The DC Council is considering legislation that could impact vacant & blighted properties, construction, and renovations in DC.
The DC government and in particular, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), is focused on finding potentially positive ways to address ‘blighted’ and ‘nuisance’ properties along with faulty construction projects.
Click here for a video of the Committee Application Rundown.
The NAR committee application process allows members to enter committee applications and endorsements online. The process is a little different this year, which means we will walk you through the process. The good news is it’s all online-based, which saves you loads of time in the future. Read more »
It’s Been One Week – And what a week it turned out to be for NAR’s Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo. We are giving you a week-in-review treatment so you can stay informed. We are giving a quick rundown on what happened at the federal, state and local levels. We’ll keep it short this week because there’s quite a bit to digest. Read more »
As a DC REALTOR®, you know how damaging recordation and transfer taxes can be to a real estate deal. GCAAR, our Local Association, is fighting a drastic increase in the recordation tax proposed by the Montgomery County Council.
This Tuesday, May 10, GCAAR will load up a fleet of buses with members to march on the Council steps and say, “There has to be a better way!” You can join in as well because you know how this legislation could also creep its way into the District.
You may sign up for bus service or register to drive yourself (and colleagues) to the hearing. A complimentary lunch from the Bean Bag Deli will be served. Need driving or Metro directions? Read here.
Date: 5/10/2016 | Time: 1:30 PM | Location: Montgomery County Council Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD
Here’s Your At-Large Debate Primer THIS Friday’s Debate: Do we have a REALTOR® Champion?
Date: 4/29/2016 | Time: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Location: 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 12th Floor
Vincent Orange is the incumbent with innovative plans to address affordable housing in DC.
Robert White, a community leader, sees 2016 as an opportunity to unite all the Wards in the District of Columbia.
David Garber has served as an ANC commissioner and is ready to share his vision for DC neighborhoods.
Grab a free lunch and decide with your fellow REALTORS® who among these candidates is best suited to represent the District and the Real Estate Community on Primary Day on June 14th! Read more »
We talked all about regulations at our latest Speaker Series
You won’t believe how much we packed the house for our latest Speaker Series. Our members were treated to a great discussion about DCRA’s overall approach to regulations, zoning, and permits among other topics. We covered many topics, but we’ll bullet-point some of the broader subjects to keep you informed.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to DCRA’s Melinda Bolling and Matt Orlins for taking time out of their busy schedules to join our discussion on DC’s regulations.
Celebrate REALTOR® Advocacy in DC!
The upcoming REALTOR® Party Convention (A.K.A. Midyear) is bringing a lot of excitement to the DC area as real estate professionals from around the country will attend NAR’s Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in May. You also have an opportunity to apply for an NAR committee position.
REALTORS® from across the country will be in DC again this May, and there will be a whole lot of excitement. The race for the White House is in full effect with nail-biting primaries and a potential photo finish. Register now for NAR’s Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.
You can also spend time advocating for DC. While you’re schmoozing with your colleagues and NAR higher-ups, let them know how DC struggles with its lack of voting representation in Congress.
Do You Want A Seat At NAR’s Table? – Here’s how you can apply to work on an NAR committee.
The 2017 committee appointment process is now open and accepting applications. The deadline for submitting committee applications and endorsements is May 23, 2016. You may apply here.
NAR members may enter committee applications and endorsements online. There’s a whole lengthy process to the ordeal, so it takes some time for NAR to choose volunteers. You can read more about it here.
Tax Season can really get a REALTOR® down if they’re not prepared. Let us help you out! As DC residents, you are often left with the short end of the citizenship stick when you are forced to pay taxes and expected to accept taxation without representation. Why not join us at the DC Tax Day Protest?
However, this year there is a unique opportunity for DC REALTORS® and residents to show solidarity and make Congress hear their voices.
On April 15th, DC residents will gather at Freedom Plaza (1455 Pennsylvania Avenue) to protest “Taxation Without Representation” and march to Capitol Hill – Federal tax forms in hand – to demonstrate. We are unified and determined to be treated as full and equal American citizens.
Will you answer the call and gather with your neighbors in making this protest meaningful and successful? Visit DCTaxDayProtest.org to endorse, sign on, or learn more. We hope you will join us.
April 18th is Tax Day – Yes, Really.
Why is Tax Day on April 18th this year instead of the 15th? The answer has to do with Abraham Lincoln and Emancipation Day.
Emancipation Day is a holiday in the District of Columbia to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act. On April 16, 1862, President Lincoln signed the Bill, which freed more than 3000 slaves in the District of Columbia; eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation liberated slaves in the South.
Since the holiday falls on Saturday, April 16th this year, the federal government will be closed on Friday, April 15th. Thus, pushing back your Federal tax deadline to Monday, April 18th. Conveniently, the change gives you time on Friday, April 15 to march on Capitol Hill.
For those still working on your taxes, here are some helpful links:
(UPDATE: 04/19/2016)
What Does Freedom Mean In DC? – A Post-Tax Day Recap of DC’s Emancipation Day
Statehood activists saw a prime opportunity to spread their message of freedom and representation thanks to Emancipation Day. The Tax Day Protest and March for Equality event brought civic groups and public servants together to march for fair representation in Congress.
Balancing DC’s Budget is far from simple, but Budget Director Matthew Brown illustrated how it could be most easily understood at our recent Speaker Series. Speaking of money,
Of course, we are talking about pie charts, specifically the DC Budget chart that adds up to over $11 billion. How does one jurisdiction handle a number like that? DC’s Budget Director Matthew Brown gave the facts to our members at our March Speaker Series.
In short, trying to digest a massive Budget for 2017 at face value is nearly impossible. Instead, as Mr. Brown pointed out, it’s better to look at the Budget as a single dollar, which is then allocated to various public functions, agencies and initiatives.
We would like to extend our thanks to Matthew Brown for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk shop with our members.
As Springtime turns the corner, Mayor Muriel Bowser is prepping to release her 2017 Budget. One of the hot-button issues is the Mayor’s homeless shelter plan, which is going to take a lot of budgetary wizardry at $200M.
To make sense of it all, Budget Director Matthew Brown will host DCAR’s Speaker Series this month.
Budget Basics
DC’s Budget season is starting, which means Mayor Bowser is putting together a proposal aimed to best utilize your tax dollars. It accounts for everything from transportation to new economic development projects.
Beginning in April, the Council will conduct hearings and have their own round of amendments. The final Budget usually passes in June and goes into effect October 2016.
What DC REALTORS® Should Know
DCAR is keeping a close eye on Recordation and Transfer taxes, the Real Estate Guaranty Fund, affordable housing and infrastructure investments.
DCAR’s Plan
Your State Association advocates every year to ensure the Budget reflects the best interests of the real estate community. For a more detailed look at the DC Budget, visit the Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s website.
Budget Highlight: Homeless Shelters
The District’s homelessness crisis has been a major sticking point for Mayor Muriel Bowser. DC has spent more than $172,000 on homeless encampment cleanup. Furthermore, the Mayor has laid the groundwork to establish shelters throughout DC’s eight wards.
In early February, Mayor Bowser revealed her Office’s selection of seven proposed family homeless shelters across DC’s wards. The Mayor’s announcement also cleared a path for the District to close the beleaguered DC General shelter.
DC’s residents responded quickly to the announcement with FOIA requests to learn more about the proposal. The investigation revealed nearly three dozen sites considered by the Mayor’s office.