WHAT DOES THE BOARD OF REALTORS DO FOR YOU?

Highlands Newspaper
Investing at 4118 Feet
March 6, 2014

Contributed by Lynn Kimball
Meadows Mountain Realty

The Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS® is The Voice for Real Estate in the Highlands-Cashiers area, with almost 300 REALTOR® members who are brokers, property managers, and appraisers.

Locally, here on the plateau, the Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS® invests in our community by awarding scholarships to our high school seniors, donating to Habitat for Humanity in Macon, Jackson, and Transylvania, participating in Relay for Life, and donating to the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Pour Le Pink Walk/Run.  They will also be sponsoring an event in May 2014 for the Make A Wish Foundation providing special trips for child cancer patients.

There are 62 local Boards under the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, with more than 31,000 members across the state. NCAR has continued lobbying the NC State Legislature in avoiding expensive Transfer Taxes which impacts every seller of real estate in NC.  Also, they have lobbies against a high Service Tax which would be affect all services, including real estate brokers, housekeepers, plumbers, etc.  Thus far, the NCAR has been affective in these lobbies.  The state board also draws from their funds to help bi-partisan local and regional politicians with housing interests that support Highlands/Cashiers residents.

Overall, the National Association of REALTORS®, which is America’s largest trade association, represents 1 million members across 54 state/US territories associations and 1400 local associations, all working for America’s property owners for the purpose of preserving the right to own real property. Real estate powers almost one-fifth of the U.S. economy, employs more than 17 million Americans, and contributes a quarter of all federal and state tax revenue and as much as 70 percent of local taxes.

Nationally, REALTORS® are opposing the government’s tax plan to limit Mortgage Interest Deduction and has been fighting Flood Insurance Rate Increases, along with the NC state association.

As members of the Highlands-Cashiers Board of REALTORS®, we strive to preserve and protect our neighbor’s property rights and the right to home ownership.  Our members adhere to a strict code of ethics and are required to stay abreast of the latest issues affecting homeowners and those acquiring home ownership.

Lynn Kimball, currently serving as Director on the Highlands Cashiers Board of Realtors, has 40 years of real estate experience, with 29 years serving the Highlands area.  Whether you are interested in searching properties or comprehensive information about our area, you are invited to visit her user friendly website at www.signatureproperties-nc.com. Meadows Mountain Realty has two locations, at 41 Church Street in the Old Edwards Inn complex or visit Lynn at 2334 Cashiers Road across from Highlands Falls Country Club.  Lynn Kimball can be reached at 828-421-8193 or by email at Lynn@MeadowsMtnRealty.com.