Rally to Protect the American Dream
May 17, 2012 - 9:30am - 11am - Washington Monument
Tomorrow, REALTORS® from across the country will stand shoulder-to-shoulder united in our belief that home ownership is worth fighting for. You can be a part of this monumental, grassroots effort today by participating in our Virtual Rally.
NAR President Moe Veissi has set a challenge to have 100,000 people take part in the Virtual Rally from around the country. Visit the REALTOR® Rally website right now and get started by adding your name to the map of REALTORS® nationwide who support home ownership. Let’s make this map a sea of REALTOR® blue from coast to coast. We can only do this if you take part. Join us and stand together to be counted in this vital demonstration of support for the American Dream.
Materials for 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings Capitol Hill Visits
The Midyear Legislative Meetings represent 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 during the Midyear Meetings, NAR has prepared talking points and videos by its state legislative representatives that walk REALTORS® through the messages that NAR would like presented to their Members of Congress.
Talking Points
- Meeting with Members of Congress (PDF: 589KB)
- Bolster Commercial Real Estate Lending (PDF: 579K)
- Preserve the Mission and Purpose of the FHA Program (PDF: 580KB)
- Protect Homeownership Tax Benefits (PDF: 575KB)
- Reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (PDF: 586KB)
- Secure the Future of Homeownership (PDF: 582KB)
Launch of the New REALTOR® Party Congressional Vote Center
Curious about how your Members of Congress are supporting you on REALTOR® Party issues? Our new REALTOR® Party Congressional Vote Center will now keep you informed about critical votes in Congress. The vote center will track any legislation in which NAR has issued an all-member Call for Action. The Vote Center can be found on the Action Center anytime you need it- but after a critical vote we will email members who take action so that they know how their member of Congress voted. Stop by the REALTOR® Party booth at the REALTOR® Pavilion at the Midyear meetings to check last year’s votes before you head up to Capitol Hill. Just enter your zip code in the box provided to see how your state delegation voted or use the links to navigate to the specific House or Senate trackers.
Visit the Congressional Vote Center
National Flood Insurance Program Extended to May 2012
On December 16, 2011 Congress extended National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) authority through May 31, 2012.
With the extension deadline soon approaching, NAR President Moe Veissi testified before the United States Senate Committee on Banking on May 9 to urge Congress to extend the NFIP for five-years. NAR is running newspaper ads in Capitol Hill publications to further raise awareness of the impending deadline as part of a broad-based coalition of organizations who are fighting for a long-term extension. Without the certainty of a long-term solution, the fragile real estate recovery could be disrupted. Flooding affects not just coastal states, but is an issue across the entire country. Wherever flooding occurs it slows down processes like mortgage issuance and deters potential property buyers. REALTORS® and the real estate market need a five-year reauthorization of NFIP as quickly as possible, and NAR and President Moe Veissi are working to make it happen. Watch our latest video about NFIP and President Moe's recent testimony See our coalition ad that urges Congress to extend the NFIP Learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program
The REALTOR® Party Wins Transfer Tax Prohibition in Louisiana
On Saturday, November 19, Louisiana voters went to the polls and supported Constitutional Amendment No. 1 to prohibit real estate transfer taxes. The vote was the culmination of a year-long joint campaign by the Louisiana REALTORS® and NAR.
A vote of the legislature earlier this year put the transfer tax measure on the ballot. Final legislative passage occurred in June 2011 on a 101-0 vote in the Louisiana House of Representatives and a 34-0 vote in the Louisiana State Senate.The amendment passed overwhelmingly with nearly 81 percent of the vote. Voter turnout was high and the amendment passed decisively in all 64 parishes.
Thank you to all of the Louisiana REALTORS®, association staff and home owners who worked hard to win approval for the amendment. There is no better example of what we can accomplish when we work together to leverage our political strength to protect home ownership. This is your dues at work!
Hear from NAR President Moe Veissi on why this was an important victory Learn more about how we did it Download our transfer tax campaign materials
Learn More About How the REALTOR® Party Can Build Strength in 2012
NAR recently tapped Bill Malkasian to serve as the NAR vice president of political strategic initiatives. Many of you know Bill from his 36 years serving Wisconsin REALTORS®. In his new role with NAR he will help ensure the most efficient match between state and local associations and the expanded My REALTOR® Party program resources.
Listen to a few associations share their excitement about their My REALTOR® Party plans for 2012
Home Ownership Matters and Public Advocacy
Recent media reports have questioned whether home ownership is good for America and challenged federal initiatives that favor home ownership—including the mortgage interest deduction. The attacks seek to lay the groundwork for curtailing public policies and to persuade the public that such actions are in their best interest. Through advocacy and outreach to lawmakers, consumers, thought leaders, and the media, NAR is working to preserve this important American institution and provide REALTORS® and state and local associations with valuable information and tools to address concerns from clients and the community.Watch the latest public advocacy campaign ad "Future Generations" running on national tvRead why government's role in housing is valuableFrom NAR Research: An Existing Home Purchase: the Economic Impact and the Jobs Impact Get facts on why Home Ownership Matters and get involved.
