The recovery of the U.S. housing market with its rising home values has sent the realtors into more action on keeping the recovery going and accomplishing their legislative goals.

The National Association of Realtors listed $12,620,000 in lobbying expenditures during the third quarter of 2013. This is a jump of $4,380,000 or 53% from the $8,240,000 spent in the third quarter. For all of 2013, they spent $38,500,000.

The National Association of Realtors lobbies on a wide range of issues, including mortgage interest deduction, mortgage availability, preserving the separation of banking and commerce, the American Dream Downpayment Fund, depreciation of leasehold improvements, flood insurance, and real estate settlement procedures reform, among other issues.

The association appears to be remaining the number two for lobby spending. During the third quarter they were lower than the $12.2 million spending of the Chamber of Commerce of the U.S. In the fourth quarter, the Chamber also increased their spending, reporting $16.5 million.

The Association has outlined a media plan for 2014 to promote opportunities for buyers and sellers in today’s environment. During the first quarter of 2014, the association plans to spend $5.3 million on TV consumer advertising.