Headed off to Washington DC

My buddy Dave DeLeon and I are headed off to DC on Sunday for some lobbying efforts representing the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Before we go to work though, we plan a bicycle ride ( certainly PC in our present administration), up the Potomac to Frederick Maryland, up to Gettysburg, to York, into Amish country and a return to the nation's Capitol via Baltimore. This trip will not be as challenging as last years' trip up in to the Shenandoah National Park.

This should be my most interesting trip ever to Washington DC. The risks in the real estate business have never been larger, the potential downside never this large, and the banks finally have their tails between their legs and are running for cover. Realtors have a huge chance to gain ground and credibility this year.

Are we going to support President Obama's green platform wholeheartedly? Probably not if they drive up the immediate cost of real estate. Is this wrong? In the short term, probably not, but in the long run it may. We need to keep our focus on cleaning up the inventory that is owned by the banks and putting new owners in to the homes. Banks don't want the homes and buyers do, so we need to work on loosening up money to enable buyers to buy.

Hawaii's contingent is 40 strong and we intend to be heard by our legislators. Neil Abercrombie is headed out of Congress after over 20 years and is rolling the dice on the upcoming Governor's race. Maize Hirono looks pretty solid in her seat for congress. In the Senate, Dan Inouye is very formidable and Dan Akaka will probably not have any serious challengers except father time. We look forward to gaining their ears on Hawaii's housing issues, rising foreclosures brought on by under and unemployed hotel, construction, and every business that supports them.

I'll be back on May 17, hopefully refreshed, and ready to sell some more foreclosures.