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May 11, 2017

Celebrating Advocacy during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo

The 2017 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo is a reminder of the critical role advocacy plays in our goal to revolutionize this industry and prepare REALTORS® for sustainable future success. We do this by advancing public policies that build strong communities and promote a vibrant business environment and supporting REALTOR® Champions at the national, state and local levels. Thiis work will help us ensure that we are profitable, prepared and protecting the rights we have as property owners and taxpayers.

By The Numbers

1625%

The percentage increase in the Puerto Rico Association of REALTORS®’ (PRAR) contributions to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee since 2016. In addition, PRAR has experienced a 700% increase in the number of Major Investors and a 500% increase in its number of President’s Circle members.

#1707

The booth number for the REALTORS® Pavilion at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo next week. Stop by and check out the star-studded resources and benefits at NAR Booth #1707 located in the REALTOR® Pavilion and see how the REALTOR® Party works to advance local, state and federal issues.

95%

The percentage of homeowners today who would find it makes more sense to take the standard deduction rather than itemize under the Trump Administration’s plan according to tax experts. That means millions of homeowners would be paying more in taxes than they pay today. Hear NAR’s Evan Liddiard and Deputy Chief Lobbyist Jamie Gregory walk through NAR’s concerns in a video with Jon Boughtin of NAR Media.

WATCH

The REALTOR^® Party At Work

Highlighted here are a few of the many REALTOR^® Party success stories across the nation. These and others are cataloged in the Success Stories section of the REALTOR^® Action Center.

Asheville REALTORS® Help Find Happy Ending for its 'Pit of Despair'

With help from a REALTOR® Party Level III Smart Growth Action Grant, the Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS® takes a leadership role in finding a winning balance of parkland and mixed-use development for an unsightly property in the heart of the City of Asheville, North Carolina.

Mississippi becomes 4th State to Create Tax Benefits for First-Time Homebuyer Savings

The REALTOR® Party provided the Mississippi REALTORS® with in-depth economic research demonstrating how a First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account tax program would strengthen communities by increasing homeownership in the state. This, together with the strong coalition the REALTORS® had built, convinced legislators that the tax incentive was a good idea: it passed with a near-unanimous vote, and has been signed into law.

Scottsdale REALTORS® Bring City Leaders Together to Plan for Smart Growth

Using consecutive REALTOR® Party Smart Growth Action Grants, the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS® has initiated a series of high-level workshops to focus the city's leadership on key development issues. The city of Scottsdale now looks to the REALTORS® for expertise and forward momentum.

Resources & Opportunities

Government Affairs Materials for the 2017 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo

The 2017 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo represents an important opportunity for REALTORS® to meet with their U.S. Senators and Representatives and communicate the issues critical to their businesses, communities and the consumers they represent. To help prepare members for their upcoming meetings in May, check out the Government Affairs Materials.

NAR: Protect Homeowners Under Tax Reform

NAR President-elect Elizabeth Mendenhall met with congressional leaders to reinforce NAR’s position that any tax reform should make sure homeowners don’t end up paying more taxes than they do now. Mendenhall also explained NAR’s position on tax reform as well as reauthorization of federal flood insurance, which expires at the end of September. Details on her meetings and NAR’s concerns with the Administration’s tax reform outline are in the latest Voice for Real Estate video.

WATCH

2017 REALTOR ^® Party Resource Guide

Check out the 2017 REALTOR® Party Association Resource Guide on the REALTOR® Action Center website to learn more about community outreach, campaign services, RPAC and political fundraising and grassroots grant, program, education opportunities and much more. Also, review what programs and resources qualify for the new Vote, Act and Invest Core Standards’ requirements.

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Join the REALTOR^® Party Online

Are you posting, liking, tweeting or pinning? So is the REALTOR^® Party. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube to get the latest news, information and resources.

With resort and second-home sales gaining momentum, real estate professionals should equip themselves with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in these flourishing markets. Sharpen your skills in buying, selling and managing second-homes with the Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist certification.

Send us examples of how your association put NAR’s REALTOR^® Party resources to work to implement a successful advocacy or community outreach program. Email your stories to: realtorparty@realtors.org

See more than 100 stories documenting how REALTOR^® associations around the country put REALTOR Party Resources to work at the REALTOR^® Party Success Stories page. This newsletter replaces the NAR Weekly Report for this week and the second week of every month. The REALTOR^® Party News will publish next on June 8, 2017. If you missed a previous edition check out the REALTOR^® Party News Archive.

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