Michigan Realtors meeting with Senator Peters

WASHINGTON — From May 9 to May 14, the National Association of Realtors held its annual legislative meetings and expo, with the Dearborn Area Board of Realtors well represented. 

Sam Baydoun, the 2016 president of the organization, attended many of the legislative meetings along with President Elect Robert Marx and Administrative Executive Laura Green. 

Realtors from Michigan discussed the importance of rejecting any tax reform plans to abolish or marginalize the mortgage interest deduction or the property tax deduction and preserving the Like-Kind Exchanges (1031 Exchange) with Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). 

They also discussed those issues in a meeting with Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). 

Baydoun said Dearborn Board members could not meet with Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn).

“Unfortunately, members of the Dearborn Board could not meet with our good friend and supporter of our industry, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, because the White House briefing ran longer than expected,” Baydoun said. 

During the meetings, four of President Obama’s economic advisors briefed the realtors on many issues related to the real estate industry. 

Zaid Hassan (left) with Baydoun.

Zaid Hassan, assistant director of the White House Business Council, delivered a powerful presentation on student debts in this country and what is being done to help graduates pay their loans.

“It was a proud moment for me to see a 29-year-old Muslim American, born and raised in Pakistan, now working at the White House for the president of the United States,” Baydoun said. “And this could only happen in America.”

Baydoun declared the White House Briefing for The National Association of Realtors the highlight of this year’s legislative meetings.

“Both of our senators are very supportive of our issues and we thank them for standing with us,” he said.