Event Coverage
SILVAR Leadership in Washington, D.C.
SILVAR leadership joined more than 8,500 REALTORS® from across the nation in Washington, D.C. this week for the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. REALTORS® met with legislators, regulators and industry leaders to advance the issues critical to their businesses, communities and clients.
"There is a wide range of residential and commercial real estate issues that are of high importance to Realtors® and are coming to a head right now, so we'll be using the strength of our combined voices to remind members of Congress to maintain sound real estate markets," said NAR President Tom Salomone. "Furthermore, we'll be setting the stage for next year, after the elections, when House and Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle are expected to move tax reform proposals."
Conference attendees heard from industry and political thought leaders, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, who discussed student loan debt, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who shared perspectives on housing finance and student debt. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun also shared residential and commercial real estate market updates and forecasts.
SILVAR members met directly with U.S. Representatives Anna Eshoo and Mike Honda to discuss the legislative and regulatory environment and its effect on residential and commercial real estate. Among the high-profile policy issues they raised were extending the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, maintaining important real estate tax policies, Federal Housing Administration reforms, and ensuring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage guarantee fees are not extended, increased and diverted away for unrelated government spending.
Also attending the meeting with Congressman Honda were NAR President's Liaison to the Philippines Jennifer Tasto and International REALTOR® Members Vangie Yia from the Philippines and Annie Hui from Korea. SILVAR is NAR's Ambassador Association to the Philippines and arranged for the meeting.
Representing SILVAR at the meetings were SILVAR President Karen Trolan, President-elect Denise Walsh, SILVAR NAR Directors Leannah Hunt and Chris Isaacson, Federal Political Coordinator of Congresswoman Eshoo Carole Feldstein, Executive Officer Paul Cardus and Government Affairs Director Jessica Epstein. Also at NAR were SIVAR LC (Legislative Committee) Kathryn Tomaino and NAR Directors Jeff Barnett, Jim Hamilton and Suzanne Yost.
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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.