Key facts
- John Blount has been appointed as the chief lobbyist for the American Real Estate Association (ARA).
- Blount previously served as chief lobbyist and vice president of congressional affairs at the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
- ARA aims to expand its policy and government affairs engagement, focusing on housing supply, affordability, and tax policy.
- ARA, launched in 2024, projects significant membership growth by the end of 2026.
- The association has already participated in state and local advocacy, including opposing measures that increase homeownership costs and protesting a pied-à-terre tax.
The American Real Estate Association (ARA) has appointed John Blount as its chief lobbyist, signaling a significant investment in federal policy and government affairs. Blount, who previously led congressional affairs and advocacy for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) for nearly a decade, will be tasked with building ARA's federal government-affairs program and expanding its engagement on critical real estate issues such as supply, affordability, and tax policy.
ARA, founded in 2024, has experienced rapid growth, projecting membership to exceed 100,000 by the end of 2026, fueled by brand partnerships. The organization has already been active in state and local advocacy, collaborating with groups like Missouri Realtors to oppose measures impacting homeownership costs and organizing protests against new taxes in New York City.
Blount's expertise in real estate legislative priorities and his established relationships across Congress and federal agencies are expected to bolster ARA's position as a national voice in the industry. ARA stated that Blount's involvement will help navigate a period of significant change in the real estate sector.