NAR Working to Limit the Impacts of the Federal Government Shutdown on the Real Estate Industry; Milton Township Discusses Potential Revision to Their Vacation Rental Ordinance; RPAC Flamingo Flocking Program and RPAC Participation Event
For this week’s GAD Top 3, we start by sharing an update from the National Association of REALTORS on the Federal Government shutdown and their efforts to limit its negative effects on the real estate industry. Next, we cover a special meeting and public hearing held by Milton Township to consider revisions to its vacation rental ordinance. And last, the Flamingo Flocking Program for RPAC is in full swing, along with an RPAC participation event on Oct. 23rd at The Parlor.
1. NAR Working to Limit the Impacts of the Federal Government Shutdown on the Real Estate Industry
As the Federal Government Shutdown drags on the National Association of REALTORS is continuing work to limit the impacts on the real estate industry. Starting with issuing a targeted Call for Action, asking Federal Political Coordinators to reach out to their members of Congress and highlight the importance of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to homeowners. The shutdown means a lapse in authority for the NFIP. During the lapse, Americans will be unable to purchase new NFIP policies, and current policyholders will be unable to renew their coverage.
In addition to the Call for Action, NAR sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to find a path forward and end the shutdown as soon as possible, whether that be in the continuing resolution or as a standalone extension. NAR also issued guidance to its members on how a government shutdown could impact real estate. You can view the most recent guidance document here.
To end the government shutdown, Congress must either pass appropriations bills for the fiscal year or pass temporary spending bills known as continuing resolutions that fund government operations until a specified date. Although the House passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Nov. 21, that measure failed in the Senate. Negotiations on a spending bill will continue in the Senate until an agreement is made.
“NAR is committed to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to reopen the government and reauthorize NFIP without delay,” says NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn. “This is about keeping real estate transactions moving and ensuring families have the stability and protection they deserve.”
“According to NAR research, the NFIP supports roughly half a million home sales annually, generating 1 million jobs and contributing $70 billion to the U.S. economy,” McGahn says. “Each day that passes during the shutdown, potential real-life impacts will be felt in America’s housing market, which accounts for nearly 20% of the U.S. economy.”
For more information, check out the latest episode of The Advocacy Scoop with Shannon McGahn and Patrick Newton: What a Shutdown Means for Real Estate. As well as an Opinion Article by Shannon McGahn in HousingWire: “The longer the shutdown continues, the greater the impact on housing”
2. Milton Township Discusses Potential Revision to Their Vacation Rental Ordinance
On Sept. 29th the Milton Township Board had a special meeting for a discussion of Milton Township’s Vacation Rental Ordinance. A history of the Milton Township Vacation Rental Ordinance was provided, including that about 50% of residents in Sept. 2022 “were not against STRs” and updated the audience that a new hotline for Short Term Rental Complaints (1-888-352-8896) has gone into effect as of August 1st, 2025.
A decision was made by the Milton Township Board by a 4-1 vote to extend a moratorium until October 31st, 2026, under which only renewed licenses are allowed and no new licenses. This action was taken to allow more time to get a potential updated ordinance in place, “enforce it properly,” and allow time “to see the costs and effectiveness of the new measures.” Since this Sept. 29th Special Meeting, a Public Hearing was held on Oct. 8th to receive input on a draft revised Vacation Rental Ordinance for Milton Township. Further consideration and deliberation are anticipated at the regular Milton Township Board meeting on October 20th, 2025 beginning at 9 am at the Milton Township Hall (7023 Cherry Ave., Kewadin, MI).
3. RPAC Flamingo Flocking Program and RPAC Participation Event
The Aspire North REALTORS RPAC Committee is making a final push for investments in 2025 with a program and event this month! You may have seen in Aspire North REALTORS® communications, social media, or around the region that the Flamingo Flocking Program for RPAC is in full swing! This program is a gentle reminder for Aspire North REALTORS members to invest in RPAC to support advocacy that protects homeownership and our profession! Here’s how it works:
- Send a surprise flock of flamingos to a friend’s yard for $30;
- Send the flock to a brokerage office for $100; or
- Block a flock at your home and office for $250
All proceeds benefit RPAC – Supporting advocacy that protects homeownership and our profession. It’s fun, it’s friendly, and it’s for a great cause!
If Flamingo Flocking is not your thing, the RPAC Committee is also hosting a Participation Event on Thursday, October 23rd from 4 pm to 7 pm at The Parlor (205 Lake Ave., Traverse City) with appetizers, pizza, and drinks. $30 RPAC investment to attend through this event link. For more information, check out the flyer below.
