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…...
Utah Association of REALTORS® Back Bill to Simplify Permitting for Accessory Dwelling Units Throughout the State
Utah’s REALTORS® understood that Accessory Dwelling Units could go a long way toward easing the state’s growing housing crunch. With an Issues Mobilization Grant from the REALTOR® Party, they launched a campaign to educate the public – and pressure the legislature to pass a bill making the permitting process much…...
Utah Association of REALTORS® Back Bill to Simplify Permitting for Accessory Dwelling Units Throughout the State
Utah’s REALTORS® understood that Accessory Dwelling Units could go a long way toward easing the state’s growing housing crunch. With an Issues Mobilization Grant from the REALTOR® Party, they launched a campaign to educate the public – and pressure the legislature to pass a bill making the permitting process much…...
Burbank Association of REALTORS® Defeats Threat of Extreme Rent Control, with Help From the REALTOR® Party
Although the state of California recently passed rent control legislation covering all municipalities that don’t have their own, the City of Burbank was facing a proposal that would impose severe additional measures on landlords – and cost upwards of $6 million annually. An Issues Mobilization Grant helped the local REALTORS®…...
Texas REALTORS® Achieve Tax Reform for Texas Property Owners
In Texas, where there’s no state income tax or a state-levied property tax, it’s the tax bills from your county, your municipality, your school district, and various other special districts that’ll get you. Texas REALTORS® have been battling the ‘Hidden Property Tax’ inherent in the system for years, and this…...
Greater Los Angeles and Southland Regional Association REALTORS® Join Forces to Defeat Parcel Tax
Fresh off a win with a highly publicized teachers’ strike earlier this year, the Los Angeles Unified School District called for a 16-cent/square foot parcel tax on all residential and commercial buildings, claiming that it would support students. But the REALTORS® of the Greater Los Angeles and the Southland Regional…...