RPAC Supports the REALTOR® Party

Launched in 1969 as the Real Estate Political Education Committee (REPEC), RPAC’s mission is to identify candidates for elected office on the local, state and national levels who will work with REALTORS® to promote and protect the American Dream of homeownership. In 1974, NAR changed REPEC’s name to RPAC.Candidates that receive support from RPAC are not selected based on their political party or ideology, but solely on their support of real estate issues. Our legislative allies are members of the REALTOR® Party. The REALTOR® Party supports the issues that are important to your business as a REALTOR®, regardless of political party affiliation.

The amount of money RPAC spends to support candidates makes it one of the top three trade association PACs in the nation. REALTORS® are a key part of the American Dream: home ownership. But now, more than ever, REALTORS® are facing forces from many directions that threaten their profession. RPAC allows REALTORS® to make sure their concerns about these issues are heard and understood by public officials.

REALTOR® Action Fund
The REALTOR® Action Fund (RAF) raises money to promote the values, attitudes and beliefs of organized real estate; every dollar is used to protect and advance REALTORS’® interests in government. RAF serves members of the California Association of REALTORS® and works with REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC).

Your Best Investment in Real Estate
“Deciding how much you invest to protect the real estate industry should be directly proportionate to the level of success you believe you’ve achieved in that industry. “
— Scott Louser, 2014 RPAC Participation Council Chair, National Association of REALTORS®

Voluntary Contributions
The REALTOR® Action Fund (non-tax deductible) advances the goals of our political action committees (PACs) at the local, state, and federal levels of government. RAF supports and/or opposes candidates for elected office who understand, or don’t understand, REALTOR® Issues.

Strengthening Credit and Lending Policies
NAR leads the effort to increase the availability of affordable mortgage financing for credit worthy consumers. Currently Federal policymakers are weighing a number of proposals aimed at creating healthier housing and mortgage markets. Because of NAR’s recent efforts, up to 70,000 home buyers opened the door to the American dream of homeownership. NAR continues to support affordable, fixed-rate mortgages for working families and refinancing easier for Veterans. NAR works to remove the arbitrary commercial real estate portfolio cap for credit unions, which unnecessarily restricts available capital for commercial real estate projects. NAR stopped misguided legislation that would have raised the “carried interest” tax rate from 15% to as high as 39.6%, a huge tax increase on commercial real estate development. NAR extended the cancellation of mortgage debt tax provision, preventing the IRS from taxing homeowners on forgiven mortgage balances in a short sale or waived deficiency…

Elimination of the 20% Down payment Requirement Under QRM
If the QRM regulation had been implemented to require a minimum 20% down payment the impact on home sales and prices would have been significant. NAR Research estimates that home sales would have declined 7.5% – 12.5%. Moody’s estimated that sales would fall by 8% – 12% and that home prices would decline by 6.5% – 13% with a 20% down payment requirement. Based on these estimated effects on the housing market, annual REALTOR® income would have fallen by approximately $10,000 per member.

A New, Dynamic RPAC
In 1969, the average cost of a house was $15,500. A new car went for $3,270. Now think about political campaigns. In 1974, the cost of winning a campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives was $56,500. In 2008, that cost was $1.3 million. Times have changed. Political candidates need more support and RPAC is constantly finding new ways to help our members and state and local associations raise more money, including…

  • Giving the state and local associations the ability to conduct online fundraising campaigns.
  • Providing software so that every state and local association can better manage their record keeping.
  • Offering associations professional fundraising assistance to recruit Major Investors.
  • Assisting associations in creating marketing materials to encourage REALTORS® to contribute to RPAC.
  • Educating our members with online training on how they can improve their fundraising.
  • Distinguishing Major Investors through a comprehensive recognition program

If Not You, Then Who?
REALTORS® must be politically active. If not, who will take on the responsibility of protecting the values and rights we hold dear? Be assured that someone will—someone who may not value wise business planning and could threaten property owners and their rights. If REALTORS® do not speak out, get involved and help shape the discussion, someone else will. No one knows a community better than a REALTOR®. REALTORS® know the lay of the land, the families, the best schools, the neighborhoods and the leaders of any given area. REALTORS® work in every city, county and community in the nation. REALTORS® are on the front line as defenders of real estate issues.

RPAC uses its financial resources to support candidates for Congress who both understand and support REALTOR® issues. RPAC looks to build the future by putting dollars in places that will help advance the interests of real estate professionals. RPAC is the only political group in the country organized for REALTORS® and run by REALTORS®. RPAC exists solely to further issues important to REALTORS®.