Nationwide housing inventory is lower than itās been since the National Association of RealtorsĀ® began tracking this data in 1982.Ā To continue its work to address a problem that has long plagued American communities and has been worsened by COVID-19, NAR this week released new research arguing that the nationās affordability crisis will require policymakers to adopt a number of localized solutions. The paper, State and Local Policy Strategies to Advance Housing Affordability, recommends lawmakers pursue solutions through three key avenues: financial policy measures; policies aimed at increasing the supply of housing and zoning; and permitting policy reform.
Capitol Hill Day Checklist
Gathering the Troops Who will be attending? What districts are they connected to? Do they know any legislators or staff? Preparing Your Advocates Have they advocated before? How comfortable are they with it? Do they understand the basic skills (know what they want, who theyāre talking to, how to talk to them and how to follow-up)? How will you be sure they gain those skills if needed? How will you gather the information you need to know about your legislators? How will you share that information with your advocates (Conference call? Meeting?) Creating the Stories & Messages Have you asked...
Los Angeles Area REALTORSĀ® Move Quickly to Win City Council Special Election
Four local REALTORĀ® Associations in California, fortified with campaign resources from NAR, banded together to run a successful campaign electing REALTORĀ® Champion Joe Buscaino to the Los Angeles City Council. The Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena Foothills and South Bay Associations all worked together to turn this special election into a REALTORĀ® Party win. Polling, advertising and an abundance of local grassroots support helped us āmake the deal,ā said James W. Litz, government affairs director for the Los Angeles Association. āThe amazing part was that this campaign took place over the Christmas/New Year holiday, and the REALTORĀ® Party...
Washington State REALTORSĀ® Score Victory in Edmonds Mayorās Race
Seven months before the recent mayoral race in Edmonds, Washington, the REALTORĀ® candidate was trailing by about 11 points in the polls. Reaching out to NARās Campaign Services Department, the state association developed a plan and secured the support they needed. REALTORĀ® Champion Dave Earling came out victorious in November by more than 65 percent. Through polling, direct mail, automated phone calls and a customized campaign strategy, NAR and the Washington Association worked together to bring about success.
Nashville Young Professionals Raise Serious RPAC Funds at Governor’s Mansion Event
In Tennessee, the Young Professionals Network leadership demonstrated unequivocally that the industry's youngest members are not just about light-hearted happy hours: They can take on serious issues and raise serious funds ā and put on a great party while doing so! The Greater Nashville Association of REALTORSĀ®' YPN chapter hosted a fundraiser this spring at the Tennessee Governor's Mansion, bringing together REALTORSĀ® from across the state in a prestigious setting, and raised approximately $35,000 for RPAC.
Kansas REALTORSĀ® Save Mortgage Interest Deduction for Stateās Itemizers
Late in the spring of 2012, in a heated and hard-fought legislative session rivaling any political intrigue that happens in Washington, the citizens of Kansas retained their ability to claim itemized tax deductions on their state tax returns, most notably their Mortgage Interest Deductions. The 7,500-member Kansas Association of REALTORSĀ® combined NARās Issues Mobilization services, along with their own funds and grassroots support to make that happen. The Kansas REALTORSĀ® fought the Governorās proposed āflat taxā plan that would have wiped away all itemized deductions, and they won ā by two votes.