California REALTORS® cannot afford to ignore what occurs in the halls of government because Real Estate is one of the most regulated industries at the local, state and federal level. This is why every REALTOR® needs to be counted on Election Day!
Through your vote, C.A.R.’s ability to protect your business is strengthened. When REALTORS® are engaged in the electoral process, elected officials listen to our concerns.
On occasion, C.A.R. asks REALTORS® to call their legislators to support or oppose proposed bills through Red Alerts and Calls for Action. However, some members may be a bit reluctant to pick up the phone to call their legislator’s office, fearing that they may not know what to say or that the process takes a long time. C.A.R. has produced a short video to show how easy it is to respond to Red Alerts and Calls for Action by making a quick phone call.
Get the latest Red Alert Updates.
NAR has launched a Call for Action asking members of Congress to cosponsor H.R. 5419, the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act, to ensure real estate agents maintain their independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
In California, 85% of real estate agents choose to do business as independent contractors. C.A.R. successfully included provisions in state laws and regulations, including AB 5, protecting REALTORS®’ ability to work as independent contractors. At the federal level, the Internal Revenue Code carves out real estate professionals who choose to work as independent contractors. Unfortunately, the Department of Labor ignores these carve-outs in its Final Rule on determining independent contractor or employee status. This has made the rules unclear for how real estate agents can ensure they are doing business as independent contractors.
H.R. 5419 will align the FLSA with the Internal Revenue Code to ensure real estate professionals in California and nationwide can continue to operate their businesses without uncertainty from conflicting statutes and regulations.
NAR has been educating policymakers on the importance of real estate professionals’ ability to be classified as independent contractors to the real estate industry, homeowners across the country, and to boosting the economy.
36,000!
Did you know there are more than 36,000 REALTOR® members in our state not registered to vote.
Getting involved is key to protecting the issues important to the industry.
Check the Voter Registration page often for upcoming election events and dates.
Your vote matters for home ownership!
We stand for the protection of homeownership and REALTOR®’s ability to make that dream a reality to Californians. When the colors red and blue are mixed, the result is purple!
What does the REALTOR® Party of California (RPC) stand for?
The REALTOR® Party of California (RPC) doesn’t concern itself with partisan politics and instead leads with a lens focused on Homeownership. This is why the RPC does not see problems in Real Estate from a right or left perspective, but rather a REALTOR® Party perspective. This means that RPC does what needs to be done for homeownership: this includes working with leaders from both sides, as well as going against leaders from both sides for the protection of Homeownership. By understanding that homeownership brings all REALTORS® together, the RPC can stand united to advance our collective values.
Why is investing in the REALTOR® Action Fund (RAF) so important?
RAF is a vital service for YOU and YOUR business. Did you know that 30% of your RAF investment supports local issues that will affect your livelihood? By investing to the REALTOR® Action Fund, you are helping to protect private property rights through C.A.R.’s lobbying efforts, and local issues and candidate campaigns. Your participation will keep this going! Investments to the REALTOR® Action Fund have stopped:
- Point of sale mandates that could have cost the homeowner $1000s of dollars reducing their equity or may have even prevented the sale from going through.
- Direct taxing of REALTOR® commissions and other services related to the transaction.
- Political candidates who are against building housing and against REALTOR® issues.
- Independent Contractors License
Contact: Lisa Edwards, Fundraising Coordinator-916-492-5211-lisae@car.org
Katie Kerner, Fundraising Consultant-916-492-5200-katiekmk@car.org
