Earlier this year, the WRA launched the REALTOR® Party — often prompting the question, “What is the REALTOR® Party?”
The REALTOR® Party is nonpartisan advocacy. We are not Republican. We are not Democrat. We are the REALTOR® Party.
Accordingly, we are not red and we are not blue. We are unified in REALTOR® Party purple.
Your business is shaped by public policy every day at all levels of government — federal, state and local. The REALTOR® Party ensures your voice remains strong and effective at every level of government.
What is political advocacy?
Political advocacy is about protecting our profession and property rights. Because of your involvement in political advocacy, the WRA is the most effective voice in Wisconsin for homeownership and private property rights.
As the REALTOR® Party, we work together to protect our business, clients, customers and the real estate industry from harmful legislation and unnecessary regulation.
What are REALTOR® Party issues? REALTOR® Party issues are those affecting the real estate industry, real property and your business:
- Enhancing transparency in transactions
- Reducing property taxes
- Protecting property rights
- Limiting REALTOR® liability
How do I invest in REALTOR® Party issues?
You can positively affect real estate-related issues in Wisconsin through the WRA’s Direct Giver program or the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC).
What is RPAC, and what is the Direct Giver Program? Are they different?
Yes. RPAC and Direct Giver are different.
RPAC
A political action committee (PAC) is a legal means by which interested individuals with common goals, like a trade association, band together for purposes of political action.
The best way to positively impact issues such as property taxes and protecting the rights of property owners is through RPAC, a REALTOR®’s vehicle for political action.
Direct Giver
The WRA Direct Giver Program, also known as the conduit program, gives you an alternative to an RPAC investment — with full control over where your contributions go.
With Direct Giver, you can:
- Decide exactly who receives your political contributions.
- Support local and state candidates with personal contributions while also strengthening organized real estate and the WRA.
The “sole of the REALTOR® Party”
To spark conversation, build visibility and strengthen the collective identity of the REALTOR® Party, 2026 brings a new recognition opportunity. Individual REALTORS® who invest $1,000 are eligible to receive a limited-edition, exclusive
“Sole of the REALTOR® Party” custom Nike Dunk Low shoe.
These REALTOR® Party kicks aren’t just an accessory — they are a reminder that REALTORS® stand united with one voice. We are informed, engaged and ready to champion REALTOR® issues.
Who does the REALTOR® Party support?
The REALTOR® Party supports those who champion the issues that matter to REALTORS® and the clients we serve.
The REALTOR® Party in action
At the 2026 REALTOR® & Government Day (RGD), nearly 500 REALTOR® members gathered at the state Capitol to turn housing data into real conversations.
REALTORS® shared firsthand stories about limited housing supply, rising property taxes, and the impact these challenges are having on homeowners, renters, employers and communities across Wisconsin. Those conversations helped put faces and
experiences behind the numbers.
The day showed that progress is possible. Increasing housing supply and pursuing meaningful property tax relief remain critical steps toward creating more attainable homes, stronger communities and a healthier real estate market. This is the REALTOR® Party turning momentum into meaningful action. Save the date for RGD 2027: April 8, 2027.
2026 REALTOR® Party wins
From housing supply solutions to taxpayer protections, the REALTOR® Party delivers real results for members and homeowners across Wisconsin. These wins reflect the power of advocacy in action.
Supply-side solutions
Act 235: Residential TID authority
A major REALTOR® Party victory, Act 235 gives communities the option to create residential tax incremental districts (TIDs) specifically designed to support housing. By helping local governments finance infrastructure such as roads, sewers
and utilities, the bill lowers upfront development costs and makes new housing projects more financially feasible. It also helps communities expand housing options to meet local demand.
Act 237: WHEDA loan modifications
This bill improves loan programs offered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) by removing barriers and increasing financing flexibility for housing developments. The result is a stronger toolkit to support workforce housing,
expand supply and help more projects move forward.
Act 173: “Truth in Planning”
Act 173 helps communities plan for future housing growth with greater clarity and predictability. It requires municipalities to clearly identify where residential growth can occur and at what density during the next 20 years. By aligning zoning decisions
with long-term comprehensive plans, the bill reduces costly delays and helps communities responsibly expand housing supply to meet demand.
Act 68: Plat review
Act 68 helps streamline the land division and development process by requiring local governments to offer a non-binding pre-submission review opportunity for subdividers. This added transparency helps to identify issues early, reduce delays and keep projects
moving efficiently.
Other REALTOR® Party priorities
Act 69: Transparency in real estate practice
This important update modernizes Wisconsin’s real estate practice laws, making technical and operational improvements that better align with today’s industry needs. Wisconsin is leading the nation in consumer transparency, providing greater clarity for
both licensees and their clients.
Act 108: MLS tax exemption
Act 108 ensures that Multiple Listing Services (MLS) subscriptions remain exempt from the sales tax. This bill protects one of the most essential business tools REALTORS® use every day — the MLS — and prevents unnecessary added costs for members
statewide.
Act 238: Historic rehabilitation tax credit
Act 238 updates Wisconsin’s historic rehabilitation tax credit to make it easier for property owners and developers to restore and reinvest in historic buildings. By reducing barriers and expanding eligibility, the bill preserves community character,
supports downtown revitalization, and encourages housing and economic development across the state.
Act 234: Property fraud alerts
Act 234 makes several important updates to Wisconsin’s registers of deed statutes, including the creation of a new property-recording notification system. This system allows property owners to receive free alerts when a new document is recorded against
their property, adding an extra layer of protection against fraud, unauthorized filings and title-related issues.
SJR 116: Protecting taxpayers
SJR 116 advances a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit the use of the governor’s partial veto to create or increase a tax or fee. For homeowners and property taxpayers, this is a substantial step toward stronger protections against tax increases
and greater transparency with how tax policy is created. This constitutional question will appear on election ballots across Wisconsin in November.
A legacy of REALTOR® Party results
These historic victories are more than legislative successes. They are real-world results that support the work WRA members do every day to help keep the dream of homeownership within reach.
Protecting property rights and homeownership
Addressed discriminatory covenants and deed restrictions: Removed outdated and discriminatory language from property records, reinforcing fair housing principles and promoting equal access to homeownership.
Prevented foreclosure equity theft: Ensured homeowners retain the equity built in their property, helping preserve the long-term value of homeownership.
Homeowners bill of rights: Strengthened transparency and fairness for property owners by establishing clearer rights and expectations.
Protection of the right to place a pier: Preserved an important waterfront property right that can directly influence value, marketability and buyer interest.
Clarification of access easements: Provided long-needed certainty to access rights, helping buyers and sellers move forward with confidence.
Preservation of the right to rent your home: Maintained owners’ flexibility to rent their property, including short-term rentals (STRs), while limiting unnecessary restrictions.
Advancing housing supply and community investment
By-right approval and development certainty: Made the development process more predictable by ensuring projects that meet local standards can move forward without unnecessary delay.
WHEDA loan programs: Expanded financing tools that help communities create housing opportunities and reinvest in local neighborhoods:
- Infrastructure access loan program: Helps fund roads, utilities and other foundational improvements that open the door to new housing.
- Restore main street loan program: Supports the revitalization of downtown corridors and neighborhood commercial districts.
- Vacancy-to-vitality loan program: Encourages underused buildings to be transformed into housing and mixed-use spaces that serve community needs.
Elimination of the personal property tax: Removed a longstanding tax burden on property owners and businesses, helping free up resources for reinvestment and local economic growth.
Strengthening real estate practice
Preservation of independent contractor status: Maintained the business structure that allows many REALTORS® to operate independently and grow their business.
Protection of the right to complete state-approved forms: Maintained the ability for REALTORS® to complete approved forms without added attorney review requirements, helping transactions move smoothly from offer to closing.
Two-year liability limitation for real estate licensees: Shortened the window for legal claims, giving licensees greater certainty long after a closing is complete.
Prohibition of time-of-sale requirements: Removed local mandates that can add cost, complexity and delays at the closing table.
Land use, environmental and rental reform
Reform of wetland regulations: Updated land-use rules to better align environmental stewardship with responsible development.
Reform of landlord-tenant law: Improved the legal framework governing rental housing, creating clearer expectations for property owners and tenants alike.
Defending what matters
Over 2,000 bills are introduced each legislative session. Not every advocacy success ends with a bill signing.
Some of the most important work happens by stopping harmful proposals, improving legislation before passage, and protecting members from proposals that could negatively impact their business, clients and property rights.
In 2026, the REALTOR® Party actively fought against proposals that would raise levy limits, restrict property ownership, increase regulatory costs and roll back landlord-tenant laws.
The legal and financial uncertainty caused by the Koble decision remains one of the clearest examples of why this work matters and why continued advocacy remains essential.
Still in focus: AB 202 Koble solution
Although vetoed, this issue remains a top REALTOR® Party priority for 2027 as the WRA continues to pursue a legislative solution that restores certainty for landlords while protecting tenants.