REALTORS from across the country converged in Washington, D.C., last week during the National Association of Realtors® 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo and members of the Hawaii CRB Chapter were among the many REALTORS representing Hawaii. We 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 invited 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. Among the speakers were Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).
“As the leading advocate for homeownership, REALTORS want to ensure that people who want to own a home or invest in real estate and can responsibly afford to do so will continue to have the opportunity to do that,” said Hawaii Chapter President, Chuck Garrett. “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 that affect 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.
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.
Pictured above: CRB Council CEO Ginny Shipe; Hawaii CRB Past Presidents Dale Bordner, Berton Hamamoto, John Harris, Terrie Spotkaeff and Rowena Cobb; Wendell Wong; 2012 Hawaii Chapter President Elect Luline Johnson & 2012 Hawaii Chapter President Chuck Garrett.
More photos and videos from the rally are available at www.realtorrally.org.
