Californians for Homeownership was founded in response to the California Legislature’s call for public interest organizations to fight local anti-housing policies on behalf of the millions of California residents who need access to more affordable housing.
The Champions of Home Impact Awards honor California REALTORS® who have made a significant impact on their communities through volunteer efforts.
HAF plays an active role in addressing the ongoing housing affordability challenges facing California.
Make A Donation to HAFC.A.R. stands ready to assist REALTORS® who have been impacted by wildfires through its Disaster Relief Fund and NAR's REALTORS® Relief Foundation.
California Disaster ResourcesScholarships for California students planning to pursue a career in real estate.
Find out more information on key diversity and inclusion programs and projects available.
Fair Housing Latino Professionals Network C.A.R. Women's InitiativeNew to the industry? YPN is a network to sharpen your skills, heighten your leadership, and connect with fellow REALTORS®.
Rising Star AwardDownload and share the official 2025 C.A.R. Member Benefits Guide.
NAR Member Discounts C.A.R. Insurance ProductsAs a C.A.R. member you may have questions about your association and the industry. Find the answers here.
New Member FAQs Glossary Service ProvidersC.A.R. provides tremendous member value through its innovative tools, services and education. Learn more about C.A.R. membership and dues and NAR membership and dues.
C.A.R.'s annual consumer advertising campaign creates awareness of the REALTOR® brand and demonstrates the many benefits of the consumer-REALTOR® relationship.
Smart Zone provides tools and insights necessary to convey your unique value proposition, effectively market your services, keep your clients abreast of current real estate market trends and help you achieve success in a dynamic industry.
C.A.R. is a statewide trade association dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate.
Annual ReportThe CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is committed to bring you tools and information to help you succeed. Here are some of the innovative tools, services and education C.A.R. provided to help you achieve your professional goals.
C.A.R.'s Media Center houses the Association's news releases, media guidelines, and logos.
News ReleasesLooking for additional assistance? The Customer Contact Center is looking forward to serving you Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Need help finding the right person? Try searching through our various rosters & directories.
C.A.R. introduces new Strategic Planning Framework
After a year-long process, extensive survey and research, and member input, C.A.R.’s Strategic Planning and Finance Committee (SPF) and Mission Statement Task Force have developed a C.A.R. Strategic Framework which defines the Association’s Mission and Vision Statements as well as C.A.R.’s Long-Term Goals, Operating Values and Culture Statement. The SPF Committee also unveiled the Association’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, which sets out the organization's four overarching strategic pillars. The Framework and Strategic Plan were approved by C.A.R.’s Executive Committee and by C.A.R.’s Board of Directors at the fall 2022 Business Meeting. Since C.A.R.’s founding in 1905, the Association’s Mission Statement has been revised to reflect the shifting needs of organized real estate and California REALTORS®. This most recent change, once again, reflects the ever-changing landscape and the environment in which California REALTORS® operate. Read C.A.R.’s new Strategic Planning Framework below.
C.A.R. MISSION STATEMENT
Shape, promote and protect an environment for the entire real estate industry, one in which California REALTORS® can succeed in meeting the real property needs of consumers.
C.A.R. VISION STATEMENT
C.A.R. drives innovation and opportunity in the real estate profession and market.
C.A.R. LONG-TERM GOALS
PILLAR - INFLUENCE
PILLAR - MEMBER BUSINESS VALUES
PILLAR - REALTOR® POSITIONING
PILLAR - ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
C.A.R. OPERATING VALUES
Property Ownership. We believe property ownership builds financial security and thriving, sustainable communities. We strive to make property ownership attainable for all who are committed to working toward it.
Property Rights. We believe that the freedom to buy, sell, maintain and improve real property is a fundamental right.
Inclusion. We believe that a conscious, persistent effort to further diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within our community and our organization will drive greater success and innovation through the contribution of different perspectives and ideas.
The REALTOR® Difference. We believe that REALTOR® signifies:
Professionalism: a commitment to the highest ethical standards in the real estate profession.
Competence: a commitment to lifelong learning and a high level of knowledge and expertise in the ever-changing profession of real estate.
Trust: reliable, credible real estate guidance and accurate, comprehensive data.
Community: belief in the power of community and the commitment to engage, contribute, educate and lead.
Collaboration and Trust. We believe we are stronger when we collaborate and form relationships based on mutual goals, open communication, fairness and transparency.
ASSOCIATION HISTORY
The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is a statewide trade association dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. The Association develops and promotes programs and services that will enhance the members' freedom and ability to conduct their individual businesses successfully with integrity and competency and, through collective action, promotes the preservation of real property rights.
In an effort to alleviate perceptions of misconduct in the real estate industry, a group of approximately 70 real estate agents founded the California State Realty Federation in Los Angeles on May 27, 1905. In October 1920, the name was changed to California Real Estate Association and, in January 1975, it was changed to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Francis F. Ferrier, of Berkeley, was the first president of the Association, which then was comprised of nine Boards of REALTORS®. Although the organization was successful from the start, growth in membership was slow during the early years. After many attempts, the Association was successful in its sponsorship of a real estate license law in 1917. This first law was declared unconstitutional, but a revised act was passed by the 1919 Legislature and became the first real estate license law in the United States. Since its enactment, the law has been widely imitated and has become the standard for other states. Written examinations for licensees were not adopted until about 1923.
More recently, the Association has emphasized the development and distribution of products, programs and services which assist members to achieve success in their individual real estate businesses, while continuing to be the premiere representative of private property rights and of real estate professionals in the public policy arena.
Today, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® includes more than 100 local member Associations and more than 205,000 REALTORS®, REALTOR®-Associates and affiliate members who abide by a rigid code of professional ethics.
