Frequently Asked Questions

1.) What are the benefits of becoming an Affiliate member?

A. Affiliate members are welcome to attend our Tuesday morning tour meetings, where they are able to network with agents and make announcements of general interest to the group. Affiliates also have access to the member office mailboxes and may put announcements and advertising flyers in those boxes. For a small fee Affiliates may have their flyers (they provide the flyers) inserted in our monthly news bulletin. Affiliates may have a roster of members.

2.) Can Affiliates serve on Association committees?

A. Yes. Affiliate members participate in a range of activities through the committee structure of the Association. Affiliates serve on the education, public relations, and political action committees. They may also attend the commercial/industrial committee meetings.

3.) What are the requirements and what is the cost?

A. Affiliate membership status is available to individuals, businesses and services, who although not engaged in the real estate profession as a licensed agent or Broker have interests in the real estate industry. Affiliate services are generally services that are necessary to the purchase, sale or refinance of real estate. There is a one-time application fee of $75. Dues are $100 per year, they are prorated by month, and renew on January 1 st of each year.

4.) How do I join?

A. Simply fill out an application and submit it along with a check for your dues. (Link to application).

1.) How do I file an ethics complaint?

A. To file an ethics (disciplinary) complaint, the respondent must be (or have been at the time of the violation) a member of this Association, and the violation must be filed within 180 days after the facts constituting the wrongful conduct could have been known in the exercise of reasonable diligence. Before filing a complaint, please read “Before Filing an Ethics Complaint (link?) ” Then fill out the form (link?) and return it to the Association office at: 14195 Tuolumne Rd. , Sonora , CA 95370 .

1.) Q. I need to renew my license, what courses do I have to take?

A. Salespersons Renewing for the First Time

Real estate salespersons renewing an original license for the first time must complete four separate three-hour DRE-approved continuing education courses in Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing.

Brokers Renewing for the First Time

Real estate brokers renewing an original license for the first time must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education consisting of:

• Four separate three-hour courses in the following subjects: Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing;
• A minimum of 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
• The remaining 15 clock hours related to either consumer service or consumer protection.

Salesperson and Brokers Renewing After the First Time

For subsequent renewals, all real estate brokers and salespersons must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education consisting of:

• One six-hour survey course that covers the four mandatory subjects (Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing);
• At least 18 clock hours of consumer protection courses; and
• The remaining 21 clock hours in either consumer service or consumer protection courses.

2.) Where can I find these courses?

A. Your Association has continuing education courses on CD available free of charge at the Association office (after completing the course you must pass the test, either online or a written test, there is a small fee for the test), or the DRE has a list of education course providers available online at: www.dre.ca.gov/publicasp/cecontinue.asp

3.) Where can I find training for the MLS software Voyager?

A. Contact the Director of MLS to set an appointment for Voyager training.

1.) How do I get WinForms?

A. There are three ways to get WinForms. First, you can come into the Association office and pick up your free copy of the WinForms CD; second, you can log onto www.car.org and sign-up for WinForms online; or third, you can log onto www.car.org and download the program. (No matter which choice you select, you will need your CAR member number).

2.) Where do I find my CAR member number?

A. Your NAR member number, CAR member number, NRDS number and TCAR number are all the same. You can find it on the label of your REALTOR® magazine, or on your NAR membership card. Or you can call the Association and ask staff to look it up for you.

2.) What do I do if I don't know which form to use?

A. Ask your Broker. He/she is the proper authority to instruct you on the proper form to use.

1.) Does the county have an ordinance governing the use of real estate signs?

A. Yes. The sign ordinance can be found in the County building code, chapter 17.62. In general, on a residential listing the county allows, “One temporary sign not over six square feet in area may be erected when a parcel is for sale, lease or rent…Such sign shall be removed upon expiration of an agent's listing….” The sign must be on the piece of property for sale.

2.) Are there any other rules governing signs beside the county sign ordinance?

A. Maybe. If you're selling a home in a subdivision with CC&R's they may have rules against placing your signs in a common area such as the subdivision entrances.

1.) What is the RAP Committee and what do they do?

A. The REALTORS® Active in Politics Committee is responsible for staying informed on political community issues. Members rotate attendance at Board of Supervisors and other county meetings and report back to the membership. They bring candidates to be heard by membership. The committee stays on top of and reports to membership on statewide legislative issues .

2.) Where does the $49 (optional) PAC contribution on my dues statement go, and what is it used for?

A. The $49 Political Survival contribution is split into several Political Affairs Committee (PAC) accounts. The breakdown for each dollar contributed is as follows:

• 15% goes to RPAC (REALTOR® Political Action Committee) for Senate and House of Representatives races on the Federal Level.

• 15% goes to CREIEC ( California Real Estate Independent Expenditure

Committee) for independent expenditures at the state level.

• The remaining 70% is split into 2 PAC's:

60% of the remaining contribution goes to the state level committee, or CREPAC ( California Real Estate Political Action Committee.

The remaining 40% goes to the local level committees, or BORPAC's (Board of REALTORS® Political Action Committee).

3.) Can I give more?

A. Yes. The “True Cost of Doing Business” is $197.00. You may make that contribution by logging onto: http://www.car.org/index.php?id=MzM0Mjk

1.) Q. I just got my real estate license, how do I go about joining the Association?

A. You will need to fill out an application and bring it to the Association office along with a copy of your real estate license and a check for the current fees.

2.) Q. How do I know what the current fees are?

A. [Click Here] to view the sheet of fees.

3.) Q. When are dues due?

A. Initially upon joining and then yearly by December 31 st after that. A $50 late fee is added for agents who have not paid their dues by the last working day of the January and membership automatically terminates if a member has not paid by February 15 th .

4.) Q. Will I need to attend an orientation?

A. Yes! Orientation is mandatory. You will be notified when the first orientation is scheduled after your membership is approved.

5.) Q. How do I transfer from one office within TCAR to another?

A. Fill out a transfer form [Click Here] , have it signed by your broker(s) and submit it to TCAR along with your $20 transfer fee.

6.) Is there anything special I need to do to terminate my membership?

A. Yes. You need to notify TCAR within 5 days of leaving your broker's employ and, if you have a d-key, return your key and cradle. (Failure to return this equipment may result in legal action).

7.) How can I join a committee?

A. Simply fill out the committee request form [Click Here] and fax it to Ann at (209) 532-3432.

1.) How can I become an MLS participant or subscriber?

A. To be eligible for access to the MLS you must meet the following qualifications for either an MLS Participant or an MLS Subscriber.

MLS Broker or Appraiser Participant :

a. The individual or corporation, for which the individual acts as a broker/officer, holds a valid California real estate broker's license; or the individual holds a valid California appraisers certification or license;

b. The individual is a principal, partner, corporate officer, or branch office manager acting on behalf of a principal;

c. The individual or corporation for which the individual acts as a broker/officer is capable of offering and accepting compensation in the capacity of a real estate broker; (not applicable for Appraiser participants)

d. The individual has signed a written agreement to abide by the rules and regulations of the service in force at that time and as from time to time amended;

e. The individual pays all applicable MLS fees; and

f. The individual has completed any required orientation program of no more than eight (8) classroom hours within thirty (30) days after access has been provided.

MLS Real Estate or Appraiser Subscriber :

a. The individual holds a valid California real estate salesperson's or broker's licensee; or The individual holds a valid California real estate appraisers certification or license;

b. The individual is employed by or affiliated as an independent contractor with a broker participant; or an Appraiser Participant;

c. The individual has signed a written agreement to abide by the rules and regulations of the service in force at that time and as from time to time amended;

d. The individual pays all applicable MLS fees; and

e. The individual has completed any required orientation program of no more than eight (8) classroom hours within thirty (30) days after access has been provided.

If you meet the above requirements, either as a Participant or as a Subscriber, you may access an application (link to application packet here) packet here. Fill out the application (applications must be completely and accurately filled out, and correctly signed). Submit the application along with a copy of your license, a certificate on non-use (Participants only) and a check from your Broker for your MLS fees. (Please note: We do not take credit cards). If you would like a lockbox key, you will need to apply in person. Please bring the completed forms (2), your driver's license (or other photo ID) and a check which will be made out for the key fees.

2.) How do I put my residential listing on tour?

A. First, determine which tour your home belongs on, then call the MLS Director and ask that your home be put on the next available tour by number. You will need to provide staff with the MLS number, address and price of the home.

3.) How do I cancel my home from the tour?

A. It is important to cancel you home as soon as you learn it will not be on the tour as someone else may be on the waiting list for a spot on that tour. Simply call the MLS Director, give him/her your name, the MLS number, the number and date of the tour.

4.) How do I know what tour to put my home on?

A. The MLS provided you with a map when you joined the Association, it is in your new member binder. You may also pick one up at the Association office. It is your responsibility to determine the correct tour for your home.

5.) What do I do if I'm having problems with Voyager?

A. If your issues are how to use the program, try the help menu (it's the purple book with the yellow question mark). If your issues are of a technical nature, call FNIS at 1-877-MLS-HELP.

6.) What do I do if my seller does not want his/her listing on the MLS?

A. If you seller does not want their listing on the MLS you must have your seller sign a CAR form SEL, and fax a copy to the MLS within 48 hours of taking the listing. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

7.) How do I delete a duplicate listing?

A. Listings may only be deleted by Association staff. Just give us a call and tell us you have input a listing twice. Give us the MLS number and address of the listing you wish us to delete and we will take care of it for you.

8.) My seller is taking his/her home off the market, how can I withdraw the listing from the MLS?

A. You must submit a written request to the MLS. The request must be signed by your Broker, and must include the listing number and property address. Staff will then withdraw the listing for you. A listing may not be withdrawn after it has expired.

9.) How do I enter the sale of my listing when the buyer's agent is not a subscriber to the TCAR MLS?

A. Agents cooperating with buyer's agents who are not MLS subscriber's are to enter the

selling agent as Non-Member, (listed as Member, Non in the MLS agent roster) and are

requested to put the selling agents name and company in the addendum.

10.) How do I enter a comp sale where the seller's agent is not a subscriber to the TCAR

MLS or when the property was a FSBO?

A. When entering a comp sale where the seller's agent is not a subscriber to the TCAR

MLS the listing agent shall be entered as “See Remarks” and in remarks indicate the name

of the listing office and agent. When entering a FSBO property where the buyer was

represented by an agent, the listing agent shall be entered as “See Remarks” and in

remarks indicate that the listing was a FSBO.

11.) How do I file an MLS Rules violation complaint?

A. You may file an MLS Rule violation complaint against another Participant or Subscriber to this MLS. You will be required to attend a hearing where you will present your case. Contact the MLS for the complaint form.

12.) How do I file for Arbitration?

A. You may file to arbitrate a monetary dispute against any other Participant or Subscriber of this Association as long as the dispute arose out of the real estate business. If the Participant of Subscriber is not a member of this Association, but is MLS only, then the dispute must not only arise out of the real estate business, but must be in conjunction with a listing filed on this MLS. There is a $250 fee to file for arbitration. Contact the Association for the proper forms.