Staff Reports

Cordele Dispatch

CORDELE —The Crisp Area Board of Realtors, as members of both the Georgia Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors, often work behind the scenes to support homeownership at the legislative level.  Below are some recent victories for buyers and sellers and Georgians.

For Buyers & Sellers

• Supported legislation that increased the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority’s bond limit from $1.3 billion to $3 billion to fund the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, providing affordable homeownership to lower income earners and first-time homebuyers.

• Successfully established procedure for water liens at closings.

• Passed legislation to allow financing of solar technology.

• Defeated efforts to provide super liens to condominium associations for unpaid fees.

• Passed legislation to reduce property owners’ liability in case of trespass.

• Defeated legislation to mandate a termite inspection prior to closing.

• Passed a $1,800 statewide home buyer tax credit.

• Prevented statewide point-of-sale plumbing retrofit mandates.

For All Georgians

• Stalled efforts to place a $25,000 cap on the mortgage interest deduction.

• Expanded permissible delivery methods for issuing a summons notice.

• Strengthened the rights of taxpayers in the appeals process.

• Passed legislation to reform Georgia’s property tax assessment and appeals process.

• Protected private property rights by defeating language that would have allowed occupants of property to install solar panels, regardless of ownership status.

• Successfully limited local governments’ ability to register vacant and foreclosed properties by creating statewide standards that all local governments must adhere.

• Worked with broad business coalitions to successfully strengthen laws to prevent metal theft.

• Protected water rights for Georgia property owners by preserving our riparian rights system.

• Ensured that private property owners maintain their right to dictate whether firearms are permitted on their property.

• Prevented local governments from registering residential rental property.

Members of the Crisp Area Board of Realtors also work in many social and civic organizations and volunteer in the community.  The Board of Realtors have sponsored blood drives, purchased and assisted in the free installation of smoke alarms in homes, and installed a water fountain at the hospital walking track.