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Call to Action on Proposed Real Estate Bills - the Industry Needs your Support

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Property Centre

I received this message in an email, and it's just too important not to copy and report in total:

"Urgent Message from Dave Liniger (RE/MAX)

If you have been watching the news this week, you may have noticed that the debate in Washington has finally turned toward real stimulus for the housing industry. As a result, I believe that we could be on the brink of a substantial turn around in the real estate market. Now, it's critical that we all join together and deliver a powerful message to our legislators that we support this stimulus.

Last night, the Lieberman/Isakson Amendment was included in the senate version of the Economic Stimulus Bill by a unanimous voice vote. This amendment would provide a Tax Credit to all home buyers at the rate of 10% of the sales price up to a limit of $15,000. The credit would be available for a one year period to all purchasers of primary residences.

Today, the senate expects to debate Amendment 353, a proposal by Senator John Ensign (R-NV) that would provide 30 year fixed financing at a rate of about 4%, for anyone purchasing a primary residence.

If these two provisions survive in the final passage of a stimulus bill they could have a tremendous impact on our industry. If they are coupled together with provisions to ease the flow of credit and reduce foreclosures, we could see an immediate and dramatic turn-around in real estate.

I feel that these provisions represent real economic stimulus. They will put money in the hands of millions of homeowners, increase sales, stabilize home values and add more revenues to local communities in the form of property taxes.

I urge each of you to contact your senators and representatives to let them know that you believe these provisions are essential components of any stimulus bill. You can go to the official Senate and House web sites to locate the email and phone number of your legislators.

This may be one of the most critical moments for the real estate industry in our time. Please pass this information on to anyone you might do business with. The outcome of this legislation will have a lasting impact on us all. I appreciate your assistance on this urgent matter."

Don't wait for other realtors or buyers or Joe the Plumber to do this - email your senators and representatives TODAY!  We can make a difference and make our voices heard!

Sherry Armstrong, REALTOR
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Comments (7)

Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

Sherry - Thanks for the update. If we don't find a way to get first time home buyers back in the game, it's going to be a long summer.

Feb 06, 2009 05:40 AM
Doug Aaserude
Inactive until May. 2009 - Beaverton, OR
Broker

thanks for the info. yes, we need to get first time home buyers back in the game but we hve to be careful. we need qualified home buyers. over the last 3 years so many first time homebuyers were getting into homes they could not afford and those homes are now either in foreclosure or are in short sale situations.

Feb 06, 2009 05:50 AM
Chuck Capan
REMAX River Cities - Moline, IL
REALTOR Licensed In IL. - Moline Homes Quad Citie

Just say NO to bail outs.  This bail out included. 

Feb 06, 2009 05:56 AM
P G
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

It seems that there is a lot to learn on Active Rain. Thank you for your post.

Feb 06, 2009 06:05 AM
Calvin Cowles
Cowles Home Inspection Services Inc. - Newnan, GA

Sorry, I agree with Chuck. The more we interfere artificially with our cyclical economy the worse things will get.

We have all earned this downturn cycle with many years of over-consumption. Now we have to suffer a little.

It's OK. It won't last that long unless we stimulate it!

Feb 06, 2009 06:06 AM
TIM MONCRIEF
Tim Monciref - Austin, TX
Over 2,000 homes sold…..

Nice post.  There is 80% garbage in this bill that is to help the constituency and not the country, but finally, a Senator that cares about the country and knows that some type of trickle works....and trickling from the real estate and construction industry moves the world.

Feb 06, 2009 06:11 AM
Monica Neubauer
Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN
Franklin, TN - Realtor, Trainer

I wish we could pick and choose what is in it.  I appreciate the way you said it - for this part to be included.  But I have to say that my only response to the bailout is NO.  Then, let's look at real estate and health care and the other provisions independently.  Thanks for letting us know about the provisions.  I wonder if there is a clear and concise list of all of them somewhere.

Feb 09, 2009 08:05 AM