John Hall & Associates | Successful Agents | Greater Phoenix, AZ Real Estate Agency

Every year the National Association of REALTORS® hold their midyear meetings in Washington D. C. The primary purpose is for us (the REALTORS®) to make Capital Hill visits. This means that we go see our Senators and Representatives to discuss issues that we want them to support, defeat, or address in some manner.

This year was particularly important because of all that is happening within our industry. Jim and I are both referred to as FPC’s for the National Association of REALTORS®. FPC means we are a Federal Political Coordinator. Jim is the FPC for Representative John Shadegg and I am the FPC for Senator Jon Kyl. As FPC’s we are the liaison for NAR and AAR to these gentlemen. We call them with concerns or issues that may be Arizona specific or perhaps more of a national issue. We were able to lead discussions with them and their staff that we hope will have a positive impact on our state and for our industry.

We truly thank [our agents] for making these meetings as productive as we hope they will prove to be. I thank [our agents] for the specific stories that [our agents] shared. This allowed us to give them actual scenarios and not talk hypothetically. This will enable the legislators to better recognize what is happening versus what they hoped might happen, or are being told is happening.

Much of our time this year was centered on lender issues. And, with us being affected so dramatically with short sales and REO’s, we left no doubt in anyone’s mind that this is important to us. A few of the examples we shared are the lenders who don’t want to lend money – though they never admit that. We gave billions of dollars to banks to bail them out, stimulate sales, and give them funds to lend. The lenders talk a good game but are finding multiple reasons for NOT lending. (One lender declined the request for a loan because the house backed to a major street.)

There were lots of complaints about lenders taking MONTHS to consider or approve loans on short sales. Other complaints were about lenders who won’t talk to a homeowner until they are delinquent on their loans, rather than working with them from the beginning to find a workable solution. We also discussed many of the problems with REO transactions and the separate addendums required by most lenders.

Another issue raised was the First-Time Homebuyer $8,000 Tax Credit. We thanked them for making this available, but requested that they extend the timeframe on its availability. It is currently scheduled to expire on November 30, 2009. We have asked them to assist us in getting it extended through 2010, and hope that will happen. We further suggested that the credit be made available to anyone, not just those who meet the definition of a first time buyer. (Hey, if you don’t ask it probably won’t happen, so we asked.).

There were clearly many other issues raised, but I wanted to share that many of your concerns are being passed on to people who can influence change. You can help too. You can send letters to our congressmen and senators. Your voice and opinions do matter.

In the meantime, Jim and I will continue to volunteer our time and efforts to be sure REALTORS® are heard and understood. We both left D.C. with positive feelings. We both felt that our Arizona representation will do all they can to assist in trying to get us back on track.

Marge Lindsay