PROTECTING THE AMERICAN DREAM
Realtors do more than just sell homes! We not only sell the American Dream, we protect it too! Today in Madison, almost 400 Wisconsin Realtors took time away from their markets and attended Realtor in Government day. After a briefing at the Monona Terrace, Realtors from across the state walked to the Capitol and met with their legislators to discuss issues that affect their specific markets and you as a property owner. 
Topics included:
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• Property Taxes Impact on Housing Affordability
• Protecting Property Owners From Assessor Trespassing so appraisers don’t have the ability to enter onto your private property without notice, nor limit of time, frequency nor length.
• Balancing Fair Wages and Fair Costs in order to balance the needs of working families with the ability to continue construction projects.• Comprehensive Tax Reform that reduce taxes yet provide adequate funding for public services.
• Capital Gains Tax not increasing to 60% , but remaining at the same level so as not to negatively affect the housing market especially rentals, second homes and properties used for business.
After the Legislator meetings, Realtors returned to the Terrace and heard from Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, on his ideas on turning the economy around. He acknowledged the importance of the housing market in the improvement of the economy. He also signed the Assembly Bill (AB6) that “in addition to any other remedies that are available, a transferee (purchaser) in a residential real estate transaction may maintain an action in tort against the transferor (seller) of the real estate for fraud committed, or an intentional misrepresentation made, by the transferor in the residential real estate transaction.”
So while you would think that Realtors as one of the largest interest groups would be using their voices, time and PAC money to fight for self serving issues that affect their members, we really fight for all property owners. We fight to preserve the rights of property owners and issues that directly affect them, such as taxes and fees. Two years ago, Realtor In Government Day launched a giant public awareness campaign that successfully defeated an attempt to DOUBLE the transfer return fee! Today was well spent and the voice of all Wisconsin property owners was heard through your local Realtor in attendance! We were working today, PROTECTING THE AMERICAN DREAM!
Posted By:
Pat Tasker
