Cheryl Stuckwish, co-founder of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Indiana Realty, located in Columbus and Seymour, was among a group of real estate agents that met with U.S. Rep. Luke Messer, R-Indiana, during visits to Capitol Hill at the 2017 National Association of Realtors Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo in mid-May.

Stuckwish, the Indiana Association of Realtors president and a Crossroads Association of REALTORS member, was among those who met with the congressman and representatives of President Donald Trump’s administration to show support for the policies that make homeownership possible for many Americans.

“Despite fewer homes for sale, contract signings are up in Indiana. And so are prices because of the competitive market,” Stuckwish, of Vallonia, said. “If the current low inventory-high demand situation remains, Realtors can expect homebuying to get more expensive going forward, especially if proposals limiting or repealing tax incentives for homeownership aren’t blocked. It would hurt the housing sector, unfairly harm homeowners and could cause home values everywhere to plunge.”

Gutting the mortgage interest deduction and repealing the deduction for property taxes is the wrong approach, she added.