NAR Advocacy to Focus on COVID-19 Relief, Housing Affordability, Racial Equity in 2021
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 […]
Full StoryKCRAR to Host Informational Session Covering CDC Eviction Moratorium
On Sept. 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ordered a nationwide eviction moratorium through Dec. 31, 2020. This unprecedented use of CDC authority was equaled by the unparalleled fines and penalties in place for violating the moratorium, including criminal penalties to individuals of up to $100,000 to $500,000 per event and one […]
Full StoryFHA Extends Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium for Homeowners Through Year End
WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced the third extension of its foreclosure and eviction moratorium through Dec. 31, 2020, for homeowners with FHA-insured single family mortgages covered under the Coronavirus Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This extension provides an additional four months of housing security to homeowners, as they will not […]
Full StoryFHFA Creates ‘Payment Deferral Option’ for Borrowers, Delivering Certainty to Homeowners
On May 14, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) unveiled a new repayment option for homeowners struggling financially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the proposal, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer borrowers currently in forbearance the ability to repay missed principle and interest when their home is sold, refinanced or at […]
Full StoryNAR Wins Major Provisions for REALTORS®
The U.S. Senate passed a $2 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package Wednesday night with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill now goes to the U.S. House, where it is expected to pass, and President Trump has said he will sign it into law. The measure includes $350 billion for the Small Business Administration 7(a) loan program. […]
Full StoryCoronavirus Emergency Legislation: What REALTORS® Need to Know
Congress has passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) providing support to American workers, families, and businesses, including the expansion of paid sick leave and family medical leave. It also includes refundable tax credits for small businesses and self-employed individuals to cover the cost of the leave. NAR’s advocacy team continues to urge […]
Full StoryReal Estate Wins in Government Spending Bills
The House on Tuesday passed a federal spending package for fiscal year 2020 that includes several high-priority items for REALTORS®: reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program through Sept. 30; an extension of several tax provisions important to real estate markets, such as mortgage debt forgiveness; and a seven-year reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance […]
Full StoryKCRAR Members Meet with Lawmakers in DC
Over 30 KCRAR members attended the National Association of REALTORS® Mid-Year Conference and Expo last week in Washington D.C. KCRAR members took the REALTOR® message to Capitol Hill to impress upon lawmakers the value of REALTORS® and why the real estate industry is vital to the health and success of our nation’s economy. Our members […]
Full StoryU.S. House Approves Equality Act to Extend LGBT Protections
The U.S. House of Representatives took a step on Friday that sought to stop housing discrimination based on sexual orientation. It’s a move that several housing groups, including the National Association of REALTORS®, have long advocated. The House voted 236–173 on Friday to approve the Equality Act, H.R. 5, which would prohibit discrimination on the […]
Full StoryTax Win: IRS Provides Clear Test on How 20% Deduction Applies to Rental Income, Exchanges
The Internal Revenue Service has issued final rules on the 20 percent business income deduction (Sec. 199A of the Tax Code) that was enacted in late 2017 as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.on the 20 percent business income deduction (Sec. 199A of the Tax Code) that was enacted in late 2017 as part […]
Full Story