Realtors do more than just sell property!

Realtor’s do more than just sell houses! 

 

When you think of a Realtor, you think of someone who helps people buy and sell their homes, but members of the National Association of Realtors® do a lot more than that.  Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the Mid-Year Conference in Washington DC. The main objective of the conference was to visit members of the Senate and Congress to discuss a number of issues that we are concerned with. 

 

One of the biggest things the Realtor organization is fighting for is the ability for self-employed people to be able to purchase affordable health insurance.  Currently the self-employed or independent contractors aren’t able to purchase insurance in a group, forcing them to have to buy it on their own, with the insurance companies charging a much higher of a premium as they would if they worked for a company that offered insurance.  While many people are talking about government insurance, all we want is reform in the health insurance industry allowing individuals to purchase health insurance as a group, enabling more negotiating power for better prices. 

 

Another big issue we were tackling is the extension and possible expansion of the $8,000 tax credit.  As I’ve mentioned in previous posts the housing market is a major contributor in the economic recovery.  From what we’ve seen so far the last few months, home sales are on the rise, a direct result of the tax credit.  The only problem is that the credit ends November 30, 2009.  That seems far away, but its really not, if a buyer doesn’t find their perfect home by the end of September, they most likely won’t be able to close before the deadline date.  We’re asking for there to be an extension into 2010, allowing more people to be able to take advantage of the credit.  We’re also asking the government to expand the credit, or some form of it to current homeowners, giving them an incentive to trade up, expanding the choices for first time homebuyers. 

 

An issue the Realtor organization is trying to get off the table is an energy rating that the government wants all houses to get before being able to sell.  The problem is, in Connecticut as well as much of the East Coast there are lots of historic homes that may not be able to get a great rating, which could lower the value of the property. 

 

If you would like more info on any of these issues or any other things the Realtor® organization is working on feel free to contact us at 860-829-2333 or Bob@cbpremoves.com