LYONS IN NATION’S CAPITOL: LOBBIES FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP
LYONS CELEBRATES REALTORS’ 100-YEAR ANNIVERARY IN NATION’S CAPITOL: LOBBIES FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP
WASHINGTON May 12-17,2008 – Jim Lyons of Select Real Estate in Conway, NH and 2008 State President of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors was among the more than 9,000 Realtors participating in the National Association of Realtors Midyear Legislative Meeting & Trade Expo May 12-17 in Washington, D.C.
This year’s conference officially marked 100 years of NAR’s presence and influence in the real estate industry – the association was founded in May 1908. When NAR was established, fewer than half of U.S. households owned their own home. Today, homeownership approaches 70 percent.
“Homeownership is a great financial and personal investment that strengthens our communities and builds wealth over the long term,” Lyons said.
“Now more than ever, it’s important to remind the people we elect into public office about the importance of promoting and preserving homeownership in America. Homeowners are more likely to be involved and invested in their communities. When more people own homes we all benefit,” he said.
While he was in Washington, Lyons met with Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, Congressman Paul Hodes, Senator John Sununu and Senator Judd Gregg to press for a variety of housing and industry initiatives, including a housing stimulus package that includes a tax credit for home buyers.
Lyons also pressed his members of Congress for other items high on NAR’s public policy agenda – lending reforms. Modernization of the Federal Housing Administration programs, reforming regulation of the government-sponsored enterprises (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) and making temporary increases to the conforming loan limits permanent.
“As the country’s leading advocates for housing issues, Realtors are passionate about our political involvement, and we know we’ll see results when we keep our issues in front of members of Congress,” he said.
Conference participants heard first-hand updates from a number of government and industry experts, including Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Brian Montgomery, Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Director James Lockhart, Harvard University Director and former House Financial Services Chairman Jim Leach, and the chair of the House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank, D-Mass.
Also addressing the conference were political commentators Paul Begala, Democratic strategist and CNN political analyst, and Tucker Carlson MSNBC senior campaign correspondent. In addition to sharing their diverse political insights, both acknowledged the meaningful contributions Realtors have on the nation’s public policy agenda.
Begala told the rapt audience, “Thank you for what you do for a living. I’m a big fan of Realtors… You’re in the American Dream business.”
Carlson added his own sentiments: “Some of the most dramatic moments in my life have been buying houses. You have been there to help me through those stages, so I thank you.”
Lyons said the conference represented an opportunity to connect with other Realtors from every corner of the nation, and even a few from other parts of the world. “Coming all together in the city where are nation’s laws are made and helping to make a positive difference in their outcome is gratifying work. I was reminded of the awesome rights and responsibilities we all have, to be involved in public policy advocacy at all levels of government.”
Lyons also had the opportunity to explore the Trade Expo, at which nearly 200 exhibitors showcased the newest real estate products and services for the industry.
NAR’s next meeting, the 2008 Realtors Conference & Expo, will take place November 7-10 in Orlando.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.