How bad was Nashville traffic? In 2023, Forbes magazine gave the Tennessee capital the dubious distinction of having ‘the hardest commute in the United States.’ Greater Nashville REALTORS® had, in fact, been hard at work with a coalition seeking major systemic improvements to everything from mass transit to sidewalks, and…...
Washington REALTORS® Campaigns to Defeat Transfer Tax Increase
When multiple bills threatened an increased transfer tax on any real estate sale over $3M that encompassed a commercial development, Washington REALTORS® anticipated the derailment of desperately needed transactions throughout the state. An Issues Mobilization Grant from the REALTOR® Party helped them voice a strong argument against the problematic legislation....
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…...
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…...