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DRE Updates

Find Department feature stories, general announcements, program updates, publication releases, and other Department news.

| | | Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how real estate services are delivered—whether through automated marketing, analytics, or workflow tools.

Published: March 17, 2026

The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) urges all licensees to be on the lookout for an email scam circulating
California’s real estate community where scammers are impersonating the DRE. The emails claim a formal complaint has
been filed against the recipient, and that DRE has 'approved license solution for these Real Estate courses'. | |

| | | Foundation for California Community Colleges Publishes Real Estate Education Scholarship 2025-26 Impact Report

Published: March 4, 2026

The Foundation for California Community Colleges published this week the annual Real Estate Education Scholarship Impact Summary for academic year 2025-26.

Thanks to the support from colleges,
the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s office, and our Real Estate Advisory Committee partners, more than 70
students received scholarships and were able to continue towards their educational goals. | |

| | | DRE Urges California Seniors Watch for Targeted Real Estate and Property Scams

Published: February 19, 2026

The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) encourages seniors to be aware of real estate and mortgage fraud targeting older adults. Scammers increasingly target seniors with real estate and mortgage-related deception, exploiting their trust and financial vulnerability. | |

| | | Be Aware of DRE Impersonation Email Scams

Published: January 23, 2026

The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) urges all licensees to be on the lookout for an email scam circulating
California’s real estate community where scammers are impersonating the DRE. The emails claim a formal complaint has
been filed against the recipient, and that DRE has 'approved license solution for these Real Estate courses'. | |

| | | Press Release: DRE takes Disciplinary Action Against Lance McHarg and Real Estate Trainers, Inc.

Published: January 6, 2026

The Department of Real Estate (DRE) has entered into a settlement with Real Estate Trainers, Inc. (RETI) and its former President, Lance McHarg.

The discipline comes after DRE discovered that McHarg took the real estate license exam numerous times without receiving a passing score.
After an extensive investigation, DRE concluded that McHarg had subverted exam content for the purpose of including this information in
educational materials offered by RETI intended for students preparing to take the State's real estate license exam. | |

| | | The 2026 updated California Real Estate Law Book is now available on our website.

Published: January 5, 2026

This resource serves as the definitive guide for real estate professionals, brokers, and legal
experts and is comprised of both statutes and regulations with which real estate practitioners
should be familiar. | |

| | | DRE Urges Real Estate Agents to Be on Alert for Vacant Land Scams

Published: December 30, 2025

The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) is urging licensees to be on the lookout for
bad actors posing as owners of vacant land and contacting real estate agents for their assistance to sell
a property they do not own. | |

| | | A Continued Commitment to Supporting Licensee Compliance: DRE’s Cite and Fine Program

Published: December 11, 2025

Since 2014, the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has used citations as an effective tool to
address relatively minor and technical violations of the Real Estate Law-particularly when little to no
consumer harm occurred or where the violation posed little to no risk to the public. | |

| | | Why I Chose Real Estate: UCLA Students and Alums Discuss Their Career Paths

Published: November 21, 2025

There’s not just one reason to get a real estate license in California, there are several! We surveyed
some UCLA students and alumni on what led them to real estate – from wanting a career with flexibility,
to making a difference in their hometown, to a passion for urban and community development, everyone comes
to the field with their own backgrounds and unique perspectives. | |

| | | Trust Fund Signatories: What You Need to Know

Published: November 14, 2025

DRE regularly receives questions about signatories on trust fund accounts. Below are answers to
two of the most common questions about who can sign and under what circumstances. | |

| | | DRE Urges California Consumers to Be Aware of Real Estate and Mortgage Crimes

Published: November 3, 2025

With its high property values and active real estate market, California is particularly vulnerable to
several types of real estate and mortgage-related crimes. With that, the Department of Real Estate
(DRE) urges Californians to be cautious and educated on the different types of real estate and mortgage
crimes it sees in the real estate industry. | |

| | | Mentorship Matters

Published: September 3, 2025

Mentorships in the workplace provide a long list of benefits. They help build confidence, accelerate learning and
growth, create connections of support, help expand opportunities and networks, and build leadership skills. | |

| | | DRE and CRD Invitation to a Free Webinar for Property Managers

Published: August 7, 2025

We invite you to join us (DRE) and the California Civil Rights Department for a free webinar series for Property Managers!
We look forward to seeing you there. Please note space is limited - register today! | |

| | | Buying a Home this Summer? Here are Tips to Get Started

Published: August 1, 2025

Buying a home is a large financial investment, so it is key to do your research before diving into the market.
DRE is here to provide you with tips and resources before you start your search. | |

| | | Bill Refresher: Laws for California Property Owners & Real Estate Licensees

Published: July 21, 2025

As California's housing landscape continues to evolve, laws are introduced to bolster transparency, sustainability, and
equity in property ownership and sales. Whether you're a homeowner, investor, or planning to sell property soon, it's
important to understand how these changes may affect you. | |

| | | DRE Reups LA Wildfire Resources and Recovery Efforts Six Months Post Fires

Published: July 9, 2025

As the six-month mark of the Los Angeles wildfires approaches this week, the
Department of Real Estate (DRE) continues to support those impacted and reminds those affected of the ongoing resources available. | |

| | | DFPI and DRE Joint Bulletin: Real Estate Commission Disbursements

Published: June 30, 2025

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) and Department of Real Estate (DRE) are concerned about
a business practice in which a real estate broker instructs a settlement agent through a Commission Disbursement
Authorization (CDA) to pay the real estate broker's personal or business expenses or an unlicensed entity or individual
who may have engaged in activity requiring a license in a real estate transaction. | |

| | | DRE Encourages California Consumers to Explore Homebuying
Resources During National Homeownership Month

Published: June 26, 2025

The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) encourages anyone exploring homeownership, as well as current homeowners,
to learn about resources available to help them achieve their homeownership goals, increase awareness of scams and fraud
prevention tips, and get familiar with best practices when using the services of a licensed salesperson or broker. | |

| | | Modernizing HOA Governance in California

Published: June 18, 2025

California is making updates to how homeowners associations (HOAs) operate, with the goal of improving transparency, accessibility,
and fairness in community management.

New laws help streamline board elections by allowing decisions to move forward with fewer members present when voter turnout is low.
HOAs also now have more flexibility to hold meetings entirely online and conduct elections by electronic secret ballot, making it
easier for homeowners to participate, especially in today's digital age. | |

| | | Understanding Open House Broker Sittings

Published: June 12, 2025

Can a representative of a different brokerage sit at an open house? Are there things to consider if a broker attends
an open house that is not affiliated with the brokerage? The Department of Real Estate (DRE) says yes; however, they
caution against this practice. | |

| | | New Housing Laws: Know Your Rights as a Renter or Landlord

Published: May 28, 2025

California has introduced new housing laws that aim to create a more balanced, transparent, and fair rental market for
both renters and landlords.

For renters, recent changes provide stronger protections around eviction, privacy, and affordability. There are new
limits on security deposits, clearer rules around rent increases, and expanded rights for tenants with disabilities.
Renters who use government rent subsidies also have more flexibility in how they prove their ability to pay rent and
cannot be discriminated against in the application process for receiving rent assistance. | |

| | | Understanding SB143

Published: May 14, 2025

In an effort to provide greater support for our military servicemembers and their families, Senate Bill (SB) 143 was
signed into law in September 2023. The new law allows in some cases the portability of a real estate license from
another state, district, or territory.

The new law aims to improve the lives of military families by supporting increased access to real estate licensing
and overall greater job opportunities. | |

| | | Choosing A Real Estate Agent

Published: March 26, 2025

Buying a house is one of the most important financial transactions of your life. When looking for a real
estate agent, it's key to do your research to protect yourself and make the process a smooth experience. | |

| | | Resources for Property Owners Impacted by LA Fires:
Take Your Time and Research Next Steps

Published: February 26, 2025

If your property was impacted in the recent LA wildfires, take your time to make next step decisions. There are many
resources available to you if your property has been damaged or destroyed in the fires and you are not sure about what to do next. | |

| | | Protect Your Property: Tips to Spot Unsolicited Offers

Published: February 11, 2025

LA property owners in fire-impacted areas are urged to report unsolicited offers to DRE. An unsolicited offer is an offer made
to a property owner who was not seeking a buyer. Often these offers are made far below market value by individuals looking to
profit off of the disaster. Here are some situations to be aware of to protect your property. | |

| | | LA Fire Victims: Report Price Gouging or Unsolicited Offers

Published: January 29, 2025

On January 14, 2025, California Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-25 barring predatory investors from making unsolicited undervalue offers to people impacted by the firestorms to buy their land. To report this
type of predatory activity that seeks to further victimize those going through hardship due to the LA fires, the public can submit a complaint
in one of the two following ways: 1) submit a complaint via DRE's online form or 2) email the complaint to LAFires@dre.ca.gov. | |

| | | The 2025 California Real Estate Law Book & Landlord/Tenant Guide Is Now Accessible Online!

Published: January 8, 2025

Two new 2025 publications are now available! The updated California Real Estate
Law Book and the California Landlord/Tenant Guide are now online.
Whether you're a real estate professional, legal expert, student, landlord, property manager, tenant, or simply someone interested in
understanding the legal landscape of California real estate, these comprehensive resources are now just a click away. | |

| State Departments United to Recognize Consumer Protection Week

Published: December 20, 2024

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), and the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) came together for Consumer Protection Week to
elevate awareness of consumer resources available to Californians the week of December 9 - 13, 2024. | |

| DRE Commissioner Reflects on Crossroads of Culture during Filipino American Real Estate Professional Association Keynote

Published: September 4, 2024

Themed "Crossroad of Culture," the Filipino American Real Estate Professional Association Silicon Valley (FAREPA SV) Board of Directors and Officer Installation Ceremony took place on August 22 in Milpitas, with an address by Department of Real Estate Commissioner Chika Sunquist. | |

| DRE Urges Licensees to be on Alert for Growing Warehouse Lines of Credit Schemes

Published: August 14, 2024

SACRAMENTO - The Department of Real Estate has learned about an elaborate fraudulent scheme concerning unlicensed, unregulated, imposter wholesale lenders who have entered the marketplace and are defrauding licensed real estate brokers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars overnight. | |

| DRE's Sacramento Examination Center Welcomes Back Examinees

Published: July 1, 2024

On July 22, 2024, the Department of Real Estate's Sacramento Examination Center reopened to the public, welcoming nearly 70 examinees.

This time, the doors opened in a new location at the May Lee State Office Complex located in Sacramento's River District. | |

| Department of Real Estate's Fee Increases in Effect July 1, 2024

Published: July 1, 2024

Effective July 1, 2024, many of the California Department of Real Estate examinee, licensee, subdivider, and
course provider fees have increased. The fee adjustments effectively align DRE's fees with the cost of providing
services. By adjusting fees, DRE aims to ensure a sustainable financial model that can effectively support its
mission of consumer protection. | |

| Department of Real Estate's Sacramento Headquarters Office is Moving this July

Published: June 13, 2024

Starting July 8, 2024, DRE's Sacramento Headquarters Office will be located at the May Lee State Office
Complex in Sacramento's River District. DRE's Sacramento Exam Center will be closed June 24 - July 22
(tentative reopening date). | |

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