Pennsylvania voters have the opportunity to vote on a state referendum on November 7th. The referendum will ask voters to allow legislation in the General Assembly that will provide options for property taxes. The option presented is the ability for local taxing bodies to exclude up to 100% of the assessed property value for homestead properties.  

The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS is encouraging members to help spread the word about this referendum. Your clients will want to know the details.  If you need more information, read about it on PAR website.

Lawmakers in Washington, DC are working on a tax reform plan. Tax reform can be a good thing, if it does not include hidden tax increases for the middle class.  Currently, consideration is being given to eliminating tax incentives that help homeowners: state and local property tax deductions and the mortgage interest deduction. If these incentives are eliminated, you can expect a negative effect on the housing industry.

Make your voice heard by contacting your representative and telling them to protect home ownership incentives. It only takes a few minutes.

Contact Congress!

When there are political issues that affect the real estate industry, who do you turn to?

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced a new fee will be levied on ALL radon mitigation system installations and activations effective October 21st.  The fee will be a flat $50.  This fee has been considered for a long time by the DEP to provide funding for the department’s ongoing activities regulating the radon mitigation industry in the state. 

For more information contact the Radon Division of the PA DEP at 717-783-3594

REALTOR^® Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna, III with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of five winners chosen by the National Association of Realtors^® for REALTOR^® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Award. Hanna was selected for founding a nonprofit that donates millions of dollars to children’s hospitals to fund treatment for children without insurance whose treatment is not covered by their insurance.