WASHINGTON, D.C. -
The Washington Monument lawn was the site for largest realtor rally in history Thursday, hosted by the National Association of Realtors.
Realtors from Raleigh and Greenbrier County joined 13,000 realtors from across the country in a rally that focused on protecting homeowner rights and using the housing market to boost the economy.
The CEO of the West Virginia Association of Realtors said buying a home in the mountain state creates about three jobs.
"To show the folks in Washington what an important part of the economy that home ownership and buying and selling of homes plays," said Ray Joseph, West Virginia Association of Realtors CEO.
The National Association of Realtors president said home ownership plays an important role in a recovering economy.
"Of the last eight recessions, six have come out because of a more robust housing market and construction market," said Moe Veissi, NAR president.
Delaware realtor Jean Dowding said the economy depends on laws that reflect the needs in the housing market.
"Mortgage interest deduction is critical, it's important. There are so few ways that many middle class Americans have for saving on taxes. It's a good way of giving back," said Dowding.
Virginia participant Nancy Lundell said advantages through tax policies will benefit homeowners as well as job seekers.
"If we get Congress behind this, and get the real estate market going again, there will be more jobs for builders, carpenters and brick layers," said Lundell.
NAR members say the rally is part of their responsibility to fight for the right of home ownership.
"If this doesn't inspire you, if this doesn't get you cracking, if this doesn't develop the emotional side of you, then nothing will," said Veissi.
The rally was part of the National Association of Realtors mid-year meeting.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WVNS. All Rights Reserved.
