| THE GADFLY |
| October 2018 |
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| In This Issue... |
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| New Additions to NAR’s Leadership Team |
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 NAR announced changes to its senior management team to enhance its brand and relationship with consumers. Effective immediately, Victoria Gillespie (pictured left) will serve as chief marketing and communications officer, and starting Oct. 15, Shannon McGahn (pictured right) will become NAR’s senior vice president of government affairs, reporting to Chief Advocacy Officer Bill Malkasian. Read more. |
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| Introducing your 2018-2019 GAD Advisory Group |
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 2018 – 2019 GAD Advisory Group
Chair: Matthew Leger
Vice Chair: Julia Parenteau
Immediate Past Chair: Cady Thomas
Institute Host Liaison: Mark Quarry
State Association Representatives:
- Leslie Cantu, Texas (2017-2019)
- Adam Davis, Missouri (2017-2019)
- Jessica Dietrich, Oklahoma (2018-2020)
- Mike Kelly, New York (2018-2020)
- Liz Peetz, Colorado (2017-2019)
- Jamie Rix, Iowa (2018-2020)
- Danielle Scoggins, Florida (2018-2020)
Local Association Representatives:
- Andrew Blackburn, Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS®, North Carolina (2018-2020)
- Lacey Everett, MIBOR REALTOR® Association, Indiana (2018-2020)
- Samar Jha, Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS®, Pennsylvania (2018-2020)
- James Litz, Beverly Hills/Greater Los Angeles Association of REALTORS®, California (2018-2020)
- Dwayne Mingo, Prince George's County Association of REALTORS®, Maryland (2017-2019)
- Sarah Rayne, Coastal Association of REALTORS®, Maryland (2017-2019)
- Jennifer Roche, Knoxville Area Association of REALTORS®, Tennessee (2017-2019)
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| Dates & Deadlines |
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Oct. 17: RPAC & Issues Mobilization Workgroup Recommendations Webinar
Workgroups of the RPAC Fundraising Trustees and the State and Local Issues Mobilization Program met in August to consider and make recommendations for changes to RPAC Fundraising and Issues Mobilization program policy. During the REALTORS® Conference & Expo, both committees will consider the recommendations of the two workgroups and have an opportunity to confirm, amend, or reject any of the workgroup recommendations. RPAC and Issues Mobilization Program staff and member leaders will hold a webinar for association staff on Wednesday, October 17 at 2:00 PM (Eastern) to review the recommendations and answer any questions. Sign up for the webinar today. For additional information, contact Joe Maheady or Liz Demorest. |
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Oct. 26: RPAC 50th Anniversary Video Competition Deadline
What does RPAC mean to you, your association, and the real estate industry? Competition finalists and winners (by association size category) will have their videos featured during the 2019 REALTOR® Party Training Conference and RPAC’s 50th anniversary celebration in May 2019. The deadline to submit videos is Friday, October 26, 2018. Click here for more information or to submit a video. For more information, contact Lauren Facemire at 202-383-1080. |
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Is your Association trying to pass or defeat a ballot measure in November?
You can target consumers in your state or local communities (or even by zip code); add hundreds (or thousands) of voices to your advocacy efforts; and make homeowners aware of and ensure they support your real estate legislation. Contact Erin Murphy at 202-383-1079. Be sure to check out HomeOwnershipMatters.realtor today! |
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Nov. 4: REALTORS® Relief Foundation – Dress Down and Donate Fundraiser
In recent months natural disasters have caused catastrophic devastation in various parts of our great country. When major disaster strikes, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation stands ready to help families who have endured unimaginable loss. Thank you REALTOR® family for standing with us! We have designated Sunday, November 4 as Dress Down and Donate Day. Please stop by the REALTORS® Relief display area at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, North Lobby to donate, pick up a RRF wristband, and remember to wear casual attire on Sunday. Once again, thank you REALTOR® family for your generosity and support over the years! |
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Nov. 23: FPC Nomination Deadline for the 116th Congress
As we approach the homestretch of the 115th session of Congress, please begin thinking about your state’s nominations for Federal Political Coordinators (FPCs) for the next cycle. The deadline for submitting your FPC nomination letter is November 23, 2018. Letters should be addressed to 2019 NAR President John Smaby on state letterhead and be signed by your 2019 State President. The RPMIC Committee is currently conducting “level of interest” calls with their FPCs to garner insight into who is interested in returning for another term. They will be reaching out to communicate the results to you in mid-September. For more information, visit the REALTOR® Party website or contact Victoria Givens. |
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| GAD Meetings & Reception at the 2018 REALTORS® Conference & Expo |
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Mark Your Calendars for…
Locations to be announced
Thursday, November 1
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.: NAR 360 with a special performance by the GAD Band!
Friday, November 2
- 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.: Federal Issues Update
- 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.: State and Local Issues Policy Committee
- 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Advocacy Everywhere: State Association Training
- 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.: State and Local Issues Mobilization Support Committee
- 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Hosting Your Major Investor Event
- 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Tour of Revitalized Areas – Seaport District
- 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Advocacy Everywhere: Concierge Services for Local Associations
- 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.: RPAC Fundraising Forum
- 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.: GAD Reception, Bostonia Public House, 131 State St, Boston, MA 02110
Saturday, November 3
- 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.: GAD Institute Advisory Group Meeting (closed)
- 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.: GAD Meeting
- 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.: State and Local GAD Breakout Meetings
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.: GAD Professional Development Session
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| Advocacy Resources |
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Issues Mobilization Grant Assistance in 2019
The first meeting of the 2019 NAR State and Local Issues Mobilization Support Committee is Wednesday, November 28, 2018, during the REALTOR® Party Training Conference in Minneapolis. In considering grant requests at this meeting, the Committee will be working with a new (2019) grants budget to assist 2019 issue campaigns. If you are interested in requesting Issues Mobilization grant assistance at this meeting, or at one of the subsequent monthly conference call meetings that will begin in January 2019, please contact Joe Maheady at 202-383-1006 or John Winston at 202-383-1235 as soon as possible to maximize the assistance that we can provide to you. |
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NEW! REALTOR® Party Get Out the Vote Toolkit 2018
Looking to promote voter registration and GOTV efforts? Check out the new GOTV Toolkit on the REALTOR® Party website. Visit https://realtorparty.realtor/vote2018/toolkit to get web banners and graphics to promote voter registration and GOTV on your website, in newsletters and on social media. For more information, contact Tiane Harrison. To schedule text messages, contact Melissa Horn. |
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NEW! REALTOR® Party Election Coverage 2018
Follow all of the exciting REALTOR® Party returns on election night. Stay tuned to www.realtorparty.realtor/vote2018 to see live expert analysis, election stats, tune into the REALTOR® Party Post-Election Facebook Live on Nov. 7; and view live election results by state on Election Day. Join the conversation on Election Day by following us on Facebook and Twitter and using the hashtags #REALTORSVote and #REALTORParty. |
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NEW! Tackling the Housing Supply Issue in Your Community
With increased lending and consistent job creations in the economy, the housing market has regained some health, with higher home sales and a very low foreclosure rate. However, the industry today is facing a different kind of crisis: not enough homes for sale. As community and industry experts, REALTOR® Associations and REALTORS® are in a prime position to be experts in creating and implementing solutions and strategies to address this issue. GADs play a vital role in leading the charge. NAR’s Advocacy and Research staff have provided resources designed to help you better understand housing supply issues in your community, and start a dialogue among strategic government and community partners. Visit www.realtorparty.realtor/housing-supply-shortage or contact Tiane Harrison at 202-383-7531 for more information. |
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Candidate and Issue Campaign Training
Are you interested in taking your campaign skills to the next level? Do you have a campaign to support in 2019 and you want the best skills to approach it? If so, then join us for NAR’s Issue and Candidate Campaign Training to learn how to leverage NAR’s resources to help you meet your advocacy goals. We will be opening registration later this month for the 10-part webinar series that leads up to an in-person, hands-on training in April at the NAR building in Chicago. For more information, visit our website or contact Kyle Lambert London or John Winston. |
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State Issues Tracker: Tax-related Facts and Figures
There are 40 states with a limit on property tax increases from year to year. There are 15 states without a transfer tax. Meanwhile 18 states do not have mortgage interest deductions (9 of these do not have a personal income tax). Only eight states currently assess a sales tax on real estate commissions. Hot Topic Alerts have been added to the State Issues Tracker. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068. |
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Hot Topic Alert: Home Inspector Licensing
There are 18 states that do not regulate home inspectors or inspections. It may seem obvious as to why home inspectors need some regulatory oversight, but this topic debate has been debated for many years and in several states. The Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Hawaii state REALTOR® Associations have prioritized this issue over the past couple of years because no regulations specifically exist to protect consumers or establish a baseline level of competency for home inspectors. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068. |
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NAR Urges Deduction of Rental Income
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes a provision that allows sole proprietors and owners of pass-through businesses (i.e., partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and S corporations) to claim a new deduction of as much as 20% of their "qualified business income," within certain limitations. However, it is unclear whether owners of rental real estate will be able to claim the deduction. NAR has asked the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service, in a letter, to treat all real property rental activity as eligible for the 20 percent deduction. |
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Educating Lawmakers about Safe, Affordable Home Loans
What’s next now that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under federal control for 10 years? NAR Treasurer Tom Riley talks with The Voice for Real Estate on the importance of ensuring the continued availability of safe and affordable mortgage financing in the years ahead. The video also looks at how NAR members can apply the new 20 percent business income deduction to their quarterly estimated tax payments, and how REALTORS® stepped up in the wake of Hurricane Florence to help people affected by the storm. The video also looks at NAR’s new tool for state and local associations to measure their inventory shortage, how it affects affordability, and what options are available to get more housing onto the market. |
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There’s Still Time for Celebrate Fair Housing!
Has your association hosted an event or conducted a program to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act? It isn’t too late to be featured as one of our Showcase Stories . Submit a brief description and a writer will follow-up with you to get more details. Learn more about NAR’s commemoration activities at www.FairHousing.realtor. Contact: Wendy Penn at 202-383-7504. |
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| RPAC Update |
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RPAC Major Investor Reception
The RPAC Major Investor Reception will be held Saturday, November 3 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Museum of Science. The Museum of Science features hundreds of interactive exhibits as well as exceptional views of Boston and the Charles River! We hope to see you and your fellow 2018 Major Investors there! For more information, contact Beth Brittingham at 202-383-1209. |
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Deadline: RPAC Major Investor Recognition
Make sure you and your members are recognized as RPAC Major Investors in time for the 2018 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Boston. RPAC investments must be submitted to the NAR Finance Office no later than Wednesday, October 18, 2018 to meet this deadline. Click here for more information. For more information, contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029. |
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RPAC Fundraising Forum Tailgate
Calling all sports fans! Friday, November 2 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., RPAC will be hosting a sports-themed event in the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel. Encourage your members to join us in their favorite team’s gear! For more information, contact Liz Best-Bradford at 202-383-7582. |
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| NAR’s Economic Outlook |
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Message from the GAD Chair
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Matthew Leger
GAD Chair
REALTORS® of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale |
Just a couple weeks ago, our East Coast welcomed an unwanted visitor, Hurricane Florence, which caused severe and extensive damage to the Carolinas. As someone who has called South Florida my home for the past decade, I know first-hand the aftermath, both emotionally and physically, a natural disaster creates on a community, particularly communities we as GAD’s work so hard to better — please keep our friends and colleagues in the Carolinas in your thoughts!
About 300 miles north in Washington, D.C., just as Hurricane Florence was about to make landfall, Kyle Lambert-London and the NAR Staff were preparing for Government Affairs Directors & AE Orientation. While the training was in doubt, Kyle and her team pushed forward and hosted the training for 16 new GAD’s/AE’s — a big thank you to all those who braved the storm and still made the trip, including our GAD Vice Chair, Julia Parenteau!
While in D.C. for the Orientation, Julia and I looked over the 30 plus applications you all put in for GAD Advisory Group, and finalized our 2018-2019 team. With only having 8 open spots (4 local and 4 state), you can imagine the tough choices that were made. For those who were not chosen, please know that we still need your talents and you’re going to be given the opportunity to serve on projects/subcommittees throughout the year. I never want to turn away anyone willing to donate their time and talents, especially talents that will better serve our GAD Community.
As always, if you have any ideas, please do not hesitate to email me or text me at 561-635-2118.
I look forward to seeing most of you in Boston in a month!
Matthew
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