Category Archives: Government Affairs

Since the October 2015 implementation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s ‘Know Before You Owe’ mortgage initiative, Realtors® have raised red flags over challenges in gaining access to what’s known as the mortgage “closing disclosure” form, or CD. The CD is delivered to homebuyers in advance of their closing and contains important financial information related to their purchase. […]

On June 30, 2016, Gov. Chris Christie signed the Fiscal Year 2017 state budget in to law after issuing a line-item veto to remove approximately $300 million in spending from the budget.   The 2017 budget totals $34.5 billion, and for the eighth year in a row contains no tax or fee increases including those on […]

This press release originally appeared on realtor.org   WASHINGTON (June 21, 2016) — Commercial drone use in the real estate business got a boost today with the release of the Federal Aviation Administration’s final rule governing small unmanned aerial systems, or UASs, in the national air space.   Drones are increasingly being used in commercial applications, but […]

U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced on June 13 that Newark and Trenton will receive millions in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to reduce lead hazards in public housing and protect children and families from the health risks associated with exposure to high levels of lead.   […]

Voters in New Jersey had the chance to have their voices heard in June 7’s primary election.  Despite early reports that Secretary Hillary Clinton had enough Super Delegates to be the presumptive Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party’s, it was the votes cast in New Jersey that put her over the top in the official delegate […]

During the May Realtors® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo, New Jersey Realtors® and its members met with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.   U.S. Senator Bob Menendez was among the Members of Congress that NJ Realtors® met with. The Senator was enthused to meet with Realtors® and gain firsthand knowledge and insight into issues […]

Last week, the Federal Open Market Committee —the group that sets the benchmark interest rate for bank lending —elected to hold steady and not increase federal funds rate. The current rate is set at between 0.25% and 0.5%, and will remain so, until at least the FOMC’s next meeting in June.   The FOMC noted that […]

Each May, approximately 10,000 Realtors® from across the country attend the Realtor® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C.  The annual mid-year meeting is a great opportunity for members to take an active role in the real estate industry, learn about public policy and get to know the association better.   This years meetings […]