Advocacy
Protecting Rights, Building Communities
Protecting Rights, Building Communities
MIBOR’s Government Affairs team works with community leaders, legislators and elected officials to make sure our local communities and housing rights are protected. Our team monitors local units of government throughout our service area for issues that impact the real estate industry and our communities. When decisions are being made that impact real estate and homeownership, our goal is to be in the room.
For more than 50 years, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has been one of the strongest and most successful advocacy organizations in the nation. Each year our incredible members invest their hard-earned dollars to RPAC to help advocate on behalf of homeownership and property rights locally, statewide, and nationwide.
The MIBOR RPAC Trustees utilize these funds to endorse and support local candidates that align with our housing priorities and policies.
MIBOR RPAC Candidate Endorsement
MIBOR RPAC Candidate Endorsement
Each year in which there is a local election, the MIBOR RPAC Trustees releases a non-partisan Voter Guide that highlights endorsed local candidates based on their housing policies and ideals. MIBOR works closely with all locally elected officials to strengthen our neighborhoods and ensure the continued quality of life in each of our communities.
MIBOR has a vested interest in policies, regulations, projects, and initiatives that affect the quality of life in each of our local communities. Property rights, economic development, planning and zoning, schools, parks, infrastructure, crime, and taxation are just a few of the issues governed at the local level that have a direct, and very real impact on the local real-estate market.
Our members make voluntary contributions to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) to help elect leaders who are committed to implementing policies that will enhance the quality of life and improve property values for residents and homeowners. In addition to financial support, RPAC may offer public and internal endorsements and advanced voter data. Decisions to support candidates are made by MIBOR members serving as RPAC trustees (not staff) and are not based on party affiliation.
The Process
MIBOR RPAC Trustees Interview and Endorsement Process
When members invest, 100% of that investment is used to elect candidates at the local, state and national levels who understand and support REALTOR® issues. At MIBOR, RPAC Trustees endorse only candidates seeking local office such as county, city or town offices. Candidates running for state (Indiana General Assembly) or federal (Congress) office should contact the Indiana Association of REALTORS® or the National Association of REALTORS®.
RPAC is non-partisan and supports candidates who understand and support REALTOR® issues without allegiance to any political party.
The MIBOR RPAC Trustees, made up of MIBOR members, are constantly monitoring issues, candidates and political news. After the candidate filing deadline, MIBOR staff works to prioritize key races and will begin to reach out to local candidates who have filed to run for office and invite them to participate in the endorsement process. The process starts with completion of our candidate questionnaire.
Typically, we’ll reach out to candidates who file for an office such as mayor, county, city or town council, school board and county commissioner or assessor. We usually focus on candidates in contested races for the upcoming election.
If a candidate is not contacted during our outreach efforts, they are still welcome to request consideration. Prioritization may still occur depending on available resources.Once completed questionnaires are received, the trustees will consider the races and determine which candidates to prioritize for an interview.
The Interviews
Interviews are conducted in one of two ways:
Remote Interview: In some cases, the trustee that represents a specific area will organize a day of interviews nearby. A group of 3-5 REALTORS®, trustees, and staff members will attend. Afterwards, the small group will make a recommendation which the trustee will take back to the full committee for consideration.
Trustee Meeting: In other cases, we invite candidates to our office in downtown Indianapolis to interview with our full board of trustees. The MIBOR RPAC trustees have the full and final authority regarding candidate support.
In both cases, the interviews will afford you an opportunity to talk about your campaign, your priorities if elected, and your background and interest in the office. You’ll have a few minutes at the beginning to share and then the trustees will ask a few follow up questions. Because time is limited, our trustees review the documents you submitted in advance so the interview can be spent expanding on certain issues and getting a more in-depth understanding of the candidate. It is important for the trustees and staff to get to the heart of important issues and ask critical questions, however, MIBOR staff and trustees are committed to treating all candidates with respect and professionalism throughout the process.
The Criteria
Throughout the candidate review process, the trustees evaluate candidates using the following criteria:
Issues: This is the most important criteria and the basis upon which endorsement decisions are made. Property rights, homeownership, attainable housing, inventory, economic development, planning and zoning, quality of life and taxation are just a few of the issues governed at the local level that have a direct and very real impact on our industry and homeownership. How does the candidate feel about the issues important to us?
Approachability: While we don’t expect candidates to agree with us on every issue, we look for candidates who recognize that REALTORS® (and their clients) are important stakeholders and will welcome their input and opinions on issues as they arise.
Electability: The trustees are the stewards of the PAC contributions of our members, and they take the job seriously. While MIBOR RPAC isn’t in the business of simply betting on the winner, we expect a viable campaign plan and assurance that any contribution will be put to good, effective use.
Integrity: Our trustees take offering the REALTOR® endorsement very seriously. In rare circumstances, the trustees may vote to rescind their endorsement or support.
As soon as an action has been taken by the trustees, staff will contact the candidate with the results. This may be as soon as the same day or could take a few days depending on scheduling and discussions.
To request support, or ask for more information, contact Lacey Everett.
Candidate Questionnaire
Candidate Questionnaire
If you are running for local office, you are invited to submit a candidate questionnaire to the MIBOR RPAC Trustees for consideration. The RPAC Trustees oversee a jurisdiction including 14 counties. While we do our best to review and interview as many candidates as possible, we do not guarantee all candidates who submit a questionnaire will be invited for an interview.
Research
Research
MIBOR is continuously evaluating housing and consumer preference data to determine our stance on advocacy, housing and economic development issues in central Indiana.
Every few years, we conduct region-wide studies aimed to discover what factors central Indiana residents consider most important when making their housing decisions, what their future aspirations are related to housing and how satisfied they are with their communities and overall quality of life.
The results of these studies help determine the needs of our communities and help us inform our community leaders on key issues for our neighborhoods and the region.
National Research
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) releases an annual survey of home buyers and sellers who recently completed a transaction. NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report allows industry professionals to gain insight into detailed buying and selling behavior. Each iteration of the report is as unique as the economic, social, and demographic environment in which it is published.
Learn more about NAR’s research reports, below.