Kansas City Realtors® Visit Nation’s Capital to Advocate Policy Issues Affecting Homeownership, Commercial Real Estate
LEAWOOD, Kan. (PRWEB) May 30, 2018 -- On behalf of current and future home and property owners throughout the country, more than 9,000 Realtors®, including more than 30 from the Kansas City metro, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advance key real estate issues during the 2018 REALTOR® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.
Members of the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors joined fellow Realtors from Kansas, Missouri and across the nation to attend meetings and informational sessions, as well as meet with regulatory agency staff and lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss and advocate real estate issues affecting their businesses, communities and clients including fair housing, flood insurance and internet neutrality.
“Realtors are the leading advocates for homeownership and commercial real estate, which is why it is so critical that we connect with lawmakers and ensure they understand the issues facing the real estate industry and their constituents – of which many are home and property owners,” said Andrea Sheridan, president of the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors. “Supporting home and property owners through smart legislation and regulatory initiatives is essential to advancing our nation’s economy, as well as our communities, so Realtors are continuing the fight to keep Congress’s attention on the issues that impact real estate most.”
While in Washington, local Realtors met with Senators & Representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss and influence public policy decisions that directly affect consumers’ ability to own, buy, rent and sell residential and commercial real estate across Kansas and Missouri.
When speaking with legislators, Realtors acknowledged the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and urged Congress to adopt sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under the Fair Housing Act, bringing it in line with NAR’s strict Code of Ethics. Additionally, Realtors advocated for strong net neutrality protections; fought to extend and reform the National Flood Insurance Program; and urged Congress to index homeownership deductions for future inflation and permanently extend the tax exclusion on mortgage debt forgiveness.
"We are proud to lead the way toward greater equality in housing opportunities and are committed to furthering policies that support sustainable and inclusive communities without discrimination,” said Sheridan.
During the meetings attendees also heard from industry experts and leaders, including Acting Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Mick Mulvaney, who spoke about the latest initiatives out of the CFPB, plans for improved efficiency of agency operations, as well as his perspectives on issues shaping the real estate industry.
In addition, attendees heard from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, who discussed the nation’s commitment to fair housing during the conference’s General Session; U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri), who shared a personal story with attendees about the importance of safe and affordable housing for all Americans; realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale, who provided an overview of current conditions in the residential and commercial markets; Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator William “Brock” Long, who addressed a broad range of disaster and emergency management topics, such as National Flood Insurance Program reauthorization and federal disaster relief; and NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, who shared residential and commercial real estate market updates and forecasts for the remainder of 2018.
About Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS®
The Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate in the Kansas City Region”, is the largest professional business association in Kansas City. KCRAR serves more than 9,500 Realtor® members in Kansas and Missouri. Find a local Realtor® at http://www.KCRealtorLink.com.
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Kyla Barcus, Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, http://www.kcrar.com, +1 (913) 266-5917, [email protected]
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