How Political is Your Real Estate Business?

Greg:
I completely agree that the climate of business and politics have dramatically changed. As governmental affairs chair for our local board, I have been amazed at the changes that Realtors are making in their involvement locally, on the State and national level. gone are the days of complacency and the taboo that our elected officials are taking care of business. Politicians are actually having to dig in and work. They are being held accountable to those that are closely scrutinizing not only their knowledge of the “business” of government, but of the business men and women that fuel the government machine.
Realtors are digging in as well, protecting not only their industry, but the people that support this industry. The “full-service” Realtor is indeed providing service and consultation to many who will hopefully remember the work done on their behalf and those that are in the trenches with lenders and mortgage companies as well as the local politicians who can make or break communities.
We are bringing the issues to the table, and we are working together, as it IS the real estate industry that largely supports this country. We have no choice but to be involved, period. As heated as it is and as it gets at times, neither Realtors or politicians have an easy job. However, it is a job of commitment and dedication.
It is my belief every Realtor should be educated and communicating regularly to their constituents.
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Debbie Kirkland, Tallahassee

Our PAC s have been effective- especially when it came to keeping banks out of RE. Recently the first home buyer tax credit- and the new “Move Up” credit work for us- even if they aren’t in the best interest of the country in the long run.
That said, every housing recession I’ve seen is tied most closely to economics. Fed policy, which is supposed to be above politics, is directly responsible for the monetary policy- interest rates- within the US economy… They are supposed to be the wise arbiter-it was said for years the job of the Federal Reserve was to ” take the punch bowl away before the party gets out of hand.” …this time the party lasted too long and it got a little too screwed up.
I’m more worried about game changing technology- i.e. Google. They have a much better chance of disrupting what we do in 2010.

RT @LaniAR: realtors, how political is your real estate business? should it or should it not be? https://is.gd/51eIa (I commented,.. YES!)

How Political is Your Real Estate Business?: comments https://bit.ly/5yrkCM

Greg
I really could not agree more with you. I used to keep my politics out of my business, but I have opened up about it here in the last year. I have seen more and more people that I thought were on the other side of the street from me, would agree with me. I did a weekly radio show, and I told everyone that would listen my views. Some would disagree with me, but they all respected that I put it out there and still continued to do business with me. There are those that would not, but really did I want to put up with those people anyway.

D

Greg, you know how I feel about this, I put myself out there quite often on political issues. I can’t separate who I am as a Realtor. ( my occupation) Balance in all things I post, I am a Realtor who sees the necessity of standing up for issues facing our Nation.