Monday Mocha - Updates from OKCMAR

February 15, 2021

NAR Focuses on Fair Housing During Black History Month

As NAR recognizes Black History Month, we honor the legacy of great black leaders by carrying on their fight to eliminate housing discrimination, expand homeownership, and reduce wealth inequality.

While the long-lasting impact of historical discrimination would make closing the homeownership gap in America challenging enough, fallout from the pandemic is likely to exacerbate that inequality without more urgent leadership from this association, our nation's policymakers, and our industry partners.

While NAR continues to work alongside the National Association of Real Estate Brokers and the Urban Institute to address the persistent low rates of African-American homeownership, we also recognize that, as the largest trade association in the world, NAR is uniquely positioned to do more to close this gap and bring equity to the nation's housing industry.

The viability of our 1.4 million members depends on the free, fair, transparent, and efficient transfer of property in this country. Over recent years, NAR has vocally advocated for increased fair housing budgets at HUD, supported "testing" of housing providers as the best tool for uncovering discrimination, and we continue to build off the five-point framework to boost minority homeownership developed in collaboration with NAREB and the Urban Institute.

Beyond what's taking place in Washington and in state legislatures across the U.S., NAR is also working to ensure Realtors® are active leaders in the fight against bias and discrimination. Last year, we began implementing our fair housing "ACT!" plan, and we're currently working with our partners to develop a "second ACT" that addresses systemic housing discrimination.

Beyond that, we are building on the member-focused implicit bias training video we released last summer with a classroom course that qualifies for continuing education credit, and continue to promote to members our Fairhaven fair housing simulation training released last fall.

NAR's influence - and the ability of our 1.4 million members to initiate positive change in this nation - feels more valuable than ever this Black History Month. Each day we must be vigilant in the fight to ensure every potential homeowner can find the home and neighborhood of their dreams. That's why our goals will remain the same in every month, throughout every transaction, and during every opportunity we have to fight discrimination and promote racial equity in America.

Charlie Oppler
2021 NAR President

As part of the ACT plan, NAR went into the new year with a new simulation training that requires users to respond to scenarios where housing discrimination may occur . This Window to the Law episode talks about the town of Fairhaven and NAR's Fair Housing resources for REALTORS®.

Data Privacy Policies Will Remain in Place

Last Wednesday, it was announced that Zillow will acquire ShowingTime, and we understand our members have concerns. OKCMAR & MLSOK would like to reassure you that our primary goal remains providing the best tools and services for our members. Existing contractual data privacy policies will remain in place.

ShowingTime has been one of our suite of products for almost a decade. Our Board reviews product options on a continual basis, and we will continue to seek the very best options for our members.

We are happy to address your concerns. Please email [email protected]

NAR Government Affairs Team Advocating for Additional Pandemic Relief

President Biden in his inaugural speech talked about the top priority of his administration: stamping out COVID and providing relief to Americans. NAR's government affairs team geared up and is using ongoing advocacy efforts for REALTORS®, their families, and their businesses.

OKCMAR Government Affairs Chair Glen Cosper noted, "We take for granted all the hard work on our behalf done by the government affairs team. Without the combined hard work of our staff and support from members like you and me, key issues impacting the profession would go ignored or not even discussed."

He continue, "That is why it is important for all of us to be engaged. Especially now, as critical decisions are being made in this important piece of legislation."

NAR has been meeting with officials and congressional members and staff to identify key components of the pandemic relief legislation and its impact on the profession and industry. In response to those conversations, NAR drafted the attached letters that were sent to members of the House and Senate. The letter thanked legislators for their continued focus on providing economic relief while advocating for more support during the ongoing pandemic. While the relief provided in December was essential for many Americans, there is still more work to be done. The letter offers several proposals to ensure Americans are safe, small businesses survive, and the economy recovers including:

Ongoing Funding for Housing Stability and Rental Assistance;
Additional Funding for State and Local Communities;
Language Expanding Access to Remote Online Notarizations;
Continued Support for Unemployment Assistance; and,
Extension and Enhancements of funding for Small Businesses and Commercial Real Estate.

All members are asked to take time to read the Senate letter and House letter and understand the proposals that NAR has developed. If the opportunity comes, this will give you important information to advocate to elected officials and others why these proposals are important. OKCMAR will continue to track and provide updates on the advocacy work of our government affairs program.

RISE Thursday Mingle Series Launches This Week!

Join us for the first of a new series of fun informational virtual Zoom sessions hosted by OKCMAR's YPN group RISE the third Thursday of each month.

Government Affairs: What's it to you?

Our first guest will be OKCMAR Government Affairs Director Gary Jones to answer a few questions about how your involvement in the REALTORS® Political Action Committee matters to not only the community as a whole, but the real estate industry.

Mardi Gras Lunch Postponed to March 2nd!