0
0
0

Realtors to Rally for Homeownership by the Thousands

by Chicago Agent

Thousands of Realtors are planning a rally in Washington for homeownership.

Thousands of Realtors from across the country are planning a May 17 rally in Washington, D.C. in an effort to ensure that homeownership, housing and real estate issues are still public policy priority as the presidential election season approaches.

Jon Broadbooks, the director of communications for the Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR), said that not only will he be at the rally, but so will the majority of IAR’s officers.

“We should have a pretty good showing,” he said, adding that by his projections, more than 13,000 Realtors should be present for the event, with thousands more watching online.

The present real estate market, Broadbooks said, will be a huge focus of the rally, and Realtors are hoping to draw attention to the interdependent relationship between housing and lending.

The mortgage markets, he explained, have performed an about face. After the loose credit of the boom years, credit has been equally tight in the years sense, and those restrictions are limiting the number of homebuyers that can enter the market and further assist what is an already-growing, recovering real estate industry. The rally, then, will attempt to add further scrutiny to that issue and assist more prospective homebuyers in attaining mortgages.

“This is about helping [prospective buyers] realize the American Dream,” Broadbooks said.

Bob Floss, the president of the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR) and managing broker/owner of Bob Floss & Son Realty, said more than 30 CAR members will be present at the rally.

“Representing our association, more than 30 Chicago REALTORS® look forward to joining thousands of REALTORS® in Washington D.C. next week for the Rally to Protect the American Dream on May 17,” he said. “As citizens and as real estate professionals, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the American dream of homeownership.”

Bill Boatman, 2012 President of the Georgia Association of Realtors and another participant in the day’s events, said the rally’s focus will be on the continuing important of housing for the greater economy.

“As the leading advocate for homeownership and housing issues, Realtors want our country’s current and future leaders to understand the vital role real estate plays in both the long- and short-term health of this nation,” Boatman said. “That is why we will join forces on May 17 in Washington, D.C. Realtors believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the dream of homeownership, and we will fight against obstacles that make it more difficult for people to buy, own and invest in real estate.”

“The Rally to Protect the American Dream,” as it’s called, will take place in front of the Washington Monument on the morning of May 17 in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress will join the participating Realtors as they hear from speakers about how homeownership issues affect individuals, communities, small businesses and the nation. The rally will also highlight the important role housing plays in the economic recovery.

Speakers include National Association of Realtors(R) President Moe Veissi, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia, whose legislative efforts we have covered in the past.. Approximately 10,000 Realtors are expected to attend the rally, which is also part of NAR’s Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo taking place in Washington, D.C., May 14-19.

Read More Related to This Post

Join the conversation

New Subscribe

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.