Former National Association of Realtors congressional affairs VP John Blount is the American Real Estate Association’s first-ever chief lobbyist, Inman learned exclusively on Friday.
John Blount | Credit: LinkedIn
“When John Blount is on your side, you have the best advocate in the business,” ARA co-founder Jason Haber said in a written statement. “John didn’t just work in real estate advocacy; he defined it. Our members told us they wanted a trade group that comes running when they flash the bat signal. With John leading our advocacy, we can answer that call with real firepower in Washington.”
Blount was NAR’s VP of congressional affairs from 1983 to 1991, helping direct the Association’s federal legislative strategies and lobbying initiatives on Capitol Hill. Since then, Blount has filled director and vice president roles at the American Benefits Council, Hargrave Military Academy, Capitol Hill Consulting Group, Tauzin Consultants and Ervin Hill Strategy and co-founded the National Group.
“I’ve spent my career fighting for real estate professionals, and ARA is building something the industry hasn’t seen before: an organization agents actually want to join,” Blount said. “The energy, the growth and the willingness to modernize how this industry advocates for itself are exactly what drew me here. I’m looking forward to making sure agents’ voices are heard in every room where decisions about their livelihoods get made.”
Blount’s appointment comes on the tail end of ARA’s work with the Missouri Association of Realtors to strike down a state income tax bill that would’ve expanded state and use taxes, and potentially opened the door for lawmakers to overturn a ban on real estate transfer taxes. Missourians overwhelmingly voted against the bill on Aug. 4, giving ARA’s burgeoning advocacy arm its first victory.
The group is now using that momentum to lobby against New York City’s pied-à-terre tax, which took effect on July 1 for homes worth $5 million or more and for co-ops and condos worth $1 million or more that don’t serve as the owner’s primary residence. The rollout of the tax has been fraught with issues, as the City gives homeowners until Sept. 18 to apply for exemptions.
“The hire signals ARA’s intent to be a strong national voice on real estate policy,” the announcement read. “With Blount, ARA gains a Washington veteran who knows the industry’s legislative priorities, from housing supply and affordability to tax policy, homeownership costs and consumer protection. He also brings deep relationships across Congress and in federal agencies throughout the Executive Branch.”
ARA has grown significantly over the summer, with REMAX and Compass International Holdings becoming the group’s first major partners. Both brokerages offered their affiliates free memberships through 2027, with ARA projecting membership growth from 30,000 to 100,000 agents by year’s end.
