Crunch Time for the Mortgage Interest Deduction
 Will
it change or not?
Federal budget negotiations are moving into a critical
period as the government will run out of money by August 2
unless something is done to stop it. In the last week,
President Obama has stepped forward and met with both
Democratic and Republican leaders in the US Senate and House
of Representatives in an effort to find common ground. There
is much huffing and puffing from Democratic as well as
Republican leaders. A number of them will have to back down
from lines they’ve drawn in the sand if a compromise is to
be reached.
The alternatives to avoid exceeding the debt limit include
some combination of cuts in federal spending, tax increases
to generate new revenue, and increasing the debt limit
itself. There is general agreement that the amount needed to
close the gap is around $4 trillion. Both parties agree on
the need for spending cuts, but Republicans want to cut much
deeper than Democrats are willing to go, focusing on far
deeper spending cuts in social programs such as Medicare.
Conversely, most Republicans are adamantly opposed to any
tax increases, while most Democrats would support some
business tax increases and personal income tax increases for
taxpayers earning over $250,000 annually.
In the mix of possible budget cuts and tax increases are
possible changes to the mortgage interest deduction. It is
one of the possible alternatives recommended by the National
Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (AKA the
President’s bipartisan deficit commission). Their proposal
is to reduce the cap on the mortgage interest deduction from
the current $1 million level to $500,000, and replace the
deduction with a 12% mortgage interest tax credit available
to all taxpayers. The latter would create, for the first
time, an incentive for home ownership for many moderate
income taxpayers. Today many families with incomes below
$45,000 who buy homes with mortgages of $140,000 or less get
no federal tax benefit from the mortgage interest deduction.
In terms of tax liability they are just as well off – or
better off - with the standard deduction. The President’s
bipartisan deficit commission estimated that this change
would produce a huge amount of new tax revenue, as the
proceeds from reducing the cap would far exceed the revenue
losses from moderate income home buyers who take advantage
of the new 12% mortgage interest tax credit.
The American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance believes the
commission’s revenue estimates are likely wrong. The new 12%
mortgage interest tax credit is likely to create an
explosion of new moderate income buyers who snap up the
current huge surplus of inexpensive distressed homes on the
market. Everyone who takes advantage of the tax credit will
eat into the new revenues generated by reducing the cap on
the mortgage interest deductions to $500,000. The number of
consumers who earn less than $45,000 annually is immensely
larger than the number of homeowners who earn enough to
support a mortgage in the $500,000 - $1,000,000 range. The
net result is that the proposal is more likely to reduce
federal tax revenues because so many more consumers will
have a tax incentive for home ownership. In our minds, this
simultaneous increase and redistribution of tax benefits
would be good policy however. It would create an incentive
for home ownership for moderate income home buyers for the
first time, and would revitalize the housing market.
As of this writing it appears that the overall $4 trillion
goal cannot be met by August 2. Negotiations between Vice
President Biden and Congressional leaders identified about
$1 trillion in savings agreeable to both parties. Those
talks broke down, which is why President Obama has stepped
in to negotiate directly with Congressional leaders.
However, it is unclear how much more saving can
realistically be achieved by the August 2 deadline. What is
emerging as the most likely outcome to the debt ceiling
debate is a stopgap agreement that might, at best, reach
half of the $4 trillion goal, with the resolution of how to
achieve the other half to be deferred until later.
Republicans are playing hardball. Their current position is
that they will support a $ 2 trillion increase in the debt
ceiling only if there is a $2 trillion cut in spending with
no new taxes on either the wealthy individuals or
corporations. Many Democrats are also engaged in
brinkmanship, refusing to consider any cuts in Medicare or
other social programs and insisting that a corporate and
wealthy individual tax increase be included in the package.
AHGA believes the deficit solution will have to occur in two
acts. There will be a saving in the neighborhood of $2
trillion in the current round of negotiations, combined with
a temporary $2 trillion increase in the debt limit. This
will be followed by an additional (and much tougher to
achieve) $2 trillion in savings in a subsequent round of
negotiations. We do not believe that there is great
likelihood that the mortgage interest deduction will be
modified in the current round of negotiations. There is a
pretty wide gap to broach however. Both parties will have to
give in somewhere, and some folks will face an unpleasant
surprise at the end.
What’s most important is that party leaders abandon their
current practice of brinkmanship and start working together
until the goal is achieved. The Cochairmen of the Presidents
Deficit Commission shared similar views in a June 27
editorial in The Hill,
http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/168591-whats-needed-a-4-trillion-gimmick-free-deficit-deal-in-two-parts,
and we couldn’t agree with them more.
AHGA believes that party leaders on both sides must put our
nation's long term health ahead of the selfish biases of
extremists within their own party. It may help them to
consider as they continue their negotiations that the vote
of political moderates will decide the fate of the upcoming
election. Political moderate democrats, republicans, and
independents outnumber both the number of inflexible
conservatives or inflexible liberals who are unwilling to
make any compromises whatsoever in order to solve these
problems. The party that pays least attention to this
reality will pay the most next November.
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The Key to Safe Outdoor Summer Recreation
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
Summers are wonderful times for homeowners to enjoy the
great outdoors. Gardening, Fourth of July parties, trips to
the beach and many other enjoyable outdoor activities await
us. As we enjoy our summer outdoors fun we need to remember
that each year in the United States, more than 400 people
are struck by lightning. On average, between 55 and 60
people are killed; hundreds of others suffer permanent
neurological disabilities. Most of these tragedies can be
avoided with a few simple precautions. When thunderstorms
threaten, get to a safe place. Lightning safety is an
inconvenience that can save your life.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
collects information on weather-related deaths to learn how
to prevent these tragedies. Many lightning victims say they
were “caught” outside in the storm and couldn’t get to a
safe place. With proper planning, these tragedies could be
prevented.
Other victims waited too long before seeking shelter. By
heading to a safe place 5 to 10 minutes sooner, they could
have avoided being struck by lightning. Some people were
struck because they went back outside too soon. Stay inside
a safe building or vehicle for at least 30 minutes after you
hear the last thunder clap.
Finally, some victims were struck inside homes or buildings
while they were using electrical equipment or corded phones.
Others were in contact with plumbing, a metal door or a
window frame. Avoid contact with these electrical conductors
when a thunderstorm is nearby! All thunderstorms produce
lightning and are dangerous. In the United States, in an
average year, lightning kills about the same number of
people as tornadoes and more people than hurricanes.
Lightning often strikes outside the area of heavy rain and
may strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall. Many
lightning deaths occur ahead of storms or after storms have
seemingly passed.
If you can hear thunder, you are in danger. Don’t be fooled
by blue skies. If you hear thunder, lightning is close
enough to pose an immediate threat.
Lightning leaves many victims with permanent disabilities.
While a small percentage of lightning strike victims die,
many survivors must learn to live with very serious lifelong
pain and neurological disabilities.
Homeowners should have a lightning safety plan. Know where
you’ll go for safety and how much time it will take to get
there. Make sure your plan allows enough time to reach
safety.
Before going outdoors, check the forecast for thunderstorms.
Consider postponing activities to avoid being caught in a
dangerous situation.
Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing
thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning
or increasing wind. If you hear thunder, even a distant
rumble, immediately move to a safe place. Fully enclosed
buildings with wiring and plumbing provide the best
protection. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches
do NOT protect you from lightning.
If a sturdy building is not nearby, get into a hard-topped
metal vehicle and close all the windows. Stay inside until
30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder. If you hear
thunder, don’t use a corded phone except in an emergency.
Cordless phones and cell phones are safe to use.
Keep away from electrical equipment and wiring. Water pipes
conduct electricity. Don’t take a bath or shower or use
other plumbing during a storm. If you’re outside and hear
thunder, the only way to significantly reduce your risk of
becoming a lightning casualty is to get inside a substantial
building or hard-topped metal vehicle as fast as you can.
Remember – there is no substitute for getting to a safe
place. Avoid open areas. Don’t be the tallest object in the
area. Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility
poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller objects in an
area. Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or
fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can
travel long distances through it.
If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this
actually increases the chance that someone might get struck,
it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the
chances that someone could help if a person is struck.
Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge, are
safe to touch, and need urgent medical attention. Cardiac
arrest is the immediate cause of death for those who die.
Some deaths can be prevented if the victim receives the
proper first aid immediately. Call 9-1-1 or your local
ambulance service for help. Do not delay CPR if the person
is unresponsive or not breathing. Use an Automatic External
Defibrillator if one is available. If possible, move the
victim to a safer place. Lightning can strike twice.
To make sure you’re not caught in a storm listen to NOAA
Weather Radio or local news stations for National Weather
Service (NWS) or local forecaster severe thunderstorm
watches and warnings for storms that produce damaging wind
or hail. Remember, When Thunder Roars Go Indoors.
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 Government
Proposes Tough Auto Efficiency Standards
What kind of mileage do you get while it’s parked in your
driveway?
White House officials have outlined a plan to double the
average fuel economy of cars and light trucks from current
levels to 56.2 miles per gallon by 2025. The requirements,
developed by the Department of Transportation and the
Environmental Protection Agency, would raise the average
2025 new car cost between $770 and $3,500.
Environmentalists have generally praised the plan, although
some were pushing for an even higher standard. Auto
manufacturers have claimed that the plan would effectively
require most new vehicles sold in the U.S. to be
battery-powered by 2025 and raise new prices by $6,000 or
more. Auto makers whose product mix includes bigger cars and
sport-utility vehicles would like lower mandatory mpg
increases and prohibitions against states from setting their
own fuel standards. These include US companies such as
General Motors and Ford.
The American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance believes that
the current focus of this policy initiative is too narrow.
The overall objective should be to reduce US hydrocarbon
fuel consumption by the most cost efficient means possible,
and higher mileage standards are only part of the solution.
Another way to reduce gas consumption is to create
incentives for actions that would reduce the use of
automobiles. For example if you telecommute to work your car
stays in the driveway. You’ll save time, money, and avoid
rush hour traffic jams, while reducing the rush hour traffic
other commuters face. If you order products online instead
of driving to the mall you also don’t need to drive. The
products will be delivered by the postal carrier or the UPS
and FedEx trucks come through your neighborhood every day
anyway, and you’ll save time, money, and avoid the traffic.
It would almost certainly be less expensive to take a more
balanced approach to reducing fuel consumption than trying
to achieve it all through mileage standards. If you applied
part of the additional amount it would cost in 2025 to build
a vehicle that would achieve 56.2 miles per gallon to
federal incentives for individuals and businesses to forgo
the use of vehicles altogether it would result in a huge
reduction in fuel consumption. Since the average of the
Administration’s highest and the industry’s lowest unit cost
estimates to achieve 56.2 miles per gallon by 2025 is $4,750
a vehicle there is a lot of federal funding that could be
partially redirected to incentives that would eliminate a
substantial amount of automotive use. Examples would be tax
incentives to encourage telecommuting instead of driving to
work or the creation of home-based businesses. Policy
changes that would encourage consumers to buy more products
and services online rather than driving to the mall would
also greatly reduce auto usage.
Federal legislation has resulted in a significant increase
in telecommuting by federal workers. A total of 32% of
federal employees now telecommute at least part of the time.
The government saved about $30 million alone when employees
worked from home during last year’s historic Washington, DC
area snowstorms. Gas consumption was also reduced, saving
the workers money and helping the environment.
Unfortunately, that legislation does not apply to the much
larger private sector, and telecommuting in the U.S. trails
that of other countries by a substantial margin. In the
United States only 2% of the population telecommutes,
compared to 4% in Canada and 5% in the United Kingdom.
A federal tax credit for amounts spent by an employer or
employee on hardware, software, and/or broadband services
necessary to enable telecommuting, or the creation of a home
based business would accelerate private sector teleworking.
An Internet sales tax moratorium would encourage more
consumers to order online rather than drive to the mall. A
Parade Magazine reader survey revealed that 87% of
respondents favor an Internet sales tax moratorium. Many
state and local governments already exempt some products
from sales taxes (prescription drugs, temporary sales tax
holidays for back to school purchases), so there is ample
precedent for such a moratorium.
The goal here should be to get the biggest bang for the
buck in achieving reductions in hydrocarbon fuel
consumption. The U.S. economy is in bad shape, and
increasing the cost of a car by $4,750 a vehicle isn’t good
for consumers, auto workers or auto manufacturers. It would
be far less popular than these other less expensive options,
which would also deliver immediate savings to workers and
consumers. It is likely that we can achieve the same results
in reduced fuel consumption with a more comprehensive and
balanced policy package that included incentives for
teleworking, a moratorium on Internet sales taxes, and more
modest 2025 fuel standards.
We would all be winners, especially consumers. They would
save huge amounts on annual gas expenses, and even consumers
who didn’t take advantage of the incentives would save as a
result of reduced gas demand and resulting pump prices.
Environmentalists will also have achieved their policy
objectives. The mpg standards for new cars could still be
increased significantly, but the unit vehicle cost would be
far less than $4,750 that would be unaffordable for most
consumers, threaten the jobs of auto workers and the
viability of the US auto industry.
Both new legislation and new regulations will take some time
to implement. In the meantime, here are some gas-saving tips
you can use today.
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and
braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33
percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.
Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you
may save more than gas money.
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a
different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually
decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you
drive over 60 mph is like paying about an additional $0.30
per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer
as well.
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially
heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce
your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the
percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight
and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour,
depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn
off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a
few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning
your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase
starter wear.
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a
constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas. When you
use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down.
This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an
emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of
4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair
and how well it is done. Fixing a serious maintenance
problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your
mileage by as much as 40 percent.
Improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping
your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated
tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi
drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires
are safer and last longer. A tire pressure gauge is small,
fits easily in your glove compartment, and only costs a
couple bucks. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is
usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or
the glove compartment and in your owner's manual. Do not use
the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall.
You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the
manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example,
using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30
can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an
engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by
1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy
Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it
contains friction-reducing additives.
Replacing a clogged air filter on an older car with a
carbureted engine may improve fuel economy 2 to 6 percent
under normal replacement conditions or up to 14 percent if
the filter is so clogged that it significantly affects
drivability.
Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money.
Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as
much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same
distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that
traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and
efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel.
Encourage your employer to allow you to telecommute one or
more days a week or compress your workweek (i.e. four 10
hour days instead of 5 8 hour days). Alternatively, stagger
your work hours to avoid peak rush hours.
Take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can
cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car
if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban
areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use High
Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes which are typically less
congested, further improving your fuel economy.
Use public transit if it is available and convenient for
you. The
American Public Transit
Transportation Association
has links to information about public transportation in your
state.
A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and
may allow you to meet your needs with a smaller car.
However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy
by 5 percent. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel
economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible.
Next time you buy a new or used car, get a more gas
efficient vehicle. The difference between a car that gets 20
MPG and one that gets 30 MPG amounts to $945 per year
(assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost
of $3.78). Use
www.fueleconomy.gov's
Find and Compare Cars
section to find the most fuel efficient vehicle that will
meet your needs. Consumer Reports Magazine also provides new
and used car reliability ratings every year in their April
issue.
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HUD Announces Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program
Interest free loans are intended to help homeowners at
risk of foreclosure.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
in conjunction with NeighborWorks® America announced the
launch of the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP) on
June 20. The aim is to help homeowners in 27 states across
the country and Puerto Rico who are at risk of foreclosure.
The EHLP program is a complement to the existing Hardest Hit
Fund, which makes available $7.6 billion to 18 states and
the District of Columbia that were hardest hit by the
housing crisis.
Congress provided $1 billion dollars to HUD, as part of the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,
to implement EHLP. The program will assist homeowners who
have experienced a reduction in income and are at risk of
foreclosure due to involuntary unemployment or
underemployment, due to economic conditions or a medical
condition. Under EHLP program guidelines eligible homeowners
can qualify for an interest free loan which pays a portion
of their monthly mortgage for up to two years, or up to
$50,000, whichever comes first.
"Through the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program the Obama
Administration is continuing our strong commitment to help
keep families in their homes during tough economic times,"
said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Working with our
community partners across the nation through NeighborWorks®
America, we are pleased to launch this program today in 27
states and Puerto Rico to help families keep their homes
while looking for work or recovering from illness."
The EHLP program will pay a portion of an approved
applicant’s monthly mortgage including missed mortgage
payments or past due charges including principal, interest,
taxes, insurances, and attorney fees. EHLP is expected to
aid up to 30,000 distressed borrowers, with an average loan
of approximately $35,000.
"Through our work around the country, NeighborWorks® America
knows all too well that in these tough economic times,
homeowners facing foreclosure are seeking help wherever they
can find it. The deadline is July 22, 2011, so we encourage
homeowners to apply now in order to find out if they qualify
for this new mortgage assistance program and learn more
about the many options available to assist those with
housing needs," stated Eileen M. Fitzgerald, CEO of
NeighborWorks® America.
The EHLP program will be offered in the following states:
Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana,
Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,
Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming and Puerto
Rico. Five states operating substantially similar programs
are administering EHLP directly: Connecticut, Delaware,
Idaho, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Contact information for participating agencies, the
Pre-Applicant Screening Worksheet and more information on
the EHLP program and its eligibility requirements can be
found at
www.FindEHLP.org or
by calling toll free at 855-FIND-EHLP
(346-3345).
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The
Government Googles Google
 The
FTC aims its search engine at Mr. “Do No Evil”.
Federal regulators have launched an investigation into
whether Google has abused its dominance in Internet search
advertising. With over 2/3 of all U.S. web searches, Google
is an important tool that is helpful to homeowners and other
consumers. To “Google” something has become part of our
lexicon. The FTC’s investigation is a continuation of the
technology sector precedent set by the Justice Department in
its landmark case against Microsoft in the 1990s.
In the latter case, the government recognized that market
dominance in one sector (operating systems) can create
tremendous opportunities to achieve dominance in other areas
(browsers in Microsoft’s case). The outcome in the Microsoft
case was a consent agreement in which Microsoft agreed to
change practices that gave unfair advantage to its browser
or created barriers to the use of other browsers with the
Microsoft operating system.
The European Commission began its own formal investigation
into Google’s competition practices last November, and the
attorneys general of Texas, New York, California and Ohio
have also begun investigations of Google. Both the FTC civil
probe and the European Commission investigation may
potentially reshape Internet competition, and will certainly
not help Google’s increasingly tarnished reputation.
The core of the FTC probe is to determine whether Google
searches unfairly steer users to the company's own growing
network of services instead of rival providers. If that is
what is happening it is bad for consumers because it would
mean that Google is purposely steering you away from the
websites that best match your needs as defined by your
search terms. There is significant evidence that these
practices are commonplace. For example many mortgage lenders
and credit card companies who do not have advertizing
arrangements with Google have charged that Google searches
for mortgages or credit cards seem to be directed to
Google’s affiliates.
The most dominant tool for getting driving directions is
MapQuest, and “MapQuesting” directions is also part of our
technological lexicon. Despite this fact Google searches for
driving direction tools often rank the lesser known Google
Maps at the top of an organic search, while MapQuest often
doesn’t appear until the second page of search results.
Other companies also believe that Google is unfairly skewing
search results towards its own services or those of its
affiliates. They include Microsoft and travel services
Expedia Inc., Kayak.com, and Sabre Holdings, health site
WebMD.com, and Yelp.com.
It is difficult to understand why there would be so many
anomalies in Google’s natural searches, which the company
claims are formula driven. However, Google doesn’t reveal
the formulas for those protocols, claiming that would lead
to more intense search “gaming” by companies that would
manipulate the rules to get higher rankings than they
deserve. Nonetheless it is difficult to understand how
competing Google services and affiliates are apparently
ranking so much higher in Google searches than their
competitors unless they have access to those protocols, or
Google is purposely overriding its own natural search
protocols.
We believe that this case, like the Microsoft case, will
take several years to resolve. It will result in a consent
agreement under which Google will be required to cease
practices that give unfair advantage to its own services or
its affiliates. It’s also possible that the FTC will also
require Google to drop its current company motto (“Do no
evil”) as part of the settlement on the grounds that it
constitutes false advertising. What is also likely is that
the Google case may be followed by other investigations of
other Internet companies who may be using their dominance in
one area to achieve unfair advantages elsewhere. Allegations
of similar types of practices by dominant Internet based
firms have been made against Facebook, which could easily be
next in line.
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On the Lighter Side: Housing Daffynitions
Here are some alternative real estate jargon definitions
for home buyers and sellers.
Acceleration Clause - When it is okay to speed
Amortization Schedule - A specified date night
Appreciation - What every husband wants but never
gets
Chain of Title - Your house, your problem
Common Area Assessments - What your mother in law
does when she visits
Community Property - How your kids view everything
that is yours
Discount Points - Kohl's offers those on Super
Saturdays
Due On Sale Provision - The right your husband has to
pull his favorite chair out of the garage sale just when
someone is about to buy it
Earnest Money Deposit - The money you meant to put
into your checking account before that check bounced
Effective Age - How old you really feel
Eminent Domain - That feeling you get the moment your
kids ask to move back home after college
Encroachment - What happens when your kids move back
home after college
Loan Servicing - Creative ways to pay back a debt
Negative Amortization - It sets in after the
honeymoon
Quit Claim Deed - Something you did when no one was
looking, so you can deny it
Right of First Refusal - How most husbands view their
authority over the remote control
Right of Survivorship - Getting to vote on who gets
thrown off the island
Settlement Statement - Having the last word in an
argument
Sweat Equity - It is usually a little more salty than
sweet
Tenancy in Common - A stubborn virus that makes its
way through the whole family
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Please take the time to contact your legislators and express your
views on pending policy issues covered in this
month’s Home Base. It's easy - you can reach your
legislators by email in a couple of mouse clicks,
and you can use the content in Home Base and
elsewhere on our website to help you develop your
message.
To look up the phone number, email, and/or postal address of your
U.S. Representative or your two U.S. Senators, (or
your state representative or state senator)
click here. You can also look up which
legislators represent your zip code if you don’t
recall their names.
A personal meeting is a particularly effective way
to get their attention and reinforce your message. Please consider
requesting a
face-to-face meeting in their home state or home
district offices near you when you contact their
Washington DC offices on policy issues.
Is there a policy issue that
is particularly important to you which significantly
impacts homeowners or home ownership? Any member may
propose a position on a policy issue, so please
check the
American
Homeowners Grassroots Alliance's 2011 Issue Guide.
If it isn't on the list, we invite you to send us an
email and tell us why you think the American
Homeowners Grassroots Alliance should take a
position and work on it.
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