Last week I was in Washington, D.C. for the NAR Legislative Meetings. I was reminded that being a REALTOR® is about much more than buying and selling homes. We are also advocates for homeownership.

There were nearly 8,000 REALTORS® in Washington meeting with members of Congress, sharing what we see every day in our communities. Housing affordability and inventory aren’t political talking points to us. These are conversations we’re having with buyers and sellers every single day.

During the meetings, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. It passed the Senate by a vote of 85-5 and then the House by a vote of 358-31. It was being praised as one of the most comprehensive bipartisan housing packages in decades, and for a moment it felt like meaningful progress was actually being made.

While we were celebrating, everything came to a screeching halt. Whether it ultimately becomes law is still uncertain, but it was encouraging to see housing become a priority that both parties could agree on. It gave us hope.

Then, Wednesday morning, we all received a Red Alert from C.A.R. about AB 736, a bill currently moving through the California Legislature that could dramatically increase transfer taxes on the sale of a home.

To put that into perspective, a homeowner selling a $900,000 home could see a transfer tax that is $1,000 today increase to as much as $13,500 – or even $27,000 in some communities. It comes directly out of the equity homeowners have spent years building.

As many of you know, I don’t spend much time talking politics, and I certainly don’t want to be a politician. I do, however, care deeply about housing. I care about protecting homeownership, creating opportunities for future homeowners, and making sure we don’t continue adding costs that make buying and selling a home even more difficult.

I’ve included a social media graphic below that you can easily share with your clients and sphere. Whether someone owns a home today or hopes to own one tomorrow, this is an issue that deserves their attention. If they feel strongly about it, encourage them to contact their legislators.

We wear a lot of hats in this profession. We’re advisors, negotiators, marketers, counselors, and business owners. But we’re also advocates. Sometimes the most important work we do happens when we use our voices to protect the people and the profession we serve.