Real Estate Transfer Fee - Real Estate Professionals Building Community

Real Estate Professional Building Community
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Real Estate Professionals Building Community (REPBC) is a group which actively supports affordable housing and home-ownership initiatives by working toward the enactment of a real estate transfer fee in the state of Oregon.

In this time of rapidly rising prices in the Oregon real estate market, many hard-working people have been left out in the cold, unable to achieve the American dream of homeownership.

A false but prevailing notion in the state legislature is that real estate professionals stand united against a statewide real estate transfer fee. REPBC was formed by a group of Oregon Realtors® who believe that an Oregon Real Estate Transfer Fee will be good for the real estate business and a great benefit for all communities statewide.

An Oregon Real Estate Transfer Fee would create a sustainable source of funds directed toward the support of first-time homeownership and affordable housing development programs. This means more hard-working, first-time homebuyers will enter the real estate market to purchase available, affordable homes. These new buyers will utilize the services and experience of local Realtors®. Greater numbers of homeowners living and working in neighborhoods across the state leads to greater stability in our schools, on our streets, and in our communities. The Real Estate Transfer Fee is quite simply good for the community and good for the real estate business in Oregon.

	Erik Blender Real Estate Broker Prudential NW Properties Portland, OR	"I am a Realtor®, a neighbor, and a community volunteer. The value of my home rose over 25% in the past 18 months. While I maintain my property, I don’t run the great schools, parks, and local businesses that make SE Portland so livable. When I sell my home, I’ll happily pay a small transfer fee to support affordable housing. It is the least I can offer back to the community for such a huge return on my largest investment – my home."

	Chris Bonner Principal Broker Hasson Company Realtors	"Having been a Realtor in Portland since 1990, I have seen many citizens be priced out of owning their own home. A transfer fee would allow those benefiting from the tremendous appreciation to give a hand up to those most harmed by the rising prices. The question at the end of the day is do we care enough about those who are being left behind to support an effective solution. I think we do, and I encourage everyone who reads this to spread the word and support a Real Estate Transfer Fee for Oregon."

	Gerry L. Federico, GRI Principal Broker Bridgetown Realty	"I am a Realtor, homeowner, Mom, and volunteer and I care about fairness. I have witnessed the impact of Oregon’s booming housing market on those who are able to purchase and sell homes and those who are shut out of the possibility of home ownership. I would like to see everyone benefit from this boom. I believe that the fair thing to do is to better fund home buying assistance programs through a transfer fee. Homeownership makes strong communities."

	Renita Gerard Broker Windermere CCRG	"The increasing value in my own home is what allowed me to send my two children through college. Housing is the passion of my life. I was the founding Director of a non-profit to keep seniors in their homes by using volunteers and donated products to rehabilitate their homes. I have been on the board of the City Budget committees channeling services to homeless shelters and a fundraiser and a board member for non-profits dedicated to affordable housing. As a Realtor I work with the Portland Housing Center."