To continue our political advocacy for Citrus County, Ruth Edwards, President of the Realtors® Association of Citrus County, Jeanne Pickrel, President-Elect of the Realtors® Association of Citrus County, and Brittany Jackson, Association Executive of the Realtors® Association of Citrus County, traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the National Association of Realtors® Legislative Conferences.
Ruth, Jeanne and Brittany met with Representative Daniel Webster. During their visit, they spoke to him regarding the issues that are affecting real estate nationwide.
Re-authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program
- The authority for the National Flood Insurance Program expires May 31, 2019. We have asked Congress to renew the program permanently or to extend the program to September 30, 2019.
- Flood insurance is a requirement for a federal mortgage. Additionally, many private mortgages where the property falls within a FEMA Flood Zone.
- In Citrus County, we have had a remapping of our flood zones. As a result, an increased number of properties are now within a flood zone.
- We have stressed to Representative Webster that passage of the extension of the NFIP is extremely important to the property owners in Citrus County.
- We also stressed to make the National Flood Insurance Program permanent. This way, everyone in Citrus County who needs flood insurance has access to affordable federally sponsored programs.
2. Qualified Opportunity Zones
- Opportunity Zones are census tracts generally composed of economically distressed communities. These are areas that qualify for the Opportunity Zone program, according to criteria outlined in 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
- Certainly, the Qualified Opportunity Zone Program has the potential to spur real estate development and investment in distressed areas. As a result, creating additional economic opportunities in designated communities.
- Therefore, this in turn leads to tax benefits for owners of such properties.
3. Fair Housing Equality Act
- Fair Housing laws improve opportunities for employment, education and healthy communities.
- Furthermore, the National Association of Realtors® is committed to equal housing policies. The Realtors® Code of Ethics stresses the provision of equal treatment to Americans to ensure the American Dream of Homeownership.
A Special Keynote Speaker
During their time in Washington D.C., an announcement was made that President Donald Trump would address the Realtors® as one of their keynote speakers. Ruth Edwards, President of the Realtors® Association of Citrus County was honored and proud to represent Citrus County Realtors® and Citrus County property owners.
President Trump spoke on many issues that are important to all Americans. Moreover, the President stresses that the economy is strong, and that the nation has record low unemployment. “More people are working today than at any time in the history of our country. Many of these people will go out and buy a house,” President Trump stated.
To sum up, the Leadership Team of the Realtors® Association of Citrus County returned with determination to fight for property rights in Citrus County. We do it because we’re Realtors® and that’s who we are!
About the Author:
Ruth Edwards, serves as the 2019 President of the Realtors® Association of Citrus County. Additionally, she is an active Realtor with Coldwell Banker Next Generation Realty. Contact Ruth for assistance in buying your first home or any other real estate needs. Email Ruth at: ruthedwardsrealtor@outlook.com or by phone at (352) 586-0115.
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