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The REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative: Let Us Hear From You

Important Information for NAR Members About Our Political Survival

In March 2011, NAR launched the REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative. The initiative is a bold and powerful proposal to make the Voice of Real Estate one of the most influential advocacy groups in America.

There are monumental issues we're facing — in Congress, in the regulatory agencies here in Washington that govern mortgage financing, in your statehouse that’s faced with critical budget crises and declining property tax revenues, and in our municipalities and counties. Each of these issues impact our ability to do business and serve clients. We must act as one to ensure the future of mortgage financing and to keep housing affordable in America. We must have the power to shape this pivotal moment for the American Dream of Home Ownership everywhere and at every level of government.

To fund such a nationwide effort, the REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative proposes a dedicated dues increase of $40. Because it is "dedicated" to this initiative, the dues increase would be used exclusively to fund political advocacy efforts. Nearly 70 percent of this money is earmarked for state and local issues. If it is approved, over 50 percent of the NAR budget would be devoted to political advocacy, which consistently ranks among members as the number-one benefit they receive from NAR.

The proposal will be voted on by the NAR Board of Directors at the Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in May.

 Take a few minutes to get informed. View our new slideshow that provides critical details about the initiative and the value proposition it is designed to give back to you at the federal, state and local level.

 Visit our REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative page to get more details. We are posting documents, background information and other resources to help you understand the who, what, why and when of this proposal.

 Read the article from Politico that discusses the emerging clout of the REALTOR® Party and how "REALTORS® ... are going to want to be politically effective, and a large measure of their influence is that they are present everywhere."

 Watch this short video from NAR President Ron Phipps that asks you to get involved in the deliberation process about this initiative.

 

 Your Feedback Is Important and We Are Listening

We also want to hear from you. You are our voice, and these decisions will not be made without getting your input and giving you the opportunity to be heard. We need to know what questions and concerns you have so we can help you understand this effort. We also encourage you to post a comment below and to join the conversation on Twitter, on Facebook and on your favorite real estate blogs.

UPDATE: Due to the number of comments, we cannot display the full list of comments. Please download this PDF of the comments received as of April 10, 2010. This list has not been edited by NAR.

Please use the form below to post your comments about the REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative:  

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 Your Comments

At this time with realtors struggling to stay Realtors in a down market why in the world would you consider raising dues. To see if you could drive a few more out of business! How about a reality check! 


Submitted by Mike Thomas
at: April 29, 2011
Please do not raise fees right now for this initiative. In case you haven't poke your head outside the last few years, we have a serious fiscal problem with realtors in the field, the life-blood of this oprganization. Yes, we want the lobbyists to work as hard and as effectively as possible, but it is utterly ridiculous that someone would think up this absurdity. Stay out of out pocket books any more than necessary. Our local associations can take care of what needs to be done on the budget we give them. So should NAR. Spend what you get wisely and don't whine for more. If the current leadership cannot manage affairs on what we give now, maybe it is time for new leadership. Sincerely, Greg Foster The Michael Group, LLC 9669 N. Central Expy, #290 Dallas, TX 75231 


Submitted by Greg Foster
at: April 28, 2011
I think our dues are high enough as it is. All we do is pay, pay, pay. The real estate business is down and it is much harder to get a deal to the closing table to be paid but the dues continue to rise. I think it is disgusting that there is even a thought of raising our dues. 


Submitted by Tena Krauleidis
at: April 28, 2011
I refuse to pay ANOTHER PENNY IN DUES- times are hard enough! lay off one of the assistants, pay for this YOURSELF 


Submitted by Nancy Malinowski
at: April 28, 2011
Position Taken by the REALTORS Association of Maui Executive Committee on the NAR proposed dues increase The Executive Committee of the Realtors Association of Maui voted on April 15, 2011 to recommend that NAR refocus its Realtor Party Political Survival Initiative to those issues at the national level and only increase dues to the degree necessary to cover that expense. The Executive Committee wishes to convey that it “gets it” that Citizens United has changed the political environment and that much of the foundation of our Real Estate business model is under challenge at the national level. They agreed that NAR must take the action necessary to address those challenges. Where our association’s leadership’s opinion disagrees with the Political Survival Proposal is the need to make this a multi-layer program. We are not seeing the same challenges at our state and local level. As the saying goes, “all politics is local” and the types of soft money Independent Expenditure campaigns being proposed by RPPSI for the local level probably would not work well in our community. The current RPAC/ Issues Mobilization program combination has been working well for us, and there is not a need for a significant enhancement of those programs at this time. Our association believes NAR should focus its resources to address the threat at the national level instead.  


Submitted by David DeLeon GAD
at: April 22, 2011
No fees increase across the board. I also have a DE license and would pay double. If you want a seasoned thirty yr. veteran in re to continue a caree I love and work very hard for...I can't afford this now. Not making any money. gas is costley. Maybe buyers hould pay us a fee up front and no problem. We a re free and sometimes we get no reward for being a nice guy 


Submitted by Ann Hammond
at: April 22, 2011
Confiscation of additional monies from members to use for political purposes sounds like we are lowering ourselves to the level of labor unions. What enxt? Noisy demonstrations in the streets? Taking over governmental offices? I like to choose which candidates to support. I don't want my money being given to a candidate that I may be out working against! 


Submitted by Alan
at: April 21, 2011
I am hoping that Realtors review all of the available information, videos, etc. to make an informed decision... This initiative is not another "fee"...and it's a responsiblity of our membership to be educated about the issues in question. 


Submitted by Laurie Cadigan
at: April 21, 2011
In light of the current economy and many Realtors struggling to stay afloat, I am strongly against "any" increase in dues regardless of the cause. I am on the government affairs committee for my local association and recognize the need for a strong political action team, however, now is not the time to raise dues. In almost all intances those that serve on any board are financially doing fine and are sometimes disconnected with those that are not, so an additional $40 has no affect on them but could have a huge affect on the majority of the industry professionals who are trying to make it through this market. We as Realtors are fee'd to death with all the other services we must subscribe to in order to be successful and informed agents. Thank you for your time.  


Submitted by Wesley Cox, CCIM
at: April 21, 2011
First of all thank you NAR for protecting our industry and property rights! I encourage each member to understand the concept of the $40 dues increase. I am in favor and I feel very fortunate to belong to a great association. Let's keep it that way and only get stronger! 


Submitted by Sue Johnson
at: April 21, 2011
While I support RPAC and encourage others to do so - I am opposed to mandating political contributions- I feel it is simply wrong and strongly oppose the $40 dues increase for this reason. 


Submitted by Maggy Cook
at: April 21, 2011
Although I am not thrilled about an increase in the costs of doing business as a Realtor, I would not be opposed to the $40 increase for this specific reason. 


Submitted by Paulette Richie
at: April 21, 2011
I am 100% against ANY part of my dues going to fund political advocacy. A) we members do not all have the money and are just getting by now B) you will no doubt support candidates that I and other paying members oppose on other issues and it is wrong to force us to contribute money for people we are against C) you will support candidates you THINK will help us but they either have no intention to or no ability to D) the government meddling in the free market exacerbated the mortgage mess if not caused it entirely now you think they can fix it? If you would lobby to stop all government involvement in the free markets I might support that (even ending the mortgage deduction...it is time for the government to cut its spending and get 100% out of the private business of the people buying or not buying real estate). You may notice that I copied and pasted a post by TG on 4/17/11...I could not have documented my sentaments any better than TG did. NAR, like unions in this country, is a good idea that has gone too far. There's not enough space here to accurately express my love-hate attitude toward NAR!! I'm FORCED to be a member because my broker's a member. I've long ago decided, based on NAR's political positions printed in Realtor Magazine, that I would NEVER contribute to RPAC...now you want to make it manditory?? NO WAY!  


Submitted by Linda G.
at: April 21, 2011
I say no to another dues increase! Sure, $40 is not going to kill anyone, but let's be honest, the major part of our dues already are going to fund our PAC, that is, RPAC. If NAR feels that more money should be budgeted for lobbying activities, then how about spending less in other areas. All you are really doing is proposing another dues increase, and saying it is for out "Political Survival Initiative". I knew a fellow who used to love to say "don't pee on my leg, and then tell me it's raining!" My leg feels wet!!  


Submitted by Larry Mraz
at: April 20, 2011
I believe in the work and mission of NAR. I also support the political and lobbying work of the organization....That being said I am not in favor mandatory raising of dues.  


Submitted by Peter Webb
at: April 20, 2011
No more dues increaseswe already pay our fair share. Our dues have increased in the last few years enough already. Was that a thank you to the agents who stuck it out and struggled to stay in this business during the tough times? 


Submitted by Kathleen Zito
at: April 20, 2011
My RPAC money is going to support people that believe the HVCC is a good idea, Barney Frank and Chris Dodd that worked hard to destroyed our business, while at the same time getting sweetheart mortgage deals and a federal government that wants to bleed the last dime out of homeowners by taking the mortgage deduction away. As an appraiser that is a NAR member, I see the destructive results that the people you used my money to elect, have created. You have funded the very people that have put this market where it is. If you want to put my money to good use, lose the ads that say "every market is different" and put it towards electing people that believe in what fuels the market. Unfortunately, many Realtors worry about lack of commissions, without knowing how the economy really works. More useless ads, bumping up our fees, and going begging in Washington to an administration that doesn't care, isn't gonna do it. By the way, whose agenda is deciding where my money goes?  


Submitted by Barbra Pety
at: April 20, 2011
Whae ever we contribute to PAC the corporations will double or triple it and they have them in their pockets.So I said NO to increase of DUES. 


Submitted by Ramon
at: April 20, 2011
NO MORE DUES INCREASE - WE ARE PAYING QUITE A BIT AS IT IS 


Submitted by NANCY PRICE
at: April 20, 2011
NO to any $40 increase; NAR should be looking for ways to cut our bills, not increase them! 


Submitted by Bill
at: April 20, 2011

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