Florida Realtors to Lawmakers: Every Home Purchase = $60,000 for Economy

Florida Realtors head to Tallahassee to push for initiatives to re-energize the states housing market, which is vital to its economic recovery.

Great American Realtor Days (GARD) will host hundreds of Realtors from around the state Tuesday and Wednesday.

Realtors continue to advocate for priorities that will help the real estate market and the entire economy of Florida rebound, said 2013 Florida Realtors President Dean Asher of Orlando. Eight of the last 10 recessions ended because of robust housing markets. We have such a positive story to tell every home purchase pumps $60,000 into the economy and every additional 1,000 home sales means nearly 500 new jobs.

The annual event sponsored by Florida Realtors will include legislator visits and a Taste of Florida block party Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Adams Street Commons.

The collective voice of Florida Realtors will be heard loud and clear throughout the Capitol building this week, said John Sebree, Florida Realtors' senior vice president of public policy. We want to make it clear to legislators that Realtors have the best interests of their communities in mind as we advocate for property insurance reforms, affordable housing opportunities and fairer taxation of commercial property leases.