State Realtors Open 85th Convention Today

More than 2,200 realtors from across the state will convene today at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City for the 85th annual convention of the California Assn. of Realtors.

Nearly 75 educational classes and workshops will be offered during the convention, which runs through Wednesday.

Many of the classes are geared toward helping realtors produce more sales and listings through improved marketing techniques. Others are designed to help salespeople better understand the legal aspects of emerging issues facing the industry, such as increased disclosure requirements and rules affecting properties that contain toxic materials ranging from used oil to asbestos.

On Monday, the realtor’s economic experts will issue their forecast for sales and price activity in 1990.

Although the economists were fine-tuning their report late last week, they predict that prices will continue climbing next year, though not as fast as they have over the past few years. Those higher prices will make it even tougher for people to buy homes, which the experts say will cause a modest decline in sales.

The trade show that accompanies the annual convention will feature more than 150 exhibitors, marketing everything from financial services to computerized lock boxes.

The registration fee for CAR members is $95. Non-member cost is $115.

The public is allowed in the trade show Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the trade show only is $10.