If you feel like being sleazy and committing a crime as a real estate professional against your clients, go ahead. Just be prepared to face up to 3 years in jail, and have your license permanently revoked (that is, if you even have one).

That's the basic outcome of California's Bill 1737 that passed the state congress this week. To be quite honest, I'm not entirely sure how different this bill is from the laws that already existed, but I suppose that it's a step in the right direction for setting the real estate bar just a little higher.

Senator Michael Machado (Democrat) said that the plan is, of course, not fool-proof, but at least it closes some legal loopholes, and increases the level of accountability in the industry. I suppose time only will tell how much this action has helped.

I plan to remain optimistic. What's the harm in positive thinking, especially on such a gorgeous Friday?

Cyara Pott - Market Specialist

P.S. The photo attached is of Jimmy Osborn, whose Orange County real estate shenanigans (and subsequent incarceration) you can read about here.