I just sent a letter on behalf of NAR to REALTORS® in Houston and Galveston, who are struggling to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ike. While Ike hasn’t received the same attention as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita did in 2005, the impact on people in the area is just incredible.
NAR has been working closely with the wonderful folks at the Houston Association, and the Texas Association, to allocate funds and resources to aide members in re-building and recovery. But, they need a lot more. I know that the REALTOR® family is ready to give.
Please take a few minutes right now to visit www.texasrealtors.com and donate to TAR’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Working “All Together,” REALTORS in Texas will overcome this challenge, and return to their communities and their businesses stronger and more determined than ever. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President
This was another busy week for NAR, as lawmakers in Washington, D.C., asked REALTORS® to lend our perspective to some current problems in the housing and financial markets and potential solutions.
On Tuesday, we testified before a committee in U.S. House of Representatives on the need for responsible RESPA reform – and why HUD’s proposal falls well short of the goal. Our perspective on the issue caught the attention of The Hill Newspaper, and they asked me to submit an entry to their Congress Blog. It was posted this morning for all of Congress and Washington, D.C., to read. Please take some time to read it and share with your colleagues.
On Wednesday, Ron Phipps, who will serve as NAR’s First Vice President in 2009, did an outstanding job testifying on the foreclosure crisis and how short sales could be a more viable option, if lenders improved the process. This time, C-SPAN picked up the story and is running the video of the hearing on their web site.
I think it says a lot about NAR, and our reputation in the industry, that we are called on so often to help address problems in the market. Thanks to all of you for the great work you do to give us that sterling reputation. Rest assured that NAR will keep raising our “Voice” until these challenges are resolved and the housing market is back on track. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President
The National Association of Realtors® is constantly being accused of not doing enough for the commercial Members. I, too, often raise the red Realtor® “R” in Leadership Team Meetings and other gatherings of Members and Staff. Today, while blogging I’d thought I’d work to set the record straight for many of us that don’t know what we get.
Each year the NAR Government Affairs Division spends significant dues dollars to fund efforts that hold in check the Capital Gains and Passive Loss tax rules. Tenant in Common (TIC) sales and rulings by the IRS had the potential to significantly disrupt the investment market. It was only through the hard work of our lobbyist and “in house” tax counsel that we were able to retain our ability collect a fee when involved in sales of this type. Various issues regarding depreciation are constantly being challenged requiring relentless work on the “Hill” to educate member of Congress about the trickle down affects of dismantling rules that stimulate investment in real property.
CommercialSource.com, NARs commercial real estate marketplace is truly coming to life. NAR recently purchased eProperty Data. A new initiative with Move Inc. will drive traffic to NAR’s commercial real estate marketplace, www.CommercialSource.com, increasing exposure to many of the nation’s local commercial information exchanges, which are affiliated with the Realtors®’ Commercial Alliance, NAR’s commercial division. The agreement will provide unprecedented access to commercial property listings to both consumers and investors; the listings will be displayed on Move’s flagship site REALTOR.com.
So, I’ve come to realize that I, no we, need to realize that our Association recognizes its commercial members as a necessary part of the equation.
I was at a Jimmy Buffett concert on Labor Day. As always he played the crowd’s favorites. Of course, he played “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes”. I’ve decided to change my attitude about NAR’s work in the commercial arena. I know we do lots for this sector of our Membership. I want to make sure you know it too. Get involved, see what’s going on now and bring new ideas to the table. Visit Commercial Source.com and Realtor.org to see what’s there that can help you prosper. And also be on the look out for a the upcoming President’s Podcast about commericial issues that will be posted on the President’s Report on October 7. You’ll be amazed.
Finally, enjoy the Fall Season. I’ll see you in Orlando at the Convention. — Jim Helsel, 2008 NAR Treasurer
It’s been a while since I have posted to the “Voices” blog. As my year draws to a close, things have been busier than ever.
I know many of you are wondering why the federal government decided to take control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and what this move means for the housing market and for REALTORS®. The best explanation I have seen is the one offered by our very own Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, in one of his his regular commentaries. In fact, it was so good that The Hill Newspaper (where Congress goes to share news and views) ran it on their blog.
http://blog.thehill.com/2008/09/09/federal-govt-had-no-choice-in-fannie-freddie-situation/
Please take a few minutes to read what Lawrence has to say, and pass it along to your colleagues and clients.
No doubt, reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be a top priority for the new Congress and Administration. You can be sure that NAR will be there every step of the way to ensure their vital mission remains intact, and homeownership continues to thrive in America. – Dick Gaylord, 2008 NAR President
I can’t tell you how proud I’ve felt these past weeks to be a REALTOR® and an American, as I attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver and watched the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.
No matter what side of the isle you cast your vote, I think you will agree that the process and the pageantry and the rhetoric and momentum were palatable everywhere. Hope for our economy – hope for our education system – hope for our health care system – and, yes, hope for the real estate markets across our nation — were the buzz at both political party conventions.
Having the opportunity to meet the legislators and their staff members to discuss our REALTOR® Party issues and agenda was valuable and important for moving forward our priorities for the next four years.
Of course, our fabulous staff members in Washington, D.C., are bringing your legislators up to date on our issues all year long – but it was most evident at both the Democratic Convention and the Republican Convention that we are well taken care of. The professionalism of our staff and their knowledge of OUR issues is what makes them the premier lobbying team in D.C. Carry on for the REALTOR® Party! — Pat V. Combs, 2008 Immediate Past President
