GADFly Newsletter – May 2024

In This Issue

• Good news from VA official on addressing buyer agent payment ban
• GAD Institute is at capacity; but join the waitlist today
• June is National Homeownership Month, check out NAR’s resources for your association

Dates to Remember

• May 31: President’s Circle Initial Investment Deadline
• Jun 20: Homeownership Month Webinar, 2 PM ET
• Jun 26: All GAD Zoom Call, 3 PM ET
• Jul 16-18: GAD Institute (Spokane, WA)
• Jul 31: All GAD Zoom Call, 3 PM ET

Breaking News: VA Signals Temporary Suspension on Buyer Agent Payment Ban

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to temporarily lift its ban on buyers directly paying for professional real estate representation until the agency deems it necessary to engage in a formal rulemaking process, a VA official said this week at a Mortgage Bankers Association conference in New York.

Although not an official announcement, the comments from VA Deputy Director of Policy Michelle Corridon were met with relief from the real estate industry, as the VA’s home loan guaranty is the only loan program with this explicit prohibition.

What You Need to Know

Thank you all for your incredible interest in attending the 2024 GAD Institute in Spokane, WA. We’re excited to announce that we’ve reached capacity! Registration is now closed.

Join the Waitlist: If you didn’t register, don’t worry! You can still sign up for our waitlist. Should spots become available, we will notify those on the waitlist directly from GADInst@nar.realtor.

Questions? Contact Jami Sims (202.383.1221) or email GADInst@nar.realtor

GADs Give Back – Family Promise of Spokane

Starting in 2018 as an initiative for attendees to give back to the host city for the annual GAD Institute, we’re proud to continue this tradition for the 7th year. This year’s recipient is Family Promise of Spokane.

With family homelessness at crisis levels, Family Promise of Spokane continues to support their community and families working towards the goal to end child homelessness in Spokane County. Contribute to Family Promise of Spokane at our official GADs Give Back link today!

GAD Vice Chair Election

Announced at RLM’s All GAD Meeting, the candidate for GAD Vice Chair is:

Neeley Erickson, Illinois REALTORS®
Read Neeley’s candidate announcement here.

The election will occur at GAD Institute on Thursday, July 18 at 8:30 a.m. PT. If there are any questions about the election process, contact Jami Sims (202.383.1221).

National Homeownership Month

June is National Homeownership Month, when we raise awareness about the benefits of owning a home and the importance of making homeownership more attainable for all Americans. Check out the toolkit with resources for your members and associations. 

Homeownership Month Webinar: Association Partnerships Unlock Housing Opportunity for All on June 20th, 2PM EST

Explore how REALTOR® associations are maximizing Housing Opportunity Grants to expand housing access. Register today! Questions? Contact Christine Windle.

President’s Circle Important Deadline Approaches

Next Friday, May 31, is the President’s Circle initial investment deadline. Members are encouraged to make their first $500.00 investment by this date or risk removal from the President’s Circle program.

Last week, we announced President’s Circle Round 3, adding eight new REALTOR®️ Champions to our list. We encourage members to view the list and make their first investment before the deadline.

For questions, please contact Jenn Nguyen.

RPAC Major Investor Recognition Deadlines 

Make sure you and your members are recognized as RPAC Major Investors by the October and December deadlines! These are HARD deadlines to submit RPAC investments to the NAR Finance Office. For questions about RPAC transmittal deadlines, contact Jenn Nguyen (202.383.1268), or Debbie Frey (312.329.8565).

View the Major Investor Levels and Benefits.

#ICYMI

• REALTOR® Party News – May 2024
• Kevin Sears: Update from the Road at REALTORS® Legislative Meetings
• Advocacy Scoop Podcast Available Now
• FHA Increases Allowable Fees for Assumable Loans
• U.S. Supreme Court Determines CFPB Funding Structure is Constitutional
• FHA Confirms GSE’s Guidance on IPCs

Grants and Resources

Just Released: Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook

The Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook is a new road map for communities to effectively navigate their housing supply challenges, offering a menu of options that can be tailored by local stakeholders. Produced by the American Planning Association and the National League of Cities, the Playbook’s development was supported by NAR, the National Association of Home Builders, and the Mortgage Bankers Association. Questions? Contact Drew Myers (202.383.1072).

Consumer Advocacy Grants Still Available!

Apply today for a Consumer Advocacy Outreach grant. Read how associations used the grant: New Hampshire REALTORS® (housing development) and the New York Association of REALTORS®. The Consumer Advocacy Outreach Advisory Board will hear requests on June 4, July 9, and August 6. Applications are due a week before they meet. Questions? Contact Erin Murphy (202-383-1079).

Explore On Common Ground Magazine: Engaging the Community

Uncover strategies for crafting communities that foster economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and an improved quality of life. Read , subscribe and/or send to elected officials. Questions? Contact Hugh Morris and Hannah Dannenfelser.

GAD Directory

Don’t forget to update the GAD Directory! This ensures NAR has the latest contact information to share important updates and allows GADs to connect with each other about similar issues they may be facing.

REALTOR® Party Success Stories

Each month, state and local associations that achieved an advocacy win with the help of a REALTOR® Party grant or resources are highlighted in the REALTOR® Party Success Stories. May’s success stories include:

• Indiana Association of REALTORS® Wins Legislation Requiring Mandatory Buyer Agency Agreements for All Real Estate Licensees 
• Illinois REALTORS® and the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Conduct Campaign to Defeat Transfer Tax Referendum 
• Greater Piedmont REALTORS® (VA) Use Rural Outreach Grant for Onsite Septic Field 

Celebrating GAD Achievements

This session for Maryland REALTORS® was wildly successful with the passage of HB 538, the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024, which defined Middle Housing in statute, along with all four of their priority bills. In addition, they once again halted a tax on services bill from progressing past committee. Congratulations to Lisa May and Christa McGee of Maryland REALTORS®.

Submit your own victories or share your fellow GADs’ wins with Jami Sims to be included in future editions of GADFly. Don’t just move onto the next issue ahead; celebrate your wins, big and small! 

Upcoming NAR Events

Plan for NAR Events
Check out the list of 2024 events here to save the date for upcoming conferences.

GAD Institute (GADI) | Spokane, WA
July 16-18, 2024 | Waitlist Open

NAR NXT, THE REALTOR® Experience | Boston, MA
November 6-11, 2024 | Registration Open Now

2025 Advocacy Week | Washington D.C.
January 22-25. 2025 | Learn more here.