GADFly Newsletter – March 2022

ATTN State GADs: Nominations for Vice Chair due by April 30
The position of Vice Chair of the GAD Advisory Group is voted on each year at the GAD Institute. This year, we are seeking nominations from state associations. Candidates for Vice Chair must submit a Statement of Interest to Jim MacGregor by April 30, 2022. The Statement of Interest should include the candidate’s qualifications, reasons for seeking the position, an indication of support from their association executive, and an affirmation of interest in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position. The names of the candidates who have met this requirement will be shared during the GAD meeting at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in May. For more information, contact Jim MacGregor | 202-383-1188

Seeking Site Nominations for 2024 GAD Institute: Due May 1
The location of the NAR GAD Institute rotates annually among three regions of the United States. For 2024, we are seeking nominations from the Western region, comprised of NAR Regions 11 through 13. State and local associations are encouraged to nominate a location in their jurisdiction to host the 2024 NAR GAD Institute by submitting a Statement of Interest to the GAD Advisory Group by May 1, 2022. More information can be found in the GAD Policies and Procedures document or by contacting Jim MacGregor | 202-383-1188

Registration Now Open: REALTORS® Legislative Meetings
Join us in advancing issues important to REALTORS® and consumers at the 2022 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings. The conference will be held the week of May 1-6, and most meetings will take place at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center. To register or for additional information, please visit the RLMTE website.

FPC Meritorious Service Award Application Now Open
Submit an application to nominate one of your FPCs to receive the 2022 FPC Meritorious Service Award! The deadline for MSA nominations is April 1, 2022. Each year, NAR recognizes two FPCs whose outstanding work has contributed to creating a sound and dynamic U.S. real estate market, fostering vibrant communities, and advancing our policy objectives in Washington. These FPCs are selected through a rigorous process that includes state and national leadership. They receive the Meritorious Service Award (MSA) during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in May. For more information, contact Victoria Givens | 202-383-1021

New Pilot Program for FiscalNote Curate – a Local Policy Tracking Platform
Earlier this month, NAR announced a new pilot program that provides access for state and local REALTOR® associations to FiscalNote Curate, a local policy tracking platform. Curate tracks over 400 legislative topics across more than 12,000 municipalities nationwide. Access to the platform will be limited during the pilot program and there will be a skin-in-the-game requirement. Learn more about NAR’s pilot access and contact Melissa Horn, State and Local Government Policy Representative, with any questions.

Community Outreach

Reminder: April is Fair Housing Month
State and local associations can leverage Fair Housing Grants to support fair housing month through events and education that further the mission of fair housing. Review ideas for using a Fair Housing Grant for additional inspiration. Questions? Contact Catherine Mesick | 202-383-7512

Grant Help to Address Broadband, Well and Septic Regs, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and More!
NAR’s Rural Outreach Grant supports advocacy and education efforts related to broadband, on-site well and septic, open space preservation, protection overlay districts, and more. Learn how the Baldwin REALTORS® used the grant to educate their region on flood issues. Questions? Contact Christine Windle | 202-383-1135

Land Use Initiative Provides Expert Advocacy Help When You Need It
Legislative and regulatory proposals that may do harm to property rights often arise quickly and require expert analysis. The Land Use Initiative will analyze and provide talking points on proposed changes to comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, real estate-related taxes, point-of-sale requirements, and rental property regulations to support state and local REALTOR® associations’ advocacy efforts. There is no fee for the service. Access the LUI Database (M1 username and password required) to view measures submitted by associations. Questions? Contact Christine Windle | 202-383-1135

Build Smarter and Stronger Communities
Smart growth focuses on improving communities, making them more livable, sustainable, healthy, and prosperous. State and local associations can apply for a Smart Growth Grant to support advocacy for better land use, underwrite a transportation study, promote downtown revitalization or historic preservation, enhance walkability, and so much more. Access Ideas for Using a Smart Growth grant or search “Smart Growth” within REALTOR® Party Success Stories for ideas and inspiration. Questions? Contact Hugh Morris | 202-383-1278

REALTOR® Party Success Stories: March 2022
Each month, stories highlighting state and local associations that achieved an advocacy win with a REALTOR® Party grant or resource are highlighted and cataloged in REALTOR® Party Success Stories. Success stories created in March include:

RPAC Fundraising

2022 President’s Circle
The President’s Circle launched its second round for 2022 on February 25th, consisting of 8 REALTOR® Party Champions. The deadline for President’s Circle members to invest their first $500 is May 31, 2022. For more information regarding President’s Circle, contact Avery Walker | 202-383-1268

RPAC Major Investor Recognition Deadline
Make sure you and your members are recognized as RPAC Major Investors before the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings! Submit RPAC investments to the NAR Finance Office no later than April 20, 2022 to meet this first transmittal date. Click here for more information or contact Jackie Zaporowski | 202-383-1029

RPAC Hall of Fame Ceremony
We are excited to announce that the 2019, 2020, and 2021 RPAC Hall of Fame Classes will be inducted during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo! The induction ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 3rd from 5:00-8:00pm at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Everyone is invited, so gather your state delegations to support the new inductees from your state. All members and guests must be registered for the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo to attend the ceremony. Everyone must wear their badge to gain entry to this event. For more information, contact Jackie Zaporowski | 202-383-1029

Consumer Advocacy Outreach

Consumer Voices Make Your Advocacy Efforts Stronger
With a Consumer Advocacy Outreach grant, your association can apply for up to $25,000 to engage with a powerful collective of consumers in your community and advocate for public policy issues that impact homeownership and property rights. Grants are reviewed by the Consumer Advocacy Outreach Advisory Board on the first Tuesday of each month. The requesting association is required to present for five minutes. Contact Erin Murphy at 202-383-1079 to chat about what you’re working on or start filling out the application.

NAR Research and Press Releases

Commercial Weekly: Florida’s Hot Rental Market Leads to Highest Share of Cost-burdened Renters
Apartment asking rents are rising at a double-digit pace in 35% of 390 metro areas, according to NAR’s analysis of asking rent data in those areas.
By Scholastica (Gay) Cororaton

Distribution of Housing Wealth Across Income Groups from 2010–2020
High-income homeowners accounted for 71% of the increase in value of owner-occupied housing from 2010 through 2020.
By Scholastica (Gay) Cororaton

The Impact of Russia-Ukraine Tensions on the U.S. Housing Market
Any decline in international real estate transactions will have little direct impact on the U.S. housing market. Russian foreign buyers account for less than 1% of foreign buyer purchases, and overall, foreign buyers account for about 2% of existing-home sales.
By Scholastica (Gay) Cororaton

Commercial Weekly: Industrial Availability Rate Further Declines
As of March 4, 2022, industrial supply continues to lag demand, and logistic space continues to make up the majority of supply at 89%.
By Brandon Hardin

Racial Disparities in Homeownership Rates
As 2020 was one of the best years for the housing market, the U.S. homeownership rate climbed to 65.5%, up 1.3% from 2019. Although the homeownership rate for Black Americans also increased to 43.3%, it is still lower than a decade ago.
By Brandi Snowden and Nadia Evangelou

RPAC Fundraising

Training Webinar: Corporate Ally Program
Do you know how the Corporate Ally Program works to benefit your association and the real estate industry? Join us on Tuesday, March 15 at 3:00pm Eastern to learn about the benefits of the Corporate Ally Program, recruitment strategies, and how the program can help you meet your fundraising goals. Click here to register or contact Liz Demorest at 202-383-1061.

2022 President’s Circle
The 2022 President’s Circle program launched its first round on January 11, which consisted of the four National Party Committees and the opportunity for FPCs to invest $500 to the re-election campaign for their Member of Congress. The RPAC President’s Circle Conference takes place this month, February 24-27. For more information on President’s Circle, contact Avery Walker at 202-383-1268.

RPAC Major Investor Recognition Deadlines
Make sure you and your members are recognized as RPAC Major Investors by the April, October, and December deadlines! Click here for all dates and important details. These are HARD deadlines to submit RPAC investments to the NAR Finance Office. For questions about RPAC transmittal deadlines, contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029 or Debbie Frey at 312-329-8565.

Key Dates

May 1–6, 2022
REALTORS® Legislative Meetings

Brad Ward
GAD Chair
Michigan REALTORS®

I have two big announcements for this month’s GADFly. I’m pleased to announce that NAR staff has locked down the location of the 2023 GAD Institute. I’m also excited to announce the release of the GAD Candidate Interview Samples submitted by state and local associations over the last several weeks.

The 2023 GAD Institute will be held at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, Michigan. We look forward to hosting all of you in Detroit! The city has such a rich history and a great story to tell about its comeback through investments in economic development, historic preservation, public transportation, placemaking, and urban farming. The hotel is centrally located, providing easy travel to shops, museums, stadiums, restaurants, and yes, bars.

I want to extend a big thank you to everyone who submitted a sample of their candidate interview materials. These materials have been incorporated into a PDF document for easy reference and include sample questions and answers, as well as interview best practices. I hope this helps as we continue through this election year. If you are interested in adding your materials to the compiled document, feel free to send them to me at bward@mirealtors.com. The document will be posted to the GAD Facebook page and is available for download here.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in May. As a reminder, GAD Night Out is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4th, followed the next day by our GAD Meeting, professional development, and state and local breakout sessions.
There are a lot of great professional development opportunities headed your way this year. As always, please feel free to reach out to myself, Vice Chair Josh Dix, or any member of the GAD Advisory Group if you need anything.

GADFly Newsletter – March 2022