NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn said the trade organization will fight for tax incentives for homeownership and construction of affordable housing.

The pandemic upended the National Association of Realtor’s legislative priorities for 2020, with the association’s advocacy efforts being forced to pivot to COVID-19 relief. And while that lobbying resulted in a few wins — like unemployment for Realtors, the Paycheck Protection Program and rental assistance — the association is ready to put new priorities in its crosshairs for 2021, while continuing to advocate for relief.

Shannon McGahn | Photo credit: NAR

“Fallout from the pandemic will likely be felt for years, and we surely haven’t seen the last of COVID in Congress,” NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn wrote in a piece for RisMedia. “We enter 2021 with continued resolve to fight for relief, but we are also determined to work on behalf of Realtors for many other priorities.”

In the coming months, the trade organization plans to advocate for tax incentives for homeownership and construction of affordable housing. It plans to fight to preserve the 1031 like-kind exchange, which allows investors to defer capital gains taxes under specific circumstances.

The association also plans to fight for a more inclusive national housing policy. Under its new president, Charlie Oppler, the association has already been more vocal in acknowledging its own role in housing discrimination. 

McGahn said NAR will partner with lawmakers in Washington to “secure more equitable public policy” while also promoting its own efforts to members. Those efforts include providing anti-bias training videos, fair housing simulation training and other anti-discrimination initiatives.

“We know that all NAR members — and everyone in this country — benefit when our housing market is free, fair, transparent and efficient,” McGahn said. “And, as the largest trade association in the world, NAR is committed to using our voice to champion efforts that will combat and eliminate discrimination in America’s real estate industry.”

With the new year also will come a new administration, despite the efforts of President Donald Trump and a select number of Republicans to overturn the certified results. McGahn, a former members of the Trump administration, both acknowledged Biden’s victory and praised his proposal for a $15,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. 

“President-elect Joe Biden’s $15,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit proposal could be particularly helpful for minority homebuyers and millennials who have struggled to save for a down payment while juggling student loan payments and relentless housing price growth across the country,” McGahn said.

“These issues enjoy tremendous bipartisan support, and NAR stands ready with strong relationships on both sides of the aisle to lend a hand in moving these important policies forward.”

Email Patrick Kearns

NAR
Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×