April 2025 - REALTOR® Party Newsletter
In This Issue
- Advocacy Scoop Podcast - Fair Housing for All
- Capitol Pulse: April Advocacy Update
- NAR Renews Call for Access to Association Health Plans
- NAR’s 2025 Fair Housing Champion Award
- Greater Inventory Brings Home Buyers Back to the Real Estate Market
Advocacy Scoop Podcast - Fair Housing for All
Listen to the latest Advocacy Scoop Podcast: April is Fair Housing Month, and Shannon and Patrick take us inside NAR’s 360-degree approach to the topic. Fair Housing isn’t just a feel-good phrase—it’s the law. And NAR’s members are an army of Fair Housing advocates leading on this issue in every zip code in America. In this episode, you will get the scoop on new NAR data on the racial homeownership gap, the exciting launch of Fairhaven 2.0, on how NAR advocates for Fair Housing every day, from our communities to the halls of Congress. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics sets NAR apart, and this primer on Fair Housing will bring you up to speed and make you proud to be a member of NAR.
NAR Renews Call for Access to Association Health Plans
Outlined in the REALTOR® Magazine article, NAR Renews Call for Access to Association Health Plans, the National Association of REALTORS® urged Congress to pass legislation restoring Americans’ access to association health plans, a critical means of healthcare coverage for self-employed individuals like real estate professionals.
Angela Shields, CEO of Tennessee REALTORS®, highlighted the struggles independent contractors—comprising most NAR members—face in obtaining comprehensive, affordable health coverage at a hearing in front of the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. She underscored that 15% of the nation’s more than a million REALTORS® remain uninsured due to high premiums and deductibles. Many others rely on expensive plans in the Affordable Care Act marketplace with narrow provider networks.
NAR’s priority is to ensure that members have the freedom to choose the best health insurance options that offer the highest quality care at the most affordable cost—whether through the ACA, AHPs or other available plans.
NAR’s 2025 Fair Housing Champion Award
The National Association of REALTORS® and REALTOR.com® honored three winners of the Fair Housing Champion Award during NAR's Fair Housing Month event, "Fair Housing Forward." Honorees received recognition for their efforts to advance fair housing and expand homeownership in their communities.
With the Fair Housing Champion Award, REALTORS® are recognized for going above and beyond to support buyers and communities, advocating for accessible and affordable housing opportunities, and promoting consumer and REALTOR® fair housing education.
"Ensuring that every individual has a fair opportunity to achieve homeownership is fundamental to our mission," said NAR President Kevin Sears. "These remarkable REALTORS® have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering stronger communities. Their efforts serve as a model for our industry and a beacon of hope for those striving to achieve the American Dream."
2025 Fair Housing Champions:
The REALTOR® Party At Work
Advocacy Everywhere helps expand REALTOR® influence on public policy and boosts engagement in Calls for Action at all levels. In 2025 so far:
2025 Political Cycle Kicks Off
Two RPAC-endorsed candidates won in recent Florida special elections, NAR also secured a local council victory in Florida.
REALTOR® Wins in Illinois
NAR, through its Issues Mobilization Program, helped Illinois REALTORS® win two key ballot measure fights:
- In Champaign Township, a measure to increase property taxes for a homeless shelter was defeated.
- In East Moline, a home rule measure was defeated—preserving local control and avoiding potential tax hikes.
Fuel Your Smart Growth Goals with NAR Grants – Learning Lab April 30!
As advocates for property ownership and strong communities, REALTORS® are uniquely positioned to lead on smart growth issues. Join the Smart Growth Learning Lab on April 30 to discover how NAR grants and resources can help your association champion key initiatives—from land use to housing opportunities. Engage with peers, share ideas, and gain tools that support your advocacy work. Register. POC: Hugh Morris
Fair Housing Month is Here!
Apply for Fair Housing Grants support your association's initiatives year-round. Need ideas? Explore NAR’s Fair Housing Toolkit for strategies or ideas to strengthen fair housing efforts. POC: Hannah Dannenfelser
Tackle Rural Challenges with a Rural Outreach Grant
Empower your association to drive solutions for broadband gaps, well and septic issues, open space preservation, and more. Learn how Idaho REALTORS® Welcomes Residents with New Guidebook on Rural Issues. Secure funding—make an impact! POC: Hannah Dannenfelser
REALTOR® Party Success Stories
Wyoming REALTORS® Support Passage of Legislation to Create Separate Residential Property Tax Tier
Capitol Pulse: April Advocacy Update
NAR President Kevin Sears joined EPA chief Lee Zeldin to announce the review of WOTUS and promise a “clear and simplified direction” for landowners. Read the full story here.
Housing is a Bipartisan Issue
The bipartisan Real Estate Caucus now includes 71 members of Congress—up from 50 last year—demonstrating growing consensus that America is facing a housing affordability crisis.
- 38 Democrats
- 33 Republicans
NAR Advocated for You in Washington, DC
Association Health Plans: On April 2, NAR testified before Congress in support of the Association Health Plans Act.
NFIP Extension and Government Funding: In a letter, NAR successfully urged Congress to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) before its funding expired.
Worker Classification: Sent a letter to Congress advocating for clarity under the FLSA and protections for independent contractors.
Remote Transactions: Supported the bipartisan SECURE Notarization Act to enable remote electronic real estate closings.
Tax Law Advocacy: Urged Congress to maintain current carried interest tax treatment for real estate.
Housing Finance: FHFA and Director Bill Pulte have implemented several structural and policy changes. NAR remains committed to a robust, liquid, and efficient housing finance system that supports affordability and supply.
Our focus is now on the reconciliation process, where the House and Senate must bridge significant gaps on key issues—including border security, energy, taxes, and defense spending. One of our top priorities remains the permanent extension of the 2017 tax cuts. This is a key issue for NAR, and we will continue to advocate to ensure that tax policy remains favorable for property owners and the real estate market.
To keep up with policy and regulatory updates, visit Advocacy's Washington Report.
The REALTOR® Magazine article, A Win in the Fight for IC Status, outlines a major victory for broker flexibility, in which the New Jersey Supreme Court upheld a brokerage’s right to classify real estate agents as independent contractors (ICs). This ruling, backed by advocacy from New Jersey REALTORS® and NAR, reinforces that written agreements between brokers and agents determine employment status—protecting the industry from burdensome reclassification.
This decision strengthens the legal foundation for IC relationships, allowing real estate professionals to maintain their business independence. NAR continues to fight for laws that preserve this flexibility while encouraging brokers to follow best practices in their IC agreements to avoid legal risks.
Greater Inventory Brings Home Buyers Back to the Real Estate Market
REALTOR® Magazine article, Greater Inventory Brings Home Buyers Back to the Real Estate Market, talks about the notable uptick in housing inventory nationwide that may be pulling the real estate market out of a long winter hibernation.
Total existing-home sales, which account for completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops, rose 4.2% month over month in February, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Thursday.
“Home buyers are slowly entering the market,” even as mortgage rates and home prices appear frozen at elevated levels, says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “More inventory and choices are releasing pent-up housing demand.”
RPAC Update
RPAC is off to a strong 2025 start. We’ve raised $20.2 million—44% of our $45.5 million goal—and state associations have already contributed nearly $4 million toward our federal disbursement allocation. Participation is at 23% nationally, with 12 states hitting their goals. Plus, the Corporate Ally Program has brought in nearly $704,000 so far. Major Investor renewals and acquisitions are at 23% nationally, on pace with 2024, while President’s Circle has already raised $534,000 for candidates by March’s end.
Link Library
FlyIn.realtor: Advocacy talking points and priorities
RealtorParty.realtor: REALTOR® Party grants and resources
NAR.realtor/AdvocacyMission: How NAR is making housing more affordable, available, and accessible
NAR.realtor/AdvocacyWins: One-stop shop for advocacy successes
Washington Report: Policy updates
APOA:
Where the Fight to Protect Property Rights Goes in 2025
Facts.realtor: Settlement information and resources
