| August 2019 |
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In this issue...
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| Dates & Deadlines |
Sept. 15: Last Chance to Apply for a Community Outreach Grant
The final deadline to apply for a Community Outreach Grant – Placemaking, Smart Growth, Housing Opportunity, and/or Diversity – in 2019 is September 15. If you do not submit your application by then, we will not be accepting applications until January 2020. For more information, contact Holly Moskerintz.
Sept. 30: 2019 President’s Circle Deadline
All four President’s Circle rounds have now launched for 2019! The full $2,000 investment is due by September 30, but please encourage your members not to wait to complete their commitment! View the current President’s Circle Roster online. For more information, contact Avery Walker at 202-383-7510.
Oct. 16: RPAC Major Investor Recognition Deadline
Make sure you and your members are recognized as RPAC Major Investors in time for the 2019 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Francisco. RPAC investments must be submitted to the NAR Finance Office no later than Wednesday, October 16 to meet this deadline. Click here for more information. For more information, contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029. |
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| Advocacy News |
NEW: Qualified Opportunity Zone Toolkit
Check out a robust guide designed to help state and local REALTORS® associations navigate this hot topic issue! This online resource is a valuable asset to use as you work with state and local Economic Development Organizations, Opportunity Funds, and your membership to plan and develop in qualified opportunity zones. The toolkit includes: timelines for the program, RPR resources, and state-specific and NAR policy resources. For more information, contact Erin Stackley.
Build a Grassroots Army of Homeowners in Your Community
Ready to engage homeowners on your advocacy issues? The Consumer Advocacy Outreach Grant has been awarded to four associations (two states and two locals). The Seattle King County Association of REALTORS® raised consumer awareness of a new Condominium Reform law that will create more affordable home ownership options in region, which is constrained by low inventory and strong demand fueled by employment growth. A campaign landing page was created and 170,000 King County consumers from the Consumer Advocacy Outreach database were targeted on social media. During May and June, we reached 304,432 King County consumers and REALTORS® with social media messages. This resulted in 21,000 visits to the landing page. Have a consumer campaign idea? Contact Erin Murphy at 202-383-1079.
Mark Your Calendars and Your Budgets for the 2020 GAD Institute
For your planning purposes, the 2020 GAD Institute takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from July 14 – 16, 2019. NAR group rates at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel will be $179 per night plus taxes and fees. The registration fee will remain the same at $550 (late registration will be $600). Details provided at REALTORParty.realtor
ICYMI: Recorded Broadband Webinar Available
Did you miss the Can the Broadband Gap in Rural America be Closed? webinar? If so, you can listen to the recorded version. After an overview of the broadband issue and how the lack of broadband in rural communities is impacting real estate, your will hear from two fellow GADs explain what is happening in their states and what they have done to advance broadband in their states. For more information, contact Holly Moskerintz.
Do You Have a New GAD Staffer?
Update GAD contact information in NAR’s GAD Directory. Are you a new Government Affairs Director, serving your association in a GA or REALTOR® Party capacity? Please add (or remove) any contact information there. Help us keep this list accurate and up to date. Thanks! |
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| RPAC Update |
2020 President’s Circle Conference Update
The 2020 President’s Circle Conference will be held in Miami, Fla., from February 24-27, 2020. President’s Circle members who invested the full $2,000 by July 31 were able to register for the Conference beginning on August 5, 2019. Early registrants have first access (at their own expense) to a limited number of rooms reserved for nights before/after the conference for the lower conference rate.
After the initial launch, registration is open to members on a rolling basis, as follows:
- $2,000 PC investment completed by August 31: Eligible to register on September 5
- $2,000 PC investment completed by September 30: Eligible to register on October 4
Contact Avery Walker at 202-383-7510 for questions regarding the President’s Circle program. Contact Patricia Tarhon at 202-383-1119 for questions regarding registration for the 2020 President’s Circle Conference.
Save the Date: RPAC Major Investor Reception
The RPAC Major Investor Reception will be held Saturday, November 9 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. aboard the USS Hornet. The USS Hornet offers spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline and Bay Bridge, and its exhibits include vintage aircraft as well as Apollo moon artifacts. We hope to see you and your fellow 2019 Major Investors there! For more information, contact Beth Brittingham at 202-383-1209. |
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| NAR’s Economic Outlook |
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Infographic: Foot Traffic for July 2019 - Home showings remained flat in July despite lower mortgage rates, as potential buyers appeared to have become more cautious given current economic conditions. |
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Real Estate in a Digital Age - This report examines the process home buyers go through in the initial online search and how REALTORS® are connecting with customers digitally. |
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Existing-Home Sales - Total July existing-home sales increased 2.5% from June to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.42M. |
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Moving With Kids - When the back to school shopping list includes a house: home buyers who still have children living in their homes were likely to be drawn to specific neighborhood characteristics. |
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NAR International Housing Report July 2019 (video) - NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun discusses highlights of the 2019 Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate. |
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For more information on NAR’s Economic Outlook, contact Meredith Dunn at 202-383-1207. |
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| MESSAGE FROM THE GAD CHAIR |
Julia Parenteau
GAD Chair
Texas REALTORS®
 In the lingering days of summer, it can be difficult to think about how quickly Election Day is coming. Here in Austin, the “Days of 100+ Degrees” counter is ticking quickly toward an all-time record – right now, I can’t imagine it ever being (cooler) November again!
But make no mistake, November 5 is just around the corner. Even more mind-boggling, there are fewer than 200 days until the first states begin their primaries!
“The secret [to] getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
The earlier any advocacy action plan is formulated, the greater your chances of success. Your best practice is engaging vendors, strategists, and your members sooner rather than later.
REALTOR® GADs are fortunate to have dedicated professionals and cutting-edge tactics at our disposal. So whether it’s creating a simple get-out-the-vote plan, a call for action, or a complex six-figure independent expenditure campaign, NAR’s Campaign Services and Grassroots teams are ready, willing, and able to help you get started. (And local GADs, don’t forget to investigate campaign resources that may be available from your state associations.)
Over the past week and a half, Vice Chairman Kelli Walker Starrett and I have been reading through the many impressive applications for the GAD Advisory Group. You all are so talented and have so much to offer! This year, there were 20 applications for seven open seats – it’s thrilling to see how many of you are willing to step up on behalf of this community.
We will soon announce the full roster of the 2019-2020 GAD Advisory Group; until then I offer my sincere gratitude to everyone who has served and/or has volunteered to serve, whether on the Advisory Group or in another capacity.
Getting back to November – don’t forget to register for the REALTORS® Conference & Expo, November 8 – 11 in San Francisco. In addition to the policy committees, federal updates, and educational sessions, we will have a Government Affairs Directors’ meeting (Saturday, Nov. 9, 10:00 am – noon) and a GAD Professional Development session (following the GAD meeting, 12:30 – 1:30 pm).
If you need help working with your association executives and volunteer leaders on 2020 travel budgets, feel free to reach out. The REALTORS® Legislative Meetings, GAD Institute, and REALTORS® Conference & Expo all offer important professional opportunities for GADs of all types. (And it’s just a bonus to see your smiling faces!) |
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