Northern Virginia Local Issues

Housing Affordability

NVAR supports efforts to increase the supply of housing affordable to all income levels and recommends zoning incentives that facilitate the voluntary market-driven production of a wide range of housing choices. All Northern Virginia jurisdictions are will be addressing these issues in 2021.  

Accessory Dwellings

NVAR supports expanding opportunities for homeowners to build and utilize accessory dwelling or living units while recognizing the need to regulate where and how these units are built to ensure there are no negative impacts on residential neighborhoods and community infrastructure.  Fairfax and Alexandria are currently considering Zoning updates on accessory dwellings

Economic Growth and Development

NVAR supports quality growth and livable communities which ultimately depend on a strong economic sector, sound efficient land use, and adequate infrastructure funding.  Housing supply, traffic congestion, transit funding and the current economic situation from Covid-19 all could have an impact on these issues in 2021 and NVAR is monitoring developments.  One specific example is the ongoing Reston Comprehensive Plan Task Force on which NVAR has a representative.

Learn more at www.NVAR.com/Issues

Virginia State Legislative Agenda

Association Health Plans

In the 2021 General Assembly we will seek a narrowly tailored law that will specifically allow the Virginia Realtors® to pursue an AHP option, thus limiting the potential impact on the broader health insurance market.  

Flood Risk Report and Disclosure of Repetitive Loss

The Flood Risk Report would be a simplified and easily accessible source of information on flooding and flood insurance for potential homebuyers. The legislation would add this report to the Buyer Beware Disclosure and also create a new disclosure for properties that are known to have had repetitive flood losses. This includes properties that have had two or more claims of more than $1,000 within 10 years under the NFIP.    

Property Owners and Condo Owners Associations (POA/COA) Meetings

Legislation will allow property owner and condo unit owners associations to conduct regular and annual meetings through electronic means.

Landlord – Tenant Foreclosure Conformity

Conforms Virginia law to the federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA).

Learn more at https://virginiarealtors.org/legislative/legislativeagenda/

Federal Advocacy Agenda

Coronavirus and Covid-19

NAR is committed to ensuring that lawmakers continue to take into consideration the real estate industry, including independent contractors and small business owners, in all relief measures and responses to the coronavirus emergency.

Fair Housing

REALTORS® recognize the significance of the Fair Housing Act and reconfirm their commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as their commitment to offering equal professional service to all in their search for real property.

Transportation and Infrastructure

NAR will continue to urge Congress to fund transportation and infrastructure programs that meet the needs of the community, spur economic grown, and foster resilience and sustainability in a community.

Flood Insurance

NAR supports a strengthened and permanently reauthorized NFIP coupled with a robust private market to offer choices and maintain access to flood insurance across the U.S.

Healthcare Reform

NAR has long advocated for reforms in the health insurance markets that self-employed individuals and small employers depend upon for coverage. Among the legislative approaches that NAR has supported are small business health options plans (SHOP), small business health plans (SBHPs), and association health plans (AHPs).

GSE Reform/Fannie and Freddie

NAR recently submitted comments to the FHFA on its notice of proposed rule making for how the FHFA will review new products and activities offered by the Enterprises. NAR recommends action to reduce the burden on the GSEs and companies with whom they collaborate, while protecting investors interest (and the incentive to invest in innovations) and maintaining the regulator’s ability to limit dangerous activity.

Learn more at https://www.nar.realtor/political-advocacy