Responding to a Nation in Crisis...

More than a decade after the 9/11 attacks, we pause to remember the lives that were lost and the sacrifices that were made. 

The 9/11 Memorial on the Canal
in Downtown Indianapolis

Today we'd like to share an excerpt from REALTORS®: Opening Doors for 100 Years titled "Responding to a Nation in Crisis":

...On September 11, 2001, REALTORS® across the country acted swiftly and significantly following the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., Richard A. Mendenhall of Columbia, Missouri, the 2001 NAR President remembered, "At first I was stunned, like the rest of America...Then I realized that as REALTORS® we must respond immediately by saying, 'No victim's family will lose their home as a result of the tragedy.'"

Within 24 hours after the attacks, NAR leaders established the REALTORS® Housing Relief Fund, seeding it with $1 million from Association reserves, to help surviving family members make their mortgage payments. Checks from REALTORS® began arriving at the homes of victim's families within days of the tragedy, including funds from MIBOR, who collected donations during an annual charity golf tournament held in the days immediately following the tragedies.

"I delivered checks to the wives of five victims," noted George A. Naylor, Jr. a REALTOR® from Southampton, Pennsylvania. "It was the first assistance they received, and it meant a lot. One was already behind in her mortgage payments." Ultimately the National REALTORS® Housing Relief Fund collected and distributed more than $8 million to surviving family members. "It's made a major difference in my life," quoted widow Debra Roberts in REALTOR® Magazine in December 2001.

By the start of 2002, American troops were heading to Afghanistan, and once again, REALTORS® made ardent strides to help families in need. As with past military conflicts, NAR agreed to waive membership dues for those who reported for active duty and members whose spouses reported. Patriotism was running high throughout the nation and within the local community. Many REALTORS® in central Indiana posed for their traditional headshot photographs in front of the American flag and ran patriotic quotes in local advertisements. Pride in the city and in smaller communities around central Indiana was also strong...

It's YOUR turn to reflect. Where were you on September 11, 2001? What do you remember about that day, and the days and years that have followed?  Leave a comment below.

REALTORS® Make It Personal On Capitol Hill

REALTORS® have always made their voice 
heard on Capitol Hill. Here is a group gathered
in D.C. in the late 1990s.

For more than 20 years, MIBOR has participated in the National Association of REALTORS® Midyear Meetings in Washington D.C. Below is a recap of the Capitol Hill visits during this year's trip. Stay tuned for additional recaps and photos that we'll post in the coming weeks! 

Last week, thousands of REALTORS® attended the National Association of REALTORS® Midyear Meetings in Washington D.C. The week included many excellent governance meetings, forums on hot topics, and an energized rally of over 13,000 REALTORS® at the Washington Monument. But by far, the most important part of the week were the visits to Capitol Hill to meet one on one with Members of Congress to address issues important to homeowners and the real estate industry.

While the REALTOR® Association prides itself on having an effective lobbying team in Washington, I can tell you that nothing is more effective than having Members of Congress hear directly from REALTOR® constituents. As Congressman Steny Hoyer from Maryland commented in a speech last week, REALTORS® are the experts when it comes to issues pertaining to real estate and he depends on their insight. Hearing firsthand from folks back home on how decisions they make are impacting their constituents is invaluable.

MIBOR leaders meet with Senator Richard Lugar.
Click here to see additional photos from the Hill visits!

MIBOR Leaders meet with Congressman
Andre Carson on Capitol Hill.

REALTORS® carried their messages to each visit talking about important issues of the day including things like reauthorizing the national flood insurance program that expires in a few day, bolstering commercial  lending, and protecting home ownership tax benefits to name a few. (click here for a full list of issues) But what caught the attention of our Congressmen were the personal stories shared by these REALTORS® - real life experiences with things like the  lengthy short sales process, prohibitive FHA condominium rules, continued appraisal frustrations, difficulty securing credit, and so on. 

Sharing these personal experiences made it clear that these issues don’t just impact REALTORS®, but also buyers, sellers, property values, neighborhoods, and communities.

We’ve already seen results. Since those visits, several of our Congressmen have signed on as co-sponsors of legislation that will address some of these important issues. And just this week came word from HUD that they plan to announce changes soon to some of their FHA regulations. So despite what we see on the front page, or on television, know that change is still possible!

Chris Pryor,

MIBOR Government Affairs Director 

Follow me on Twitter! @cpryor1912