In This Issue…
- Save the Dates: Upcoming Advocacy Events & Webinars
- Advocacy Resources
- RPAC & Political Fundraising News
- NAR’s Economic Outlook
GADFly Distribution Date Change
Please note the GADFly distribution date will change from the first Thursday of the month to the last Thursday of the month. The next GADFly will be distributed on January 31, 2019. If you have questions, please contact Tiane Harrison.
Save the Dates: Upcoming Advocacy Events & Webinars
Dec. 11, 12:00 PM EST: Candidate & Issue Campaign Training Webinar 1: NAR’s Independent Expenditure Program
This webinar is open to all, but is required for those registered for the Candidate & Issue Campaign Training Course. Learn about the process, procedures, and expectations when your association undertakes an Independent Expenditure (IE) campaign with NAR. Hear from Minnesota REALTORS®’ Christine Berger about how they have successfully used an IE for candidate elections. Speakers include NAR’s Mitchell Norton and Christine Berger.
Dec. 12, 1:00 PM EST: State Blockchain Legislative Initiatives and How They Could Impact the Real Estate Industry Webinar
In this 90-minute, two-part webinar, learn (i) the basics of blockchain technology and its potential applications in the real estate industry, and (ii) key components of current statewide blockchain legislation as well as how to identify terminology and address provisions in the legislation that could affect the roles of brokers and other third parties in real estate transactions. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski or 202-383-1068.
Dec. 18, 1:00 PM EST: State Remote Notary Legislation Webinar
In 2019, at least 23 states will consider legislation to enable consumers to use remote notary technology, a critical technology in creating a completely digital real estate transaction. Join NAR and Michael Chodos, general counsel at Notarize, a remote notary provider, to learn about remote notary, what state legislation may look like, who supports and opposes this legislation, and answers to any questions you may have. For more information, contact Melanie Wyne.
Feb. 28 – Mar. 1, 2019: 2019 New GAD & AE Orientation
Registration is now open for NAR’s 1.5 day Advocacy Orientation for New GADs & AEs scheduled for Feb. 28 – Mar. 1, 2019 at the NAR offices in Washington, D.C. This orientation is open to GADs and AEs without GADs who have been in their role for 18 months or less and would like to learn the basics of the REALTOR® Party programs, and how these programs can be used to qualify for Core Standards requirements, in addition to NAR’s grassroots, lobbying and policy efforts at all levels of government. Review programmatic details, qualifications, and registration information. For more information, contact Kyle Lambert London.
Advocacy Resources
Candidate & Issue Campaign Training (CICT) Webinars Begin Next Week
Planning to support a local candidate or issue in 2019? If so, join us for the Candidate & Issue Campaign Training course. This hybrid webinar/in-person course consists of a ten-part, monthly webinar series leading to an intensive, in-person, 1.5 day training held April 10 – 11, 2019, at the NAR offices in Chicago. Monthly webinars are free of charge and open to all association staff members. Space is however limited for the full CICT certificate course. The full certificate course is $99. REGISTER NOW!Visit our website for program details or contact Kyle Lambert London or John Winston.
Issues Mobilization Program Resources
The 2019 budget year is underway, and NAR is accepting applications for Issues Mobilization grants. Whether you’re advocating on housing affordability, remote notarization, association health plans, or any other state/local REALTOR® issue, NAR is available to help. To maximize the assistance we can provide, please reach out to NAR as early as possible. Learn more about the Issues Mobilization Program, including the grant application form, guidance document, and committee meeting schedule and application deadline list. For more information, contact Joe Maheady at 202-383-1006 or John Winston at 202-383-1235.
New Short-Term Rental Resources
State legislatures are modifying their laws to accommodate the influx of short-term rentals. At least 8 states have adopted preemption laws on local regulations. More than 30 states have tax collection rates that are more than 5 percent. Short-term rental regulations will continue to be a hot topic for state and local governments. Review these Advocacy Tips to Protect the Right to Rent in case this issue comes up in your community, and compare state regulations and tax rates for short-term rentals. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068.
New Real Estate Sign Regulations after Reed: Analysis and Strategic Guidance for REALTORS® Paper
Signs are critical to the real estate industry. The display of real estate signs is subject to the requirements of local governments that can change the rules. This new Guidance Paper will help you (i) understand the extent to which local governments can control or restrict real estate signs and (ii) how to work with local governments to be Reed-compliant while allowing for real estate signage. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068.
2019 State REALTOR® Association Legislative Priority Survey Results
We had a 98 percent response rate to the survey. Thank you for sharing your priorities with us! Among the top issues prioritized by associations were: professionalism or licensing, affordable housing, and tax reform. Check out the results of the 2019 State REALTOR® Association Legislative Priority Survey Results by state, by region, and by issue. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068.
What REALTORS® Need to Know About the New Tax Law
Check out the new video series with Evan Liddiard, NAR’s Director of Federal Tax Policy, and Peter Baker of the Business Planning Group, which gives an overview of 2018’s new tax laws. The series offers guidance for individuals and families filing tax returns, the tax incentives of owning a home, as well as business tax changes for real estate professionals.
Fair Housing Beyond the Commemoration
As we conclude our commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, please continue to utilize the materials and resources on www.FairHousing.realtor to help your members expand their knowledge about how this important law enhances our industry and communities. Remember, fair housing makes us stronger! For more information, contact Wendy Penn at 202-383-7504.
RPAC & Political Fundraising News
Dec. 19: Year-End RPAC Transmittal Deadline
The final deadline is quickly approaching for individuals to be recognized as NAR RPAC Major Investors and for associations to receive credit toward their 2018 fundraising goals. NAR requires that all funds, with appropriate back-up documentation, be received in the Chicago Finance office by close of business on Wednesday, December 19. For more information regarding RPAC deadlines, click here or contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029.
Dec. 19, Jan. 31: RPAC Hall of Fame Deadlines
The RPAC Hall of Fame eligibility deadline is December 19. Eligible members and staff must meet the $25,000 minimum threshold by the end of the previous fundraising year. The deadline for the nomination form to be submitted to NAR by the state is January 31, 2019. Click here to access the guidelines and nomination form. For questions regarding the Hall of Fame or to verify an investment history total, contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029.
Jan. 7: National RPAC Fundraising Goal – State Deadline
States were asked to submit their 2019 National RPAC Fundraising Goals in November. State GADS – please note that states have until January 7 to revise your goal to ensure it is higher than the total the state raised in 2018 in order to qualify for recognition in 2019. For questions regarding the goal or to revise your state’s goal, contact Lauren Facemire at 202-383-1080.
- Video: October Contract Signings Continue to Fall – Contract signings were down for the 10th consecutive month, due to rising interest rates and increased housing prices in the west region, according to NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun.
- Pending Home Sales Slip 2.6 Percent in October – Pending home sales decreased 2.6 percent in October. NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun attributes the recent rise in mortgage rates to the reduction in eligible homebuyers.
- Existing-Home Sales Increase for the First Time in Six Months – Existing-home sales increased in October after six straight months of decreases.
- REALTORS® Confidence Index – REALTORS® report “interest rates” and “low inventory” as the major issues affecting transactions in October 2018.
- Mortgage Debt Nears a Pre-Crash High, but that’s No Cause for Concern – The aggregate mortgage debt outstanding today is roughly the same today as a decade ago, at $10.3 trillion. Yet the aggregate valuation of homes rose from $18.6 trillion to the current $29 trillion. A new high in mortgage debt is not worrisome.
For more information on NAR’s Economic Outlook, contact Meredith Dunn at 202-383-1207.
Message from the GAD Chair
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Matthew Leger
GAD Chair
REALTORS® of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale
With the 2018 REALTORS® Conference & Expo behind us, a couple thank you’s are in order. At our Government Affairs Director’s Meeting, we had the privilege of two very special guests — Jerry Giovaniello and Shannon McGahn. On behalf of the GAD Community, thank you Jerry for your years of service to our industry. You’ve been a rock star for so long within the REALTOR® organization and your knowledge will be missed. Shannon, welcome to the REALTOR® family! I think you will find you have an eager group of both state and local GADs who are ready to help you bring the REALTOR® Party to the next level. Also, thank you to all the GADs who serve on NAR committees who provided valuable feedback to our group.
Speaking of looking forward and bringing the REALTOR® Party to the next level, last week at the REALTOR® Party Training Conference in Minneapolis, NAR announced its 2019 Federal Policy Priorities. The priorities were developed following a process that included feedback from the Public Policy Coordinating Committee and results of the 2018 NAR Member Survey. They are as follows: Infrastructure, Federal Taxation, Access to Credit, Flood Insurance, Health Insurance, and Technology. For more information, please visit the NAR’s Political Advocacy page.
And somewhere in between those two meetings, we had a little thing called …. Elections! Great job by Gerry Allen, NAR staff, and all the local and state GADs for providing live updates on the REALTOR® Party Campaign Coverage Page. With a record 1.1 million REALTOR’s registered to vote, we had another successful election cycle.
And lastly, if you have some free time this month and want to enhance your knowledge on issues affecting the industry, register for the webinars highlighted to your left.
I hope you all get the chance to relax and spend the holidays with your friends, family, and loved ones — get some rest and let’s come back ready to rock in 2019!
Thank you,
Matthew
SAVE THE DATE
- 2019 Candidate and Issue Campaign Training
Registration is open for the 10-part webinar series leading to April 10 – 11, 2019 in-person training - Advocacy Orientation for New GADs & AEs
Feb. 28 – Mar. 1, 2019 - 2019 GAD Institute
July 16 – 18, 2019
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