Local Issues Toolkit

There is an old saying that “all politics are local.” While that might be an exaggeration, it rings true in many ways. Local governments make decisions that affect our lives everyday, many of which have profound effects. With this fact in mind, VAR has taken steps to ensure that REALTOR® associations have a better understanding of how local governments operate and how to engage them on issues.

Localities in Virginia operate differently and focus on diverse issues. However, VAR has discovered that some issues surface more frequently than others, and the manner in which they are dealt is similar. Local REALTOR® associations should be familiar with these issues and how to interact with local governments.

In response to this need, VAR has created this Local Issues Handbook. This resource will provide an overview of key issues and case studies chronicling how associations have engaged local governments on these issues. In addition, the handbook contains advocacy materials, such as sample letters to the editor, as well as contact information for key members of local governments. It provides information on how and when to interact with local governments.

We believe that the handbook will be a useful tool, but please remember to contact the Law and Policy team at VAR when you learn of REALTOR®-related local issues. The team works with local associations throughout the Commonwealth on a wide variety of issues.