Using a Smart Growth Grant from the REALTOR® Party, the District of Columbia Association of REALTORS® convened a panel of experts to present facts, figures, examples, and answers regarding the process of developing accessory dwelling units, now permitted in much of the nation’s capital....
Austin REALTORS® Leverages Multiple REALTOR® Party Grants in Support of Missing Middle Housing
With strong support from Austin REALTORS®, in 2023, the City of Austin approved the Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment (HOME) Resolution, initiating code amendments to reduce the minimum lot size to 2,500 square feet or less and allow for up to three residential dwelling units per lot. Backed by a…...
Arizona REALTORS® Rally to Repeal Regressive Rental Tax
Arizona rental households had been paying an average of $51/month in transaction privilege taxes, a burden that negatively affected the state’s property managers, as well as its renters. With housing affordability an increasing concern, Arizona REALTORS® redoubled their efforts to repeal the tax, and with support from an Issues Mobilization…...
Ohio REALTORS® Leverage Issues Mobilization Grant to Preempt Threat of Rent Control
When rent control was put on the ballot in Columbus, Ohio, the state REALTOR® association stepped in to tackle the issue before it became a home-rule free-for-all among local jurisdictions. They used an Issues Mobilization Grant to have an expert draft the legislation, and spared the entire state from a…...
Lakeway Area Association of REALTORS® Helps Tennessee’s Jefferson County Resist Moratorium on New Development
An Issues Mobilization Grant helped the local REALTORS® rally a Tennessee community in opposition to a proposed moratorium on new developments that would have increased the price of housing and hurt the construction and trade industries. Advocacy Everywhere got the message through to the County Commission....
First-Time Homebuyers Savings Legislation Passes in Michigan, with a Boost from Michigan REALTORS® and the REALTOR® Party
It took some patience – and a change of governor – but Michigan REALTORS® is finally seeing its advocacy efforts pay off with the recent passage of legislation to assist first-time homebuyers, who can now prepare for the purchase with two new long-term savings features: tax-free savings accounts and income…...
Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® Leverages Issues Mobilization Grant to Help Struggling Town Shore Up Infrastructure
When a small, incorporated town within the Oklahoma City limits was being left behind by the surrounding competitive real estate market, the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® used an Issues Mobilization Grant from the REALTOR® Party to help secure two new bond packages to improve drainage, streets, sidewalks, and…...
Maine Association of REALTORS® Taps Into REALTOR® Party Resources to Defeat Impact Fee on Vacant Residential Properties
In ‘Vacationland’, aka the state of Maine, second homes abound, many of which might be unused for whole seasons at a time. At its annual REALTOR® Day Rally, the Maine Association of REALTORS® focused attention on proposed legislation that threatened to tax vacant residential properties, and their vocal opposition convinced…...
To Mark Its Centenary, Colorado Association of REALTORS® Launches ‘Century of Opportunity’ with Sweeping Legislation
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® was seeking a powerful way to improve homeownership opportunity for all Coloradans. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity, it developed a bundle of legislation that is being funded by a combination of state funds and Federal stimulus money -- Issues Mobilization and Advocacy Everywhere helped…...
Texas REALTORS® Tackle Texas-Sized Property-Tax Information Campaign, Educating Consumers and Encouraging Advocacy
Texas REALTORS® has been working to reform the state’s historically complicated property tax system for decades, but once the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act was passed in 2019, someone needed to inform and educate the public about the changes. The REALTORS® were ready, and a pair of Consumer…...