Realtors Return to Capitol Hill

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RISMEDIA, May 14, 2008-As Realtors® across the country gather this week for the National Association of Realtors Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, they come committed to working with Congress and the administration to stimulate housing markets, improve access to affordable property insurance, and enact small business health
care legislation.

This year’s meetings also officially mark 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%.

“For 100 years, NAR has been the leading advocate for private property rights, homeownership and housing issues,” said NAR President Dick Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif.

“The Realtor(R)’s role as real estate resource, consumer advocate, and small business leader is now more important than ever as we face the road ahead, and NAR will continue the fight to protect consumers in the real estate transaction, promote affordable housing, and expand homeownership opportunities for all Americans into our second century.”

During the Midyear Legislative Meetings, which began yesterday and continue through May 17, Realtors(R) will be lobbying for mortgage reform; home buyer tax credits; affordable and accessible property, casualty and flood insurance; and small business health insurance.

More than 9,000 Realtors(R) are expected to attend the conference, which includes Capitol Hill visits, workshops, training sessions, and presentations on the latest industry research and market trends.

In addition, more than 200 exhibitors are participating in the Midyear Trade Expo, which showcases the newest real estate products and services for the real estate industry. The Expo will be open in the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Wednesday, May 14, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, May 15, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Friday, May 16, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.Realtor.org.

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