The City of Edmond, Oklahoma, just north of Oklahoma City, is already one of the state’s most costly areas to own a home. A new General Obligation (GO) Bond on the ballot would have made it even more expensive to own, rent, or buy there, so the Edmond Board of…...
North Bay Association of REALTORS® Defeats Real Property Transfer Tax
When the City of St. Helena, California was facing budget challenges last June, the City Council attempted to ‘solve’ its shortfall by increasing the real property transfer tax. In response, the North Bay Association of REALTORS® launched an energetic campaign to convince the voters to decline the tax increase, as…...
Wyoming REALTORS® Support Passage of Legislation to Create Separate Residential Property Tax Tier
Property values in Wyoming have skyrocketed in the past several years, taking residential property taxes right along with them. With help from an Issues Mobilization grant from the REALTOR® Party, Wyoming REALTORS® launched a campaign in support of adding a fourth tier to the state’s property classifications, separating residential properties…...
Oregon REALTORS® Conduct ‘People for an Affordable Oregon’ Campaign in Support of Key Housing Legislation
With insights gained from REALTOR® Party polling, Oregon REALTORS® launched an Issues Mobilization campaign to persuade legislators to approve critical legislation addressing the state’s ongoing housing and homelessness crises. The resulting passage of SB 1537 brings important land use and permitting reforms to the housing production process....
Illinois REALTORS® and the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Conduct Campaign to Defeat Transfer Tax Referendum
With help from an Issues Mobilization Grant from the REALTOR® Party, Illinois REALTORS® and the Chicago Association of REALTORS® fought a misguided referendum seeking to use an increase in real estate transfer taxes to fight homelessness. Understanding that the proposal would be detrimental to the local economy, the REALTORS® launched…...
Carroll County Association of REALTORS® and Maryland REALTORS® Successfully Oppose a Sharp Increase in Real Estate Recordation Tax
The Board of Commissioners in Carroll County, Maryland had proposed an increase in the Recordation Tax that would add $1,100 to the closing costs of the median home sale. The Carroll County Association couldn’t let that dampen the prospects of aspiring homebuyers who were already facing a difficult market, so…...
REALTORS® Association of South Central Wisconsin Advocates for Zoning Changes to Increase Housing Density Near Transit in State Capital
In its ongoing support of the City of Madison’s ambitious ‘Housing Forward’ plan, the REALTORS® Association of South Central Wisconsin recently faced-down a challenge to transit-oriented development. With help from the REALTOR® Party, it won approval for zoning code changes that will now allow missing middle housing in neighborhoods near…...