REALTOR Party and 2019 Federal Policy Priorities
LOUISIANA REALTORS • December 3, 2018
“2/3 of the new Congress did not serve in the last decade. That puts tremendous pressure on NAR and it’s state and local associations to be able to break through ”
— NAR political consultant Doug Sosnik
THE REALTOR® PARTY
A powerful alliance of REALTORS® and REALTOR® Associations working to protect and promote homeownership and property investment.
The REALTOR® Party speaks with one voice to advance candidates and public policies that build strong communities and promote a vibrant business environment.
REALTORS®
- REALTORS® positively impact their neighborhoods by promoting real property ownership and strong community development.
- As a trusted resource int he community, REALTORS® are natural advocates for homeownership and real estate issues.
PARTICIPATE
- REALTORS® embrace their engagement in the legislative and political process
- No matter the breadth or depth of an issue, REALTORS® are involved in the solution
ADVOCATE
- The REALTOR® Party creates a groundswell of support for the industry by activating advocates in every corner of the country
- REALTORS® mobilize to make transformational, lasting change at the local, state, and federal levels of government.
CELEBRATE
- RPAC is the gold standard for bipartisan political influence among all industries
- RPAC is continuously perfecting its craft to elect pro-REALTOR® candidates across the country.
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is working to be at the forefront of discussions as Congress and the White House seek agreement on a comprehensive national infrastructure package next year. The effort to ensure the voice of REALTORS® is heard as the federal government turns its attention to infrastructure as a top federal public policy priority of NAR in 2019. Other priorities include making recent tax law changes better and ensuring REALTORS® have a leading voice in efforts to reform the country’s secondary mortgage market. The priorities were announced at the 2019 REALTOR® Party Training Conference in Minneapolis.
“RPAC is celebrating its 50th year as the voice of the real estate industry. We are made up of 1.3 million activists, thinkers and doers!”
— Beth Cristina
“You need to make mountains out of moments”
— Amy Showalter Grassroots & PAC influence expert
Louisiana’s representatives and REALTOR® volunteers that attended the REALTOR® Party Training Conference include:
“As your Major Investor Council member, I want everyone to know that I am here to help you with a Major Investor event. This includes to help you plan and write a grant and attend and/or speak at your event if you should desire. Our state is noted for achieving our NAR goals . . . it’s because of YOU. Thank you so much for investing in our industry!”
— Carole Horn
“RPAC has so many opportunities for states and locals to receive grant dollars for events! ”
— Judy Holland
Homeownership Is on Louisiana's November Ballot
After months of gathering recipes from across our Louisiana REALTORS® family, the cookbook is ready! This 200+ page collection is filled with Louisiana flavor, REALTOR® heart and recipes contributed by our members. We launched sales of the cookbook at the Fall Governance Meetings. You can now purchase your copy for $30 directly from the printer and shipped to you! Additionally, we will have copies available at the RRF booth at NXT . After NXT, we will carry a limited stock at the LR office for you to purchase through the LR Merch Shop and pick-up from the office or at an LR event, as stock is available. Even better, $15 from every cookbook sold will be donated to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to help provide housing-related assistance to REALTORS® and their families following disasters. Pick up a copy for yourself, grab one as a gift and enjoy a taste of Louisiana while supporting a great cause!
A major change to residential appraisal reporting is approaching, but a recently announced temporary policy exception is creating some confusion about what happens on November 2. Here is what REALTORS® need to know. Beginning November 2, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will require the new Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6 for new appraisal reports initially submitted to the Uniform Collateral Data Portal (UCDP), unless the lender has received a temporary policy exception. The November 2 implementation date has not been postponed. What is the UAD 3.6 Appraisal Report? UAD 3.6 replaces the familiar legacy appraisal forms (used for the last 25 years) with a new, more data-driven appraisal report that collects much more detailed property information. For REALTORS® and consumers, the transition could mean a more detailed property inspection, additional questions about the property and transaction, and potentially longer appraisal and review times as appraisers, lenders, appraisal management companies, and other industry participants adjust to the new system. What changed? Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently announced a temporary policy exception for eligible lenders that need additional time to complete their transition to UAD 3.6. Lenders receiving the exception may continue submitting appraisals using the current legacy UAD 2.6 format through May 19, 2027 . Beginning May 20, 2027 , new appraisal submissions to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must use UAD 3.6. What does this mean for REALTORS®? For several months, REALTORS® may encounter both the current appraisal format and the new UAD 3.6 appraisal report. The appraisal format is determined by the lender's assignment requirements. REALTORS® and consumers do not need to determine which format should be used. It is also important to understand that an appraiser completing a legacy-format appraisal during this period should not automatically be assumed to be unprepared for UAD 3.6. An appraiser who is fully UAD 3.6 ready may still be instructed by a lender to complete an assignment using the legacy format. How can REALTORS® help? Good communication and accurate property information will become even more important. REALTORS® can help the appraisal process by providing accurate and specific information concerning: Recent renovations and improvements Property features and amenities Sales concessions and financing terms Known property conditions or unique characteristics Relevant information about the transaction Buyers should also be encouraged to discuss appraisal requirements and anticipated timelines with their lender early in the transaction. What about FHA, VA and USDA? The November 2 requirement discussed above applies to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional lending. FHA, VA and USDA have their own appraisal policies and implementation schedules. Their transition to UAD 3.6 should not be assumed to follow the same November 2 timeline unless announced by the respective agency. The Bottom Line November 2 remains an important date for UAD 3.6. The temporary exception does not cancel or postpone the transition. Instead, it allows eligible lenders additional time to complete their transition. As a result, REALTORS® should expect a period when both legacy and UAD 3.6 appraisal reports are being used. Louisiana REALTORS® will continue monitoring the transition and providing members with updates as additional guidance becomes available. Louisiana REALTORS® is also planning a follow-up webinar to discuss the latest UAD 3.6 developments, what REALTORS® are seeing in transactions, and what these changes mean for agents and their clients.
