ItsAPriority.Com

Ok Washingtonians, I challenge you to click on the link above http://www.itsapriority.com/. This will take you to information about the Washington Association of Realtors Legislative Priorities for 2007.

Two Thousand Realtors stormed the Capital building today 1-17-07 to meet with our local legislators to discuss "Our Priorities - Affordable Housing and Quality of Life".

Please do the same at this link by voicing your opinions.

Here are our points:

JOBS NEED HOMES NEARBY

We need accurate population growth projections and we need to make sure there is a sufficient supply of homes to meet the demands of a healthy economy. If not prices will escalate more and our workers can no longer live in the areas in which they work thus causing movement to another County North which is more affordable causing traffic jams and loss of economy. "A Home is Where a Job Goes at Night".

ACCOMMODATING GROWTH

Home prices have risen because the supply of homes has not kept up with demand for homes. Ensure efficient use of buildable land, provide for "no net loss" of housing - we we lose buildable land due to regulation, we must find other land or creative solutions to accommodate growth. Provide incentives for new housing opportunities.

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Without adequate funding for infrastructure, homes cannot be built. Establish a Growth Management Infrastructure Fund to provide funds for infrastructure projects needed to accommodate growth. Right now a portion of our "REET" Real Estate Excise Tax that is paid by the seller at closing stays in our County coffers for infrastructure. We are asking that a small percentage that goes to the State be extended in the Couinty coffers which will all us more funds to accommodate FUTURE infrastructure BEFORE building homes.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Communities need performance measures to guage whether or not they are accurately planning for growth. And ensure communities make the adjustmens needed to provide sufficient housing opportunities to accommodate growth.