REALTORS® BUILDING COMMUNITIES, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES DURING HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH

WASHINGTON (June 1, 2006) – Realtors® and Realtor® associations across America are organizing homeownership and community improvement projects in June in honor of National Homeownership Month. President George W. Bush has proclaimed June “National Homeownership Month” to raise awareness of homeownership and encourage more Americans to consider the benefits of owning their own home.

To support that initiative and encourage member participation, the National Association of Realtors has provided each state and local Realtor ® organization with a National Homeownership Month kit titled “It Takes a REALTOR®.” The theme springs from the awareness that Realtors® contribute to their communities and build better neighborhoods, towns and cities. It also illustrates how Realtors® give their time to strengthen their communities by promoting legislation, wielding a hammer, and selflessly helping others.

NAR President Thomas M. Stevens said Realtors® work in their communities to improve neighborhoods and increase possibilities for homeownership. “Realtors® build communities and we are carrying out the nation’s housing mission—helping to elevate homeownership to more than 69 percent of U.S. households.”

Proof of that is in the community improvement projects Realtors® run, the homeownership workshops they sponsor, and the thousands of community-run programs to which they contribute. “Realtors® and their associations are getting out and helping others because it’s just good business to be a good citizen,” said Stevens.

“Yet the work isn’t finished,” he said. “Realtors® will keep donating their time to manage community improvement projects, and we will continue to speak up and work for everyone’s homeownership rights. It’s up to us to ensure that our voice comes through loud and clear. There’s no challenge we can’t overcome together.”

The National Association of Realtors® , “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Article offered by the NAR