Current News 
- Citation and Fine Implementation Public Comments
The Department is proposing regulations to implement, interpret, and clarify Business and Professions Code Section 10080.9, which established the Citation and Fine level of discipline for both licensees and unlicensed persons. Public comment relating to this proposal will be accepted through July 1, 2013. (5/17/2013) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of April 2013
The April 2013 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (5/14/2013) - Advisory to License Applicants Regarding Assembly Bill 1904 Pertaining to the Expedited Licensure Process for Military Spouses
New advisory regarding Assembly Bill 1904 has been posted. (5/8/2013) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of March 2013
The March 2013 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (4/16/2013) - STATE AGENCIES HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF FINANCIAL LITERACY DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL - CALIFORNIA FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH
Press release posted regarding the importance of Financial Literacy Month. (4/3/2013) - See the new Mortgage Loan Business Activity Report
The Mortgage Loan Business Activity Report is available online using the link above. It must be submitted by brokers who arrange, make or service mortgage loans secured by residential property of 1 to 4 units. It will be due within 90 days of the broker's fiscal year ending date in 2013. (4/2/2013) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of February 2013
The February 2013 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (3/14/2013) - Governor Jerry Brown Appoints California Real Estate Commissioner
Governor Jerry Brown announces the appointment of Wayne Bell as Real Estate Commissioner for the Department of Real Estate. (2/20/2013) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of January 2013
The January 2013 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (2/14/2013) - Warning Regarding Latest Timeshare Fraud Scheme Involving Wire Transfers
The Department of Real Estate has issued an important warning concerning the latest fraud scheme being perpetrated against timeshare owners. (2/13/2013) - DRE Reorganization
The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) will become the Bureau of Real Estate under the Department of Consumer Affairs effective July 1, 2013. (2/12/2013) - Preview of the Upcoming Escrow Activity Report
The Escrow Activity Report can be previewed by brokers who want to begin to gather the required information. (Note that this preview version cannot be completed or printed.) Please continue to check the Department of Real Estate's Web site and publications for the date brokers can begin to complete and submit the report. (1/15/2013) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of December 2012
The December 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (1/14/2013) - Instructions to License Applicants
Provides information about how to obtain and maintain a California Real Estate License, a Prepaid Rental Listing Service License, and a Mortgage Loan Originator License Endorsement. (1/11/2013) - Important Notice Regarding RSS to Email Subscriptions
Effective today, January 10, 2013, Feed My Inbox will no longer be providing DRE with RSS-to-email service. If you would like to continue receiving DRE news via email, please visit www.dre.ca.gov/RSS.html and submit your email address in the first box under the "SUBSCRIBE" section. You should then receive an email from our new service provider (Blogtrottr) asking you to confirm your subscription. To help in this transition, a new set of RSS Email Sign-Up Instructions has been posted to the link reference earlier. Thank you. (1/10/2013) - Important Notice Regarding RSS to Email Subscriptions
To all who have subscribed to the DRE's RSS to Email service, you may have read at the top of recent emails a notice regarding the shutdown of our current service provider (Feed My Inbox) as of January 10, 2013. If you would like to continue receiving DRE news via email, please visit www.dre.ca.gov/RSS.html and submit your email address in the first box under the "SUBSCRIBE" section. You should then receive an email from our new service provider (Blogtrottr) asking you to confirm your subscription. To help in this transition, a new set of RSS Email Sign-Up Instructions will be posted to the link reference earlier. We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. (1/4/2013) - Winter 2012 Real Estate Bulletin
The Winter 2012 Real Estate Bulletin is now available. (12/21/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of November 2012
The November 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (12/14/2012) - Pre-Paid Rental Listing Services (PRLS) Consumer Alert and Fraud Warning
DRE issues an important consumer alert and fraud warning concerning pre-paid rental listing services (PRLS). (11/30/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of October 2012
The October 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (11/15/2012) - FTC Begins Refund Process for Consumers Harmed by Mortgage Foreclosure 'Rescue' Scheme
To help Spanish-speaking consumers recover money lost to a scam that promised to stop foreclosure or obtain mortgage loan modifications , the Federal Trade Commission mailed claim forms this week, that must be submitted no later than January 14, 2013. Consumers who paid defendants Dinamica Financiera LLC, Soluciones Dinamicas Inc., Valentin Benitez, or Jose Mario Esquer for loan modification or foreclosure rescue services, and have not received a claim form, should get one from the refund administrator, Gilardi & Co., LLC 1-877-281-5622 or www.FTC.gov/refunds . To learn more, read the press release issued by the Federal Trade Commission in its entirety at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/11/dinamica.shtm . (11/15/2012) - Real Estate Agents Lead the Way to Keep Your Home California
Real estate agents can protect their clients and communities by telling financially strapped homeowners about Keep Your Home California, a state-run mortgage assistance program. Keep Your Home California offers four programs, from helping out-of-work homeowners to providing as much as $100,000 in principal reduction. It's a much-needed big boost for families, their neighborhoods and the housing market. (11/13/2012) - Where Do The Dollars for Keep Your Home California Come From?
Thank you, Uncle Sam! Keep Your Home California has about $2 billion to help financially strapped homeowners save their homes - and every penny comes from the federal government. California manages the program, which is part of the Hardest Hit Fund by the U.S. Treasury. (11/2/2012) - Mortgage Servicers Hold the Key to Keep Your Home California
Mortgage servicers, basically the companies the collect the monthly payments, hold the key to Keep Your Home California, paving the way for homeowners to seek mortgage assistance from the state-run program. More than 90 mortgage servicers, including Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank, participate in the program. (10/23/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of September 2012
The September 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (10/16/2012) - Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure Scams ALERT
The DRE, in conjunction with the Department of Corporations, has issued a Consumer Alert warning homeowners of mortgage loan modification and home refinancing scams, including a reminder that offers that try to collect fees in advance are illegal. (10/16/2012) - Homeowners detail how the program has helped save their homes
Hard-hit homeowners - some who have been without work for several months discuss how Keep Your Home California has helped them as the economy continues to struggle and job growth remains sluggish. (10/9/2012) - Consumer Warning: Underfunded Homeowners Associations
DRE Issues Consumer Warning Regarding Underfunded Homeowners Associations (HOAs). (9/27/2012) - CalHFA News: Keep Your Home California has one goal - help low- and moderate-income families save their homes
The federally funded, state-run program has already helped 25,000 homeowners, so learn how it can assist you by reading Keep Your Home California's weekly blog . (9/25/2012) - Fall 2012 Real Estate Bulletin
The Fall 2012 Real Estate Bulletin is now available. (9/25/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of August 2012
The August 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (9/17/2012) - CalHFA News: Changes to 'Keep Your Home California' Principal Reduction Program Aims to Attract More Servicers
The state-managed mortgage assistance program will begin 'recasting' mortgages within the next several weeks after U.S. Treasury officials approved the plan in mid-July. A little-know, seldom used tool in the mortgage world, recast mortgages could be just the right answer to attracting more big-name servicers to the Principal Reduction Program and helping more homeowners. Get more information about the Principal Reduction Program at http://www.keepyourhomecalifornia.org/prp.htm . (9/12/2012) - Important Information Concerning Broker Examination Requirement
Assembly Bill 1718, which becomes effective January 1, 2013, will change the qualifying educational requirements for broker examination applicants. (9/11/2012) - 5th Annual Fraud Awareness Fair
Learn how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. Join the DRE on October 10, 2012 from 10am-3pm at City Hall - Galleria, 1110 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento. (9/5/2012) - CalHFA News: More counseling agencies join Keep Your Home California to help homeowners apply for mortgage assistance program
Keep Your Home California has added 14 housing counseling agencies, giving distressed homeowners a face-to-face connection to learn more about or even apply for the state-run mortgage assistance program. The counseling agencies, which have undergone extensive training, join more than 25 other nonprofits already providing services to homeowners. You can find the complete list of counseling agencies at http://www.keepyourhomecalifornia.org/counseling.htm . If you would like more information about Keep Your Home California, check http://keepyourhomecalifornia.org/ (or http://conservatucasacalifornia.org/ in Spanish) or call 888-954-5337. (9/4/2012) - Trust Funds
Explains requirements for proper handling of trust funds by real estate brokers and salespersons. (8/20/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of July 2012
The July 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (8/14/2012) - DRE Issues FAQs on its New Online License Certificate Printing Process
Frequently Asked Questions regarding the DRE's new online license certificate printing process are now available. (8/8/2012) - DRE Revokes Record Number of Real Estate Licenses in Fiscal Year 2011/2012
DRE revokes record number of real estate licenses and emphasizes education as the key to preventing consumers from falling victim to scams. (8/6/2012) - Warning to Non-English Speaking Hispanics: Protect Yourself from Home Loan and Foreclosure Rescue Scams
DRE issues a special warning to non-English speaking Hispanic California homeowners of ongoing fraud in various Hispanic communities in California and tips to avoid becoming a target of such scams. (8/1/2012) - DRE Issues Advisory to Licensees on Requirement to Report Criminal Charges, Convictions and other Actions
DRE issues advisory to licensees on the new legal requirement for the self-reporting of felony charges, convictions of any felony or misdemeanor, and any disciplinary actions taken by another licensing authority. (7/17/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of June 2012
The June 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (7/16/2012) - Brokers Will Report Escrow Activity for the 2012 Calendar Year
See Frequently Asked Questions and watch for the report form that will soon be available on this web site. (7/11/2012) - Preview the Upcoming Mortgage Loan Business Activity Report
The Mortgage Loan Business Activity Report can be previewed by brokers who want to begin to gather the required information. Note that the form cannot be completed or submitted until January 1, 2013 when it will be submitted online. (7/10/2012) - DRE Issues Advisory on the Interpretation of "Within this State" as it pertains to Licensed Activity
New advisory on licensed activity has been posted. (7/10/2012) - New and Improved DRE Website Launched!
The Department of Real Estate is excited to announce the release of its new and improved website. (6/29/2012) - New and Improved DRE Website Coming Soon
Watch for the launch of the Department of Real Estate's new and improved website on Friday, June 29, 2012 (close of business). (6/27/2012) - DRE Issues Advisory to Licensees on SB 510, Effective July 1, 2012, Pertaining to the Appointment of Branch Office or Division Managers
New advisory to licensees has been posted. (6/22/2012) - Summer 2012 Real Estate Bulletin
The Summer 2012 Real Estate Bulletin is now available. (6/20/2012) - Real Estate Agent Pleads Guilty to Real Estate Fraud in Connection with Short Sale Transaction
Press release on short sale conviction has been posted. (6/18/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of May 2012
The May 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (6/14/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of April 2012
The April 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (5/14/2012) - DRE Enhances Website to Include New Multi-Lender/Threshold Broker Listing
View the license status record and business address of real estate brokers who provide private money loan services. (4/25/2012) - Financial Literacy Course Graduates First Class At Sacramento Charter High School
Press release on first financial literacy course graduates posted. (4/24/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of March 2012
The March 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (4/16/2012) - State Agencies Highlight the Importance of Financial Literacy During the Month of April
Press release on the importance of financial literacy posted. (4/3/2012) - IMPORTANT FEE NOTICE
A petition application fee will be required on all petition applications received or postmarked on or after May 1, 2012. Pursuant to Senate Bill 706 and Business and Professions Code Section 10186 (e), all restricted or revoked licensees who submit a petition application for reinstatement, or who petition for removal of restrictions on their real estate license, will be required to submit a fee of $800 with the Petition Application (RE 506). (NOTE: When petitioning for the reinstatement or removal of restrictions for both an officer license and a related corporate license, only one petition fee is required.) (3/28/2012) - State Agency Warns Consumers of Forged and Fraudulent Property Deeds
Press release on forged and fraudulent property deeds has been posted. (3/27/2012) - Spring 2012 Real Estate Bulletin
The Spring 2012 Real Estate Bulletin is now available. (3/23/2012) - Consumer Alert and Fraud Warning Regarding Forged and Fraudulent Deeds
Consumer alert on fraud warning has been posted. (3/23/2012) - Fraud Warning Regarding Timeshare Resale Fraud
Consumer alert on fraud warning has been posted. (3/15/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of February 2012
The February 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (3/14/2012) - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Announces Arrests of Three Attorneys in Sacramento-area Loan Modification Scam
Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the arrests of the owners and managing attorney of a law firm that took thousands of dollars in up-front loan modification fees for services that were never performed for homeowners, many of whom ended up losing their homes. (3/9/2012) - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Warns Homeowners to Beware of Mortgage Settlement Scams
Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, warned California homeowners to beware of phone solicitations from scam artists claiming to provide assistance related to the recent national mortgage settlement. (3/7/2012) - 2011 Significant Legislation Update
Describes 3 of the most significant pieces of legislation from the 2011/2012 legislative session. (3/6/2012) - Reverse Mortgages - Is One Right For You?
Explains the pros and cons of reverse mortgages, a loan product geared towards senior citizens. (2/24/2012) - Investigation Leads to Charges Against Perpetrators of Investment Fraud Scheme Targeting Vietnamese-Americans
Press release posted on real estate investment fraud sceme. (2/23/2012) - Designation of Branch Office Managers
Notice on the designation of branch office managers, effective July 1, 2012. (2/16/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of January 2012
The January 2012 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (2/14/2012) - National Mortgage Settlement
The California Attorney General has reached a loan-servicing and foreclosure settlement with five major banks. If you are a homeowner struggling to pay your mortgage or facing foreclosure, or if you have already lost your home to foreclosure, it is possible that this settlement could help you. Not every homeowner will qualify for relief under this settlement. Those who do qualify may receive various forms of relief depending on their individual circumstances.
For information about the National Mortgage Settlement, please see the California Attorney General's press release and FAQ document. The federal government also has a National Mortgage Settlement web site with additional details. (2/9/2012) - Independent Foreclosure Review Underway
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced today that the independent foreclosure review required under the agency's enforcement actions taken in April 2011 have begun. (2/1/2012) - Instructions to License Applicants
Provides information about how to obtain and maintain a California Real Estate License, a Prepaid Rental Listing Service License, and a Mortgage Loan Originator License Endorsement. (2/1/2012) - Disciplinary Actions for the Month of December 2011
The December 2011 Disciplinary Actions report is now available. (1/17/2012)
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