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RPAC2022-01-07T12:48:35-05:00

REALTORS® Political Action Committee

The REALTORS®️ Political Action Committee (RPAC) is funded and supported by members of the Richmond Association of REALTORS®️. RPAC’s primary objective is to advance the legislative and regulatory interests of REALTORS®️ and home buyers – from sign ordinances to comprehensive plans that outline the next 20 years of development. Policy positions are determined the RAR’s Legislative Committee.

Government Affairs staff works alongside elected officials on the local and state level to advance policies that improve our community’s quality of life, protect private property rights, and help you grow your business. RPAC also endorses pro-REALTOR®️ candidates who understand and support the policies that support you. These decisions are made by the RPAC Trustees after a lengthy interview process.

Partisan politics have no place at the table. RPAC only supports one party: The REALTOR®️ Party.

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Legislative Packet

Advocacy Positions

Local governments determine the rate of and levy real estate taxes. The Virginia Constitution requires local governments to assess properties at fair market value. The Richmond Association of REALTORS® supports broad-based funding measures that would lessen local governments’ dependence on the real estate tax. RAR believes in expanded real estate tax relief through additional means testing and by utilizing the existing tools in the Code of Virginia.

Both the state and local governments levy real estate recordation taxes, the rates of which are outlined in the Code of Virginia. These fees are often targeted as potential sources for additional revenue. Transfer taxes are out-of-pocket costs generally paid by the buyer at the time of settlement. An increase in statutory transfer taxes or flat fees associated with the transfer of real estate diminishes the ability of families to purchase a home. The Richmond Association of REALTORS® opposes any increase in transfer taxes or recordation fees.

Real estate sales agents have a unique statutory provision (Internal Revenue Code Section 3508) that provides clear directives about how a real estate broker may classify their sales agents as independent contractors.  Brokers and sales agents can determine with certainty what their work arrangements are and can thereby ascertain the role of each with respect to payroll taxes and benefits. The Richmond Association of REALTORS® opposes any erosion of the statutory protections in Section 3508.

Temporary, off-site signs placed along the roadway and private property are valuable in directing the public to a property which is listed for sale or lease. However, unregulated and overuse of signs results in both the pollution of the roadside and the neighborhood character. The Richmond Association of REALTORS® opposes efforts to impose unreasonable restrictions on the use of temporary directional signs located outside of the VDOT right-of-way, but supports the implementation of careful, targeted sign ordinances to preserve our environment and neighborhood aesthetic.

Over a third of households in Central Virginia housing cost burdened, meaning they spend over 30% of their income on housing costs. Additionally, median housing costs across the region have increased faster than median incomes. The lack of affordable housing is not unique to Central Virginia. Across the Commonwealth, there simply is not enough supply to meet the demand. The Richmond Association of REALTORS® supports local government planning efforts to diversify housing stock and provide residents with a variety of housing choices affordable across the income spectrum.

Major Investor Benefits

The RPAC Elite are the foundation of our advocacy efforts. By making a $2500 contribution to RPAC this year, you can be a part of that foundation and have your name engraved on a brick outside of RAR’s main entrance.

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Plan to make your $99 fair share contribution this year – A small price to pay to protect your future.

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RPAC TRUSTEES

Monica Rawles, Chair
Jason Hester, Vice Chair
Kim Atkinson
Jenn Cox
Katherine Hawks
Kurt Negaard
Curt Reichstetter
Mario Ta
LaToya Washington

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Contributions to Virginia REALTORS® RPAC of are voluntary and are used for political purposes; they are not deductible for federal or state income tax purposes. Members may contribute more or less than the suggested amount and may refuse to contribute without reprisal. The National Association of REALTORS® or any of its state associations or local boards will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. NAR has established state Federal RPAC Disbursement Allocations based on anticipated National RPAC needs. Thirty percent of all Major Investor contributions are sent to NAR to be applied to the Federal RPAC Disbursement Allocation and are charged against the limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a with the remaining seventy percent maintained for state and local usage. Decisions regarding Virginia REALTORS® RPAC contributions to meet the Federal RPAC Disbursement Allocation will be made throughout the fundraising year.

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