
Mary Rampone
Randy Rector
Lacy Robertson
Lisa Schulz
Lynne Suzanski
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TRAINING
CODE OF ETHICS TRAINING
It’s as Easy as
1, 2, AND DONE! All REALTORS® must complete Code of Ethics training every three years with the current cycle ending on December 31, 2024. By: Sabrina Blair DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAMS
B
elieve it or not, we are nearing the end of another three-year cycle for Code of Ethics. Yes, that means if you have not completed Code of Ethics training in the last two years, then you better get on it! As mandated by the National Association of REALTORS®, all REALTOR® members must complete 2.5 hours of ethics training, meeting specific learning objectives and criteria, within three-year cycles. The current cycle is for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. All REALTORS® must complete the Code of Ethics training through NAR by December 31, 2024. Failure to complete training during any cycle will lead to suspension of membership for January and February immediately following the cycle deadline, with termination of membership starting March 1 after the cycle deadline. So, let’s kick off this year on a good foot and make sure you are in compliance for your Code of Ethics training requirement!
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STEP 1 Check Your Code of Ethics Status First off, let’s find out if our records show that you already completed Code of Ethics training or not. Option #1 – Visit www.ocrealtors.org/coe-status and login with your NAR credentials. o The webpage will display whether you have met the Code of Ethics requirements or not. If you have not completed the requirement, continue to Step 2. Option #2 – Visit nar.realtor and sign in with your NAR credentials. o Once logged in, click on “Manage Account” underneath your name in the top right corner. Click on the “My Education” tab. A shaded box on the left will display your Code of Ethics Status as "INCOMPLETE" in a red box or "COMPLETE" in a green box. If your account shows “INCOMPLETE”, continue to Step 2.
TRAINING
STEP 2 Complete Code of Ethics Training If NAR shows that you have not yet completed the required Code of Ethics training, then you will either provide proof of completion to OC REALTORS® or you will need to complete the course. Option # 1 - Submit a Certificate of Completion If you have already completed Code of Ethics training in 2022, 2023, or 2024 then you can submit your certificate of completion to OCR online at www.ocrealtors.org/coe-cert.
Photos by www.adobestock.com/freshidea, Zoheb, and Irina
Option #2 - Complete NAR’s online Code of Ethics course NAR offers an online, self-paced Code of Ethics course that can be completed when you have time. You can access NAR’s course at www.ocrealtors.org/nar-coe. Once completed through NAR, your account will be automatically updated to reflect that you are in compliance. Option #3 - Attend a Live Code of Ethics Zoom Class Sign up for one of our monthly Code of Ethics Zoom classes through OCR at www.ocrealtors.org/coe-live. You will need to be in attendance for the full 2.5 hours on Zoom to get credit. Upon completion of the class, OCR will update your account within 2 business days to reflect that you are in compliance. Option #4 – Become C2EX Endorsed If you complete NAR’s C2EX (Commitment to Excellence) course through the C2EX App then it will satisfy your Code of Ethics requirement for one cycle. Learn more at nar.realtor/c2ex. Don’t delay or wait to do this until December rolls
around. Complete your Code of Ethics training now so you can focus on your business success! For more information about the Code of Ethics requirement, visit www.ocrealtors.org/coe. OC REALTOR®
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COVER STORY
THE EVOLUTION OF HOME LIVING:
From to
By Michelle McCann The world of real estate is always evolving, with home amenities reflecting not only the trends of their time but also the lifestyle preferences of homeowners. The homes of tomorrow will be reflections of the evolving needs of their residents. Here are a few historical indoor and outdoor trends of home living and a glimpse into the ongoing evolution of the home environment.
Interior Styles Through the Ages
Future-Forward Interiors
1. Classic Elegance (19th Century - Early 20th Century):
1. Eco-Conscious:
Historically, homes were constructed with decorative detailing, high ceilings, and elaborate woodwork. Inspired by European architecture, chandeliers, grand staircases, and rich upholstery were common statement pieces and symbols of luxury. Formal living and dining spaces were also a hallmark of this era, reflecting societal values centered around tradition and formality.
Sustainability will have a significant impact on the future of home interiors. Eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient appliances, and designs that use natural light are gaining popularity. Homes will feature high-performance windows that are oriented to capture or avoid the sun’s heat, landscaping and shading designed to naturally control temperature, renewable sources for generating energy, home appliances that monitor energy consumption, and water conservation systems. Homeowners are prioritizing environmentally conscious choices, creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also minimize their ecological footprint.
2. Mid-Century Modern (1940s-1960s):
2. AI Integration:
This era saw a shift towards simplicity and functionality. Mid-century modern homes embraced open floor plans, large windows, and a connection to the outdoors. Clean lines, minimalist designs, iconic furniture pieces, and a focus on bringing nature indoors defined this period.
Artificial intelligence will play a significant role in the future of smart homes, with learning algorithms capable of understanding the habits and patterns of occupants to optimize energy usage and enhance comfort. Homes might learn daily routines, automatically adjusting the temperature, lighting, or music based on the time of day or routine activities. Facial-recognition-based security systems, voice-activated virtual assistants, and electric vehicle charging stations will all become standard features.
3. Smart Living (2000s-Present): 3. Wellness-Centric: Driven by the advancement in technology, the 21st century brought an increase in digital tools, interactive elements, and smart technology within homes. Smart home amenities like programmable thermostats, integrated entertainment systems, and automated lighting became increasingly popular. Kitchens evolved into high-tech hubs, with state-of-the-art appliances and connectivity. 24
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The future home will incorporate wellness amenities such as meditation spaces, indoor gardens, green walls, multi-sensory experiences like the sounds and smells of nature, and advanced air purification systems into its design. Turning home spaces into sanctuaries that promote physical and mental health will be one of the major factors affecting new design trends. Amenities such as home gyms, spa-inspired bathrooms, and lighting technology that works with one’s circadian rhythms are emerging as coveted features for health-conscious homeowners.
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Photo by www.adobestock.com/Aliha, FrameFlow, Marina Varnava, Proxima Studio, Geber86, Anastasiia, and dasom
Exterior Spaces Through the Ages
Future-Forward Exteriors
1. Classic Gardens (18th Century - 19th Century):
1. Sustainable Landscapes:
During these times, homes were surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens, symmetrical landscaping, sculpted hedges, and decorative elements like statues and fountains. These green spaces were aesthetically pleasing, more formal, and representations of status and wealth.
The future of home exteriors lies in sustainable landscaping. Native plants, rain gardens, and ecofriendly irrigation systems will take center stage. Homeowners are seeking low-maintenance yet aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces that contribute positively to the environment.
2. Suburban Life (1950s-1970s): 2. Intelligence Outdoors: This era saw the rise of “suburbia”, which was a symbol of not only a physical place but a social mindset as well. Spacious lawns, backyard barbecues, and the iconic American front porch were popular characteristics of homes during this period. Yards became recreational spaces, and the concept of outdoor entertainment gained popularity. 3. Indoor - Outdoor Living (2000s-Present): Blurring the lines between outdoor and indoor became popular again as patios, decks, and backyard spaces transformed into extensions of the home. Outdoor spaces are designed with kitchens and built-in grills, outdoor dining tables, large fire pits, and resort-like furniture plans. The advancement of technology made outdoor TVs and speaker systems, remote-controlled pools and waterfalls, and remote sunshades a staple in outdoor living spaces.
Technology will continue to play a role in shaping outdoor spaces. Smart irrigation systems, outdoor lighting controlled via mobile apps, and integrated audiovisual setups will become standard exterior features. The boundary between indoor and outdoor living will continue to blur as homeowners embrace harmonious connected spaces. 3. Multi-Functional: Future homes will feature exterior spaces designed for multi-functional use. From dining areas to outdoor office setups, homeowners are seeking more access to outdoor environments. Balconies, terraces, communal green spaces, and edible gardens will become critical parts of future home design. OC REALTOR®
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Design Trends
Your Clients Will Love in 2024
Houzz, a remodeling website, chimes in with predictions for the most buzzworthy home features in the new year. 26
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tylish storage, bolder patterns and textures and colors beyond the whites and grays are expected to shake up home design in 2024. Houzz, a home renovation and design platform, weighs in with its predictions for the home trends gaining traction. Here’s Houzz’s list of what to watch.
By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey
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Photo by www.adobestock.com/HN Works
Blending the Backsplashes Backsplashes are becoming a bigger kitchen statement and stretching to new heights. In making the backsplash more of a focal point, designers are installing a slab of stone or quartz behind the range or countertop while keeping the surrounding backsplash in tile. The slab backsplash usually will match the kitchen countertop and, in a dramatic display, stretch all the way to the ceiling in a vertical focal point of the stone’s graphic veining.
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Adding Fluted Details
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Infusing Cozy, Warm Neutrals
This texturized detail is accenting bathroom vanities, the backs and sides of kitchen islands and living room furniture. The aesthetic creates a “rough statement-making detail beneath island countertops, bathroom vanities and dining room tables, adding visual texture and interest,” Houzz says.
Say goodbye to cool grays and stark whites. Warm neutrals, such as beiges, creamy offwhites and rich browns, are moving in. Whether in the kitchen or elsewhere in the home, expect more of these softer neutrals to bring a “calmer, more welcoming environment,” the report says. Designers recommend using different tones, as well as textures and patterns, to create a layered look that adds depth to home design.
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Singing the Blues Blue color schemes are a hot trend for 2024. Several paint companies have chosen shades of blue as their 2024 Color of the Year, from Benjamin Moore’s bright “Blue Nova” to Sherwin-Williams’ softer “Upward.” “Whether it’s a sky-inspired hue or deep watery blue color, look for an array of blues to be featured more prominently in decorative materials and housewares in the coming year,” Houzz says.
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Making ‘Old’ New Again More homeowners are incorporating more traditional details and materials into their home design, the report says. This not only can create “a timeless style” but also “a sustainable choice during renovations,” the Houzz report adds. “Even modern homes are incorporating ‘old’ elements, such as brick, handmade clay tiles, rustic wood elements and arches that offer ‘quiet luxury.’”
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Getting Sentimental With Handmade Flairs Along with a timeless style, more homeowners also are embracing handmade features and details for a one-of-a-kind look. This could include handmade tiles and custom bathroom vanities. For example, in a separate report, the 2023 Houzz U.S. Bathroom Trends Report found that the majority of renovating homeowners are opting for custom or semi-custom vanities, breaking away from a cookie-cutter look in favor of uniqueness.
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A Stylish ‘Appliance Garage’ Clever storage solutions are gaining traction as homeowners look to tuck away all those countertop appliances, like the air fryer, coffee makers and blenders. An appliance garage allows easy access while also offering up a sliding cabinet or specialized cabinetry to hide all the gadgets.
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Modernizing Herringbone Patterns Herringbone patterns are making a comeback, but with a twist. It’s becoming a go-to pattern for kitchens and bathrooms, but the “typically horizontally zigs are beginning to zag in new directions—diagonally or vertically— to create an updated look with visual interest, movement and texture,” the Houzz report says.
Photo by www.adobestock.com/Vanit่jan, HN Works, sizsus, Ammad, indeep, Anastasiia, and AIGen
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Making the ‘Mud-Laundry Room’ Two areas are getting combined in creating the “mud-laundry room.” The idea is to help tackle the mess at the entry points of a home. “This increasingly popular setup lets homeowners place grimy sports uniforms, sandy beach towels or muddy winter coats directly into the wash before they track dirt further into a home,” the Houzz report says. Some must-haves for the mud-laundry room: a utility sink to soak dirty clothes or muddy boots right away, as well as plenty of cabinets, hooks and cubbies to organize entryway gear, and a bench for taking on and off shoes.
10 Looking in-Between the Pavers
Greenery is getting tucked between outdoor pavers on walkways to add visual interest. “Whether driven by aesthetic requests or as a byproduct of maintaining onsite drainage, we’re seeing increased interest in greenery tucked between pavers,” the Houzz report says. “Garden paths and patios made of pavers, separated by ground cover, have gained popularity due to their natural look, permeability and design versatility. This approach softens pathways, breaks up large expanses of hardscape and generally makes a walkway or patio feel more like a lush, living part of a garden.”
Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine by permission of the National Association of REALTORS®. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. OC REALTOR®
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LUXURY at every budget By Sydney Smythe MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT
Are you searching for that one feature to set you and your home apart from the rest? Whether you’re in the process of listing your home and need that extra selling point, or you just want that special something to make your day-to-day life more enjoyable, we have listed 8 luxury home amenities from costeffective to breaking the bank.
Solar-Powered Pathway Lights- $100 Something that is often overlooked when considering sprucing up your home amenities, is outdoor lighting. Especially during these winter months, creating a well-lit path to the front door not only ensures a safer space for you and your guests to walk but also adds to your home’s curb appeal. Luckily, outdoor solar-powered lights come in many different styles to match any aesthetic you may have.
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Kitchen Cabinet Lighting- $300 Installing lighting underneath your kitchen cabinets can be an inexpensive way to add a luxury touch to your home. These lights can come with motion sensors, dimmable lights, remotes, and even plugs to recharge for a battery-free experience.
Surround Sound System- $1,000 If you’re a game day lover or a movie fanatic without the need for a home theater, a surround sound system may be for you. At an average of $1,000 per room, installing quality speakers can make the world of a difference when it comes to your sound experience.
Central Vacuum System- $2,000 Not all central vacuum systems are clunky and out of style. These days there are sleek designs that add vacuum vents to your baseboards for easy cleaning. Just get your broom out and sweep any dust and crumbs into the vent for the quickest vacuuming you’ve ever done!
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Photos by www.AdobeStock.com/ Jing, jr-art, kashif 2158, Cool Free Games, mvdesign, and Muhammad
Heated Flooring- $4,000
Home Theater- $17,500
Becoming a must-have for many, heated flooring can be the make or break for your morning routine. Choose your rooms carefully, as $4,000 is the average rate for 1-2 rooms depending on the square footage.
Every kid dreams of having their very own in-home movie theater. But let’s be honest, we adults dream of it too. Costs can vary depending on fixtures and low-end vs. high-end parts, like a theater screen, projector, seating, and electrical work. Altogether, a home theater requires a lot of costly items but can give a lifetime of memories.
Smart Home - $15,000 Many homes already feature gadgets like a front door camera and smart devices. Why stop there? Fully connect your home with smart amenities such as automatic lights, doors, security systems, and air conditioning, just to name a few. According to homeadvisor.com, “To fully automate an average four-bedroom, threebathroom home, you might spend up to $15,000, while luxury, fully connected homes run around $10,000 to $150,000”.
Saltwater Pool - $36,000 Sure, your neighborhood might already be full of chlorine pools. Who doesn’t like a dip in the pool during the summer? Go the extra mile and get a saltwater pool! While they may be the most expensive item on our list, saltwater pools require less chlorine, and most importantly, they provide health benefits too. Need a quote for a home project or want to see more details on the costs listed above? Visit homeadvisor.com for more information. OC REALTOR®
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MEMBERS
Affiliate Members of Orange County REALTORS®
REALTOR® Members of Orange County REALTORS® Who Have Been Elected C.A.R. Honorary Members-for-Life
REALTOR® and REALTOR® Associate members of the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) who have served the Association for a minimum of twenty-five years and who have attained the age of seventy-five are eligible to be elected Honorary Members-for-Life. Upon election, an Honorary Member-for-Life is exempt from paying annual dues to the California Association of REALTORS® (commencing with the year following election) and is entitled to all the rights and privileges of C.A.R. membership.
Who Have Been Elected Affiliate Members-for-Life
Affiliates members who have served the Association for a minimum of twenty-five years cumulative are eligible to be elected Affiliate Members-for-Life. Orange County REALTORS® congratulates the following Affiliate members who have been named an Affiliate Member-for-Life: John Siens, Chicago Title Jon Shimazaki, Movement Mortgage, LLC Illustrations by www.AdobeStock.com/ Designpics, yuliaglam, and Anwaris
Orange County REALTORS® congratulates the following twenty-eight members, each of whom has been elected a C.A.R. Honorary Members-for-Life: Peter Alpine Michelle Anthony Arthur Berkowitz, Sally Calder Cecilia Chao Sandra “Sandy” Connor Robert Digruccio Victor Domines Betty Elkins-Rice Robin Fenchel Brenda Flick Kathleen Kiang Rosemary Kral Susan Lamoureux
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David Mayes Roger Pambrun Isabella Pechan Steve Price Carol Reagan Lorraine Reyes Rena Robbins John Roberts Jeffrey Stearman Tom VanTuyl Gary Watts Carolyn Williams Joan Wilson Carmen Zeller
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CRMLS
$342,800
2,40 Sq F
P
erhaps some agents are long enough in the tooth to remember when the initial way to grab a potential client's attention was to put up a poster in their office's window on Main St. They were pretty simple affairs — a few photos, a few words, and an "enquire within" loudly welcoming people into the office. Well, that was then, and the internet is now. As with most of the world, real estate has left the brick and mortar and gone online. People are used to easily accessing more and more information, down to the most micro element. It isn't enough to just read a magazine's review of a restaurant, you can go online and find someone's photo of each individual dish and a video reviewing the parking situation. Shoppers are used to getting the nitty gritty of everything they could possibly buy, so why wouldn't real estate be the same?
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How do we, as real estate professionals, adapt to this new and ongoing trend? Clients these days expect to know the finer details and every nook and cranny of a property presented to them well before they make the trek to an open house, so we have to provide. That's why CRMLS is offering new tools to help an agent's listing have the most complete set of details and features to really impress upon their clients and encourage more conversion.
Illustrations by www.AdobeStock.com/ Flash concept
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CRMLS One of the most requested pieces of information on any listing is a floor plan, and the more detailed, the better. After all, clients may want to move with their current home furnishings, and that sectional sofa requires a living room of a certain size. But commissioning a floor plan has historically been an added, expensive hassle. To combat this, CRMLS now offers CubiCasa to all its users, which makes generating a floor plan as easy as taking a video on your phone. All you need to do is walk through a property, taking a video of the walls and floors, and within a day CubiCasa will convert that video to a 2D floor plan with measurements. While this service is free to all CRMLS users, if you so choose you can spend a little extra for added features like 3D floor plans or expedited delivery. Now every listing can have a floor plan that can live in the MLS for all your future needs.
What’s also important for a listing to appeal to an online client? Video. It's high time we move past clunky virtual walkthroughs and into fully hosted, manageable video right in the MLS. That's why CRMLS is now working with WellcomeMat, the video platform designed for real estate. When you upload your videos directly to the MLS with WellcomeMat, you can manage, share, and chapter your videos right there. No longer do you need to rely on ad-filled, third-party platforms that take your clients away from the listing. What's more, you'll get access to unique analytics that track your videos' performance, so you can see who's watching it where and leverage that data for future sales. Trends in real estate can happen at breakneck speed (this season's hottest design: industrial rustic, or rural modern, or cyber cottage, or…) but others can be slower and more methodical. We've seen the trend towards more knowledge and more listing information grow slowly and steadily, with more clients getting used to having all the minute details, all at once. Give them the info they want before they even ask for it when you use CRMLS's new technologies, all available to you, right now.
Illustrations by www.AdobeStock.com/ icons gate,Visual Generation and vectorhot
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EVENTS
The Installation of 2024 President Jeffrey Jackson and the 2024 Board of Directors took place at the exquisite Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, setting the stage for the grand 75th Anniversary Gala. Opening the proceedings, Orange County REALTORS® 2023 President Scott White extended a gracious welcome to the attendees. He then invited Michele Harrington and Tony Faulkner, both retired Marines and accomplished REALTORS®, to lead the audience in a reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, Scott recognized the following 2023 committee chairs: Dawnette Palmore, Affiliate North; Amy Nieto, Affiliate South; Jeffrey Jackson, Bylaws; Adam Rodell, Credentials; Eileen Oldroyd, Education; Charleen Nagata Newhouse, Finance; Lisa Yi, Global Business Alliance; Tim Lloyd, Grievance; Danielle Corliss, Leadership Academy; Aaron Rosen, Leadership and Professional Development; Suzanne Gignoux, Government Relations North; Jim Thor, Local Government Relations South; Caleb Gonzalez, Multiple Listing Service; Matt Cortez, Political Affairs and Elections; Nestor Herrera, Professional Standards; Bryan Zuetel, Risk Management; and Christina Fu, Young Professionals Network (YPN).
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Following a heartfelt appreciation expressed by Scott for the dedication of these committee chairs to Orange County REALTORS® and its Strategic Plan, he invited Dawnette Palmore, Amy Nieto, and Bryan Zuetel, chairs of the North Affiliate Committee, South Affiliate Committee, and Risk Management Committee to come forward to be honored with being named as the 2023 Committees of the Year. Continuing the ceremony, Scott presented President’s Awards to four exceptional individuals, 2020 OC REALTORS President Danielle Corliss, Government Affairs Director Dirissy Doan, Executive Assistant Debby Ritter, and his wife, Wendy White. Scott delivered a special tribute and resolutions to departing OC REALTOR® Magazine Writer and Editor, Sherri Butterfield and her talented photographer husband, Marion Butterfield. Scott thanked Sherri for generously sharing her knowledge, style, and grammar, which elevated all of our writing skills. He also thanked Marion for his photography and Photoshop talents.
EVENTS Subsequently, Scott welcomed Gary Thomas, a distinguished past president of both the National Association of REALTORS® and California Association of REALTORS®, to the podium. Gary expressed appreciation to the 2023 Board of Directors and asked the following 2023 officers and directors to stand up: President Scott White, President-Elect Jeffrey Jackson, Treasurer Charleen Nagata Newhouse, Immediate Past President Adam Rodell, and Directors Chandy Andre, Erin Barry, Kevin Budde, Danielle Corliss, Matt Cortez, Tony Faulkner, Michele Harrington, Len Herman, Kevin Kaltenbach, Paul LePage, Chip McAllister, Steve Mino, Ed Molina, Eileen Oldroyd, Pam Pedego, Vinil Ramchandran, Mary Rampone, Lacy Robertson, Lisa Schulz, and Lynne Suzanski. Then, he thanked them for their service, declared their offices vacated, and asked them to be seated.
Gary asked the following 2024 Officers and Directors to come forward and take the oath of office: President-Elect Ed Molina, Treasurer Charleen Nagata Newhouse, Immediate Past President Scott White, and Directors Erin Barry, Mark Bennett, Kevin Budde, Mary Jane Cambria, Lisa Dunn, Tony Faulkner, Van Gordon, Caleb Gonzalez, Len Herman, Laurie Johnson, Kevin Kaltenbach, Jeremy Lehman, Chip McAllister, Steve Mino, Eileen Oldroyd, Mary Rampone, Randy Rector, Lacy Robertson, Lisa Schulz, and Lynne Suzanski. After administering the Oath of Office, Gary proclaimed each one of these Officers and Directors to be duly installed and invited Jeffrey Jackson to come forward. After administering the Oath of Office to Jeff, Gary proclaimed that he had been duly installed as the 2024 President of Orange County REALTORS® and presented him with the President’s Commemorative Pin. Next, Scott White joined Jeffrey at the podium for the traditional exchange of gifts and the symbolic passing of the gavel. Jeffrey concluded the installation ceremony with a poignant closing speech. OC REALTOR®
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EVENTS
Orange County REALTORS® celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a spectacular Gala on November 30 at the Balboa Bay Resort Club, immediately following the 2024 Installation of President Jeffrey Jackson and the 2024 Board of Directors. President Jeffrey Jackson kicked off the evening with a reflection on the association's remarkable 75-year journey, emphasizing significant growth from 1,200 members thirty years ago to an impressive 15,000 today – solidifying its status as the largest local Association of REALTORS® in California. Our story was captured beautifully on video which can be viewed at www.ocrealtors.org/75-years. The night’s entertainment featured the talented Matt Mauser & the Pete Jacobs Big Band who brought people to their feet on the dance floor, Emcee/DJ Tony Brindley, and Lindsey Climer from Climer's Auction! Jeffrey extended gratitude to the audio-visual team, acknowledging George Ayrouth and MVT Pros! 2023 President Scott White joined Jeffrey on stage, where they proudly announced the annual “of the Year” award winners for 2023. First, the 2023 Affiliates of the Year were announced: Dawnette Palmore, North Affiliate of the Year; and Jon Margolis, South Affiliate of the Year. Following this, the 2023 Volunteers of the Year were announced: Susan Saurastri, North Volunteer of the Year; and Joe Juliani, South Affiliate of the Year. The pinnacle of the evening was the announcement of the 2023 REALTOR® of the Year, a well-deserved honor that was bestowed upon Tony Faulker. Following the recognition of the award winners, Lindsey Climer took center stage, skillfully orchestrating live bidding for an array of donated auction items and experiences. The night concluded on a high note with dancing and the announcement of our gift basket raffle winners.
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Photo by Marion Butterfield
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EVENTS
NOV. 15
Winning Team: Seven Gables –Elliot MacAdam, Mary Connally, Jason Croswell, Sam Archaga, and Victoria Hill
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Illustrations by www.AdobeStock.com/ Studio Barcelona and Vector Tradition
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