Why Observe Fair Housing Month in a Time of Crisis?
In April, amid the flurry of spring market activity, REALTORS® usually set aside time to commemorate the anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. We gather to learn about the ways people are unfairly shut out of the housing market and recommit to expanding equal housing opportunity. This year is different. With much […]
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Missouri Department of Labor Opens Unemployment Assistance for Independent Contractors
Today, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industry Relations (DOLIR) began accepting unemployment assistance applications from independent contractors who are Missouri residents. Thanks in part to strong lobbying efforts by the National Association of REALTORS®, the CARES Act, approved by Congress in late March, extended unemployment benefits to independent contractors by creating the new federally […]
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IRS Extends Tax Deadlines
The IRS issued guidance Thursday evening to grant deadline relief for both 1031 like-kind exchanges and opportunity zone investments that are already underway. Both of these programs are designed to promote economic growth in communities, and NAR made the case that investors in these programs should not be harmed due to the effects of COVID-19. […]
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License Renewal Deadline Extended for Some Kansas Licensees
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued an executive order to extend deadlines for professional licenses issued by the state, including real estate licenses, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order 20-19 extends the renewal deadline of occupational licenses for 90 days beyond the termination of the State of Disaster Emergency. The Executive Order applies to licenses from […]
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Fair Housing Resources for REALTORS® to Check Out This Fair Housing Month
Fair Housing Month is here, and even though it looks different this year from other years, various resources are available for real estate professionals to expand their knowledge and understanding of Fair Housing Law from their homes. Fair housing is not only a part of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, but it is federal law, […]
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Financial Assistance for REALTORS® Through CARES Act
The federal government recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides relief to small businesses, independent contractors, sole proprietors and individuals who are self-employed. Various relief programs may be available to real estate brokerage firms and agents. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance A key provision in the CARES Act creates a temporary […]
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President Howe: When Life Hands You Lemons
When life hands you lemons… Make Facebook Live Hot Wheels races or lemonade or something like that. When I initially planned out my President’s Messages for the year and picked out sports as my theme, it was a no brainer that April’s theme would be the Royals and the 2020 baseball season. But like many things […]
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NAR Re-Launches Right Tools, Right Now Program for Members
In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19 and its impact on the real estate industry, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is taking steps to support members through these uncertain times. The Right Tools, Right Now initiative, which was activated once before in 2009, makes new and existing NAR products and services available for […]
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NAR Provides Two Months of TeleHealth Access to Members
In response to the current health crisis, NAR is funding two months of access to Members TeleHealth at no cost to members, via the Right Tools, Right Now program, for any members whose health insurance doesn’t already provide a telehealth solution. Members TeleHealth provides access to a network of more than 2,300 board-certified physicians, who […]
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KCRAR Offers Interactive Map Resource Summarizing County COVID-19 Real Estate Guidelines
To keep local real estate professionals up to speed on the rules in place for the Kansas City region, KCRAR has built an interactive map resource that is now available on KCRAR.com. This resource is a comprehensive guide to all counties in the KCRAR jurisdiction, some of which have established specific rules for real estate […]
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