National Property Repository ‘Proof’ OKd

Directors gave the go-ahead for NAR staff to negotiate with a technology provider to deliver a “proof of concept” working model for a national library/archive of all real estate parcels in the United States. The library is intended to arm REALTORS® with a broker-controlled, member-only accessed, one-stop repository of property information to compete against the current availability of such information from a variety of online sources – all of which are accessible to consumers. Speaking before the Board of Directors, NAR CEO Dale Stinton emphasized that the repository is not a national MLS and, among other things, would not provide offers of cooperation or compensation. NAR was given approval for start-up funding for the project last year. The repository would be revenue neutral but may eventually be fee-based to cover operating costs. The association plans to complete the proof of concept as soon as possible, utilizing one or more pilot locations around the country, Stinton said.

Immigration Statement of Principles Approved

To enable the association to represent the interests of real estate as federal immigration issues are debated in Congress, the directors adopted a statement of principles on immigration. In its statement, NAR takes an interest in immigration issues to the extent necessary to support stable, prosperous, thriving, and secure communities and to enhance the United States as a destination of choice for those seeking to own, transact, lease, and use real property. In this regard, the association supports the right of foreign citizens to acquire and own real estate and supports the free flow of international capital for real estate and opposes laws that would impede that flow. The directors also approved support of a federal resolution on securing borders to prevent illegal immigration while allowing for the flow of legal immigrants to accommodate the labor needs of the economy.

On a related matter, the board adopted a policy to support an increase in H-2B Worker Visas to ensure a steady supply of foreign workers to fill employment positions in the United States, particularly the seasonal work needs of resort areas.

Other Federal Policy Positions

The board approved policy positions on a number of federal issues expected to come before Congress. Among them:

* Health insurance: The government should enable affordable coverage that preserves choice without going to a single-payer system or requiring employers to provide coverage.

* FHA mortgage insurance: FHA should be allowed to use its insurance program to help homeowners refinance while safeguarding the FHA mission and minimizing taxpayer risk.

* Environment: Solutions to address pollution and degradation of the country’s waterways should be voluntary, market-based, and supportive of private property rights. Federal water resource policy should take into account traditional state, local, and private water rights and uses.

* Federal transportation funding: NAR set aside specific policies in favor of more board-based goals that are flexible enough to account for changes in travel patterns, shrinking petroleum supplies, and continuing technological innovation.

Association ‘Service Centers’ Permissible

The board clarified that NAR policy does not prohibit REALTOR® associations from establishing service centers in other association jurisdictions, nor does it prohibit associations from offering member recruitment dues incentives.

MLS Provisions Recognize Short Sales

In changes to the association’s multiple listing issues and policies, new MLS model rules enable practitioners to alert one another to potential short sales and put them on notice about the sharing of any reduction in gross listing commission required by a lender. MLSs are given the authority to decide whether or not their participants have to disclose reasonably-known short sales.

Another MLS policy change gives MLSs discretionary authority to enable participants to offer cooperative compensation through the MLS as a percentage of the net sale price. The net sale price is the gross price minus buyer upgrades in new construction and seller concessions.

Nominating and Election Process Revised

Among more than two dozen changes to the nominating and election process for NAR leaders, the association will hold a candidates forum at the annual and midyear meetings and create venues for directors to learn about the candidates. Several of the changes require amendments to the NAR Constitution so will come before the NAR Delegate Body at its November meeting. Of roughly two dozen election reform recommendations, only two were defeated by the board: One would have required that when the Nominating Committee interviews more than one candidate and any interviewed candidate who was not nominated chooses to run through the petition process, the committee then must present to the board a rationale for its decision to nominate the chosen individual; the second would have required NAR candidates’ Web sites to include a section for voluntary disclosure of campaign receipts and disbursements.

2009 National Officers Elected

The board elected the association’s national officers for 2009. They are Charles McMillan, CIPS, of Irving, Texas, president; Vicki Cox Golder, CRB, of Tucson, Ariz., president-elect; Ronald Phipps, CRS, GRI, of Warwick, R.I., first vice president; and James Helsel Jr., CRE, CCIM, of Lemoyne, Pa., treasurer.

DSA Recipients Announced

NAR’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award recipients were announced. They are Michael Owen, ABR®, CRS®, of Boca Raton, Fla., and Sally Heimbrook, CRB, CRS®, Beaver, Pa. The DSA recipients will accept their awards at the 2008 Annual Conference in Orlando in November.

Strong RPAC Contributions Reported

REALTORS® Political Action Committee Fundraising Chair Moe Veissi told the board that RPAC was well on its way toward meeting the $10 million fund-raising goal set for this year by NAR President Dick Gaylord. As of April 30, REALTORS® donated $4,559,853. North Dakota is the first state to reach 160 percent of the fair-share goal, Veissi said. Twelve states and territories have already met their RPAC goals.

In a structural change, the board approved the creation of an RPAC Party Coordinating Committee to manage a host of new RPAC efforts, including the Broker Involvement Program and political services to state and local associations. The board also created an RPAC Fundraising Forum to educate and motivate RPAC donors.

Membership Count Expected to Dip

NAR Treasurer James Helsel Jr. said the association has budgeted for a 2009 membership of just under 1.2 million members, a small drop from 2008, and for a 2010 membership of just over 1.2 million members. The association annual dues of $80 will remain unchanged.

REALTOR.COM Changes Create More Value

Errol Samuelson, president of REALTOR.COM, outlined many enhancements to NAR’s official property listing Web site. These include an increase in the number of photos per listing (from one to four) for the basic free listings available to all REALTORS® and neighborhood and school information for each listing. For the fee-based premium listings, practitioners can now get up to 25 high-definition photos and the addition of videos as part of a listing detail page.

Two Legal Cases Funded

The board provided $332,753 to fund two legal cases. One involves the constitutionality of a municipal requirement for a property inspection at the point of sale; the other, treatment of exclusive agency listings by an MLS, including exclusion of such listings from the MLS data feed.

Schwab to Lease Space in Chicago Headquarters

The Real Property Operations Committee reported that a 10-year lease (with two five-year renewable options) has been signed for the retail space in NAR’s Chicago headquarters building with the Charles Schwab Co. This will be Schwab’s flagship location in Chicago.