Realtors® to Rally in Washington, D.C. to Protect Homeownership

CLIVE, IA (05/09/2012)(readMedia)-- On Thursday, May 17, thousands of Realtors® from across the nation will gather at the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. at the Rally to Protect the American Dream. More than 50 members of the Iowa Association of Realtors® (IAR) plan to attend the rally.

Realtors® are leading advocates for homeownership and real estate issues. The rally will highlight our commitment to these issues, and will give Realtors® a collective voice to tell Congress that homeownership matters – to people, to communities, and to America, says Dale Gross, President of the Iowa Association of Realtors®, who will be attending the event.

Gross has practiced real estate in Iowa for 34 years. He has helped hundreds of families invest in their futures through homeownership. However, in the past few years, he's also seen some families struggle. "I've seen buyers with good jobs and credit histories turned down for loans, hard-working families who were unable to refinance into lower monthly mortgage payments; and people lose their homes to foreclosure because their banks were too slow to process short sales," shares Gross.

"Realtors® believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the American dream of homeownership. We will fight against obstacles that make it more difficult for people to buy, own and invest in real estate. Next week thousands of Realtors® will encourage legislators to keep the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) and Property Tax Deduction alive and do no harm to the current laws," says Gross.

According to Gross, the event is designed to demonstrate Realtors® support for the American dream of homeownership, and help the nation's leaders understand the vital role that real estate plays in the long- and short-term health of America.