This past week I was fortunate enough to represent Central Florida Realty Investors (along with other members of the CFRI legislative committee) at the National Real Estate Investors Association first annual "Day on the Hill" in Washington D.C.

It was a thrilling and very eye opening experience for me.  I have been to Washington before, but this was the first time meeting with Representatives and Senators.  Actually we mostly met with their staffers because the Prime Minister of Ireland was addressing Congress and a big FAA vote was also happening (at least that is the excuse I was given :-). 

Besides trying to bring Congress' attention to the role that real estate investors play in the marketplace, we were also trying to help promote changes to a pending federal bill proposed to curb "foreclosure rescue."  You can read more about this proposal at Senator Herb Kohl's website.  The original form of this bill contains some major negatives including banning or regulating sale and leasebacks, subject to deals, foreclosure seminars, and foreclosure advertising.  This could be a big drawback for investors, Realtors, mortgage brokers, and others in the foreclosure process.  The last thing America needs right now is legislation that will chase off buyers and others away from the marketplace.

Hopefully Senator Kohl's proposal will be amended to remove a lot of the major negatives and instead focus just on people that are charging upfront fees and then not performing as agreed.  Or even better, hopefully the bill will simply never get off the ground.

Regardless, it was a very enjoying and fast paced time and I hope to be able to do it again.  The only way to help influence politics and legislation is to get involved in the process.  The CFRI legislative committee is looking for volunteers throughout Central Florida to help in a variety of different ways.  For more information, you can contact me or CFRI to get involved.  If you are a Realtor, the Orlando Regional Realtor Association and most other local Realtor associations are looking for new members for the government affairs committee too.

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(Copyright © 2008. Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rob Arnold, ABR, CPL, CRB, GRI, Managing real estate broker, Licensed mortgage broker, Notary Public

407-389-7318 / 1-877-389-7318    www.SDRhouses.com/   www.WeBuyHousesFlorida.com/

Your full service and investor friendly Realtor in Orlando. Learn to invest in Central Florida real estate and Orlando real estate. Investor mentoring and counseling available. I also provide flat fee MLS listings, For Sale By Owner, and menu-based services in most parts of Central & South Florida, the Space Coast, and the Treasure Coast including Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Sanford, Deltona, Debary, Deland, Mount Dora, Eustis, Clermont, Kissimmee, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port Saint Lucie, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Gainesville, Volusia, Brevard, and more.

We sell properties, list properties, and we buy houses cash throughout Central Florida and the metro Orlando area.