The 110-member Sequim Association of REALTORS®, Wash., proved itself a formidable foe to the state Department of Ecology when it came to local property owners’ water rights.

This past fall when a state rule was proposed that would change, limit, and charge fees for the amount of water residents could use on their property, the REALTOR® association asked, how do you plan to inform residents of these new rules? The state’s answer? It wasn’t going to inform residents.

With the help of its state association, the REALTOR® association took it upon itself to launch an educational campaign. Because of its informational Web site (www.sequimwater.com) and the $6,000 spent on developing and sending 24,000 postcards, the residents, citizens, and local REALTORS® became aware of the pending rule. Largely due to the REALTOR® association’s efforts, local residents had the opportunity to seek answers and provide feedback and alternative solutions to the rule makers.

While many of the provisions of the rule, which went into effect Jan. 2, are still controversial, and real estate development in the area has slowed, the REALTOR® association remains committed to representing the interests of local property owners to lawmakers and keeping residents informed.

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