In the News

In Memoriam

Jerry Reed – father, husband, papa, brother, uncle, and friend – passed away surrounded by family on the morning of March 20, after a threeyear battle with colon cancer. Jerry was born on Nov. 27,1950, in South Salt Lake. He was an active member of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors® for 50 years. He joined the Board as an agent with Prowswood Realty. He worked for Coldwell Banker both as an agent, and as a branch manager. He also worked for Realtypro, Equity Real Estate Advantage, and opened his own brokerage, Realty Group USA. He finished his career as the principal broker of My Home Utah. Jerry served on the Education Committee, was a GRI instructor and taught classes at the Board for many years. Jerry is survived by his wife, Shelley Burton Reed, his daughters, Jennifer (Bruce Wayne Jr.) Spitzer and Michelle Reed (William Thompson), his much-adored grandchildren, Zoe Scarlett and Benjamin Spitzer, brothers Don Reed and John Nash, Sister Elaine Torgerson and their families.

Supreme Court Considers Takings Case

The Supreme Court on April 26 heard oral arguments in Tyler v. Hennepin County, a Minnesota case examining the practice of “home equity theft,” where the National Association of Realtors®, American Property Owners Alliance, and the Minnesota Realtors® filed an amicus brief in defense of homeowners private property rights. At issue is whether taking and selling a home to satisfy a debt to the government, and keeping the surplus value as a windfall, violates the Fifth Amendment’s takings clause. Geraldine Tyler, a 94-year-old grandmother, lost her Minneapolis condo when she failed to pay the property taxes for several years.

“Tyler does not dispute that Hennepin County could foreclose on the $40,000 property and sell it to obtain the $15,000 in taxes and costs that she owed it,” writes Amy Howe, attorney, and court observer.

“But she argued that the county violated the Constitution when it kept the $25,000 left over after the property was sold.” A decision in the case is expected this summer.