KAR Secures Big Win for Kansas Homeowners

May 6, 2021 in Government Affairs

By Derek Ramsay, KCRAR VP of REALTOR® Advocacy Earlier this week, the Kansas legislature overrode Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of Senate Bill 50. In doing so, the lawmakers sent a clear message that homeownership matters in Kansas. Among other provisions, Senate Bill 50 will allow income taxpayers in Kansas to itemize their state tax filing […]

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Gavel sitting on desk

Judge Vacates CDC’s Eviction Ban, But Appeal Delays Action

in Government Affairs

REALTOR® Magazine A U.S. District Court judge for the District of Columbia ruled Wednesday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nationwide eviction moratorium is unlawful, striking down the ban and delivering relief to housing providers who haven’t been able to collect rent from struggling tenants for more than a year. But the struggle for housing […]

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View of the back yards of multiple family residences in a suburban neighborhood.

2021 Assessment Appeals Season in Missouri: How You Can Help

April 29, 2021 in Guest Columns

By Derek Ramsay, KCRAR VP of REALTOR® Advocacy Every odd numbered year, County Assessors in Missouri determine the value and subclassification of real property. The amount of taxes imposed are based on the assessed value of their taxable property established by the local assessor and the tax rates which are set by the local governments […]

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$324 Million Made Available for Missouri Landlord and Tenant Assistance

February 18, 2021 in Government Affairs

Missouri Governor Mike Parson recently signed legislation which allocates more than $324 million in funding to landlords and tenants in Missouri. This assistance is distributed through the Emergency Rental Arrears Program (ERAP), which reimburses landlords for past due rent payments. “HB 16 will provide much needed assistance to tenants and landlords across the state. COVID-19’s […]

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NAR Joins Coalition Calling for Clarity in Rental Assistance

February 5, 2021 in Government Affairs

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine Housing groups, including the National Association of REALTORS®, are urging federal agencies to provide more information on the distribution of $25 billion in rental assistance under current COVID-19 relief legislation, which was signed into law in December. The coalition of real estate trade organizations says the funds are critical […]

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Kansas and Missouri REALTOR® Associations Advocate for Homeowner and Real Estate Issues

January 28, 2021 in Government Affairs

Homeowners and real estate professional are not only affected by federal government policies, but also by legislative issues at the state level. The Kansas Association of REALTORS® (KAR) and Missouri REALTORS® (MR) have advocacy teams monitoring the issues coming to state congress to address any that may prove to be critical to REALTORS® and homeowners. […]

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NAR Advocacy to Focus on COVID-19 Relief, Housing Affordability, Racial Equity in 2021

January 21, 2021 in Government Affairs

Political Representative for the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Jack Greacen spoke to the KCRAR Advocacy Committees last week, assuring REALTORS® that NAR believes the Biden administration is favorable to housing issues. He said the main focus of the Biden administration and the 117th Congress, at the moment, is COVID-19 relief and vaccination. At the […]

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Rental Assistance Still Available in Kansas City Metro

December 3, 2020 in Community

It’s the first week of the month, and rent is due. 2020 has been particularly devastating to many renters, and despite various assistance programs created to help keep everyone safe at home during this pandemic, many are unaware that help is out there. Many of these assistance programs, however, will be expiring at the end […]

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REALTOR® Party Wins Big on Election Night

November 5, 2020 in Guest Columns

Guest Column by Derek Ramsay, KCRAR VP of REALTOR® Advocacy It’s been said that “all politics is local,” and while much of the nation has been focused on the election for President of the United States, REALTOR® advocate volunteers, supported by the KCRAR advocacy team, vetted candidates at the local and state levels for their […]

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Vote REALTOR® Party on Nov. 3

October 29, 2020 in Guest Columns

Guest Column by Derek Ramsay, KCRAR VP for REALTOR® Advocacy On Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters will go to the polls to cast ballots in the 2020 General Election. Every four years we are told, “This is the most important election of our lifetime.” And I believe that every four years that is true. But while […]

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