NAR Conference Live is Back for 2017
Visit NAR Conference Live, which is online now at www.ConferenceLive.realtor. Check out the online window to the REALTORS® Conference & Expo which takes viewers behind-the-scenes of real estate’s largest event happening this weekend in Chicago. Members at home can watch interviews with conference speakers and view exhibitor demonstrations. Plus, they can follow along with the experiences of over 35 Featured Attendees – REALTORS® and board staff from across the U.S. – who will share their personal experiences and reflections during the event. They can even enter to win a free trip to the 2018 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Boston. After the event, the site will remain up as a resource for real estate professionals through 2018.
Don’t let congress raise taxes on middle class homeowners
NAR supports tax reform, but Congress needs to first do no harm to tax incentives that encourage home-ownership. It’s important to us that we seek to assure that tax reforms support the goals of homeownership and the freedom to buy, maintain and sell real estate.
- NAR rejects repealing or weakening tax incentives for homeowners, like the mortgage interest deduction and the state and local property tax deduction.
- These incentives are critical for a strong housing market that creates jobs and builds stable communities.
- We can’t let Congress turn reform into a tax increase for middle-class homeowners.
- Homeowners already pay 83% of all federal income taxes. Homeowners should not have to pay more taxes so corporations can pay less.
- Home-owning families with incomes between $50,000 and $200,000 could face average tax hikes of $815 in the year after enactment.
- Tax reforms under discussion could result in a drop of more than 10% in the value of all homes.
The plan is expected to double the standard deduction and eliminate all personal deductions except the Mortgage Interest Deduction and the deduction for Charitable Contributions. The plan eliminates the deduction for State and Local Taxes. By doubling the standard deduction, the Mortgage Interest Deduction would only be available to the top 5% of taxpayers. READ MORE
NFIP Extended to Dec. 8th - ASK CONGRESS TO PASS THE 21ST CENTURY FLOOD REFORM ACT
The United States Senate voted to pass a three-month extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The House of Representatives passed the legislation September 8th, 2017 and the President quickly sign the bill into law later that day. This legislation ensures that the NFIP will not lapse on September 30, 2017 but will extend to December 8th, 2017.
Ask Congress to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program by urging them to support H.R. 2874, “The 21st Century Flood Reform Act."
H.R. 2874 reauthorizes the NFIP long term and makes a number of critical improvements to the NFIP including...
Increased funds for mitigation activities
Caps on overall premium increases
Improved claim and mapping processes
As well as removing hurdles for more private market participation in the flood insurance market.
Reauthorization of the NFIP will help over 5 million homeowners in 22,000 communities around the country and save over 40,000 property sales per month!
More information:
HR 2874 Bill Summary on Congress.gov
NAR Section-By-Section Analysis of HR 2874
FLOODING IS THE NUMBER ONE NATURAL DISASTER IN THE UNITED STATES. FLOODS HAVE IMPACTED EVERY STATE IN THE COUNTRY AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF LIFE AND HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PROPERTY DAMAGE.
I PLEDGE TO BE PREPARED IN THE EVENT OF A FLOOD BY
- Learning about the risk of flooding in my neighborhood
- Creating and sharing an emergency plan for myself and my family in the event of a flood
- Educating myself on what to do if a flood occurs
- Educating myself on what to do after a flood
- Staying informed about the status of Hawaii's eligibility to be covered by the National Flood Insurance Program
