Memphis Association Uses Game Changer Grant to Reduce Blight and Put Urban Farming to Work on Vacant Lots
The 3,100-member Memphis Area Association of REALTORS® (MAAR) is determined to fight the blight that is overwhelming a number of its urban neighborhoods. Thanks to an NAR Game Changer Grant, MAAR is now partnering with the mayor’s office on what seems like a “win-win-win-win” solution: a...
St. Charles REALTORS® (MO) Help Elect Real-Estate Friendly Board of Aldermen; Re-Electing One of Their Own, As Well
Five years ago, the climate for business and real estate in Wentzville, MO (an hour’s drive from St. Louis) was not good. Since then, the 1,200-member St. Charles County Association of REALTORS® helped bring positive change for homeowners and the housing industry in Wentzville – by changing...
Prince George’s County (MD) Association Wins Compromise on Real Estate Recordation Tax With Multi-Media Campaign
Early in 2012, when their county council proposed easing its budget woes by increasing the real estate recordation tax – for the second year in row – the Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS® took action. After attempts to negotiate a fairer solution didn’t work out, it turned...
Denver Metro Association Grows Employer-Assisted Housing Idea from Grant to Class to Program
The 4,500-member Denver Metro Association of REALTORS® (DMAR) realized that Employer-Assisted Housing was a topic that would serve both the membership and the community, so they applied for and received a $5,000 grant from NAR to fund a course in October 2010. Then, they took it to the next step...
Indiana Association Helps Elect Five REALTOR® Champions to Statewide Offices
January 2013 It’s always helpful to have a REALTOR® in the house…not to mention REALTOR® Champions in the state Senate and attorney general’s office! In Indiana last year, five campaigns that received support from NAR’s Campaign Services division swept to victory, assuring...
Delaware Association Uses Smart Growth Grant to Launch “Complete Communities” Summit
Delaware, the second-smallest – but sixth most-densely populated – state in the nation, has a vested interest in the concept of smart growth. Leaders of the 3,000-member Delaware Association of REALTORS®, in conjunction with state government leaders began brainstorming about creating a master...
Coalition of Los Angeles REALTOR® Associations Keeps Transfer Tax Increase Off the Ballot
Last spring, when the City of Los Angeles proposed solving its $230 million fiscal year budget deficit by doubling the documentary transfer tax rate to $9 per $1,000 of assessed value, REALTORS® took action –...
Miami Association Creates Advocacy Team with Game Changer Grant
With 26,000 members, the Miami Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI,) has the potential to wield a lot of power in the political advocacy arena, but it was having trouble getting members involved. So, in March of 2012, MIAMI came up with a game-changing plan. The association applied for and won a...
REALTOR® Candidate Training Academy Helps Groom REALTOR® Champions for Public Office
One new program that is sure to spawn a multitude of its own Success Stories is the REALTOR® Candidate Training Academy, developed and offered by NAR’s Campaign Services Division. This intensive one-day training session provides a comprehensive overview of what it takes to run for an elected...
Midwestern Ohio Association Uses Grant to Turn Pig Roast and Auction into Successful RPAC Fundraiser
When you’re small, it helps to be resourceful, creative, and well-connected. It also doesn’t hurt to have access to a few pick-up trucks, professional auctioneers, and someone willing to roast a pig. The 460-member Midwestern Ohio Association of REALTORS® (MOAR) proved this in 2012, by...