Hello REALTORS®,
Last week, I reported on the various real estate-related ordinances being considered by cities in the Western Upstate. This week, I am reporting on what is happening at the South Carolina State House. But first, a little about your REALTORS® Association and it’s advocacy program.
I often talk about our advocacy program as a four-legged stool. One leg is our advocacy at the Western Upstate Association of REALTORS®. Our advocacy team monitors and lobbies in three counties, nine cities and towns, eight school districts, and multiple special purpose districts for water, sewer, and other public utilities. It’s a big job, and we have a terrific team of members who live and work in each of those places and help us advocate for your interests.
Another leg of the stool is the South Carolina Association of REALTORS®. They focus on the General Assembly and the various state agencies that regulate and influence real estate activities in our state.
The third leg of the stool is the National Association of REALTORS®. They focus on the Federal government and provide support and resources to the state and local level.
But we are a team, and we work together so the entire team is successful. One of the ways we work together is RPAC—with your support. You are the fourth leg of the advocacy stool. When we work together and support RPAC, Realtors are forceful advocates of their profession, plus private property rights and housing affordability.
What’s on the SC Realtors Advocacy Agenda?
In 2025, your SC REALTORS® Association is focusing on two key issues:
- Short-Term Rentals: Provide business certainty and protection of private property rights for short-term rental operators and ensure that short-term rentals are properly licensed, regulated, and taxed. Legislation has been introduced.
- HOA Reform: Picking up where previous legislation left off, reform how HOAs are governed and insure better access to HOA documents resources for its members. Legislation has been introduced.
Of course, there are often dozens of other bills and regulations that your association monitors, sometimes supports, and sometimes opposes. Last month Lindsay Hutto, SCR’s Chief Advocacy Officer, told 300 Realtors at the annual Capitol Conference in Columbia that sometimes the biggest wins are the wins you don’t hear about: bad legislation that doesn’t pass.
Your SC REALTORS® Association is unparalleled in their advocacy of Realtor issues at the SC State House and in state government. The SC Advocacy Team is chaired by Myrtle Beach Realtor Adam Cates and led by Chief Advocacy Officer Lindsay Hutto. The SCR Legislative Committee has 17 members from around the state, including three from the Western Upstate:
- Reah Smith, Lake Keowee Real Estate and Federal Political Coordinator for Congresswoman Sheri Biggs
- Lorraine Harding, Lorraine Harding Real Estate and Federal Political Coordinator for US Senator Lindsay Graham
- Carolann Newton, Jackson Stanley Real Estate
Lindsay’s team is well-rounded and includes:
- Austin Smallwood, SCR Attorney and Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs
- Nick Kremydas, SCR CEO and Attorney, and former SCR government affairs leader
- Byron King, SCR Chief Legal Officer
- Louis Dettorre, SCR Political Director
- Tarra Pitts, SCR Attorney and Director of Fair Housing policy
Lindsay Hutto provides a weekly legislative report during the South Carolina legislative session. You can check out Lindsay’s weekly report at SCR’s YouTube channel.
Support RPAC
And finally, there’s RPAC. Our success in government affairs relies on elected officials who are friendly and supportive of real estate. Through RPAC, we support pro-real estate candidates who understand the importance of a vibrant economy for real estate. Supporting RPAC is easy. Your association includes a voluntary contribution to RPAC on your annual dues invoice. Pay it, and you are an RPAC supporter. If you haven’t supported RPAC this year, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.
One additional way you can support RPAC is by joining our RPAC Committee. They are charged with raising money for RPAC so that we have the funds to be successful. I can’t think of a better professional to raise money for RPAC than a Realtor.
If you want to get involved in our government affairs program, please contact me by calling the association office or emailing me at Michael@WesternUpstateMLS.com.
Michael Dey, Director of Government Affairs