Stafford Starcher and Adam Chicoine Attend Great American Realtors Day (GARD)

Tallahassee, FL, March 22, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Stafford Starcher, President of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, and Adam Chicoine, both of RE/MAX Alliance Group, recently attended Great American Realtors® Day (GARD).

They joined Realtors from across Florida earlier this month to meet with Governor Rick Scott, Florida lawmakers and other state leaders in Tallahassee.

Chicoine and Starcher joined hundreds of Florida Realtors to discuss a number of issues that affect all Floridians and the state’s economy, including how to strengthen the state’s business-friendly climate, maintain homeownership opportunities and preserve private property rights while restoring water resources.

“Affordable housing and the conservation of water and land resources are equally crucial goals for our citizens,” said 2015 Florida Realtors President Andrew Barbar. “Fully funding the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Funds would mean that many of our state’s neediest residents – those who are homeless, low-income families and veterans – would benefit from $267 million going into home buying and rental assistance programs.

Barbar stressed, “A vote for Amendment 1 last November was not a vote against housing.” Amendment 1 requires that 33 percent of documentary stamp taxes collected on real estate transactions go toward water and land conservation.

The 140,000 members of Florida Realtors understand the importance of making their voices heard as lawmakers take up the challenge of helping Florida grow and prosper, while also protecting the state’s quality of life for residents and visitors now and in the future, said Carrie O’Rourke, Florida Realtors’ vice president of public policy.

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 140,000 members in 58 boards/associations. The Florida Realtors® Media Center's website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

RE/MAX Alliance Group is a full-service real estate company that has been serving the residential and commercial real estate needs of southwest Florida for more than 25 years. With more than 300 agents and staff, RE/MAX Alliance Group is the Number One RE/MAX in Florida based on transactions and volume, and the Number 10 RE/MAX in the nation based on transactions. RE/MAX Alliance Group offers real estate solutions in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties in Florida, with offices in Sarasota, Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, University Park, Venice, Siesta Key and Englewood. Website: www.alliancegroupfl.com.