The annual Realtor trip to Tallahassee is coming up. Called "Great American Realtor Days," it's the time for Realtors to visit the Capitol to lobby legislators on pending real estate legislation.
The legislative session runs from March 5–May 3 and the Realtor Days are Tuesday, April 9, and Wednesday, April 10.
Two major events are on the schedule.
On Tuesday, there will be a Block Party downtown and many local boards and associations will be represented with food or drink stations. This will be from 5:30-7:30.
On Wednesday, the state association will hold its first ever "Rally in Tally" where Realtors will converge on the Capitol Courtyard in Tallahassee to promote Realtor issues and let their collective voices be heard. A boxed lunch will be provided at 11:30 and the rally starts at 1.
Meetings with key legislators will be arranged by NEFAR and Florida Realtors. These schedules will be announced later.
Here are some tips provided by NEFAR and Florida Realtors:
Getting there: It's a little over two hours on I-10. Take the first Tallahassee exit. NEFAR has two buses going, one leaving at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday from the NEFAR office near the Avenues Mall, the other the next morning. The buses return Wednesday afternoon with an arrival time about 8 p.m. at NEFAR's office.
Hotel: NEFAR's delegation will be headquartered at the downtown Aloft. Reservations can be made by calling 850-513-0313.
Parking: If you're driving, downtown Tallahassee parking can be challenging, so arrangements have been made for parking at the Leon County Civic Center. There is a free Realtor shuttle to the DoubleTree Hotel, Capitol or the Public Policy Headquarters office. Shuttle hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Cost: NEFAR has three plans. The bus, registration and a single hotel room night is $200. The second option is $115: bus, registration and sharing a room. The third is $50 which provides the bus and registration only. The bus on Wednesday is free but reservations are required.
More information is available from NEFAR's lobbyist, Wendy Echols, at 398-8025.