REALTORS® will meet with U.S. Representative Sharice Davids and Senator Jerry Moran via Zoom on June 22 to lobby for homeownership and property issues as a part of the Kansas Association of REALTORS’® (KAR) Virtual Hill Visit. This annual event is usually held in-person in Washington D.C., so this year’s virtual event presents an opportunity for REALTORS® who may have been unable to attend in previous years.
The meeting with Davids will be facilitated by KCRAR member and NAR’s Federal Political Coordinator for Davids, Andrew Mall, at 10 a.m., and the meeting with Moran will take place at 3:30 p.m. Both discussions will surround REALTOR® and homeownership issues of priority, such as:
- Defending 1031 exchanges
- Supporting tax incentives to convert underutilized commercial property into residential units
- Supporting the longstanding federal recognition of the real estate professionals to operate as independent contractors
- Cosponsoring the Housing Fairness Act
- Increasing HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program
- Increase funding for HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
“Our ability to have face to face discussions with our elected officials is critical to making sure that the American dream of owning a home is alive and well,” Mall said. “These meetings allow us to tell the real story of what is going on in the marketplace which often gets lost in the noise of Washington D.C. Explaining how housing affordability, 1031 like-kind exchanges or flood insurance actually impact real people help shape the ultimate view and vote of our legislators.”
KAR believes these actions can help improve access to homeownership, increase housing inventory, build strong communities and help ensure fair housing for all.
KAR has opened registration to this meeting for any of its members who would like to attend, but space is limited. Those who have questions for the Senator to answer during the meeting can send them in advance to mark@kansasrealtor.com.
Those interested in learning more about Davids or Moran can listen to KCRAR’s Kansas City RealTalk podcast episodes with Davids and Moran on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any major podcast platform.
