Abbreviation | OREIA |
---|---|
Type | Non-profit organization |
Purpose | Providing education, networking opportunities, and legislative advocacy for real estate investors, landlords, and property managers in Ohio |
Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
Location |
|
Region served | Ohio |
Membership | Over 4,000 real estate investors, landlords, and related professionals through local chapters |
Association Manager | Deborah Collins |
The Ohio Real Estate Investors Association (OREIA) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, that serves as a statewide business league to connect local real estate investment groups by offering educational programs, promoting ethical standards, and advocating for policies that protect property rights and encourage housing investment in Ohio. [1] [2] OREIA represents the interests of real estate investors and landlords by monitoring state legislation, submitting testimonies in committee hearings, and influencing regulations on topics like housing standards, utility billing, and property taxation to foster a favorable environment for small-scale property ownership in Ohio. [3] [4] The association focuses on education, professionalism, positive image building, and legislative advocacy to support its members in the real estate investment community. [5] [6]
The Ohio Real Estate Investors Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1989 to unite real estate investor associations, housing providers, and entrepreneurs in Ohio, strengthening the position of real estate investors through education and advocacy. [7] OREIA has been organizing events and supporting real estate investors for several decades, with its annual national summit marking its long-standing presence in the industry by reaching its 33rd edition in 2018, suggesting the organization has been active since at least the mid-1980s. [8] The association has grown to represent a network of local real estate investment associations throughout Ohio, including groups in areas like Akron, Canton, and Greater Dayton, by offering guidance on starting new chapters and providing ongoing training for association leaders to strengthen the community of small real estate investors. [9] [10] Past leaders of OREIA have included individuals such as Billy Hall, who served as president and contributed to both the state association and its Cincinnati chapter, highlighting the organization's emphasis on experienced real estate professionals guiding its direction. [11] [12] Over the years, OREIA has expanded its role to include advocacy on key issues, such as opposing local lead poisoning regulations in favor of statewide standards and supporting bills to shift utility payment responsibilities, demonstrating its evolution into a significant voice for property owners in Ohio's legislative landscape. [13] [14] OREIA established the OREIAPAC in the early 2000s to support candidates aligned with property rights philosophies, further solidifying its influence in Ohio politics. [15] [16]
The Ohio Real Estate Investors Association is structured as a non-profit business league with membership open to real estate investors, landlords, and professionals who gain access to statewide support services and affiliation with local groups designed to advance their investment activities. [17] OREIA's organizational framework includes an association manager and a director of government affairs who oversee educational initiatives, networking events, and legislative advocacy, supplemented by local chapters that handle region-specific activities to address the needs of members in their communities. [18] [19] Membership in OREIA provides individuals with opportunities to participate in annual conferences, training on investment strategies, and updates on legal developments that impact real estate operations across Ohio. [20] [21] OREIA's membership model promotes collaboration among local associations, ensuring that resources such as leadership training and policy guidance are accessible to enhance the effectiveness of real estate investing groups statewide. [22] The association represents over 4,000 members through 15 local chapters across Ohio, as noted in legislative testimonies and government reports. [23] [24] OREIA maintains an ethics and grievance committee to handle member disputes and uphold professional standards within the organization. [25] The association operates a political action committee, OREIAPAC, to support candidates aligned with property rights and real estate investment interests. [26] [27]
The Ohio Real Estate Investors Association organizes educational workshops and meetings where members learn about strategies for real estate investing, including techniques for wholesaling properties, rehabilitating distressed homes, and maximizing income from small residential rentals, often featuring national experts and local practitioners sharing their knowledge. [28] [29] OREIA hosts the annual National Real Estate Summit, which attracts hundreds of participants from across the United States for networking, team-building sessions, and educational seminars on topics like creative financing, property management, and emerging market trends. [30] [31] In addition to its main summit, OREIA offers programs such as the Youth Cash Flow Academy for young people aged 15 to 22, providing basic education on real estate investing and financial principles during the annual event to encourage the next generation of investors. [32] The association reinvests earnings from its events into community initiatives, including funding for lobbying to protect property rights, legal support for owners, and development programs that help local groups operate more efficiently and unite small real estate investors. [33] [34] OREIA facilitates networking through local chapter meetings and state gatherings, where members discuss challenges like code violations and collaborate on solutions to enhance investment opportunities in areas such as West Carrollton and other Ohio communities. [35] [36] The association coordinates leadership training academies to equip local group leaders with skills to navigate challenges like those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. [37] OREIA's activities include partnering with radio stations for event promotions, such as the 2024 Real Estate Summit, to reach a broader audience. [38]
The Ohio Real Estate Investors Association engages in legislative advocacy by submitting testimonies and lobbying on bills that affect property owners, such as those related to utility payments, eviction procedures, and housing regulations, to advocate for policies that reduce burdens on landlords and promote fair practices in Ohio. [39] [40] OREIA has supported House Bill 93, which proposes transferring the responsibility for delinquent water and sewer bills from property owners to tenants, arguing that this would align with handling of other utilities and prevent landlords from facing unpaid debts after tenants leave. [41] [42] The association opposed provisions in the state budget that would allow local governments to enact broad lead poisoning rules, preferring a uniform statewide approach to avoid varying compliance costs for property owners in different cities. [43] [44] OREIA has voiced opposition to rent control policies, stating in legislative testimonies that such measures lead to black markets and exacerbate shortages of affordable housing rather than resolving them. [45] During discussions on eviction moratoriums and rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, OREIA highlighted potential increases in evictions and concerns about the distribution of federal aid to support both tenants and small landlords effectively. [46] [47] The organization has resisted mandates requiring participation in voluntary housing voucher programs, contending that such obligations could discourage investment in rental properties, and has backed revisions to property tax levy descriptions to improve transparency for voters. [48] [49] OREIA has collaborated with other organizations in opposing stormwater fee structures imposed by regional sewer districts, highlighting potential adverse effects on property costs and joining appeals to challenge these assessments. [50] Regarding source-of-income discrimination laws, OREIA has raised issues about the administrative burdens associated with housing voucher programs that might reduce landlord involvement in providing affordable housing options. [51] OREIA has opposed Senate Bill 245, citing potential loss of privacy for LLC structures and unintended effects on eviction processes that could harm property owners. [52] [53] In local governance, OREIA has partnered with municipal officials on fee-related matters, including discussions with Stark County representatives to resolve urban challenges for investors. [54] OREIA has influenced political processes by endorsing candidates for positions such as Ohio Supreme Court justices and U.S. Senate seats, favoring those who align with priorities like property rights protection and tax policy reforms. [55] [56] During deliberations on local eviction moratoriums, OREIA emphasized the economic hardships faced by small landlords resulting from extended periods of rent non-payment. [57] OREIA has voiced opposition to legislation on eviction record sealing, citing potential difficulties for landlords in evaluating prospective tenants due to restricted access to historical data. [58] The organization has contributed perspectives on comprehensive housing policy issues, including affordability and the effects of regulations on investment activities, in the Ohio Senate Select Committee on Housing. [59] OREIA has participated in coalitions advocating for emergency rental assistance during economic crises, joining groups like the Ohio Credit Union League to influence distribution mechanisms that support property owners. [60] The association has supported Senate Bill 155, which addresses judicial processes, by providing interested party testimony to highlight implications for real estate investors. [61] OREIA has advocated for House Bill 287, aimed at regulating real estate wholesaling, through proponent testimony to ensure transparency while protecting ethical practices. [62] The association has expressed interest in Senate Bill 104 regarding local government matters, submitting testimony to outline its positions on relevant policy changes. [63] In opposition to Senate Bill 245, OREIA has testified against provisions that could compromise investor privacy and operational efficiency. [64] [65] The association has endorsed Senate Bill 43 for tax relief measures, offering proponent testimony to emphasize benefits for property owners. [66] [67] OREIA has supported House Bill 92, providing proponent input on development-related legislation. [68] The organization has collaborated on bills like House Bill 93 in previous sessions, consistently advocating for utility responsibility shifts. [69] OREIA has backed House Bill 430 on energy and public utilities, submitting proponent testimony in committee. [70] The group has opposed House Bill 499, sending opponent testimony on the bill. [71] OREIA has supported House Bill 126 for fair property tax values, as proponent in committee. [72] In House Bill 280 on ways and means, OREIA provided proponent testimony. [73] OREIA has joined discussions on House Bill 563 to ban limits on short-term rentals, supporting the bill as part of industry growth. [74] The association has worked against rent control in general, as part of wider housing discussions. [75] OREIA has contributed perspectives in the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report on source-of-income housing discrimination in Ohio. [76]
Deborah Collins serves as the association manager for the Ohio Real Estate Investors Association, bringing experience in real estate investing since 2004 and regularly representing the group in legislative testimonies on topics like wholesaling regulations and tax policies. [77] [78] Past presidents include Jeffrey Rickerman, who advocated for changes in rental assistance distribution and eviction policies during the early 2020s, and Donald Newman, who addressed lead regulations in 2017. [79] [80] Vena Jones-Cox serves as a key spokesperson for OREIA, particularly in opposing rent control and promoting the organization's reinvestment in community and legislative efforts. [81] [82] Other notable figures include Dan Acton, the director of government affairs, who has testified on taxation, utilities, and housing bills, and Sham Reddy, a former president who discussed challenges with housing voucher programs. [83] [84]