Realtors and Voting

Everybody knows that Realtors sell, list, rent and manage real estate. I think most everybody knows you don’t have to be Realtor to sell, list, rent or manage real estate. The difference? It’s in the capital ‘R’. A Realtor is a real estate agent/broker that is a member of the Realtor Association, the NAR, anyone else that holds a real estate license is just a real estate agent. Each state also has a Realtor Association. In North Carolina, the NCAR represents more than 42,000 real estate brokers.

According to the NC legislative policy statement: NC REALTORS® serves as the voice of real estate in North Carolina. We pledge our support in providing solutions to problems facing our State and our community. To fulfill our goals we believe in the following Quality of Life Principles: 1.Protect Property Owners– The United States and North Carolina Constitutions recognize and protect the natural right to own property. REALTORS® hold steadfast that private property rights are a foundation upon which our nation was born and are central to a free market economy. 2. Promote Housing Affordability Essential to our system of values is homeownership, the cornerstone of the American Dream. We believe that every citizen has the right to safe, affordable housing, whether it is in an urban, suburban or rural setting. 3. Build Better Communities Sensibly –Communities flourish when common sense guidelines are followed, ensuring a high quality of life at a reasonable cost. We encourage broad based taxation to support infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, etc.) that accommodates quality residential, commercial and industrial growth in an environmentally sensitive manner. 4. Ensure Economic Vitality A strong, healthy economy sustains the communities in which we live and work. It results from steady and strategic residential, commercial and industrial growth. Economic development spurs new opportunities, creates jobs, increases the tax base and invigorates communities. 5. Embrace Community Values– We believe that leading a happy, healthy and prosperous life begins at home. It is not only how we conduct ourselves, but also how we treat family, friends and neighbors. A positive home environment breeds respect and success in the workplace and in the communities in which we live.

Seeing as how NC Realtors are the voice of real estate doesn’t mean that every person that’s a Realtor has the same political opinion, and neither do they necessarily agree with the opinions voiced by the NCAR. That’s one of the great things about this country, we are still given the right to have and voice our own opinion.

Realtors care what happens on Election Day because it affects their business, their client’s

 lives as well as their own personal real estate holdings. When you start talking about taking property rights away, or taxation on real estate services, underground fuel tank storage, private well audits, point of sale energy audits, beach nourishment, residential rental registrations, limits on short term rentals, eminent domain issues, etc., you’re talking about issues that affect all of us.

I hope you plan to vote. This may be one of the largest turn outs in recent history for a mid-term election. Do you know how ‘your’ candidate feels about the full scope of property ownership? There are usually important issues that will affect the way you do business and live your life. Look at their websites. If they’re incumbents, see how they’ve voted on prior items that concern you. If we all spent more time educating ourselves rather than pointing fingers, the present state of our Union would be a much better place in which to live. A very good book quoted it this way, “Love one Another”.  Thumper, a Disney film character, said it another way “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all”. (So, he didn’t know about double negatives, but apparently the media and 99% of Americans don’t either. They’re doubly negative too.)

Who you vote for is your business. Don’t listen to what social media or even the ‘news’ has to tell you about the candidates. If you want to have an informed vote, you must be an informed voter. You have a right to vote your choice, a right that most take for granted, but the important thing is to take the time to cast your ballot. If your candidate doesn’t win? Support the office of the elected while making your voice heard in a civil manner.

Jeannie and Tucker Chambers are brokers/owners of Chambers Realty & Vacation Rentals at 401 N. Fifth Street in Highlands. While they don’t give political endorsements, they’ll be glad to talk with you about property in the Highlands area. They can be reached at [email protected] or 828-526-3717, and of course, highlandsiscalling.com