Hello REALTORS®,
Last week, I reported on the various real estate-related ordinances being considered at the South Carolina General Assembly. This week, I am reporting on what is happening in Washington, plus the outcome of the proposed residential development moratorium in Anderson County. But first, a little about your REALTORS® Association and it’s advocacy program.
Our advocacy program is a four-legged stool. One leg is our advocacy at the Western Upstate Association of REALTORS®. We monitor and lobby in three counties, nine cities and towns, eight school districts, and multiple special purpose districts. Another leg is the South Carolina Association of REALTORS®, which we reported about last week. They focus on state government. The third leg of the stool is the National Association of REALTORS®. They lobby the Federal government—and provide support and resources to the state and local associations.
We are a team, and we work together so the entire team is successful. One of the ways we work together is RPAC—with your support. You are the fourth leg of the advocacy stool. When we work together and support RPAC, Realtors are forceful advocates for the professional practice of their craft, as well as private property rights and housing affordability.
What’s on the National Association of REALTORS® Advocacy Agenda?
In 2025, your REALTORS® Association is focusing on two key issues:
- Update the tax law to increase access to homeownership: NAR is promoting four bills to advance this priority:
- More Homes on the Market Act, which will decrease the equity penalty and incentivize long-term homeowners to sell their homes.
- Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act, which will incentivize converting commercial buildings into residential and mixed-use properties.
- Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, which will attract private investment to build and rehabilitate owner-occupied homes.
- Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act to encourage state and local governments to remove barriers to housing development.
NAR is also working to repeal the state and local tax cap (SALT), which through inflation is no longer just a problem for northeastern states and California.
- Ensure equal access to professional representation and support fair housing. This is an ongoing initiative that needs continued support. Our nation’s fair housing policies are constantly threatened. Realtors are one of just a few professions that continue to shine a spotlight on housing discrimination more than 50 years after the Fair Housing Act was enacted.
As one of your eyes and ears in local government meetings, I can speak about the need for continued focus on fair housing initiatives and the need for legislation like the YIMBY Act.
One recent way we saw fair housing threatened was the proposed development moratorium in Anderson County.
Anderson County Housing Development Moratorium Tabled
The short report on this moratorium is that Anderson County Council tabled the proposed ordinance, which was promoted by councilmembers Cindy Wilson and Jimmy Davis, who represent districts on the fast-growing east side of the county.
The proposed ordinance would have imposed a moratorium on the county accepting applications to subdivide property into 25 or more parcels for the purpose of building homes. Your REALTORS® Association opposes moratoriums like this one and lobbied against it. Among other things, Interim President Josh Grant submitted this op ed to the Anderson Observer.
Moratoriums have grown in popularity among our local governments and opponents of new residential development. Pickens County, City of Clemson, City of Easley, and City of Pendleton have each enacted moratoriums in the last five years, so we don’t expect this will be the last moratorium proposed in the Western Upstate.
Support RPAC
And finally, there’s RPAC. Our success in government affairs relies on elected officials who are friendly and supportive of real estate. Through RPAC, we support pro-real estate candidates who understand the importance of a vibrant economy for real estate. Supporting RPAC is easy. Your association includes a voluntary contribution to RPAC on your annual dues invoice. Pay it, and you are an RPAC supporter. If you haven’t supported RPAC this year, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.
One additional way you can support RPAC is by joining our RPAC Committee. They are charged with raising money for RPAC so that we have the funds to be successful. I can’t think of a better professional to raise money for RPAC than a Realtor.
If you want to get involved in our government affairs program, please contact me by calling the association office or emailing me at Michael@WesternUpstateMLS.com.
Michael Dey, Director of Government Affairs