WHEREAS,  the Maine Association of REALTORS® has more than 4,500 members actively involved in the business of real estate and it has approximately 450 affiliate members, including lenders, appraisers, title companies, building inspectors, surveyors and insurance providers; and

WHEREAS,  the not-for-profit association provides each member with an equal voice and representation in the real estate profession, serving members in all 16 Maine counties and in their communities; and

WHEREAS,  real estate transactions stimulate Maine's economy and include not only the money spent and reinvested in the sale price of a property but all those services and expenditures that occur in relation to a property transaction, both for a buyer and a seller; and

WHEREAS,  according to national statistics, it is estimated that one job is generated for every 2 home sales, each home sale contributes about $72,760 to the economy and the real estate industry accounts for 18.4% of the gross state product; and

WHEREAS,  the real estate market in Maine is strong, as evidenced by the number of home sales increasing by more than 1.6% to 20,923 homes sold in 2018 with a value of nearly $5,400,000,000; and

WHEREAS,  real estate ownership is an investment in the future and one of the best ways to build financial security through equity accumulation and for many in Maine their home represents their life savings; and

WHEREAS,  expanding home ownership will strengthen our State and its families and communities, enhance our economy and create jobs; now, therefore, be it