REALTORS® Visit Washington D.C. for Legislative Meetings

Last week, nearly 20 members of Seattle King County REALTORS® traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the National Association of REALTORS® Legislative Meetings (RLM). Over five days, REALTORS® from across the country met to discuss association and industry business. The event culminated in thousands of REALTORS® heading to Capitol Hill to meet with legislators on the final day.

At the local, state, and national levels REALTOR® Associations are some of the largest and most effective trade associations. Meetings with legislators are an effective tool in advancing the REALTOR® policy agenda. This year’s RLM talking points included asks for support on housing supply, opportunities for all, and independent contractors. Seattle King County REALTORS® met with Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, Representative Suzan DelBene and staff from Representatives Smith, Jayapal, and Schrier’s offices.

BUILDING HOUSING SUPPLY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

With an estimated 4.7 million unit shortage, America is facing a housing inventory crisis. We must unlock supply, ease market constraints, and make it easier for Americans to find homes they can afford. Increased supply helps stabilize prices, revitalize communities, and support the American dream of homeownership. Updating America’s tax law is a key pathway to more supply. REALTORS® also strongly support fair housing laws and are active leaders in opening up housing opportunities for people of all backgrounds.

REALTOR® Priorities:

• Support the More Homes on the Market Act (H.R. 1340) to decrease the equity penalty and incentivize more long-term owners to sell their homes.
• Support the Housing Supply Framework Act (H.R. 2840/ S. 1299) to create a national strategy for boosting housing production and affordability by reducing barriers to new housing development.
• Support the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act (H.R. 2410) to convert underused commercial properties into residential and mixed-use housing.
• Support the Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act (H.R. 3526) to increase the amount that can be withdrawn penalty-free from IRAs for a down payment on a first home.
• Support the Fair and Equal Housing Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under the Fair Housing Act, codifying the application of the Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County decision to the Fair Housing Act, to help ensure equal housing protections for all Americans.

SUPPORT SELF-EMPLOYED PROFESSIONALS

Protecting the right to work independently is a core priority for NAR. With 88% of REALTORS® operating by choice as self-employed independent contractors, NAR is leading the fight to preserve this flexible business model. Independent contractors do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance, requiring them to seek health care coverage on their own. NAR supports expanding access to affordable, quality health insurance options through Association Health Plans, ensuring REALTORS® and other independent contractors can get the care they need.

REALTOR® Priorities:

• Support Association Health Plans Act (H.R. 2528/S. 1847) to provide REALTORS® with access to quality, affordable health care.
• Support the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act to ensure real estate agents maintain their independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Support the Main Street Tax Certainty (H.R. 703/S. 213) to preserve the 20% deduction for pass-through business income.

Meeting with legislators on issues facing the industry is our opportunity to tell our representatives firsthand the impact policies they are considering have and will have on our industry and communities. Our power as an advocacy organization is in our numbers, RLM allows us to speak in one, unified voice to those making important decisions about our industry.

If you would like to hear more about the association’s advocacy work, please contact Taylor Shanaman.