When small businesses and second home owners became targets for major tax hikes in their state, Washington REALTORS® jumped into action. Through a multi-faceted campaign called “Recover Washington” the 17,500-member association was able to defeat a 20 percent increase in the gross receipts tax paid by REALTORS®, as well as…...
Lodi (CA) REALTORS® Help Clients Go Green By Offering Home Energy Efficiency Closing Gifts
The 1,828-member Lodi (CA) Association of REALTORS® used an NAR Game Changer grant and funds of its own to help buyers increase the energy efficiency of their newly purchased home. In partnership with a local residential energy efficiency firm, Lodi REALTORS® are able to give their clients a closing gift…...
Springfield (MO) REALTORS® Help Restore Beloved City Park to Former Glory – and Then Some
The 1,718-member Greater Springfield (MO) Board of REALTORS® was keen to show that they truly cared about their community. They found that opportunity by helping to restore the city’s beloved 31-acre Phelps Grove Park after a major ice storm had damaged much of its landscape. With an NAR placemaking grant,…...
Indianapolis REALTORS® Score Win-Win With Graffiti Abatement Program
The Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS® had long wanted to help lessen crime in their area. With a Game Changer Grant they found their opportunity by taking a lead in the city's new Graffiti Abatement Program. The 6,850-member board partnered with several government and non-profit groups to create a mobile…...
Santa Clara County Association (CA) Helps Elect Pro-Business REALTOR® Champion to City Council
When a seat opened up on the San Jose, CA City Council last January, the 5,000-member Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® saw an opportunity to elect a candidate who would stand up for their issues. This was especially important with a number of significant property-rights issues looming on the…...
Nevada Becomes Fourth State to Ban Use of Eminent Domain to Seize Underwater Mortgages
The REALTORS® of Nevada, one of the states hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis, joined the states of Alabama, Maryland and Louisiana in amending their state constitutions to ban the use of eminent domain to seize underwater mortgages. The Nevada Association’s success on this issue at the state level will…...
Coastal Carolinas Association (SC) Gets Around Sign Ordinances With Interactive App to Promote Open Houses
The 3,100 members of Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® serving 72 miles of coastal communities in South Carolina, were bumping up against strict sign ordinances as they attempted to promote their open houses. Then, the association came up with an ingenious idea – a new interactive app showing users how…...
Rogue Valley Association (OR) Turns to Radio to Voice Housing Opportunities
The Rogue Valley Association of REALTORS® in southwestern Oregon had already raised more than $100,000 for homebuyer-assistance grants. Now it needed a way to get the word out. Radio was the answer! An NAR Housing Opportunity Grant enabled the 1,000-member association to sponsor a popular local radio show and tell…...