A New Tool for Realtor Advocacy: The Pro-Property Platform

Politics in Washington is as unsettled as ever. Shifting priorities, constant debate, and competing visions for the future of the country have created a landscape that changes almost daily. While this environment can be refreshing for some and disruptive for others, the challenges facing Realtors and the real estate industry remain constant.

From addressing the nation’s 4.7-million-unit housing shortage to protecting the right to work as independent contractors, our core issues do not disappear with each new political cycle. That is why the National Association of Realtors, the New York State Association of Realtors, and HGAR’s Government Affairs team continue to focus on advancing solutions, no matter the climate.

Recent efforts have already produced results. Locally, HGAR worked with Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) to push forward changes to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, a long-standing priority for homeowners in New York. At the same time, Realtors are strengthening their influence by enhancing political giving. RPAC—the Realtors Political Action Committee—remains the cornerstone of Realtor advocacy, uniting the industry, supporting champions in office, and ensuring our collective voice is heard.

Building on this foundation, NAR has now launched the Pro-Property Platform, a system designed to strengthen federal political advocacy by allowing direct-to-candidate contributions to be tagged as pro-housing and pro-property rights. The platform does not replace RPAC. Instead, it complements it by capturing donations Realtors and their networks are already making, often through candidate websites that previously carried no Realtor message.

The platform is open not only to Realtors, but also to NAR affiliates, clients, family, friends, and consumers. In this way, it extends Realtor advocacy into the broader community of people who care about housing. Donors also have the flexibility to choose which candidates to support. At present, 21 members of Congress from New York are listed on the platform, including Mike Lawler (NY-17), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Richie Torres (NY-15).

Although contributions through the Pro-Property Platform do not count toward annual RPAC goals, they do count toward a member’s RPAC Lifetime Giving total, which is nationally recognized. At this early stage, NAR has not set fundraising goals for the program. The emphasis is on learning—testing what works, identifying new opportunities, and determining how best the platform can complement existing efforts. Formal benchmarks are expected to be considered in the next election cycle, once there is more data and experience to draw on.

The timing of this program is significant. With next year’s midterm elections approaching, every member of Congress will be on the ballot. This is the period when lawmakers are most attentive to voters and the industries they represent. The Pro-Property Platform ensures that Realtors can take advantage of this moment, uniting their message and amplifying their impact at a time when it is most likely to be heard.

As political intensity continues to build at the state and federal levels, Realtors will need to stay visible and engaged. RPAC, and now the Pro-Property Platform, provide the tools to do just that. Together, they allow us to cut through the noise of partisanship, connect directly with decision-makers, and advocate for policies that strengthen housing, property rights, and homeownership. While politics will continue to shift, our issues remain steady. There are elected officials who agree with us and those who do not, but we have champions on both sides of the aisle. By continuing to build our advocacy through RPAC and embracing new tools like the Pro-Property Platform, Realtors ensure that housing stays at the center of the national conversation, no matter which way the political winds may blow.

To our RPAC supporters at HGAR, thank you. Your commitment has allowed us to build on your investment, strengthen our voice, and expand our influence with elected leaders. Because of your support, our industry is better protected and better positioned to meet the challenges ahead. We are excited about new tools like the Pro-Property Platform, which will enhance Realtor giving and amplify our impact even further.

If you have not yet experienced the power of RPAC, now is the time to get involved. With so many ways to make your contribution count—and with so much at stake—this is not the moment to sit on the sidelines. Your industry needs your support, your involvement, and your voice. Together, we will ensure that Realtors remain a strong, united force for housing, property rights, and the communities we serve.

And there’s no better way to get involved than by joining us at IMPACT and our special RPAC Lunch. Be sure to get your ticket today for the event to be held on Monday, Sept. 29, at the Sonesta Hotel in White Plains. HGAR’s RPAC team will have a table at IMPACT with information on all that RPAC has accomplished for you, RPAC swag for sale, and much more—including a dedicated RPAC lunch. We hope to see you there.

To stay connected, join our RPAC Facebook page for updates on upcoming events. You can also visit our Advocacy Page on our website to learn more about HGAR’s priorities and how you can participate in both RPAC and the Pro-Property Platform.

About the author: Alexander Roithmayr is Director of Government Affairs for the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors.