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September 13, 2018

Preparation, Partnership, & Participation

All the hard work we’ve done this year to increase our influence in an uncertain legislative, regulatory, and political environment has highlighted three key ingredients for success: Preparation, Partnership, and Participation. Throughout September, we are reminded of how these play out in our advocacy outreach efforts.

By The Numbers

56.7M

The number of Americans who report living a disability people. Claims of disability discrimination make up nearly 55 percent of all fair housing complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A new white paper covers the federal, state, and local laws that protect persons with disabilities. Further, there is a discussion regarding the denial of a request for accommodations in housing. There have been several states adopting legislation to prevent abuse of the right to request an accommodation. (Log-in required)

9/25

The date of National Voter Registration Day. This is a great opportunity to register or update your voter registration information. Today, approximately 15% of REALTORS^® are NOT registered to vote — that’s 195,000 people. Are you one?

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24%

The percentage of first-time homebuyers who identified with an race other than Caucasian. Fourteen percent reported being born outside of the United States. This month’s Fair Housing article highlights research and demographic reports issued over the years since 1968 and provides a window into how the housing market has grown more and more diverse because of the Fair Housing Act.

The REALTOR^{^®} Party At Work

Highlighted here are a few of the many REALTOR^{^®} Party success stories across the nation. These and others are catalogued in the Success Stories section on REALTORParty.realtor.

District of Columbia REALTORS^® Get Legislative Results Protecting Property Owners and Housing Providers

Thanks to the REALTOR^® Party’s Advocacy Everywhere program, the District of Columbia Association of REALTORS^® was able to spur members to contact City Council members about two important issues affecting property owners in the Nation’s Capital. The sophisticated system of REALTOR^® Party Mobile Alert texts and emails made communication swift and simple.

Greater Nashville REALTORS^® Put Placemaking Grant to Work for Pedestrian Plaza

With vision, elbow grease, and a Placemaking Grant, Greater Nashville REALTORS^® partnered with a local civic design organization to transform a dismal traffic triangle into a cheerful, safer pedestrian refuge.

Is Smart Growth the Key to Preserving Montana’s ‘Big Sky?' Gallatin REALTORS^® Funds Study to Find Answers.

A REALTOR^® Party Smart Growth Action Grant enabled the Gallatin Association of REALTORS^® to support an in-depth analysis of property tax value-per-acre in Bozeman, Montana. The resulting 3-D economic model clearly demonstrated the fiscal efficiency of concentrating growth in urban centers, rather than allowing sprawl, and will inform the development of the city’s Growth Plan.

Resources & Opportunities

September is National Preparedness Month

For National Preparedness Month, NAR and FEMA are partnering to raise awareness about disaster risks and the simple, proactive steps REALTORS^® and their clients to better prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This year’s celebration will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.

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REALTORS^® Reflect on Ten Year Anniversary of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Conservatorship

NAR urges policymakers in Washington to prioritize GSE reforms that will protect taxpayers, provide liquidity to the broad national market, and promote stability in the housing market, particularly during times of economic distress.

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Celebrate REALTOR^® Safety Month

Through the REALTOR^® Safety Program, NAR has developed a multitude of resources, including: articles, blog posts and webinars; presentations and videos; tools and resources, such as safety tip cards and information on personal safety products; smartphone safety apps; and safety messages and seasonal tips for on the job.

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Attend the 2019 REALTORS^® Conference & Expo

Register now for the 2018 REALTORS^® Conference & Expo, taking place November 2-5 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) in Boston, MA. Choose from 100 education sessions to learn about strategies and solutions that meet your clients’ needs. Browse the industry’s largest trade show, with over 400 exhibitors. Make time to attend special events.

2018 REALTOR^{^®} Party Resource Guide

Check out the 2018 REALTOR^{^®} Party Association Resource Guide to learn about resources for community outreach, candidate and issue campaigns, RPAC and political fundraising, member and consumer mobilization, and much more. Also, review the programs and resources that 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.

Get 10% off when you complete your "Little Book" Series - no code needed! These booklets are must-haves for all real estate professionals and contain input from more than 1,500 NAR members!

Be the First to Know and the First to Save. Follow the REALTOR Benefits<sup><sup><sup><sup><sup><sup><sup><sup><sup>®</sup></sup></sup></sup></sup></sup></sup></sup></sup> Program Facebook page.

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 300 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 October 11, 2018. If you missed a previous edition check out the REALTOR^{^®} Party News Archive.

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