Hello Realtors,
If there is one thing in life that is certain, it’s change. And change is coming to our government affairs team.
I am pleased to introduce you to Addie Patterson, our new Director of Government Affairs. Addie joins us most recently from Southern Wesleyan University’s advancement and communications team. Before that, Addie spent 10 years on Congressman Jeff Duncan’s staff, most recently as District Director.
In another change, I will be retiring soon. Like most of you, I have been working, saving, and dreaming of traveling the world. My wife, Karen, and I have already started doing some travel. We recently visited South America, and last year we traveled to Norway and Svalbard. We plan to do a lot more traveling soon.
Addie and I will work together for the next few months, and then I will ride off toward the sunset—literally.
So, please welcome Addie Patterson to the Realtor family. Soon, you will start hearing from her instead of me.
Michael Dey
Director of Government Affairs (emeritus—or something)
Change coming to Anderson City Council
Tuesday was election day in the City of Anderson.
The mayor and four members of city council were on the ballot for full four-year terms, plus there was a special election to fill an unexpired term on city council. The official results weren’t published at this writing, but this is what has been reported in the media:
- Mayor Terrence Roberts was overwhelmingly reelected. He was first elected in 2006, and this was his first contested election.
- Tonya Winbush was overwhelmingly elected to replace 50-year incumbent Beatrice Thompson.
- Marshall Pickens III, currently chairman of the Anderson Planning Commission, was unopposed and will fill an unexpired term on city council.
- Unopposed and reelected to new, 4-year terms are councilmen Kyle Newton and Matt Harbin and Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Roberts.
Turnout was light—only 7.7% of registered voters in the city turned out to vote.
April is Fair Housing Month
April is Fair Housing Month, and Realtors play a critical role in promoting fair housing and ensuring equal access to housing opportunities for everyone.
Fair housing is rooted in the principle that everyone has the right to buy, rent, and live in housing without discrimination. That’s why your REALTORS® Association has fair housing as one of its four core advocacy principles:
- Protect Private Property Rights.
- Ensure Fair Housing Opportunities for all.
- Advocate for housing affordability and attainability for families in our community.
- Maintain a vibrant and open market for real estate.
One of the primary ways Realtors support fair housing is by following laws and ethical standards that prohibit discriminatory practices. As a Realtor, you are required to provide equal service to all clients, ensuring that everyone receives the same level of attention, information, and assistance—regardless of their background. That includes showing all available properties that meet a client’s needs rather than steering them toward, or away, from certain properties and neighborhoods.
Another important role Realtors play is advocating for the principles of fair housing. That’s why your REALTORS® Association has made fair housing a core advocacy principle.
You can educate yourself about fair housing rights and responsibilities, and the role you play, by taking NAR’s Fairhaven course. It’s online, and it’s free to association members.
Anderson County Advocacy Update
For years, Anderson County Council meetings have been relatively quiet events. That sometimes changes around elections, but since the 2024 elections Anderson County Council has experienced considerable attention from constituents about the developments and economic development projects that they have considered. This week, dozens of citizens turned out to oppose the final reading of a new electric generation project by Duke Energy. County Council approved that proposal.
As a result, Anderson County Council has considered more than 30 new development-related ordinances since 2024. Two ordinances that were recently enacted are likely to increase housing costs and make approvals of new housing projects more difficult:
- A 40% increase in the minimum lot size for single-family homes with public water and sewer.
- Townhomes and multifamily developments, larger than 32 units, will require formal review and approval by the Planning Commission.
Support RPAC
You and your association can influence how your government affects you and regulates your industry.
Elections are an important way that your association represents you and helps make a strong market for real estate. Elections are also an important way that you participate in your government. Your association’s objective is to help elect candidates who share the Realtor position that a vibrant and healthy real estate market is vital to a vibrant and healthy economy. Of course, you must balance your personal and business interests when you vote.
More than 90% of Realtors in the Western Upstate are registered to vote, which is amazing. But just 32% supported RPAC in 2024.
You can help your industry by supporting RPAC. It’s 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.
Addie Patterson and Michael Dey
Western Upstate Association of REALTORS®