ARA takes on first joint advocacy effort with Realtor association 

The American Real Estate Association (ARA) has joined the Missouri Association of Realtors in opposing two amendments that will appear on the state's Aug. 4 primary election ballot.

The move marks the association's first partnership with a Realtor association.

Potential to raise costs for homeowners: The ARA said it is joining the association and its 25,000 members in their advocacy efforts because of the potential negative impacts that Missouri homeowners could incur as a result of the proposed legislation.

Amendment 4 would change the current requirements for a statewide majority vote, while Amendment 5 would phase out individual state income tax. The state legislature would also be authorized to expand sales taxes — which could include new taxes on services and a transfer tax on home sales — without a public vote, according to the ARA, which estimates that combined sales tax rates have the potential to exceed 20% if Amendment 5 passes.

If both were to pass, Amendment 4 would make it more difficult for citizens to put initiatives on the ballot and thus make it harder for the public to respond to higher taxes that may result from Amendment 5, the ARA said.

Vote 'no,' leaders say: Mauricio Umansky, ARA's co-founder and the founder and CEO of The Agency, called the legislation "a bad deal" for Missouri agents and families trying to buy a home. "We urge a no vote on both," he said in a statement.

The Missouri Association of Realtors is "thrilled" to have ARA's support in the "critical statewide effort," President Brian Jared said.

The National Association of Realtors did not immediately respond to a question about whether they will get involved in advocating for or against the legislation.

Following the 'Bat-Signal': ARA Co-founder and Compass agent Jason Haber said the move is an example of the ARA seeking to answer the call when agents and associations are looking for support.

"It really fits with our goal of being the Bat-Signal for the industry," Haber said. "You got a problem? Send up the Bat-Signal, and ARA comes charging through the gates with you."

Haber said the ARA wants to be the go-to when agents or associations have an issue or a cause they want to support. The ARA is ready to help organize, get out the vote and deploy other resources as needed, added Haber, who also stressed the importance of working to find housing market affordability solutions.

"That's the other reason we got involved in Missouri," Haber said. "This is a question of affordability."

ARA's first Realtor association partnership: Though it is a young organization that launched its paid membership program just two years ago, the ARA has done some advocacy work already.

In New York City, the association fought against the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act and the city's pied-à-terre tax. In Florida, the ARA challenged a bill last year that would have eliminated the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC).

This, however, is the first time that the ARA has teamed up with any Realtor association to advocate on policy. The move comes just a couple of weeks after the ARA announced its first major franchise partner.

As it grows, the ARA plans to incorporate lobbying and political donations — something it has not yet done — into its future efforts, Haber said.

"We want to get involved wherever there is an issue that can hurt or help our agent members and our real estate community," Haber said. "To do that across the country at both the municipal level and the state level, that takes a lot of work, and we're not going to get there overnight. But that's what we're building for."