How do Realtors advocate for issues affecting homeownership?

Each year in May, more than 9,000 Realtors gather in Washington, D.C. during the Realtor Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo to advocate for crucial real estate issues on behalf of current and future home and property owners here in Connecticut and across the country.

There is no partisanship. We don’t go as Democrats or Republicans, we go as Realtors solely concerned with issues impacting property ownership.

In addition to our role of helping people buy, sell or rent homes and commercial properties, Realtors are the leading advocates for

homeownership and commercial real estate.

The day-to-day business dealings of Realtors are directly impacted by the decisions made by our policymakers and regulators, making it vitally important for leaders on Capitol Hill to hear from our members about the issues shaping their businesses, communities and clients.

Supporting home and property owners through smart legislation and regulatory initiatives is essential to advancing our nation’s and local economies, which is why so many Realtors commit to attending these annual meetings to advocate on behalf of homeowners and fight to keep Congress’s focus on the issues that affect real estate.

While in Washington, Realtors from Connecticut met with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Congressman Joe Courtney, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, Congressman John Larson and Senator Richard Blumenthal.

We discussed and advocated support for several critical legislative initiatives and public policy decisions affecting the ability to own, buy, rent and sell residential and commercial real estate. Discussions focused on several significant issues affecting the industry including housing finance reform, national flood insurance program reauthorization and housing affordability and accessibility.

In addition, President Trump addressed conference attendees to discuss the current state of the housing industry.

Realtors also met with officials from the Federal Housing Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Rural Housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to discuss issues affecting Realtors and how they align with the agencies’ goals and missions.

Yolanda Tine-Lowe, 2019 President New Haven Middlesex Association of Realtors; Berkshire

Hathaway Home Services, ylowe@bhhsne.com , (860) 767-2133