Give NAR Your Opinion

You have an opportunity to give NAR your opinion about the important federal policy issues that will affect you and your clients in 2011. If you’ve already responded, thank you. At the federal level, the National Association of REALTORS® is monitoring a number of public policy issues encompassing housing, real estate finance, tax and environmental policy that impact residential and commercial real estate. NAR hopes you will take a few minutes to give them your opinion about the importance of these policy issues for their 2011 public policy agenda. The link below will take you to a survey that asks about your views. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BLQX7ZHB4/ With your help, NAR can make sure that their public policy resources are targeted appropriately on the issues that matter most to you and your clients. To show our appreciation, you also will have an opportunity to enter a sweepstakes drawing for a $100 gift card before submitting your survey responses. Please be assured that your individual responses will remain confidential - only summaries of survey results will be made available. Thank you. Ron Phipps, ABR®, CRS, GRI, GREEN, e-PRO® 2011 NAR President Dale Stinton, CAE, CPA, CMA, RCE NAR CEO

The Pros of NAR RPAC

The National Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), supports pro-REALTOR® Congressional and Senate candidates from both political parties. Decisions on which candidates to support are made based on the level of support an elected official or candidate has for our REALTOR® Public Policy Advocacy Agenda. Local and State Associations make recommendations to the National RPAC Trustees using Real Estate Issues as the single most important factor for support of a candidate for election or re-election

· NAR is one of the most effective lobbying forces on Capitol Hill. The results from yesterday’s election have not diminished our ability to promote and protect the real estate industry.

· The New York Times, in the October 30, 2010 edition, singled out RPAC as “One of the few large outside spenders that has supported candidates from both parties…”

· Like most political action committees RPAC typically supports incumbent candidates with a strong level of support for our public policy agenda.

· RPAC has a long tradition of making our “friends” before we need them on Capitol Hill.

· Many Members of Congress come to Washington with a good understanding of real estate issues based on close relationships started on the local and state level.

· By cultivating these relationships over the long haul, NAR will not be scrambling to play “catch-up’ because the party in power changed.

· NAR has been well positioned during previous changes in Congress and will be again this time.

· We recognize that many REALTORS® will use non real estate criteria to evaluate candidates.

· NAR encourages political involvement by all members.

If you have detailed questions about specific candidates or the results of a specific race, please feel free to contact NAR's Managing Director of Political Programs, Scott Reiter at sreiter@realtors.org.

Latest INFO from NAR

President's Podcast: What's Coming Up in Congress

Fresh off of victories in getting the tax credit closing deadline and flood insurance extended, NAR President Vicki Cox Golder outlines what major legislative issues are looming for the real estate industry. These include the financial reform bill, the 502 single-family rural housing loan guarantee program, and carried interest, which impacts commercial real estate. Listen to the podcast

Small Business Lending Bill Advances to Senate Floor

NAR is urging the Senate to OK legislation that would create a $30 billion small business loan fund. NAR also wants the bill to allow credit unions to increase loans to commercial real estate. Similar legislation has passed the house but Senate prospects are unclear. For more information, contact Vijay Yadlapati at 202-383-1090 or vyadlapati@realtors.org

Webinar: How REALTORS® FCU Can Help You

The REALTORS® Federal Credit Union (REALTORS® FCU), created by the National Association of REALTORS®, serves the unique financial needs of REALTORS® and Associations. Join Tom Glatt, President and CEO, to learn more about their competitive interest and dividend rates, which make it a perfect complement to your existing financial portfolio. In addition, REALTORS® FCU has a Partner Program designed to enhance the benefits you already provide to your members. Register for the webinar at 10 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 20, and for instructions on accessing the one-hour session.

New REALTORS(R) Land Institute Course

“Beyond Property Lines: What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know About Land” is a course for practitioners who are interested in jump-starting their knowledge about land. Land transactions are complex and require specialized knowledge—from survey methodology to mineral rights. Members can attend the premiere of this new half-day course on Nov. 3, 2010, at the NAR Conference & Expo in New Orleans. Keith Morris, Accredited Land Consultant with Farmers National Company, will serve as instructor.

Commercial Vacancies

Commercial Vacancies to Peak Near Early 2011

Vacancy rates continue to rise in most commercial sectors and are not expected to level out in most markets until the end of this year or early 2011, NAR says. The bright spot is the multifamily sector, which can expect increased demand as the economy creates jobs and new households are formed, likely in the second half of this year. "The office, warehouse, and retail sectors continue to experience the delayed effects of the recession," says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "These sectors should see gradual improvement after jobs pick up and create additional demand for space, meaning a broader improvement in commercial real estate is likely in 2011."