The Georgia Mountains and Lakes Realtors Association hosts five to six events each calendar year for its members. The events are held to bring a sense of community to local realtors, and guest speakers are invited to discuss happenings in the area and the state of Georgia to give members perspective and vital information for the industry.
Wednesday, April 17, the organization held a luncheon at HEMC in Clarkesville, for its members to hear speakers Georgia Representative Victor Anderson and State Senator Bo Hatchett discuss the recent legislative session.
Issues facing property owners
Hatchett and Anderson talked about several issues that realtors face such as squatters and fraudulent land transactions. Both have been problems for realtors and property owners over the last few years.
HB 1017, gives Georgia property owners and the courts clarity to address the issue of squatters occupying properties illegally. “All across Georgia, squatters have become a huge problem for property owners and tenants by illegally taking over properties, and in several cases, damaging the properties or causing havoc in neighborhoods,” Roger Glen President of Georgia Mountains & Lakes Realtors Association and Realtor at Poss Realty explained.
Fraudulent transactions are occurring where people have their property stolen from them through fraud. Hatchett and Anderson spoke about the issue and the Bills set to be signed on July 1 by Governor Kemp. Anderson and Hatchett have talked with Georgians who have been exposed to such fraudulent activities. It costs a great deal of money for the owners who have been cheated.
Gratitude
Many realtors at the meeting were thrilled about the passing of the two bills and stated it was a major win for property owners. Karen Thomas of Headwaters Realty said, “We are so thankful that our representatives are willing to listen and support our initiative in private property rights.”
Anderson spoke to the audience of realtors, “This nation or really any thriving nation if you look at the economy, you are going to see a direct reflection of what’s happening in construction and housing markets. What you are doing is driving our economy. So, thank you for what you do.” He added that housing and construction are the two number one indicators of the health of economies.
Hatchett said, “Those two bills came about because constituents reached out to their Legislators with the problem, and they brought it down to Atlanta so we could solve the problem. Whether it’s related to your industry or trade or whether it is something personal, please reach out. If we don’t hear from you, it is hard to know the pulse of the community or the pulse of the issue that people are facing.”
Glen expressed his appreciation for Anderson and Hatchett and how well they work together for the constituents of Northeast Georgia.
