"Why I Invest"
I will be the first to tell you that before understanding what RPAC was and what it did for me and my clients, I did not participate. It was a line on my dues statement that did not seem to add any benefit to me as a REALTOR® and like many others, I asked for it to be removed. Through conversations with other REALTOR® members, I quickly learned that not only is RPAC an investment in my profession, but it also helps protect and secure the rights of all property owners.
Imagine if you could not get flood insurance in our region or the insurance rates were so high no one would buy. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has provided options otherwise not available to homeowners in flood-prone regions, and RPAC has been essential in its continued renewal. However, the work is not complete – even though NFIP has been extended periodically over the past decade (most recently for one year through September 2021), comprehensive reform is needed to ensure flood insurance remains available and affordable to those that need it. RPAC supports elected officials who champion these types of efforts.
Countless other issues like NFIP addressed at the Federal, State, and even Local-level directly affect real estate. RPAC ensures that we engage on them to the benefit of REALTORS® and our clients. Simply put, REALTORS® can serve our clients because of the investment made in support of the industry!
If I leave one thought with you, it is this: an investment in RPAC is an investment in our profession.
- Tony Harrington, CFR 2020 President
"Why I Invest"
In addition to representing clients in real estate transactions, REALTORS® also fight for homeowners, private property rights, and the industry.
For many, the purchase of real estate is the largest made in a lifetime. REALTORS® advocate to ensure insurance rates are fair, costs of buying and selling property are minimal, and benefits of homeownership are maintained to protect our clients’ investment. This includes making sure accurate maps are used when setting flood insurance rates and excessive closing costs do not take away from a seller’s proceeds or add to a buyer’s purchase price.
Our efforts extend to defending private property rights from restrictive zoning, excessive property taxes, and regulations that arbitrarily restrict uses such as short-term rentals. Undue regulations not only deprive property owners’ rights but also constrain economic growth.
RPAC gives us the clout we need to support candidates that support our issues and fight against competing interests at the local, state, and federal level.
-Tom Gale, 2020 CFR President-Elect
"Why I Invest"
Just like you, I work to protect the interests of my clients every day. And in my experience, that goes past the closing transaction. It’s a holistic approach to ensuring real estate investments are protected and that the industry continues playing its part as an economic driver in our community.
Take for instance the issue of short-term rentals. The battle for protecting a property owner’s right to rent their home continues to this day. As court cases are decided and appealed, decision-makers and stakeholders look to find a commonsense solution. Through RPAC, we can ensure that in this process, the private property rights of homeowners everywhere are considered, along with the positive economic impact of the short-term rental industry on local communities. Informed elected officials who understand the broader implications of important issues like this ensure that we as REALTORS® can continue serving our clients’ needs.
Our industry is constantly facing threats in the form of uniformed legislation and public policy. Whether it’s protecting private property rights, fighting unnecessary regulatory burdens, or advocating for the real estate industry, the REALTORS® PAC tackles issues with a united front.
- Luke Waddell, REALTOR®
“Why I Invest”
As REALTORS®, we are committed to our clients’ needs first and foremost. Our day to day efforts are put toward ensuring their housing and real estate goals are met. This often means REALTORS® don’t have much time to spend focusing on government legislation or policy that affects our industry. Enter RPAC.
The REALTORS® PAC amplifies the REALTOR® voice in the room where important decisions are being made that impact how we work and serve our clients. When the pandemic hit, I needed to work, other agents needed to work, and our clients needed us to find them housing or to sell as their lives necessitated. It was RPAC that ensured not only real estate businesses but REALTORS® specifically remained essential and were allowed to continue serving our clients.
Collectively, our voice is stronger and that strong voice is what is needed to protect our industry and the property rights of our clients. I invest in RPAC because I know they will be that voice for real estate.
-Ea Ruth, 2020 CFR Vice President
“Why I Invest”
I was asked the question “why do you invest in RPAC?” My first response is “why would you NOT invest in RPAC?” Investing in PRAC is my way of protecting my real estate business and livelihood and at the same time protecting private property rights of my clients and your clients.
What does my investment do?
One current example is how we, as REALTORS®, worked with the Governor and NC Legislators to ensure that you and I were classified as “essential” allowing us to take the proper precautions and still help people buy and sell real estate.
Another is working with several other industries laying the groundwork for Association Health Care Plans for independent contractors. Shouldn’t we as hardworking professionals be afforded the same access to affordable health insurance as other industries that benefit from group health plans?
And an item that we will need to watching is the “Tax on Services.” As revenues have fallen for municipalities and the state because of the COVID, lawmakers will be looking for ways to raise revenue. This means an additional tax on our hard earned income. RPAC strengthens our voice on the issue, protecting the way we do business and serve our clients.
So to answer the question “why do you invest in RPAC?” The answer is simple – it’s insurance for my real estate business, which is my livelihood.
-Bob Bates, REALTOR®