POLICY CHANGES FOR 2020 MADE BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® BOARD OF DIRECTORS

POLICY CHANGES FOR 2020 MADE BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., November 15, 2019–Several policies and updates were passed at the recent national REALTORS® conference and Board of Directors meeting in San Francisco hosted by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which will affect the way we as members of Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) conduct business locally in 2020. Here’s a brief summary:

 

Clear Cooperation Policy: Also known as MLS Statement 8.0, this policy requires listing brokers who are participants in a multiple listing service to submit their listing to the MLS within one business day of marketing the property to the public.

 

Code of Ethics Training Requirement: A change was approved that extends the training requirement from every two years to every three years. For more details on several more updates to the actual training requirements, visit nar.realtor.

 

Legal Action: Several legalities were voted on, including one to purchase a Master Policy for the Professional Liability Insurance Program for NAR, its affiliates, its member associations, and REALTOR® association–owned MLSs for 2020.

 

Professional Standards: Updates and adjustments were made to several Standards of Practice, including an addition that mandates that REALTORS® may not refuse to cooperate on the basis of a broker’s race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

 

Federal Tax Changes: Three policy changes were made, including one that supports improved reporting and disclosure of foreign ownership of U.S. real estate; advocates a zero or reduced capital gains tax rate for owners of rental homes, townhomes or condos that sell the property to an owner-occupant; and supports tax incentives for home buyers to save for a down payment.

 

Temporary Worker Visa Program: An amendment was made to NAR’s H-2B Temporary Visa program to encourage participating employers “to strive for the highest levels of responsibility and accountability to the H-2B visa holders who are in their employ, and comply with all appropriate laws, regulations and guidance associated with the program.”

 

Bylaw Change: Article XI was eliminated because of the recently updated Code of Conduct and Sexual Harassment Policy, which now has a comprehensive way to ensure complaints of unacceptable behavior are received, investigated, and resolved.

 

About CCAR: CCAR was founded in 1945, serving Horry, Georgetown and surrounding counties as the primary real estate resource for its 4,000 active members and fast-growing community. Our programs and services were established to be an advocate for community service, the public’s right to use and transfer real property, and overall membership cooperation. As the primary REALTOR membership association in the area, we also strongly believe in giving back to the community.

 

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