PROView - September 2007 - (Page 2) CHAIRMAN’S NOTES A Year to Remember by Carolyn Kling, Chairman of the Board We are now more than half-way through the year and 2007 is certain to be one of the most memorable years in a very long time. We are following an intense debate on Florida property taxes this year. The Florida Legislature passed a statutory “Roll-Back and Cap” of property tax collections, which has already been signed into law. Next, a constitutional amendment will be on a state-wide ballot in January of 2008 that if approved would create a new “super homestead exemption.” As it is today, property taxes essentially lock people in their homes as the tax level in a new home could be many times higher. The constitutional amendment would preserve the Save Our Homes tax cap – homeowners will not have to see any changes unless they decide to move to another home or if they believe the new super homestead exemption is better for them. It’s all about choice - we can keep our Save Our Home cap or we can choose the super homestead exemption. With the amendment approved, home owners could make their home buying and selling decisions without the fear of ever-increasing tax levels. That’s certainly the kind of freedom we want and need, not to mention how it effectively would promote a recharge of real estate sales. As for our own personal benefits, you may be aware that the amendment would also provide a $25,000 tangible personal property tax exemption for businesses, certainly an essential benefit for self-employed Realtors®. As a Realtor®, you probably wonder whether these reforms will be good for your business. Clearly, we benefit from a market where customers are able to both upsize and downsize freely without severe financial burden. With that in mind, I would like to share a question I receive from many of our colleagues: Can home owners keep their Save Our Homes savings intact if the amendment passes? Many fellow Realtors® have commented to me that because they may individually benefit more from the Save Our Homes cap, they will vote no in January. It is understandable that we will personally stick with what benefits us the most; however, our livelihood depends on people who want to buy or sell a home. Believe me; consumers do care about getting a break now and w need to remove the financial road block. In short; our decision should not be based solely on our personal considerations but rather on what will generate more sales and a moving market. Focus on our marketplace and: Just Say Yes! we wanted, but they are definitely a necessary beginning. Our property tax crisis did not occur overnight and we cannot expect a solution to be felt immediately either. I personally view these reforms as a crucial stepping stone to a fairer tax system and a step in the right direction to achieve a better Florida real estate market. We need to have an active role in this very important public debate. In fact, we have an incredible opportunity to serve as advocates on behalf of our customers and the citizens of Florida. The need for guidance and education is gigantic as the public needs to be well-informed before voting. January will be here sooner than we know – this is the time to start speaking with colleagues, business partners, customers, friends and everyone we have in our networks. The welfare of our businesses, and our industry as a whole, is threatened and it is now more important than ever before to support the political efforts led by NAR on a national level and by FAR here in Florida. Each year, PRO is assigned a certain fundraising goal for RPAC, Realtors®’ Political Action Committee. We are encouraged by the financial support of our members, who have enabled us to reach 84% of our 2007 goal. The recent RPAC Live & Fundraising Event on July 13 raised $13,000 and we would like to express our sincere appreciation to those who worked to make the event such a success under the leadership of 2007 Fundraising Chair Jan Bruzas. We still have a ways to go until the 2007 fundraising goal is met and we hope the Adopt a Piggy-Bank campaign will help us reach our target. Piggy-banks, you ask? Trust me; you definitely do not want to miss what we have in store for September: a herd of pigs (piggy-banks, really) are waiting for their adopted families (and offices) at the PRO offices. It’s quite simple: you adopt a pig, use your creative talents to decorate it, and bring it back to PRO for a chance to win $1,000 at the Best in Show Piggy-Bank Contest on September 27. The adoption fee is $35 and all proceeds will go directly to meet our RPAC goal. Adopt your pig now - and let the decorating begin. All participating pigs need to return to the PRO offices by September 26th in order to enter the contest. Several happy pigs (yes, we know – piggy-banks) have already found their new homes and are getting dressed as we speak – come adopt your pig! Remember, it’s all for RPAC, the Realtors® Political Action Committee. Through challenge comes greatness and 2007 will indeed be a memorable year for our state and our industry. As Realtors®, we face incredible opportunities to make the great state we call home even greater. With our combined efforts, we have the power to make that happen. September 2007 We can all agree that these reforms do not include everything 2 PINELLAS REALTOR® ORGANIZATION
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