Realtors® from South Carolina address critical housing issues on Capitol Hill
COLUMBIA, S.C. – May 20, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — While Realtors® from across the country convened in Washington D.C. last week to attend Realtors® 2013 Midyear Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo, members from South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR) met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss critical South Carolina housing issues.
“One of the most important aspects of the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo is that Realtors® actively engage with their representatives on Capitol Hill,” said South Carolina Realtors® President and broker-owner of Island Realty in Isle of Palms, Alexander “Sandy” Stone. “Realtors® met with their U.S. Senators and Representatives last week to communicate the issues critical to Realtors®’ businesses, communities and the consumers they represent. Realtors® across the country were advocating public policies that promote sustainable homeownership and help move the real estate market forward toward full recovery.”
SCR members met with all of the state’s Senators and Representatives to discuss preserving the mission and purpose of the Federal Housing Administration, protecting homeownership tax policies such as the mortgage interest deduction (MID) and ensuring that mortgage financing is available and affordable to creditworthy homebuyers.
As Congress pursues comprehensive tax reform, SCR members urged their Senators and Representatives to continue to support current tax laws for homeownership and real estate investment.
“Homeownership has had long-standing support in this country because of its many benefits to individuals and families, communities and to the nation’s economy,” said Stone. “Owning a home is an investment in your future and for many people, homeownership helps them gain a foothold into the middle class. Realtors® remain committed to preserving housing-related provisions that help facilitate homeownership, build wealth for families and provide stability to communities.”
SCR members urged specific support for maintaining the current deduction for home mortgage interest. “MID helps many families become home owners, which is the foundation for a healthy middle class, and it is vital to the health and stability of housing markets,” said Stone. “Altering this policy or any others related to homeownership could marginalize current and future home buyers, as well as jeopardize the emerging housing recovery and the overall economy.”
National Association of Realtors® President Gary Thomas, broker-owner of Evergreen Realty, in Villa Park, Calif., praised SCR’s efforts to address crucial housing issues with their members of Congress and help ensure the future of homeownership.
“Realtors® know the value of owning a home and investing in real estate. By making ourselves heard on Capitol Hill last week, we are working to ensure that the American Dream of homeownership stays alive for generations to come,” said Thomas.
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South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR), the largest professional trade association in the state, serves as the voice of real estate for almost 14,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a professional in real estate who subscribes to a strict code of ethics as a member of SCR and the National Association of REALTORS®.
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