In This Issue…
Dates & Deadlines
Sept. 13-14: New GAD & AE Advocacy Orientation
Are you new to the REALTOR® organization or do you have a staff person who is? Registration will open at the end of the month for the third New Government Affairs Director (GAD) & Association Executive (AE) Advocacy Orientation of 2018 in Washington, D.C. Receive a comprehensive overview of the activities surrounding, and key staff members involved with, REALTOR® advocacy efforts. Visit our website for info on expenses covered by NAR and criteria to attend as well as for a sample agenda. Questions? Contact Kyle Lambert London.
Sept. 21: Park(ing) Day is Coming – Shake Things Up in Your Community
Park(ing) Day is a worldwide event that takes place the third Friday in September. By temporarily converting a parking space into a people spot, or parklet, you can encourage creative placemaking, and initiate discussions on creating more open and green spaces in urban areas. Take a look at some photos from previous years and see if taking over a parking space will turn people’s heads and open up the possibilities in your community. It may lead to a permanent parklet which can be funded with a Placemaking Grant. Read more in the Spaces to Places blog to Get Ready for Park(ing) Day. For more information, contact Holly Moskerintz at 202-383-1157.
Oct. 1: Placemaking Grant Deadline
Please note that the deadline to apply for a 2018 Placemaking Grant is October 1. The Grant provides funding for up to $3,000 for the creation of new public spaces and destinations in a community such as pocket parks, trails and gardens. Before applying, give staff a call to discuss your project to see if it meets the grant criteria. Read about placemaking and the grant at www.realtorparty.realtor/placemaking or contact Holly Moskerintz
2018 GAD Institute
We hope to see you at the 2018 GAD Institute in Portland, Oregon from July 17 – 19! Some of the highlights to look for if you are going include….
- Onsite registration and program pick-up will be open on Monday from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm, then each day throughout the Institute.
- Check your registration confirmation to see if you registered for Pre-Conference classes. There are six offerings and they include training on the PAC Management System, Online Advocacy for states and locals, a Hands-On Lobbying course, and a Legislative Writing workshop. If you did pre-register, please attend the class. It will be worth your while!
- Two new items this year include:
- Award-winning, Best of Portland, walking tours on both Monday and Tuesday evenings. NAR has negotiated a special rate for our attendees (and guests) to provide a flavor of Portland, its economic drivers and current issues; and
- GADs Give Back to give back to our host city and provide fashion and super hero dolls to children at Randall Children’s Hospital.
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- Download the Institute App. It will contain information on the sessions, speakers, your fellow attendees, and places to explore in Portland.
- Lastly, throughout the Institute, please use the hashtag #GAD2018 to tag your photos and updates in social media. We are building our social media presence to let your colleagues and members know the value you bring back to your association and the industry through this annual, professional development experience!
For more information, contact Kyle Lambert London.
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Territorial Jurisdiction Policy and Association Maps Available
In November
2017 the NAR Board of Directors passed a new policy to assist state and local associations in determining how advocacy resources should be accounted for where associations share political jurisdictions. The new Advocacy Territorial Jurisdictions Policy applies when state or local associations are making use of REALTOR® Party resources for advocacy activity or any other uses of a state or local associations advocacy funds. Staff has created a webpage to answer any questions you may have regarding Advocacy Territorial Jurisdiction, including a copy of the policy, and FAQ document describing questions that have been asked regarding the policy, and a new local association maps for each state. The maps show the NAR recorded territories for all local associations in the country, broken down by U.S. Congressional Districts, as well as the respective state House and Senate districts for each state. For more information, contact Gerry Allen at 202-383-1109.
FPC Stipend Invoices Past Due
FPC Stipend Invoices were due July 2, 2018. We will give a grace period and except outstanding invoices through July 9, 2018. Please email your invoice to govcpapay@nar.realtor and copy Victoria Givens. As a reminder, a stipend of up to $1,000 per FPC is provided for costs incurred to travel to Washington, D.C. for the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Any FPC, not otherwise reimbursed by their state or local association (for example: member of the Board of Directors or Leadership), is eligible to apply for the stipend. The reimbursement process is the same as in previous years: FPCs, following state reimbursement rules, should file their expense report with the state immediately after the RLMTE. States should aggregate each FPC expense report and submit one invoice to NAR for the entire state FPC delegation that attended the meetings and are requesting the stipend. The invoice should list the name of each FPC requesting assistance, and the amount requested for each FPC.
Campaign Services Timeline
It’s that time of year again. Election Day is fast approaching, and REALTOR® Champions are running for office all over the country. As a friendly reminder, if you want to help any of your REALTOR®-friendly candidates, below are the timelines for different kinds of campaign activity.
- Direct Mail and Online Ads: Approval six weeks prior to the election.
- Persuasion Phone Calls: Approval two weeks prior to the election.
If you’re interested in supporting a REALTOR® Champion in your city, county, state, etc., contact Mitchell Norton at 202-383-1091.
State Issues Tracker (statutes) – State Mortgage Interest Deduction
Over the past year, two states made amendments to their mortgage interest deduction. Iowa made major amendments to the state’s income tax code, including eliminating the deduction of IRC section 25 mortgage credit certificate interest, thereby aligning Iowa with the federal-return mortgage interest deduction provisions. And, a 2017 Kansas law increases the state mortgage interest deduction from its current amount of 50% of the federal deduction to 75% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2019, and to 100% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2020. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068.
State Legislative Monitor
California is considering bills that would impact local government zoning regulations in efforts to create more affordable housing. CA AB 2162 would require supportive housing be a use by right in zones where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted. Whereas CA AB 828, would prohibit prior underproduction of housing by changing the methodology local governments use in calculating housing needs. A bill moving in Pennsylvania (HB 1001) would implement licensure type regulations on home inspectors.
CORRECTION FROM JUNE 2018 GADFLY: It was reported that adopted Tennessee bill (HB 1020) was for a two-year period. There is no timeline for preemption of local bans for short-term rentals. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068.
FPC Quarterly Field Report Tool
Each quarter, Federal Political Coordinators are required to file at least one field report describing any interactions they had with their Member of Congress or Senator. NAR has created a new tool for you to generate the field report tally on the FPCs in your state at any time. Simply follow the step-by-step process or contact Victoria Givens.Association Health Plans: Next Steps
NAR is engaged with outside consultants and partners to determine what the association can potentially offer members now that independent contractors are eligible to participate in association health plans under a federal rule released last month. More in the latest Voice for Real Estate news video from NAR.
Association Health Plans: Next Steps
NAR is engaged with outside consultants and partners to determine what the association can potentially offer members now that independent contractors are eligible to participate in association health plans under a federal rule released last month. More in the latest Voice for Real Estate news video from NAR.
Share your Fair Housing Story
How is your association commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act? We want to hear about it. Share your story for a chance to be featured on the Showcase Stories page. Need some inspiration? Visit FairHousing.realtor to access materials used during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings – including videos, PowerPoints, and scripts – that you can use to host your own Fair Housing Act presentation. Contact: Wendy Penn at 202-383-7504.
RPAC Fundraising News
Sept. 30: 2018 President’s Circle Deadline
Three of the four President’s Circle rounds have launched for 2018, with the fourth and final round launching later this summer. The full $2,000 investment is due by September 30, 2018, but please encourage your members not to wait to complete their commitment in this important election year! View the current President’s Circle Roster online.
Contact: Lauren Facemire, 202-383-1080 or Kanoa Naehu, 202-383-1268
Aug. 1: RPAC Training Webinar: RPAC Messaging
Want to learn tips for sharing RPAC information and making “the ask?” Please join Liz Demorest, RPAC Fundraising Manager, Wednesday, August 1 at 3:00 pm EST for a webinar that will review best practices and strategies for RPAC communications. Click here to register.
Contact: Liz Demorest, 202-383-1030
NAR’s Economic Outlook
- Infographic: Investment &Vacation Home Buyers 2018 – 72% of vacation property owners and 71% of investment property owners believe now is a good time to buy.
- Commercial Real Estate International Business Trends – Thirty-four percent of REALTORS® who responded to the survey expect international buying activity to increase in 2018.
- Pending Home Sales Inch Back 0.5 Percent in May – Pending home sales decreased modestly in May and have now fallen on an annualized basis for the fifth straight month.
- Infographic: HOME Survey June 2018 – Forty-nine percent of renters, and 78% of homeowners, think it’s a good time to buy. People in the West are most likely to think that it’s a good time to sell.
- Existing-Home Sales Backpedal, Decrease 0.4 Percent in May – Existing-home sales fell back for the second straight month in May, as only the Northeast region saw an uptick in activity.
For more information on NAR’s Economic Outlook, contact Meredith Dunn at 202-383-1207.
Message from the GAD Chair
Cady Thomas
GAD ChairNorth Carolina Association of REALTORS®
As I begin, I would like to recognize and thank Jerry Giovaniello for his years of dedication, hard work, and service to NAR and the real estate industry. Jerry, you have served our industry, members, and those whom may never know you, with great honor and dignity. You are widely respected in D.C., on the Hill and by GAD Nation. We have learned from you and will carry on the mission in our respective boards, hopefully, with your same integrity and professionalism. Enjoy retirement and thank you!
The GAD Institute is right around the corner, and has sold out for the first-time ever! Thank you all for taking the time and spending your resources to attend. As you pack your suitcase, please remember to bring the following:
- An action figure or fashion doll for the inaugural GADs Give Back initiative for Portland Randall Children’s Hospital, or the money to run to Target near the hotel.
- Business Cards: This is a networking and an award opportunity.
- Your major investor pin, pledge, or check for RPAC!
It is also my hope that you will bring an open mind, willingness to speak up, and the energy to participate. Brush up on your Portland knowledge, and I look forward to seeing you soon!
What we do would not be possible without the tremendous efforts of NAR Leadership and staff. I cannot sing their praises enough but – Bob Goldberg, Bill Malkasian, Jerry Giovaniello, Jamie Gregory, Susie Helm, Joe Ventrone, Gerry Allen, Kyle Lambert-London, Beth Brittingham, John DiBiase, Scott Reiter, Vanessa Lopez, Tiane Harrison, Jim MacGregor, Melissa Horn, Ted Wright, Joe Maheady, Joe Molinaro, Mitchell Norton, John Winston, Lauren Facemire, the lobbyists, the political representatives, the policy staff, the community outreach and communications staff, and everyone who works so hard for us. Thank you for all you do, the personal assistance you’ve given me, and your support of me and all the GADs. We are #blessed beyond measure.
Finally, this is my last GADFly message as my term as Chair concludes. This year has been amazing, rather, amazingly fun, difficult, enlightening, educational, and intense. We have seen a lot of changes at NAR and within our GAD community. It is my hope that each of you learned something at one of our professional development sessions and will learn a great deal at the Institute. Additionally, I hope you have made better connections and grew in your roles.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Chair.
Sincerely,
Cady
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REALTOR® Party!
SAVE THE DATE
REALTOR® Party New GAD and AE Orientation (Fall)
September 13 – 14, 2018
Washington, D.C.
Registration opens late July
November 2 – 5, 2018
Boston, Massachusetts
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®
500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-2020
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