Matthew Braden's Contact Details

Matthew Braden's Company Details

Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors

Philadelphia, PA, US • 10 - 19 Employees
Real Estate

The Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS® (GPAR) is a membership organization whose purpose is to provide education, information, and legislative monitoring for approximately 2,000 licensed real estate professionals and related service providers in the Greater Philadelphia area. Our mission is to enhance the ability and opportunity of members to conduct their business successfully and ethically, and to promote the preservation of the right to own, transfer and use real property. Founded in 1908 as the Philadelphia Real Estate Brokers Association, GPAR has grown to become the most influential professional real estate association in Philadelphia. GPAR is a strong advocate of private property owners, as well as an ardent crusader against government spending and unnecessary real estate tax increases. In 1995, PRBA became the Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS® to reflect the growing scope of its members and services. GPAR continues to be a unifying force for its members, and is still active in such issues as the anti-graffiti effort and real estate tax assessment.In April 2000, GPAR succeeded in its legislative attempts promoting the constitutional right to hang "SOLD" signs in Philadelphia. That same year, we achieved legislative success in establishing ten-year real estate tax abatements for new residential construction, home improvements and commercial, industrial and deteriorated properties. The Association has also supported legislation to study the implementation of a Land Value Tax. It is our belief that this form of taxation can eliminate onerous taxes such as the wage tax, real estate tax, and business privilege tax. GPAR was instrumental in a major campaign to lower the city wage tax and successfully lobbied Philadelphia City Council which resulted in its unanimous vote for passage.