Extending tax credit is NAR priority

NAR President Charles McMillan highlighted the key NAR legislative issues during his visit this week to the PAR Business Meetings in Harrisburg.

McMillan said the association continues to push legislators to extend the first-time homebuyers tax credit beyond the November 30 deadline. “We are also pushing to have the tax credit extended to all homebuyers,” he added. To date, McMillan says 1.1 million first-time homebuyers have taken advantage of this tax credit.

The Home Valuation Code of Conduct is another legislative priority. McMillan said NAR continues to address legislators explaining what is wrong with the HVCC and looking for some relief for the industry. “Some ideas area causing havoc in the industry and we need to revisit these issues,” he said.

Healthcare reform continues to be a top priority as well. “We believe our members and staff should have access to affordable healthcare,” he said. “We have a high stake in this issue and we want to make sure the REALTOR® voice is heard.”

McMillan addressed the changing real estate marketplace. “Our clientele is changing and has changed,” he said. “In some areas, more than 50 percent of the population is people from other places.” He said the international marketplace is becoming increasingly important to many REALTORS® and he believes that real estate businesses can be structured to handle international clients.

“The breadth and width of this great country includes some many opportunities,” he added.

Photo credit: Stuart Leask