GADFly Newsletter – August 2024

In This Issue

• Check out new resources available on written buyer agreements 
• NAR legislative priorities updated for August recess
• New federal low dollar fundraising program launches Wednesday, August 21
• Introducing Compliance Corner, to provide an overview of the most common compliance questions heard from GADs

Dates to Remember

• Aug 17: Practice Change Implementation Deadline
• Aug 20: GAD Preview:Low Dollar Fundraising Program Webinar, 3 PM ET
• Aug 28: All-GAD Call, 3 PM ET
• Sept. 5-6: New GAD Advocacy Orientation (Washington D.C.)
• Sept 11: Transforming Neighborhoods Webinar, 2 PM ET
• Sept 18: National Voter Registration Day
• Sept 18: Fair & Attainable Housing Ideas Forum Webinar, 2 PM ET

Chair’s Letter

GAD Nation,

Here we are on the other side of GAD Institute 2024. What an amazing week! I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with you, meeting and getting to know our newest GADs, and learning a LOT. Thank you to Washington and Spokane REALTORS® for being wonderful hosts and thank you to the tireless work of the NAR staff for putting on yet another successful Institute. To the 2023 GAD Advisory Group, led by the dynamic Brandon Alderete – you knocked it out of the park with exceptional content, speakers and expertise.

If you haven’t followed up with the GADs you exchanged contact information with or sent that email about a grant prospect – do it now. It is easy to get back into your normal routine and let those opportunities fall to the wayside. GAD Nation is a remarkable networking hub and think tank. And to top it off, GADs ‘get’ each other like no one else can. Take advantage, you won’t regret it.

As we move forward now, your Vice Chair, Neeley Erickson and I are finalizing our review of GAD AG applications for the 2024-2026 positions. We will announce those appointments soon. For all that applied, you rightfully did not make this easy for us! Stay tuned for the announcement.

If you are attending GAD Orientation in Washington, D.C. next month – Neeley and I will see you there. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to connect with me (my info is below) – I’m always happy to hear from this group.

À la prochaine fois! (until next time!)

Lacey Everett
(317) 525-2234
laceyeverett@mibor.com

What You Need to Know

NEW: Written Buyer Agreement Resource

NAR has long promoted written buyer agreements because they benefit consumers by clearly and transparently outlining the services a real estate professional will provide and how they are compensated. Currently, 25 states have enacted laws on written buyer agreements, with a significant number of these states passing legislation related to buyer agreements in just the past 18 months.

As states consider adding or updating legislation regarding written buyer agreements, this resource can help associations, members and policymakers understand what laws currently exist around the country and how such states are protecting consumers. This resource recognizes seven (7) major criteria common across the state legislation analyzed, summarizes how the legislation regulates buyer agreements to promote sound real estate practices and consumer protection, and provides exemplary language for each criteria selected directly from state law.

• State Groupings & Exemplar Language
• State Chart

Questions? Contact Drew Myers.

The NAR Advocacy team issued updated talking points and resources on legislative priorities for the August congressional district/state work period.

New priority bills include:

• Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act, which incentivizes the conversion of commercial buildings into residential units by providing a temporary investment tax credit.
• VA Housing Loan Forever Act, which allows certain descendants of veterans to take advantage of their unused VA home loan benefit.
• Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act, which encourages state and local governments to remove barriers to housing development.

Visit FlyIn.realtor to learn more about all of the solutions NAR is advocating for to increase access to homeownership, expand housing supply, and ensure access to professional representation.

GAD Preview: Low Dollar Fundraising Program Webinar

Join the NAR RPAC team on Tuesday, August 20th at 3pm ET, to learn more about the new low-dollar, direct-to-candidate program launching later this month. This is a preview for local and state government affairs directors – be sure to pre-register here.

2024 GAD Institute | Spokane by the Numbers

• 68 New GAD Attendees
• 304 Total Registered Attendees
• 23 Sessions
• 25 Lightning Round Tables
• 97 Speakers
• 4 Walking Tours
• $30,720 Raised for GADs Give Back

Thank you to everyone who attended the 40th anniversary GAD Institute and special thank you to the GAD Advisory Group who put the program together!

Compliance Corner

RPAC compliance can be tricky. That is why we have created the Compliance Corner to answer the most common questions asked. Each month Darby Thorne, Director of Political Compliance, will provide an overview of a different compliance topic. Remember, if you have specific questions, contact Darby Thorne and don’t forget that state law applies as well.

Solicitable class

Who are members of RPAC’s solicitable class?

• REALTORS®,
• Individual affiliate members of REALTOR® associations (subject to the association’s bylaws),
• Association executive and administrative staff,
  • Executive and administrative staff includes employees who are paid on a salary (rather than hourly) basis and who have policy-making, managerial, professional or supervisory responsibilities.
  • Independent contractors are not included.
• Families of all 3 groups.
  • This means immediate family members who live in the same household. Most of the time, this will apply to spouses.

Why does it matter?

These are the individuals you may solicit for RPAC contributions. Importantly, solicitation from the general public is prohibited. That is because RPAC is a “connected PAC” to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Questions? Contact Darby Thorne, Director of Political Compliance.

Compliance Corner is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter.

President’s Circle Registration

Registration for the 2025 President’s Circle Conference is now open to PC members who have completed their investments by July 31, 2024.

The conference registration schedule and the corresponding President’s Circle (PC) investment deadlines are below. All 2024 RPAC PC Investors & Platinum R Investors are invited to attend.

More information on the President’s Circle Conference can be found here. Questions? 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 – August 2024
• NAR Research releases 2024 Association Profile (Login Required)

Advocacy Scoop: Episode 6: Red is for Commercial

NAR is the largest commercial real estate organization with over 165,000 commercial members. This month’s episode dives into commercial real estate advocacy, from protecting 1031 like-kind exchanges to promoting opportunity zones. Listeners will learn about NAR’s fight against the “Ugly 11” tax measures and how we’re preserving property conversions.

FCC’s New AI Disclosure Regulation Moves Forward

The FCC voted 3-2 to move ahead with a proposed regulation requiring disclosure of artificial intelligence in political TV and radio ads. The proposed rule requires an on-air announcement, immediately preceding or during the airing of advertising containing AI, stating: “[The following] or [This] message contains information generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence.”

Questions? Contact Chris Christensen (202.383.1116)

Grants and Resources

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.

GAD Communications

NAR will post information on the GAD Facebook page and the GAD Hub group on upcoming events, important information and resources. Both of these groups are open for all GADs to ask questions of other GADs or NAR staff.

If you are not a member of these groups or have questions about the sites, email Jami Sims for assistance.

Revitalize Your Community: NAR Community Outreach Webinar

Join our webinar “Transforming Neighborhoods: Help Your Community Solve a Challenging Real Estate Problem” on September 11 at 2 PM ET. Learn how NAR’s partnership with CRE Consulting Corps can help tackle disinvestment, housing gaps, and more. Discover grant opportunities and learn about the application process.

Did You Engage with Your State Energy Office?

In March of this year, members of NAR’s Sustainability Advisory Group (SAG) provided information to state GADs about the Inflation Reduction Act and the opportunities that are presented in the law that would allow Realtor Associations to engage with their respective state energy offices to enable IRA resources flow to their state in a timely manner. The SAG is interested in following up with state GADs to determine if they used the information to engage with their energy office and if so, what was the nature of that interaction.

If you have used this content in some way, please contact Russell Riggs, Director of Environmental and Sustainability Policy.

Become a Community Partner for National Voter Registration Day

National Voter Registration Day is September 18! NAR encourages your association to fill out this form and host a voter registration event. As a partner, your REALTOR association can receive free stickers and posters, customized resources, and assistance in planning your celebration of the holiday. Sign up here.

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. August’s success stories include:

• Maryland REALTORS® Support State Housing Expansion and Affordability Act of 2024, Codifying Missing Middle Housing 
• Coalition Led by Missouri REALTORS® Achieves Major Legislative Goal: Statewide Authorization of Land Banks to Minimize Blight, Increase Homeownership 
• Land of Sky Association of REALTORS® Helps Buncombe County, North Carolina Identify Households Underserved by Broadband Connectivity 

Celebrating GAD Achievements

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

Congratulations to Justin Davidson and the rest of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® advocacy team on Governor Healey signing the Affordable Homes Act last week!

Upcoming NAR Events

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

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

2025 Advocacy Week | Washington D.C.
January 22-25. 2025 | Registration will open in early October.