Blogs

Capitol Update: March 10, 2025 - Strategic Progress Continues

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 13 days ago
As the Legislature prepares to start its Spring Break later this week, key Missouri REALTORS ® bills are in good position for positive action when lawmakers come back to work starting Monday, March 24. Also, March 1 was this session’s deadline for filing new bills. So from now through session adjournment at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16 , , the legislative process involves actions on the bills now filed, including amendments. Your lobbying team will be watching closely and weighing in with lawmakers about REALTORS ® support or opposition as various measures are considered. SECTION 8: A Senate General Laws Committee hearing was ...

Now Accepting 2026 O2 Leadership Applications!

By Breanna Vanstrom posted 20 days ago
Missouri REALTORS ® , As we progress through 2025, it's time to begin planning our 2026 governance structure, known as Outreach & Output (O2). This framework has been designed to align our governance work with our mission while creating diverse opportunities for members to participate in shaping our association's future direction. To get involved, I encourage you to : Apply for a role within a leadership or mission committee Apply for a statewide professional standards committee Join an output group Apply to serve on an NAR Committee The deadline to apply for all 2026 leadership positions is May 15, 2025. Participating ...

Capitol Update: March 3, 2025

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 20 days ago
MISSOURI REALTORS ® SENATE HEARINGS THIS WEEK: Quick update from the Missouri Senate, where key 2025 bills we favor are advancing through the legislative process and are in good position . The Senate Local Government and Senate General Laws committees will be venues for hearings this week for several measures of interest to Missouri REALTORS ® : Senate General Laws Chairman Curtis Trent , R-Springfield, has set a hearing on Senate Bill 507 by Sen. Nick Schroer , R-St. Charles County, prohibiting local governments from mandating landlords must accept Section 8 vouchers. ...

How To Spring Clean Your Way to Higher Home Value

By Missouri REALTORS posted 25 days ago
In today's competitive real estate market, homeowners are increasingly focused on maximizing their property values. With the spring selling season approaching and home buyers becoming more discerning, strategic spring cleaning can be your secret weapon for boosting your home's market appeal. Recent trends show that well-maintained homes not only sell faster but can command premium prices in any market condition. Interior Improvements: Creating Value From the Inside Out Flooring Your home flooring is one of the first elements potential buyers notice. Start your spring cleaning with these value-enhancing steps. Schedule professional carpet cleaning ...

Leadership Spotlight: Kim Prenger

By Missouri REALTORS posted 25 days ago
Missouri REALTORS ®  are more than just real estate professionals. They are community leaders, educators, volunteers, and philanthropists who make a meaningful impact in their local areas and beyond. Our Leadership Spotlight series aims to celebrate these dedicated members and highlight their incredible contributions to both the real estate industry and their communities. This month, Missouri REALTORS ®  is proud to shine the Leadership Spotlight on Kim Prenger from the Jefferson City Area Board of REALTORS ® ( JCABOR). As a passionate real estate professional and volunteer in the REALTOR ® ...

Capitol Update: February 24, 2025

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 27 days ago
MISSOURI REALTORS ® OPPOSE LEGISLATION REVERSING 2016 BAN ON TAXING SERVICES : A Senate proposal to repeal 2016’s REALTORS ® -spearheaded constitutional consumer protections is heading to the full Senate after being endorsed for passage in committee last week . The Senate Economic Development and Workforce Committee voted do-pass on Senate Joint Resolution 31 , sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown , R-Washington. Missouri REALTORS ® provided testimony opposing the measure on several grounds : REALTORS ® proposed and voters statewide approved 2016’s Amendment 4 ...

Capitol Update: February 17, 2025

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 02-17-2025
KEY REALTOR ® BILLS ADVANCE: Ste p by step, there was progress this week on key bills of interest to Missouri REALTORS ® : The House gave final approval to House Bill 594 sponsored by Rep. Chad Perkins , R-Bowling Green , allowing deduction of capital gains from income subject to Missouri state taxation . That mo v ed this REALTORS ® priority bill to the Senate – good progress for this stage of the session. Another REALTOR ® p riority, House Bill 595 by Rep. Chris Brown , R-Kansas City, prohibiting local governments from mandating that ...

Capitol Update: February 10, 2025

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 02-10-2025
MEASURES CUTTING INCOME TAX, RAISING SALES TAXES: The House Special Committee on Tax Reform began hearings on wide-ranging legislation that is intended to lead eventually to elimination of the state income tax, while making up billions in lost revenue through increased sales taxes. The sales taxes would include taxing services Missourians use every day, from haircuts to car repairs to REALTOR ® services. Enacting such a sales tax on services would require first repealing and replacing a constitutional protection against the taxes that was promoted to successful passage in 2016 by Missouri REALTORS ® . Repealing and replacing the current ...

Capitol Update: January 31, 2025 – Advances for Key Bills

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 02-03-2025
ACTION ON SECTION 8, CAPITAL GAINS BILLS: There was progress this week in Jefferson City on key bills of interest to Missouri REALTORS ® . The House Committee on Commerce advanced substitute legislation dealing with Section 8 vouchers and the capital gains tax deduction : House Bills 5 9 5 and 343, which prohibit political subdivisions from requiring property owners to accept federal or other housing assistance programs, were combined into a single committee substitute bill . The substitute was voted out of the Commerce Committee and now goes to the House Committee on Rules, Administrative. ...

President’s Blog | 2025 Winter Business Conference Highlights

By Bobbi Howe posted 01-31-2025
Missouri REALTORS ® , As your 2025 Missouri REALTORS ® President, I am honored to share highlights from our recent Winter Business Conference in Kansas City. The conference brought together REALTORS ® from across Missouri to connect, learn, and celebrate the start of a new year in real estate. This year's conference featured a modified schedule, with output groups meeting virtually January 15-17, followed by in-person committee meetings and Board of Directors sessions January 21-22. The conference officially began on Tuesday with an impactful State Political Coordinator (SPC) Training Session and the Missouri REALTOR® Party Luncheon, where we celebrated ...

The Dating Game: Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent

By Missouri REALTORS posted 01-30-2025
Just like finding your perfect match in the dating world, choosing the right REALTOR® is all about making a meaningful connection. Whether you're buying your dream home or selling your current property, this relationship could become one of the most valuable relationships you have in your life. According to The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), 88% of home purchases were made through a real estate agent or broker, demonstrating the continued importance of agents in the home buying process. The guide below can help you know the right questions to ask to help you find your perfect match. Finding "The One" When trying to find the perfect real ...

Capitol Update: January 24, 2025 – Section 8 Vouchers; Capital Gains Tax Deduction

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 01-27-2025
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS : The House Commerce Committee conducted hearings Wednesday on several bills supported by Missouri REALTORS ® , dealing with landlord protections and capital gains taxes. House Bill 343 and H B 595 prohibit local governments from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers. HB595 is sponsored by Rep. Chris Brown , R-Kansas City, and HB343 is sponsored by Rep. Ben Keathley , R-Chesterfield. HB508 and HB594 , dealing with an income tax deduction for capital gains , also received House Commerce Committee hearings on Wednesday. ...

Leadership Spotlight: Luke Willenbrock

By Missouri REALTORS posted 01-27-2025
Missouri REALTORS ® are more than just real estate professionals. They are community leaders, educators, volunteers, and philanthropists who make a meaningful impact in their local areas and beyond. Our Leadership Spotlight series aims to celebrate these dedicated members and highlight their incredible contributions to both the real estate industry and their communities. This month, Missouri REALTORS ® is proud to shine the Leadership Spotlight on Luke Willenbrock from the Bagnell Dam Association of REALTORS ® . As a passionate real estate professional and an emerging leader in the REALTOR ® community, Luke exemplifies the dedication and drive that fuel ...

New Year, New Home Value: Resolution-Worthy Upgrades for 2025

By Missouri REALTORS posted 12-20-2024
Your home is likely your biggest investment, and in 2025, upgrading it could be your smartest resolution yet. Whether you're trying to prepare for the upcoming sale of your home, add general value, or improve your home's functionality for you and the rest of your family, renovating can add significant value . With the right approach, these upgrades can transform both your living space and your home's market position. Resolution-Focused Improvements Energy Efficiency Goals If one of your resolutions is to become more energy conscious, consider applying that to your home. Investing in upgrades that help support ...

Leadership Spotlight: Isabelle Jimenez Walker

By Missouri REALTORS posted 12-19-2024
Missouri REALTORS ® are more than just real estate professionals. They are community leaders, educators, volunteers, and philanthropists who make a meaningful impact in their local areas and beyond. Our Leadership Spotlight series aims to celebrate these dedicated members and highlight their incredible contributions to both the real estate industry and their communities. This month, Missouri REALTORS ® is proud to shine the Leadership Spotlight on Isabelle Jimenez Walker from the Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS ® . As a 2017 graduate of the Missouri REALTORS ® Leadership Academy and with over 15 years of membership with the association, Isabelle has ...

Holiday Marketing Ideas

By Missouri REALTORS posted 11-26-2024
The holiday season is a time of warmth, connection, and giving—and an excellent opportunity for REALTORS ® to strengthen relationships with current clients and attract new leads. With the right strategies, you can showcase your expertise, spread a little holiday cheer, and set yourself up for a successful new year. Here are some creative and festive marketing ideas to try this holiday season: Host a Holiday-Themed Open House Turn a traditional open house into a festive event! Add seasonal touches like holiday decorations, warm beverages, and themed treats to create a cozy atmosphere. Consider offering a small gift, like branded ornaments, to visitors ...

Leadership Spotlight: Liz Bruch

By Missouri REALTORS posted 11-25-2024
Missouri REALTORS ® are more than just real estate professionals. They are community leaders, educators, volunteers, and philanthropists who make a meaningful impact in their local areas and beyond. Our Leadership Spotlight series aims to celebrate these dedicated members and highlight their incredible contributions to both the real estate industry and their communities. This month, Missouri REALTORS ® is proud to shine our Leadership Spotlight on Liz Bruch, an accomplished real estate professional and leader from St. Louis. With MRP, AHWD, ABR, and e-PRO certifications, Liz is committed to her professional excellence. Her dedication to her clients and community ...

General Election Update 2024

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 11-07-2024
Missouri REALTORS ® , The November 2024 general election has come to a close! We’re excited to share some outstanding results. Thanks to the strategic investments made by the REALTOR ® Political Action Committee (RPAC) and the hard work and dedication of our members, #REALTORChampion candidates achieved significant victories across the ballot. Together, we’ve secured a future with strong advocates in office who share our commitment to private property rights, economic growth, and the vitality of Missouri’s real estate industry. Key Results REALTORS ® Win : A remarkable 78% of REALTORS ® who ran for office were victorious! Congressional : Wesley ...

Missouri REALTORS® Vote—Up and Down the Ballot

By Missouri REALTORS posted 10-25-2024
Election Day is fast approaching, and this is an opportunity for Missouri REALTORS ® to make a profound impact on the real estate industry. Voting up and down the ballot is essential to ensure we’re represented at all levels of government, from city councils to state offices. After all, many of the decisions that most affect our clients, businesses, and communities are made at the local level, where issues like zoning, property taxes, and housing regulations are decided. As champions of the American Dream of homeownership, our collective vote is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future of real estate in Missouri. Missouri REALTORS ® ...

Leadership Spotlight: Jeremy Ritchie

By Missouri REALTORS posted 10-23-2024
Missouri REALTORS ® are more than just real estate professionals. They are community leaders, educators, volunteers, and philanthropists who make a meaningful impact in their local areas and beyond. Our Leadership Spotlight series aims to celebrate these dedicated members and highlight their incredible contributions to both the real estate industry and their communities. This month, Missouri REALTORS ® is proud to shine our Leadership Spotlight on Jeremy Ritchie, a dedicated and inspiring real estate professional from the Ozark Gateway Association of REALTORS ® (OGAR). Throughout his real estate career, Jeremy has been focused on serving his clients ...