RPAC Helps Protect Your Interests in Real Estate

RPAC contributions are given to candidates who support housing and real estate issues. RPAC strengthens the REALTORS^® political advocacy program through grassroots activities and federal, state, and local lobbying efforts. There's only one way to protect your investment in real estate - and that's by investing in RPAC! Just look at some of our legislative and regulatory achievements:

Political Achievements in Worcester County:

• Persuaded Worcester County Commissioners to vote down proposed impact fees (Feb. 2006)

Political Achievements in Maryland:

• Passed Mandatory Semi-Annual Property Tax Bill, saving an average of $800 at the closing cost table for homebuyers and giving home sellers an average rebate of $800 from their mortgage escrow accounts.
• Passed Agency Legislation, creating a more natural relationship between consumers and agents, defining duties of agents in the statutory law for the first time, and helping reduce litigation by keeping agents and consumers out of court saving thousands of dollars for the industry.
• Lowered closing costs for first time Maryland homebuyers, making more buyers eligible to purchase a home, creating thousands of dollars in extra commissions for Maryland REALTORS^®. For every $1,000 reduction in closing costs, 3,000 more Marylanders qualify to purchase homes.
• Defeated Septic Tank Legislation, saving Maryland consumers thousands of dollars in potential repair costs during settlement.
• Passed Montgomery County Council bill on Landlord-Tenant Revisions, keeping the attorney's fees provision with a 2-year sunset review amendment.
• Rendered the withdrawal of the local Montgomery County Historic Disclosure Bill in favor of pursuing the disclosure matter at the local level.

Political Achievements on the National Front:

• Passed broad-based capital gains tax reduction, including a $500,000 capital gains exclusion on the sale of a principal residence. This stimulates the sale of homes by reducing transactional tax burdens, creating thousands of dollars in extra commissions.
• Defeated efforts to eliminate the Mortgage Interest Deduction, saving the average REALTOR^® $7,350 in lost commissions.
• RPAC is working to keep big banks out of the real estate industry. REALTORS^® across the country are voicing their opposition to a proposed rule by the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board defining real estate brokerage as a financial activity.

Get Involved!
If you are interested in participating in RPAC, please contact the CAR RPAC Committee chair.