Arizona Realtors® Join Thousands to Advance Key Housing Issues and Priorities in Nation’s Capital
(Phoenix) (5/21/2015) – Realtors® and leaders from the Arizona Association of Realtors® joined nearly 8,500 other guests from across the country in Washington, D.C., last week to attend the 2015 Realtor® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.
While in the nation’s capital, local participants met with Senator Jeff Flake, Congressman David Schweikert, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, Congressman Raul Grijalva, Congresswoman Martha McSally, Congressman Ruben Gallego and their staffs on Capitol Hill to advance and protect real estate-related policies and ensure qualified buyers and investors in Arizona have access to safe and affordable mortgage financing.
“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 Jim Sexton – President of the Arizona Association of Realtors®. “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 with Arizona’s congressional delegation focused on important residential and commercial real estate issues to homeowners and investors, 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. 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 homeownership and property rights and make a positive difference for consumers and our industry,” said Sexton.
National Association of Realtors® President Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot Springs, Ark., praised the Arizona Realtor’s® efforts to actively advance the real estate industry and provide a safe and affordable path to homeownership for Americans.
“Homeownership and commercial investment help build strong communities and families. 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,” said Polychron.
About Arizona REALTORS® The Arizona Association of REALTORS® is the largest professional trade association in the state. The association’s more than 40,000 members represent the majority of the active real estate licensees in Arizona. For more information about the Arizona REALTORS®, visit the organizations website at www.aaronline.com.
Media Contact: K. Michelle Lind, Esq., Chief Executive Officer 602-248-7787 MichelleLind@aaronline.com