PROView - November 2007 - (Page 13)

PROACTIVE Dear Member of PRO, “Is Florida Over?” That was the title of a recent Wall Street Journal article, which concludes, “For Americans on the move, Florida has become a less-appealing destination”. This conclusion is largely attributable to a lack of aﬀordable housing; rising property insurance rates and an inequitable and onerous property tax system that is driving people out of the Sunshine State. As real estate professionals, we must take that headline – and its implications - seriously. Now more than ever, our industry is facing some enormous public policy and political challenges. And while some of these issues are being debated in Washington and Tallahassee, they are aﬀecting us locally on Main Street. For instance: • Federally Chartered Mega-Banks continue their eﬀorts to enter real estate brokerage and property management in order to diversity their assets. • The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an aggressive anti-trust assault on our industry. • A subprime lending crises has resulted in a “credit crunch” that is aﬀecting the housing market and the real estate industry. • And perhaps most important, excessive Property Tax and Insurance Rates are literally destroying the American Dream of Home and Business Ownership for many Floridians. We must work together to protect our most vital business interests, and that includes being directly involved with pushing our public policy and political priorities. The most powerful tool we have to build political inﬂuence is RPAC – the Realtors® Political Action Committee. In short, money is the ammunition of a political army, and RPAC is OUR Political Defense Fund. You can do something now by contributing at least $99 to RPAC. For your convenience, we have included a $99 RPAC contribution on your Dues Billing. As you consider your contribution to RPAC, keep in mind a very important date: January 29, 2008. On that day, Floridians will vote on a Property Tax Relief and Reform Constitutional Amendment that is absolutely critical to the future of our industry. To ensure its passage, we will need a large political warchest…so please make your contribution to RPAC today. Thank you! Jan Bruzas 2008 RPAC Fundraising Chair PINELLAS REALTOR® ORGANIZATION November / December 2007 13

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PROView - November 2007

PROView - November 2007 Contents Chairman’s Notes: My Year in Review The Long View: The Long View Waiting Room: Waiting Room Brokerage Design: Protecting Your “Rep” On The Internet Feature: Charting the Course for Next Year: Building Your Marketing Plan ProActive: 2008 RPAC Fundraising Chair ProActive: Legislature Sends New Property Tax Reform Ammendment to Voters Marketing: Twelve Step Plan to Make You Feel Better About this Market Finance: Year-End Tax Season Preparation What is RPAC? 2007 RPAC Donor Appreciation Marketplace Analysis Home Sales Report MLS Update MLS Mind Your Manners Your 2008 Memebrship Dues Upcoming Events Calendar of Events & Programs: November / December PROBIZ: IDX Welcome: New PRO Members and Affiliates

PROView - November 2007

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