Correcting the Record
American real estate is the envy of the world and a shining example of the potential of our nation’s free market system. Considering the fight being waged against our industry in some corners of the country, though, you wouldn’t always know that’s the case.
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By the Numbers
Five members of the Supreme Court, a majority, ruled that the Centers for Disease Control lacked the authority to implement a blanket, nationwide eviction moratorium. The justices stopped short of lifting the moratorium before it expires on July 31, but the ruling indeed represents a victory for property rights in America. In May, in a case brought by the Georgia and Alabama Associations of REALTORS® and supported by NAR, a federal judge ruled the ban was unlawful but kept the moratorium in place pending an ongoing appeal.
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Recent NAR data shows the average down payment for homebuyers is just 12%. Although many Americans continue to overestimate the amount of money they need to bring to the table to purchase a home, NAR is working to educate consumers about the multitude of options available to help buyers get their foot in the door on their first home. And the messages are getting through to younger buyers. Americans aged 22 to 30 put down an average of just 6%, while those between 31 and 40 bring an average of 10% to the closing table.
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Existing home sales are up nearly 23% compared to a year ago as home sellers continue looking to take advantage of some of the highest U.S. home prices on record and available housing inventory increases slightly. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says that supply has modestly improved in recent months due to “more housing starts and existing homeowners listing their homes,” which he said has resulted in “an uptick in sales.”
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The Protecting the Right to Organize Act was the focus of a hearing last month in the U.S. Senate. Although parts of the bill face steep resistance on Capitol Hill, NAR’s advocacy team remains engaged with lawmakers on policies that could target the independent contractor status of millions of Americans. NAR is also working in Washington to highlight how crucial the independent contractor classification is to the real estate industry. Around 87% of NAR’s 1.4 million members are independent contractors, most of whom choose this classification.
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The REALTOR® Party At Work
Highlighted here are a few of the many REALTOR® Party success stories across the nation. These and others are cataloged in the Success Stories section on REALTORParty.realtor.
Kentucky REALTORS® Host Weeklong Virtual Treasure Hunt to Spur RPAC Investment
The Kentucky REALTORS® Association got creative last fall as it sought to engage members during RPAC Appreciation Month. KYR RPAC partnered with its YPN Committee to develop a virtual treasure hunt they called “I Spy with My Little YPN.” The week-long event attracted new investment and has paved the way for future member events like it.
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Texas REALTORS® Tackle Texas-Sized Property-Tax Information Campaign, Educating Consumers and Encouraging Advocacy
Texas REALTORS® has been working to reform the state’s property tax system for decades. Following years of effort and a major Issues Mobilization campaign supported by the REALTOR® Party, one of the state association’s heaviest legislative lifts was finally rewarded with the 2019 passage of the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act. The group received two Consumer Advocacy Grants from the REALTOR® Party that helped support an education campaign called “You Deserve to Know,” which promotes access to the user-friendly, pro-taxpayer tools that each county is required to produce and maintain.
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REALTORS® Association of Maui Launches CFA to Safeguard Affordable Housing Policy
The REALTORS® Association of Maui stepped up earlier this year after a well-intended bill approved by the County Council threatened to undermine affordable housing development. The bill sought to alter the way the state’s ‘fast tracking’ for affordable housing is administered in Maui County, but the association’s research determined that the actual effect would be to reduce affordable housing production by making it unfriendly to developers. With a member and consumer Call For Action supporting the mayor’s veto of the bill, the REALTORS® helped steer housing policy back on track.
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Resources & Opportunities
Placemaking Grants Helping REALTORS® Rebuild, Refresh Communities.
NAR encourages state and local REALTOR® Associations to partner with groups in their communities to make their cities, towns, and neighborhoods better places to live. Placemaking Grants are offered to help fund the creation of new public spaces and destinations, and have been put to good use in over 400 communities nationwide over the past 7 years.
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Grants Address Broadband, Zoning, and More
A new Rural Outreach Grant is now available to fund advocacy initiatives related to broadband, open space preservation, infrastructure challenges, and more. Associations can explore a newly revised Rural Outreach site for detailed information on rural issues and select a time to meet virtually with staff to evaluate strategies for addressing challenges unique to rural communities.
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Build Smarter, Stronger Communities
Smart growth focuses on finding new and creative approaches to make America’s communities more livable, sustainable, and financially viable. Your association 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.
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The Search is Over! Be Found with a Top-level Domain
Set yourself apart and set your business up for exponential growth with a .realtor™ or .realestate domain that separates you from the pack and clearly positions your brand as a cut above the competition. Claim your name and up your game today at get.realtor!
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Interactive REALTOR® Party Resource Guide
Get the latest updates and information on advocacy grants, programs, resources, and educational opportunities with the Interactive REALTOR® Party Resource Guide. A new design, dynamic search functions, and integrated Realtor Party Tracker data offer a complete view of the REALTOR® Party at work in communities nationwide. Bookmark this invaluable online resource today.
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