South Carolina Realtors® raise homeownership awareness in Nation’s Capital
COLUMBIA, S.C. – May 21, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Realtors® from across the country converged in Washington, D.C., last week during the National Association of Realtors® 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. South Carolina Realtors® (SCR) President Gordon Seay was among them. Seay also joined an estimated 15,000 Realtors® and members of Congress at the Washington Monument to rally on behalf of homeowners, real estate investors and those who aspire to homeownership.
A highlight of this year’s meetings, the Rally to Protect the American Dream, took place on Thursday. Realtors® from every state in the country joined members of Congress to highlight the important role housing plays in the American economy, as well as advocate for policies that are supportive of homeownership.
“As the leading advocate for homeownership, Realtors® want to ensure that people who want to own a home or invest in real estate can responsibly afford to do so will continue to have an opportunity to do that,” said Seay. “The rally was an important event that let the nation know that homeownership impacts families, communities, small businesses and the nation’s economy in a very meaningful way. It’s an investment in our collective futures and must be preserved.”
The year’s meetings focused on a number of pressing issues affecting the real estate market, the nation’s 75 million homeowners and aspiring homeowners. Various sessions focused on the need for affordable financing, secondary mortgage market reform and economic issues impacting the residential and commercial markets.
While he was in Washington, Seay and other SCR leadership met with Senators Clyburn, DeMint and Graham and Representatives Gowdy, Mulvaney, Duncan, Wilson and Scott to address critical issues related today’s housing market. Those issues included the need to streamline short sales, preserve tax benefits for homeowners and bolster liquidity in the commercial market. Seay also urged South Carolina’s representatives to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program which is currently set to expire May 31.
“Realtors® gathered on Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and press upon them the value of homeownership for all Americans,” said Seay. “It is imperative that we continue to communicate to our local representatives that homeownership matters to individuals, families, communities and our nation’s economy.”
Throughout the week Realtors® participated in sessions with a number of government officials and industry experts, including representatives from the Federal Housing Administration, Mortgage Bankers Association of America, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Federal Reserve Board, National Economic Council and the U.S. Treasury.
During the meetings, former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, leading Democratic strategist Celinda Lake, and National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling participated in a panel discussion about how the 2012 elections will impact the real estate industry. Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth Duke spoke during the joint Real Estate Services and Regulatory Issues Forum – Prescriptions for Housing Recovery. Duke discussed how a full housing market recovery could not happen until policymakers move forward with the difficult decisions regarding that future of the mortgage market. A panel of industry experts and representatives including FHFA Acting Director Ed DeMarco, FHA Commissioner and Assistant Secretary for Housing Carol Galante, Moody’s Analytics Mark Zandi, and Wharton School of Business Professor Susan Watcher discussed housing policy, specifically the mortgage interest deduction, government sponsored entities, and the government’s role in promoting homeownership.
Seay also had the chance to explore the latest industry innovations and stay up to date on how new products are transforming the real estate business, as more than 100 exhibitors showcased the newest real estate products and services for the industry during the Trade Expo.
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South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR) is the largest professional trade association in the state, serving as the voice of real estate for more than 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®.
Contact:
Sharon Delia
sharon (at) screaltors (dot) org
