Information provided by San Benito County Association of Realtors. Lea este artículo en español aquí.

San Benito County Association of Realtors, along with the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.), announced a major victory for homeownership in California after realtors statewide mobilized to stop AB 736 from moving forward in the California State Legislature last week. 

In just over 24 hours, thousands of realtors from every part of the state made more than 12,000 calls to members of the Legislature urging them to oppose AB 736, a proposal that would have incentivized local governments to raise transfer taxes on property sales. The unprecedented speed and scale of this grassroots response sent a clear message to lawmakers: California will not solve its affordability crisis by making homeownership more expensive. 

“C.A.R. opposed AB 736 because higher transfer taxes would increase the cost of buying and  selling a home at a time when affordability remains one of California’s greatest housing  challenges,” said C.A.R. President Tamara Suminski. “Expanding local transfer taxes would  have placed additional financial burdens on families already struggling to achieve the dream of  homeownership. 

C.A.R.’s grassroots network is one of the most effective in California because it is powered by  members who care deeply about protecting their clients, their communities, and the future of  homeownership.”  

In addition to stopping this bill, California realtors also actively supported a broader  agreement that will place a constitutional amendment to restore the requirement that certain  local special tax increases receive approval from two-thirds of voters on the November 2026  ballot. Also, as part of that agreement, ACA 13 will no longer appear on the November ballot.  C.A.R. strongly opposed ACA 13 because it could have weakened longstanding Proposition 13- style taxpayer protections, and the organization was prepared to commit significant resources to  defeating the measure. 

“These victories extend well beyond stopping a single bill,” Suminski stated. “Together, they  help protect Californians from higher costs, preserve important taxpayer safeguards and ensure  homeownership remains within reach for more families. They also demonstrate the strength of  our association. When Realtors speak with one voice, California’s leaders listen.” 

“Our members’ swift and unified opposition to AB 736 was instrumental in protecting homebuyers from higher costs at a time when they are already working hard to achieve homeownership,” said Kim O’Connor, President of the San Benito County Association of REALTORS®. “This victory shows that when realtors stand together to advocate for homebuyers, homeowners and property rights, we can make a meaningful difference for families and communities across California.” 

“C.A.R. exists to protect homeownership, and our work doesn’t end here,” Suminski continued.  “We will continue standing up for policies that expand ownership opportunities, defend  taxpayers and keep the California Dream within reach for future generations. We do this  because homeownership isn’t just about owning a home — it’s about building opportunity,  security and a stronger future,” Suminski said.