Dear Fellow Realtors,
Here’s the quick background on this effort. Like many of you, we work with Military Families inbound to the DC area and here locally in NOVA. Unlike employees of other federal agencies, Millitary Families receive no government assistance for home purchases and sales. They are on their own to buy / sell their homes and absorb any associated losses.
These families typically are relocated every 2-4 years and the housing market decline of the past few years has cost many of them their life savings and put them in real financial trouble with virtually no assistance from their employer, the government. In most cases the relocation is not optional. They receive Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) “orders.” And in a number of cases, these orders come on the heels of extended family separation as a result of combat tours. The recent stimulus program passed a “Housing Assistance Program (HAP),” that by any measure has been an abysmal failure leaving a large number of families without assistance. Those that do qualify are still on the hook for part of the losses, and to date, the tax consequences for any assistance. The losses in NOVA, and other high cost areas, may still run in the tens of thousands…or more. By some accounts Military Family Foreclosures are four times the national average, and areas in NOVA, specifically Prince William are among the hardest hit.
If you need more proof of the magnitude of this issue, please click this link to our VR SAM forum.
http://www.moresam.net/Forum/afv/topicsview/aff/7.aspx
Our team, VR SAM® (Veteran Realty Serving America’s Military, Inc.), firmly believes that we owe our nations heroes and their families better than this. We also believe it is in the interest of Realtors® nationally to encourage the government get this fixed. We believe that assisting Military Families caught up in this down market is the right thing to for them, stimulates the housing market nationally and thus the economy. We believe that the National Association of Realtors should use their influence to push Congress to act in a meaningful way.
Here’s your chance to support our Military Families, your clients. With a just a few clicks of the mouse, you can add your name to this petition to NAR. The petition is designed for you to add your contact information, including your web site and note the military installations you serve. There is an opt in to make this info public so our Military Families can see that you care!
Here’s the link! http://www.moresam.net/Resources/NA...tures.aspx
Thank you for taking the time to participate!
Joe Gladden, Managing Partner, VR SAM / MORE SAM