Make REALTOR® voice heard by voting in local election

Local elections never seem quite as hot as a presidential election and they never get as much press but voting on Tuesday, Nov. 3 is crucial to REALTORS®. Local officials cover a multitude of issues that REALTORS® deal with every day.

“These are the folks who make the decisions on use and occupancy, inspection fees and local taxes,” Jamie Ridge, Suburban REALTORS® Alliance (SRA) president, said. “There is no denying that municipal officials carry great clout when it comes to local real estate markets. Every policy from local tax rates and structure to use and occupancy certificates, sign use and land use is set or influenced by a local borough or township council.”

This year, five REALTORS® are running for local offices within the four-county area covered by SRA. They include: Whitemarsh Township supervisor election, REALTOR® candidate Matt Bergin; Doylestown Borough mayoral election, REALTOR® candidate Jen Walton; Kennett Square Borough mayoral election, REALTOR® candidate Matt Fetick;  Delaware County Council election, Mario Civera (a REALTOR®); Newtown Township Council election, REALTOR® candidate Parris Slawter and Chalfont Borough Council election, REALTOR® candidate Brian Wallace.

“It’s always been one of our goals to identify REALTOR® candidates,” Ridge said. “We’ve never had so many running for local offices and our members are recognizing the importance of having REALTORS® elected to offices.”

Voting for local candidates who understand real estate issues is one way to make your REALTOR® voice heard.

“The local officials can make a local municipality a friendly place to live or not so friendly if you’re looking to buy a house. They have a huge say in the local real estate atmosphere,” Ridge added.

Contact your local association to determine which REALTOR® friendly candidates are being supported.