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Daily Real Estate News | May 16, 2007 |
Consumers Key to REALTORŪ Party Platform
WASHINGTON — With national elections looming in 2008, the REALTORŪ Party convened on the first day of the REALTORSŪ Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo to review its platform of legislative initiatives and inspire its members to action.
Pat V. Combs, president of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSŪ, called on every member in the packed room “to raise the voice of real estate to the highest levels of government” and make Congress aware of the three key components of the Party’s political initiatives — improving housing affordability, offering consumers alternatives to subprime loans, and making health coverage available to all the country’s small-business people.
“The REALTORŪ Party is the most successful advocacy group in the country,” she said, as she urged the more than 7,500 attendees to make their congressional representatives aware of their concerns.
REALTORŪ strength comes not just from its 1.3 million members, but from the millions of home owners for whom the association advocates, said Combs. For example, NAR is working with Congress to repeal a law requiring individuals to pay income tax on any portion of their mortgage loan forgiven after a foreclosure.
“We are the one true connection between the community, the consumers, and the businesses we serve,” Combs said. “By empowering others, we increase our own ability to accomplish the extraordinary.”
Into a New Century
NAR’s current programs are ambitious, but that’s only the beginning of what the organization can do to serve REALTORSŪ and consumers as it begins its second hundred years, NAR President-elect Dick Gaylord told the crowd. Gaylord unveiled a bold proposal that includes a state-of-the-art Web site for consumers, new types of advertising, and small-business services such as retirement plans and health-savings accounts for members.
“We call it the Second Century Initiative, and I believe it will define our success for the next 100 years,” he said.
To fund these goals, NAR has proposed to increase member dues by $16. Dues are currently $64 per member and would increase to $80 per member in 2008 if the measure is approved at Saturday’s Board of Directors meeting.
“Since 1994, NAR has increased its programming for members by 50 percent; raised nondues revenue by 50 percent, and cut staff by 40 percent — all while keeping member dues at just $64,” Gaylord said.
NAR also is proposing an increase of $5 in the special assessment fee earmarked to fund the successful Public Awareness Campaign. If approved, the special assessment fee would increase to $35 beginning in 2008.
— REALTORŪ Magazine Online
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