Realtors Advocate For Homeowners, Real Estate Policies

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Submitted by the Cherokee Association of REALTORS

Realtors and leaders from the Cherokee Association of REALTORS joined nearly 8,500 other guests from across the country to attend the 2015 Realtor® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

While in the nation’s capital, local participants last week met with U.S. Reps Barry Loudermilk of Cassville and Tom Price of Roswell, Senator Johnny Isakson and their staff members at Capitol Hill “to ensure qualified buyers and investors in Cherokee communities have access to safe and affordable mortgage financing and protect and advance real estate-related policies,” the group said in its press release.

“Attending the Realtor® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo offers Realtors® an opportunity to meet face-to-face with decision makers and be heard on the issues that affect the industry and consumers’ ability to buy, sell and invest in real estate,” said David Moody, 2015 CAOR president. “While meeting with lawmakers, regulatory officials and industry executives last week, Realtors urged support for the issues that are most important to the industry, communities and the clients that we serve.”

Realtors’ meetings focused on important residential and commercial real estate issues to homeowners and investors here in Cherokee County, including the extension of the Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act, which expired at the end of 2014 and prevents distressed homeowners from facing excessive income tax bills on forgiven home loan debt.

Realtors® also urged lawmakers to protect commercial real estate related tax provisions, such as retaining like-kind exchange provisions and making permanent the 15-year depreciation period for leasehold improvements. In addition, Realtors advocated legislation to reform patent demand letters, set nationwide data security standards, and pass the Mortgage Choice Act to end discrimination against affiliated lenders.

“Realtors do so much more than list and sell properties,” Moody added. “The discussions we had last week about greater access to safe credit, patent reform, mortgage debt forgiveness tax relief, and commercial real estate tax provisions will help advance policies that strengthen home ownership and property rights and make a positive difference for consumers and our industry.”

National Association of Realtors® President Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot Springs, Ark., praised the Cherokee Association’s efforts to actively advance the real estate industry and provide a safe and affordable path to home ownership for Americans.

“Homeownership and commercial investment help build strong communities and families,” Polychron added. “With the current policy debates underway in Washington, it’s a critical time for Realtors® to take action and help shape the future of real estate.”

The Cherokee Association of REALTORS® is the voice for real estate in Cherokee County. For more information on our organization, please visit its website at www.cherokeerealtors.org.

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