The Community Challenge
The week before Thanksgiving 2025, the Commissioners of Hamilton County, Ohio proposed a 1-mill / 33% increase to the real estate transfer tax. Recognizing that this short-term revenue solution would jeopardize the county’s long-term fiscal health, the REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati brought together a strong coalition to oppose it, engaging members and the public in a robust advocacy campaign.
Why REALTORS® Stepped In
On the front lines of real estate transactions, REALTOR® members had been reporting horror stories of homeowners on fixed incomes being unable to stay in their homes as property taxes crept upwards; others, eager to downsize, were having difficulty closing the deal because of exorbitant transfer taxes.
In the bigger picture, high real estate taxes posed an ongoing strike against Cincinnati in the mid-western competition to attract businesses with employees to house. Even within the Cincinnati region, property tax issues in Hamilton County were driving economic development to outlying areas.
With access to REALTOR® Party advocacy programs targeting both members and the public, REALTOR® associations are equipped to spark strategic action when and where it’s needed.
What Changed Because They Did
The REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati tapped into Advocacy Everywhere to build a winning campaign to oppose the transfer tax increase. They built an online advocacy toolkit complete with facts, figures, case studies, and talking points to position members as subject-matter experts, and established portals for members and the general public to voice their opposition to the tax increase. The Call For Action produced more than 500 messages, prompting at least one county commissioner to cry uncle; twelve members also stepped forward to testify at the public hearing.
The strong public outcry convinced one commissioner to withdraw support for the increase. This tanked the proposal, which the REALTORS® believe will be critical for the community’s continued economic success.
Why This Matters for Associations
This case shows how REALTORS® can help create and maintain a healthy economic landscape where people can afford to live, and businesses can afford to operate. By leading the opposition to the proposed transfer tax increase, the REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati prevented the burden of county revenue from weighing too heavily on homeowners, investors, and small businesses – an outcome that ultimately affects all members, their clients, and the community at large.
To learn more about how the REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati is working to strengthen housing opportunities and neighborhoods throughout the city, contact Government Affairs Director Mary Huttlinger at mhuttlinger@cincyrealtoralliance.com or 513.842.3021.
To see the advocacy toolkit, visit: https://cincyrealtoralliance.com/government-affairs/transfer-tax-toolkit/
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