Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Thurgood Marshall Ballroom South
Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
11 a.m. - Noon
Presiding:
LeFrancis Arnold, C.A.R. President
Staff:
Matt Roberts, Federal Governmental Affairs Manager
I. Welcome
II. REALTOR® Rally to Protect the American Dream of Home Ownership
Join fellow REALTORS® and wear REALTOR® blue at the Washington Monument area on Thursday, May 17, 9:30 am – 11:00 am, to support and defend the social, cultural, and financial benefits of American home ownership.
III. MLS Issues
Over the past several years, the Internet Data Exchange, or “IDX” policy has been studied by a number of groups including the IDX Data Use Work Group, the DX/RSS/Franchisor Indexing Work Group, and the Internet Data Exchange Presidential Advisory Group.
Each of these bodies has made recommendations to the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee. In one instance the policy was expanded by the Board of Directors to permit “franchisor display” of IDX listings with the Board of Directors subsequently rescinding that authority a year later.
Other recommendations dealing with displays using applications for mobile devices, delivery via RSS feed, and display using social media platforms have been developed by these bodies and considered by the Committee, but not adopted.
Taking into account the concerns of MLS Participants, MLS executives and administrators and others, the new MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Subcommittee has developed comprehensive amendments to the IDX policy itself and to implementing MLS rules for consideration by the Committee at the Midyear meeting.
IV. Legal
A. Lateral/Statewide Discipline Pilot Program
B. Mandatory Lock Box Policy Change
V. Public Policy, Mark Peterson, C.A.R. Federal Committee Chair
A. REO Bulk Sales (Conventional Finance and Lending)
There will be a presentation to the Conventional Finance and Lending Committee on why bulk sales are necessary.
B. VISA Work Group (Public Policy Coordinating Committee, Business Issues Committee, Federal Taxation Committee)
The Public Policy Coordinating Committee directed the formation of a work group comprised of representatives from the Business Issues Committee, Global Business and Alliances Committee, Resort and Second Home Real Estate Committee, Federal Taxation Committee, Public Policy Coordinating Committee and other members as deemed appropriate to evaluate legislation introduced in the Senate that focuses on visa reforms and two specific real estate-related visa provisions.
Before the work group was formed, the three committees who reviewed the Senate legislation came forward with varying policy recommendations that support the concept of the bill but expressed concerns about certain aspects pertaining to the real estate provisions.
The Public Policy Coordinating Committee tabled the three motions and directed the formation of the work group. The Visa Work Group will now be reporting that they have establishing core principles for visa reforms that would facilitate the purchase of U.S. real estate.
It positions NAR to advocate for a clear policy position before Congress regarding future legislation that seeks to utilize the visa process as a means of encouraging foreign ownership of U.S. real estate. The report also provides specificity and definition regarding various and complex elements regarding foreign ownership of U.S. real estate through the U.S. resident visa programs.
C. Federal Guarantee of FHA Mortgages (Federal Housing Committee)
As FHA financially struggles to stay solvent while they work through old loans that continue to underperform, some policy makers and real estate industry participants are asking if the current FHA model is an appropriate one.
VI. 2013 Operating, Capital and REALTOR Party Budgets
2013 is the 3rd year of the Association's current three year budget cycle.
VII. Other Business
VIII. Adjourn
