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October 25, 2015
 

Hitting the Brakes:  It only seems like yesterday we were just firing up the grills at the start of the summer season. DCAR remained dutifully busy advocating on your behalf and we would like to show you what we have done so far. Check out our summer public policy review.

As far as events go, we are making sure we get the most out of the last week of October. Join us for a lead safety briefing with the DDOE and EPA. Follow that informative seminar with our Fall Happy Hour the next day. Lastly, if you're interested in playing a part in DCAR's advocacy efforts, take a moment to fill out an application to join a DCAR Committee!
Stay in the loop! Follow DCAR on your preferred social network:
Public Policy Recap
A Look Back At DCAR's Advocacy Efforts This Summer
Lowering Recordation Taxes
A big tax relief could come to first-time DC home buyers should the council pass the "First-Time Homebuyer Tax Benefit Amendment Act of 2015." The bill would cut the recordation tax rate from 1.45% to 0.75% as long as the buyers have not owned a home within the District of Columbia. 

Addressing Vacant and Blighted Properties
Earlier DCAR gave testimony to the Council's Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Committee at a public hearing on legislation called the " Nuisance Abatement Notice Act of 2015." You can read more about it on our blog. Simply put, we pointed out that the goal of posting notice of vacant and blighted properties should be more discreet than they currently are.

CALL FOR ACTION: Housing Tax for Transportation
On Thursday, October 22, 2015, the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee began consideration on the surface transportation reauthorization legislation. NAR strongly believes that a new tax on homeowners would prevent Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from effectively managing their risk. Click here to learn more and add your voice.

Rat and Vermin Control
We recently came face-to-face with the first and last line of defense against the City's rat problem. Our October 2015 Speaker Series featured Gerard Brown, Rodent and Vector Program Manager from the DC Department of Health. We covered a brief portion of the seminar in a handy blog post for your information.

The End of DC's Massive Zoning Code Re-Write
It's closing time for the epic saga of DC's first zoning re-write in decades. There's far too much to cover and that's because the process has taken nearly eight years to complete. We particularly focused on accessory apartments, parking and alley lots.

DDOE &  EPA Lead Safety Briefing
We are holding our Lead Safety Briefing on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM) with  Pierre Erville from DDOE and Cindy Wheeler from the EPA to talk about lead poisoning prevention. This is a part of the EPA's ongoing Lead-Free Kids initiative that aims to spread awareness about lead poisoning prevention

Event Details:
Date: 10/28/2015
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: NAR Building | 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW Suite 310 Washington, DC 20001
DCAR is on Fire Happy Hour
W e're not literally on fire. You can still grab your lock boxes at 500 New Jersey Avenue. However, we are fired up to meet you for a happy hour next week. We are meeting at  Old Engine 12 , an exciting Americana restaurant in Bloomingdale.

Event Details:
Date: 10/29/2015
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Old Engine 12 Restaurant | 1626 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Two Great Committees, One Great Association!
Apply to join a DCAR committee today!  

Communications Committee
Defines the role of DCAR in the lives of REALTORS®. Craft's DCAR's message to raise awareness of the issues for our members. Informs the public and REALTORS® about DCAR's advocacy.
We are extending the deadline, but only for a short time.
Apply today! 
Stay ahead of the curve and on the pulse of the DC Real Estate community. Follow our daily updated Real Estate and Public Policy Flipboard magazines for more stories. (What's Flipboard?)
Data Lens DC mapped out the house flipping neighborhoods in DC.

The WMATA Riders' Union, and has recruited more than 1,500 members since it started in September.

The units at the NE DC development will be a mix of studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms. 

Through a sponsorship arrangement, executed on Sept. 18, Pepco agreed to pay the District $25 million in return for one or more capital projects.

The Highline at Union Market will bring 313 residential units and almost 10,000 square feet of retail to a site currently occupied by a Burger King.
The information expressed herein is intended to serve as a general resource guide for the members of the District of Columbia Association of REALTORS®, is not to be considered legal advice and is subject to change. While the District of Columbia Association of REALTORS® strives to make the information in this document as timely and accurate as possible, the Association makes no claims or guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of the contents, and expressly disclaims liability for any errors and omissions. Members should always consult a licensed attorney in their jurisdiction for legal advice. 
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®    |   ©Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved by DCAR
500 New Jersey Ave NW, Suite 310   |   Washington, DC 20001   |   202.626.0099   |    dcrealtors.org