| THE GADFLY | |||||||||||||
| January 2015 | |||||||||||||
| The NAR Government Affairs Directors Newsletter | |||||||||||||
| The GADFly is produced by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to provide Government Affairs Directors (GADs) at state and local REALTOR® associations with tools, news and information to help you serve your members. To add one of your staff members to the distribution list, or to be removed, contact Kyle Lambert London at klambertlondon@realtors.org/202-383-1203. | |||||||||||||
| In This Issue... | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
| REALTOR® Party Info – Program Updates, Grant Deadlines, Meetings and Classes | |||||||||||||
 REMINDER: NAR 2015 Policy ConferenceThis is a friendly reminder to prompt your NEW FPCs and FPC Insurance Liaisons to register for the 2015 NAR Federal Policy Conference. They are required to attend unless they have gotten a waiver from NAR directly. This conference is for New FPCs and appointed FPC Insurance Liaisons only. Registration will close TODAY, January 8 at 5pm EDT. If you have an FPC who needs help registering, please do not hesitate to contact Victoria Givens. For expense reimbursement questions, please direct them the 2015 NAR Federal Policy Conference website. Information on reimbursement is under the Expense Tab. Directions on how to file an expense report can be found here. Please note that is it extremely important for expediency of reimbursement that your FPC lists the correct staff executive. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Community Outreach Grant Deadline is January 15 New for 2015: more application deadlines, new funding levels, and changes to grant regulations. Visit Realtor Action Center to learn more. |
|||||||||||||
| Diversity Grants – Mobilize your diverse membership to lead your association in to the future. Apply for a grant of up to $5,000 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Smart Growth Grants – Shape your community into the most attractive, livable, sustainable place it can be. Apply for a grant of up to $15,000. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Housing Opportunity Grants – Launch innovative activities to make affordable housing more readily available in your community. Apply for a grant of up to $15,000. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Thinking about a Placemaking Project for 2015? Fifty-six REALTOR® Associations took advantage of NAR’s Placemaking Micro-grant in 2014 and received over $100,000 to create community gardens, parks, trails, pedestrian walkways and more types of gathering spots in their communities. Congratulations to Montana, Idaho and South Carolina for leading the way with 5 projects each. Will your state be a leader in 2015 by engaging in communities? Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Issues Mobilization Meeting Schedule and Application Deadlines Please note the dates of the 2015 Issues Mobilization Committee meetings along with the application deadlines for each meeting. Please look down the road for any 2015 issues-advocacy opportunities or challenges on which NAR might assist you. The earlier you start the process, the better able we are to assist you. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Game Changer Program - Applications due January 31st Starting in 2015 Game Changer applications will be available to applicants year-round. Applications will be received and reviewed twice a year (due January 31 and July 31). Following the application deadline, ideas will be reviewed by a Game Changer Review Group, comprised of state and local association executives and government affairs directors. Winners will be determined by vote within about one month after the application deadline and will be based on idea originality and adherence to outlined criteria. New for 2015 -- award amounts will be available for up to $15,000 per applicant. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Registration for NAR’s 2015 Campaign Management Trainings GADs and AEs who have not had the opportunity to attend NAR's Campaign Management Training (CMT), please join us for the only 1.0 version of this course being offered in 2015. The program will begin at 8:30am sharp on Friday morning and will conclude by 3pm on Saturday. Those who have completed CMT 1.0 are eligible to attend CMT 2.0, a more advanced and intensive training session, building on the foundation of the first offering. CMT 2.0 will start early on Thursday afternoon and will finish early Saturday afternoon. Look for additional program details in 2015. Space is limited to 40 participants for each training, so please register quickly!
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| NEW - Growth Management Fact Book The Growth Management Fact Book is a resource for state and local REALTOR® associations to understand and speak knowledgeably on key growth management issues that may affect the use of land and impact property values and land development. The Fourth Edition includes new sections on Accessory Dwelling Units and Rental Restrictions. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
| RPAC News and Deadlines | |||||||||||||
| RPAC Hall of Fame Nominations for the 2014 inductee class Do you have an RPAC investor with an aggregate lifetime investment history of $25,000 or more to RPAC? If so, nominate them for induction into the REALTORS® Political Action Committee Hall of Fame no later than January 31, 2015. A nomination form must also be submitted for current Hall of Fame members transitioning into the $50,000, $75,000 or $100,000 tiers. To access the guidelines and nomination form, please visit RPAC Hall of Fame. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| NEW RPAC Fundraising Transmittal Deadlines The RPAC Fundraising Trustees have established May, October and year-end transmittal deadlines in response to the new RPAC Fundraising Goal Policies passed by the NAR Board of Directors in November. Full details are available HERE. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| 2015 RPAC Major Investor Fundraising Events Kick start your RPAC Major Investor fundraising efforts for 2015 by hosting a Major Investor event in your state. Our 2015 NAR speakers are ready to travel and speak to your members about the connection between legislative successes and RPAC investments. These events are NAR-sponsored and, as always, 70 percent of all raised funds remain in your state. Click here to learn more about our Major Investor Events Program and apply to host your event today! |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| NEW RPAC Recognition: Highest Percentage of National Fundraising Goal Funds sent to NAR above and beyond the needs based goal have always been used judiciously to advance the REALTOR® Party and support REALTOR® champions. The RPAC Fundraising Trustees want to continue to recognize states that are able to send funds above and beyond their National Fundraising Goal. Beginning with the 2015 Fundraising year the top three (3) state/territories in each size category—small, medium and large—will be recognized for highest percentage of National Fundraising Goal. This recognition will be presented at the RPAC Awards Ceremony. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| NEW RPAC Recognition: Most Improved Overall Fundraising This new recognition embodies the purpose of the recently passed RPAC Fundraising Goal Policies by rewarding fundraising success at all three levels of the association. Beginning with the 2015 Fundraising year the top three (3) state/territories in each size category—small, medium and large—will be recognized for largest percentage increase in total receipts (local, state and national) over the previous fundraising year. Receipts must be recorded in the PAC Management System to count toward this award. This recognition will be presented at the RPAC Awards Ceremony. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| 2015 President’s Circle Update President’s Circle is launching its first round of targets for 2015 this week, with an emailed link to President’s Circle members. During this round, President’s Circle members may invest $500 in one of the four national party committees in honor of any Member of Congress. FPCs have the option of contributing $500 directly to the Member of Congress they serve as FPC. (An FPC must choose either a $500 contribution to their Member of Congress OR a National Party Committee – they cannot do both.) |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Will Your State Win the 2015 President’s Cup? The RPAC Fundraising Trustees, REALTOR® Party Member Involvement Committee (RPMIC) and Broker Involvement Council (BIC) approved RPAC and Advocacy criteria for this year’s President’s Cup. Review the criteria. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
| Government Affairs and Issues | |||||||||||||
| Hot Topic Alert - Transportation State and local governments are considering alternatives to fund transportation related projects. There were eight states that considered transportation measures in 2014. Additionally, sixteen local governments had transportation measures on the ballot last year. Learn how transportation measures fared. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Fannie Mae’s New Appraisal Risk-Assessment Tool: Collateral Underwriter (CU) At the end of January 2015, Fannie Mae will make Collateral Underwriter (CU), an appraisal risk-assessment tool, available to lenders. CU is an optional, free tool that lenders can use to assign a risk score to appraisals and identify aspects of the appraisal that may require further attention. In December, a video circulated that referred to CU as an “appraisal time bomb” and renewed concerns among members about the implementation of CU. NAR has brought these concerns to Fannie Mae’s attention and will work to dispel myths and communicate facts about CU in 2015. Read more here. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Webinar on New RESPA/TILA Rule NAR recently held a webinar on changes to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The webinar featured noted RESPA Attorney Phil Schulman. The new rule combines the Good Faith Estimate with the Truth in Lending (TIL) disclosure now called the "loan estimate" and the HUD-1 settlement statement with the final TIL, now called the "closing disclosure" which must be delivered 3 days before closing. The webinar covers this and other important issues relating to the new rule which goes into effect on August 1, 2015. |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
From NAR’s Economist Outlook Blog: |
|||||||||||||
|
 |
| David Stark Public Affairs Director, Bay East Association of REALTORS® |
Get a load of the new kid.
One reason I love my job is that every day, week, month and year is different – starting with the people we have to work with.
Several newly elected officials are taking office in my area this month; specifically, two new mayors and nine new city council members. Some are experienced politicians who we have good relationships with. The others are brand-new and it will be interesting to see how they transition from candidate to elected official.
Meanwhile the dynamic nature of our local real estate markets means we’re shifting our advocacy strategies. Housing affordability has been a major issue in the San Francisco Bay area for decades. However, the current strong increases in sales prices appear to be far more sustainable than what happened circa 2005. These conditions give extra weight to arguments opposing regulations that could drive sales prices higher or complicate real estate transactions.
Our experienced elected officials are already familiar with these (very effective) arguments. I’m looking forward helping the “new kids” understand the factors – including government regulation – that can hurt and help home ownership.
| Follow the REALTOR® Action Center! |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
GAD Directory |
SAVE THE DATE
|
2015 Campaign Management Training | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
New AE & GAD Orientation - Spring April 13th & 14th, 2015 Washington, DC |
||||||||||||
|
2015 GAD Institute July 15-18, in Salt Lake City, Utah |