More Cordoza news

While many of our realtor friends are getting second jobs to make ends meet, we should definitely keep tabs on those well gifted by NAR and what the NAR execs are spending their time for that matter. It seems they were all at Pimlico for the Preakness, sitting in a luxury box where Cardoza couldn’t recall how much was won or lost….pls refer to http://www.counterpunch.or/2009/06/03/why. entitled “When the Fat Cats Call He Comes Running”. As a group is this the type of press we want, are these the types of people we want to represent us, are these the values we wish to espouse?? To me its a resounding NO!!!

NAR Political Contribution – 2010

In 2010 in the 18th Distict California (Gary Condit’s district) Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced ran as an incumbent against Mike Berryhill.  For those of us living in far away states that is not particularly germaine.  What is, is that NAR poured according to the local paper “a hefty $205,000.oo into the effort to reelect Dennis Cardoza.  I became interested in just how pro housing Mr. Cardoza is so I read about the race.  Both candidates first priorty, being that this is an agricultural area, was water.  Mr. Cardoza wanted to secure more for the farmers, as did Mr. Berryhill, the two differing on the fact that Mr. Berryhill also wanted to conserve water as well.  Both men have argarian backgrounds, Mr. Cardoza owns a farm, Mr. Berryhill a winery.  Mr. Cardoza was an aide to Gary Condit, while Mr. Berryhill was on Board of the TID (publicly owned Turlock Irrigation District supplies water and electricity) an important post in this agricultural district.  Mr.  Berryhill believed strongly in the political race he was running and used a great deal of his own money to fund it.  Mr. Cardoza got a large chunck of his funding from NAR because according to Stockton Realtor Marian Norris, “California Realtors have had a long and productive relationship with Congressman Cardoza because of his strong support of California homeowners”.  (We will look into that statement further)  Cardoza did in fact support extending the $8,000.00 tax credit but very few lawmakers opposed the politically popular extension which passed the house by a 409-5 margin.  So, what is it that distinguished Cardoza with NAR and necessitated such a large donation.  According to what I have read he was not greatly challenged by Berryhill.  Cardoza was the incumbent, neither candidate mentioned housing as their top priority, and the papers favored Cardoza to win from the onset of the race.  According to the Modesto Bee the chances of Berryhill winning were unlikely, he lacked political experience “2010 doesn’t look like it will be his year (Berryhill).  He has a lot of opinions but he hasn’t found his voice”.    Cardoza was quoted in 2009 as saying “I finally reached a financial place where I can make my dreams a reality” and bought 7 racehorses in 2009, going into the racehorse businees.  He makes the standard 174,000.00 a year as a congressman.  Let’s keep in mind that our head lobbyist for NAR is from California and has worked for political types there.

Introduction

Welcome to our site and I use the word “our” intentionally because it is time that we, the 1,000,000 dues paying members of NAR have a voice in our governance.  Last Saturday showed us that we have very little impact on the actual decisions that NAR makes.  Our executive trustees and directors have a fiduciary responsiblity to NAR, not to us so it was a very easy decision for them to increase dues….it was certainly a decision that upholds their responsiblity.  But, what about the rumor I heard, that more than half of the membership was against this decision.  There were evidently discussions about whether funding of NAR’s  new political  initiative through an increase in dues was appropriate, but that was quickly dispelled. 

 There are many reasons why the realtors I have spoken with oppose the RPPSI, and its funding process.  Being lumped under “The Realtor Party”  suggests we all espouse to the same political views and share a common stance on the  future political tenets of our organization.  I, for one, am not sure I want to blindly accept the direction NAR and it’s committees chose to take, particularly on a local/state level.  As we say, all real estate is local and our political support of candidacy and issues should be as well.  NAR is purporting that a major portion of the monies ear marked for political issues will go to the states.  Having spoken with someone in the know here in Connecticut, he has heard that the monies from NAR will be dependent on the number of agents in the state and the contribution from NAR will amount to $5.00 per head with the amount being split evenly between state and local real estate governance.  Obviously, states with the most realtors will have an advantageous windfall and where will that money go if there are no issues to fight.  Will  states hold it or will it be returned to NAR.  As it is RPAC, funded locally, sends 30% of what it raises back to the national organization.  Will this change under the new RPPSI funding and governance?

There are many issues to be discussed here and I will try to bring up talking points from time to time.  I will also  attempt to mediate discussions on this forum.  But, unlike NAR I am not here to make decisions for you, dictate your beliefs, or prioritize for you.  I would hope that unlike our collective reaction to MID we can muster up more than 160,000 realtors interested in change.  When we respond to such an important issue as MID in minimal numbers we send the message to NAR that we are not engaged in events that affect our livelihood.  They, then take over like a run away train.  Let’s make this meaningful and unite under the broad umbrella of a need for change.  Within the next couple of weeks I will attempt to chase down NAR’s legislative report card and speak to some other people about our issues and report back.  I encourage you to do the same and to speak with like-minded realtors with an eye to getting involved.

Thanks for your time, and, in advance, your thoughtful responses to how NAR can better represent us in the future.

Robyn Simshauser

Realtor

Old Saybrook CT