So Much to Talk About

ThiS SpRiNg hAS BEEN A BuSy TiME fOR uS ALL! i hAvE SO MuCh TO TALk ABOuT ThAT iT’S ChALLENgiNg TO dECidE whERE TO BEgiN fiRST ANd fOREMOST, i wOuLd LikE TO SAy ThANk yOu TO ALL ThE NCAR MEMBERS whO TOOk TiME OuT Of ThEiR BuSy SChEduLES TO ATTENd ThE LEgiSLATivE dAy iN RALEigh ON ApRiL 24Th. iT wAS A hugE SuCCESS. SOME Of yOu dROvE iN fOR ThE dAy, OR hiREd A vAN, ANd OThERS wERE ThERE fOR ThREE dAyS. AgAiN, ThANk yOu!

Speaker Thom Tillis took the time to address the group at our rally, as did many other elected officials. Our issues are so important this year, that our NAR President Gary Thomas attended our Legislative Day event. He also did a few radio and TV interviews on behalf of our issues. Tax Reform is front and center in Raleigh. NCAR is in favor of a fair and balanced reform that will bring jobs to North Carolina, and we are encouraged by the fact that we are at the table during conversations and are asked for our opinion. As much as we want to help to bring about reform, we cannot support a reform package that relies heavily on the property owners and real estate industry of North Carolina for revenue. Please visit Taxreformfacts.org, “Like” us on Facebook, and send the link to your sphere of influence. Watch for the commercials and start the conversation in your local communities. This is the perfect opportunity to reach out to your sphere.

As a REALTOR® for over 25 years, I have a pretty good contact list of past clients. They still watch the mailbox every year for the anniversary card I send celebrating the day they purchased their property.

If you were in attendance at the Board of Directors meeting on April 23rd, you enjoyed a slice of delicious cake. The celebration was to declare April 23rd “Donna Peterson Day.” For 38 years, Donna has been with NCAR, working to serve you the member. Next time you see Donna, please tell her how much we appreciate all she does.

This month, we will be in Washington DC for the NAR Midyear Meetings. REALTORS® from across the nation, and beyond, will be attending committee meetings and sitting in on forums and briefings to listen and learn about the issues facing our industry and property ownership. Directors representing their associations will work to bring the messages back home. We then spend a day visiting with our elected officials. The highlight for me this year will be the opportunity to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on behalf of NCAR. If you plan on attending you should arrive at the site by 5:20 pm on Monday, May 13th.

Thank you for all you do on behalf of your clients, your industry and your associations. Please continue to work to Protect and Promote Property Rights and Ownership in North Carolina. Keep the dialogue going on the importance of the survival of the Mortgage Interest Deduction at both the state and national levels, as well as the ability to write off your property taxes. These items are the foundation to our industry. No one should vote to take away the rewards of homeownership. Let’s work to keep communities strong.

Sincerely,

Patrice Willetts

Key Dates in the Coming Months

By BLAIR wILBuRN EDITOR