Breaking News: Tax Bill Clears House, ‘Very Positive’ for Real Estate

We just received an email from the National Association of Realtors and I thought it was important to share. Here’s their exact email they sent to all Realtor members:

BREAKING NEWS: Tax Reform Bill Clears House With Key Real Estate Provisions

The House of Representatives early this morning passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that delivers significant wins for the real estate sector, reinforcing tax provisions long championed by the National Association of REALTORS®. 

NAR’s advocacy team successfully secured its top five tax priorities in the bill, including an enhanced small business tax deduction, a strengthened state and local tax deduction, and protections for the mortgage interest deduction. The bill also makes the current lower individual tax rates permanent and increases the child tax credit, moves that could help increase homeownership access for more American families.

In addition to NAR’s top tax priorities, the bill includes a broad range of other NAR-supported provisions—such as enhancements to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, estate tax certainty, renewed Opportunity Zone incentives, and the creation of tax-advantaged child investment accounts that can be used for qualified expenses of the beneficiary such as first-time home purchases—all of which strengthen housing affordability, investment, and generational wealth. 

“We appreciate House leaders for taking this important step with a bill that supports hardworking families and strengthens the real estate economy. With lower tax rates, SALT relief, and new incentives for small businesses and community development, this proposal brings real benefits to everyday Americans,” says Shannon McGahn, NAR executive vice president and chief advocacy officer.

“While significant changes are possible as this bill moves to the Senate, NAR will stay closely engaged with lawmakers to ensure real estate remains a central focus,” McGahn says. “We are committed to advocating for provisions that expand opportunity, support homeownership, strengthen communities nationwide, and put the American Dream within reach for more families.”

In a recent national survey commissioned by NAR, Americans expressed strong support for retaining provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act critical to the real estate economy and homeownership. Fully 76% of voters are aware of efforts to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Among those familiar with the law, support grows significantly when specific provisions are highlighted—86% back lower income tax rates for individuals and married couples, 83% support a new 20% deduction for independent contractors and small businesses earning under $400,000, and 80% favor tax incentives aimed at spurring investment in underserved communities. 

The national survey of 1,000 registered voters was commissioned by NAR and conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research April 3–6, 2025. It has a margin of error of 3.10%.

Below is a summary of the provisions included in the current bill:

Top Five NAR Tax Priorities

  1. Qualified Business Income Deduction (Section 199A)
    • The bill permanently increases the QBI deduction from 20% to 23%.
    • This deduction benefits more than 90% of NAR members, who are classified as independent contractors or small business owners.
    • 83% of voters said they supported the 20% tax deduction for independent contractors and small businesses making less than $400,000 a year, according to NAR’s national poll.
  2. State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT)
    • The SALT deduction cap is quadrupled from $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000. However, the bill does not eliminate the marriage penalty. Thus, whether taxpayers are single filers or married couples filing a joint return, they can deduct a maximum of $40,000 in state and local taxes. The income cap and deduction both grow 1% every year over a 10-year window.
  3. Individual Tax Rates
    • Current individual tax rates, lowered as part of the TCJA, are made permanent and indexed for inflation, aiding taxpayers and improving affordability for prospective homebuyers.
    • 86% of voters support the lowered income tax rates for individuals and married couples, according to NAR’s national poll.
  4. Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID)
    • The draft preserves and makes permanent the MID at its current level, maintaining a key tax benefit for homeowners and supporting housing market stability.
    • There had been concern MID might be reduced or eliminated as a budget offset
    • 91% of voters support maintaining tax incentives such as the mortgage interest deduction for homeowners, according to the NAR poll.
  5. Business SALT and 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges
    • The draft bill protects Section 1031 like-kind exchanges, which are often erroneously regarded as a tax loophole.
    • It also includes no changes for most businesses deducting state and local taxes (sometimes referred to as “Business SALT”).
    • While the bill does provide limits in state-level business SALT workarounds for certain high-income professionals (e.g., law firms, hedge funds, consulting businesses, and other services), the provisions do not appear to impact real estate professionals.

Additional Positive Tax Provisions for Real Estate Economy

  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
    • Key provisions from the LIHTC Improvement Act will be included to support affordable housing development.
  • Child Tax Credit Increased to $2,500 (2025–2028)
    • Temporarily raises the child tax credit through 2028 and then indexes it for inflation starting in 2029.
    • The child tax credit supports families and could help with housing affordability.
  • Creation of Tax-Advantaged Child Investment Accounts
    • Can be used for qualified expenses of the beneficiary such as first-time home purchases.
  • Permanent Estate and Gift Tax Threshold Set at $15 Million (Inflation-Adjusted)
    • Prevents a significant drop in exemption levels and supports generational wealth transfer, aligning with NAR priorities.
  • No Top Tax-Rate Increase
    • The proposed 39.6% top rate was removed from the bill.
  • Restoration of “Big 3” Business Tax Provisions
    • Full expensing of research and development (R&D)
    • Bonus depreciation
    • Fixes to interest expense deduction limits
  • Immediate Expensing for Certain Industrial Structures
    • Applies to structures used in manufacturing, refining, agriculture and related industries.
  • No Change to Carried Interest Treatment
  • Opportunity Zones
    • Renewed with revised incentives to encourage targeted investment, including in rural areas.
    • 80% of voters expressed support for tax incentives for investors to encourage economic growth and development in underserved and poorer communities, according to NAR’s recent national poll.

How Buyers Are Financing Homes in far Western North Carolina (2024–2025 Market Trends)

I recently had a home builder ask me yesterday, “how do people usually pay for their homes when they’re buying?” I rattled off some approximates and quickly though, “I’ll get you exacts.” So I dove into the research and it was pretty fascinating to see how money is obtained in our real estate market. Continue reading “How Buyers Are Financing Homes in far Western North Carolina (2024–2025 Market Trends)”

The Poltrock Team wins Gold Award from Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors

The Poltrock Team wins the Gold Award from The Mountain Lakes Board of RealtorsThe Poltrock Team is proud to announce that we have achieved the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors Gold Award for 2022 sales! This award is the highest sales accolade that can be attained from the Board. To achieve it, our team had to sell $10,000,000 in volume and 48 units or more per agent. We are thrilled to announce that all 5 licensed team members have met these criteria and been awarded Gold!

It is no small feat to qualify for this award; it takes dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Our highly experienced agents strive for excellence with each and every real estate transaction. When you work with The Poltrock Team, know you will get a knowledgeable agent who will go above and beyond to ensure your needs are met. Because of that, we’ve been honored to win this award every year since it was implemented in 2019.

This achievement speaks to the quality of service provided by our talented Realtors. To reach such a high level of success, our agents must understand the local market dynamics, demonstrate sound negotiation techniques and provide timely communication throughout the buying/selling process. 

We are incredibly proud of our team and want to thank them for their tireless efforts in helping us secure this Gold Award! Congratulations, Poltrock Team!

Experience award-winning service—connect with a trusted Murphy NC real estate agent backed by the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors Gold Award.

John Poltrock is Dave Ramsey’s Endorsed Local Real Estate Provider

Dave Ramsey ELP Poltrock TeamJessica and I are incredibly fortunate to have graduated from Financial Peace University. It literally changed our lives! So much so, we even taught it at our church. Dave Ramsey is a household name in financial education, both due to his nationally syndicated show The Ramsey Show, which is listened to by 18 million people each week, as well as his bestselling books such as “Total Money Makeover” and “The Legacy Journey”.

Fast forward to today, I’m actually Dave Ramsey’s Endorsed Local Provider for real estate in Murphy NC and Cherokee County! This endorsement is an incredible advantage for anyone buying or selling real estate in the local area. It means you can be assured that you are working with a team who takes Dave’s mantra of “serving with the heart of a teacher” seriously. And not only that, The Poltrock Team is also widely recognized as Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team.

This endorsement serves as both a badge of honor and an assurance of excellence. Buying or selling property is one of life’s more significant transactions and having the trust of someone like Dave Ramsey speaks volumes about how seriously we take the responsibility of helping you buy or sell property locally. With a wealth of experience combined with the trusted endorsement from Dave Ramsey, you can be sure your real estate needs will be taken care of efficiently and effectively. If you’re looking for premier murphy NC real estate agents or Cherokee County, give us a call today at 828-837-6400. We’re here for you!

John Poltrock – 828-837-6400

Facing Foreclosure? You Don’t Have to Go Through It Alone.

Are you facing foreclosure? If so, you are not alone. Every year, thousands of Americans struggle with the difficult decision of how to handle their mortgage debt when they fall behind on payments. It can be overwhelming and scary to face foreclosure—but don’t worry, because The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX is here to help. We have extensive experience working with homeowners who find themselves in this difficult situation, and we can provide you with the support and real estate knowledge necessary to make an informed decision about what to do next. Keep reading for more information about how we can help.

The Basics of Foreclosure:

To understand the foreclosure process better, it helps to know some basic terms and definitions. A “foreclosure” is when a lender takes possession of your property due to non-payment of your mortgage loan. Every case is different, so it is important to act quickly and swiftly. Some lenders will only consider foreclosure once you are 6-7 months behind on your payments, while others can start proceeds within a few months. Fortunately, if you are quick to act, this gives homeowners time to work out a deal or find alternative solutions before the lender takes action.

How The Poltrock Team Can Help:

When you’re facing foreclosure, it’s important you have access to information and resources that enable you to make an informed decision about what steps need to be taken next. That’s why The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX offers counseling services for homeowners who are struggling with their mortgages or seeking alternatives to a foreclosure sale. Our team has extensive experience working with foreclosures in western North Carolina and surrounding areas, so we know exactly what options are available and which ones would be best for your particular situation. We have a great network of providers so we can assist with services such as appraisals, legal guidance, and home inspections that will give you better insight into your current situation before making any decisions about selling or refinancing your home. And if selling is the best option for you, we can help ensure that everything goes smoothly from start to finish—and even assist with finding new housing if necessary!

No one should ever feel ashamed or embarrassed if they face foreclosure—it happens all too often in life. Life has a way of throwing curveballs; what’s important is how you handle them and move forward. Instead of worrying over potential solutions on your own, take advantage of the support and experience offered by The Poltrock Team at RE/MAX. We’re here for our clients every step of the way as they work through tough choices related to their mortgages; from providing resources and education about available options, all the way up to helping find new housing after a successful sale has been made—we’ve got it covered!

If you’re facing foreclosure or exploring your options, connect with a trusted Murphy NC real estate agent who can guide you every step of the way. We’re here to help. Call us today at 828-837-6400 for more information on how we can help ease the burden of a potential foreclosure sale.

Is November a Good Month to Sell My House?

Is November a Good Month to Sell My House? Absolutely—especially in Murphy, NC and Western North Carolina. While it may be chillier and the holidays are near, November brings serious buyers and lower competition. If you’ve been thinking about selling your home this month, here’s what you need to consider before getting started.

Homebuyers In November

As a seller, you may think that November is a bad time to sell your house. After all, it can be a little chilly outside and the holidays are just around the corner. But could this actually be a good month to sell your home? The answer is yes! In fact, November can be one of the best months of the year for selling because buyers are more serious during this time. Not only that, many home sellers erroneously think they need to “wait till Spring” to sell. Because of this, they don’t put their home on the market and they miss out on a lower monthly inventory, meaning buyers have fewer homes to choose from. That gives sellers on the market in November a distinctive edge.

In addition to being more serious about buying their new homes, many people have already made up their minds by this point in the year about whether or not they want to make any changes in their lives that might include purchasing another property or moving into an entirely different area altogether. Therefore, if your house isn’t ready for sale yet or doesn’t look at its best currently (e.g., no paint job), then don’t worry too much about it because there will still be plenty of potential buyers looking despite these inconveniences!

Why November is a good time to sell your home

November is a great month for selling your house because it’s not too late and not too early. If you wait until the end of November, it will likely be too late to close on your house before the end of the year. If it is important to close before the end of the year for tax implications or other reasons, the earlier you call us to sell your house, the better. We can help you strategize on how to set you up for success and a sale.

If you’re wondering why it’s a great time to sell your house, take a look at the statistics below.

Challenges to Selling in November

While you should always be aware of the season or time of year to sell your home, there are some additional challenges that can arise in November. Here are a few things to keep in mind when selling in November:

  • You have to plan for inspections more carefully. Buyers view inspections as essential, and timing due diligence/inspection periods around them can be challenging. Inspectors and service providers are frequently out of town for holidays, hunting, and other things. It’s definitely doable to make it all happen in time, it just has to be planned better.
  • The holiday season is the time of year when homeowners have the most on their plates—and it can often make planning a move more challenging. Family events, holidays, and more make it tougher, logistically, to make it all come together. The good news is that is doable as well. We have a great network of service providers, including movers, to make it flow smoothly for you.
  • North Carolina is an attorney state and we need them to close real estate! They’re human just like anyone and want to be able to enjoy the holidays with their family. As a result, they often close their offices around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. That creates bottlenecks around closing dates. This can easily be worked around with proper planning, which our closing coordinator helps accomplish.

Conclusion

If you are thinking of selling your house, it’s important to know that November is a great month to get the ball rolling. Earlier in the month is definitely better so we can properly plan and execute your move and closing. The old adage of “wait till Spring” is frequently not the best strategy as you can see in the stat chart below.

Is November a Good Month to Sell My House? As you’ve seen, the answer is yes—and getting started earlier in the month gives you the best chance for a smooth, profitable sale. Whether you’re ready now or planning ahead, the Murphy NC Realtors at The Poltrock Team are here to help you sell smart—no matter the season.

Pressure Washing May Be The BEST Investment When You Say “Sell My House!”

Pressure washing is one of the best investments you can make to help sell your home. It’s quick and easy, and it has the potential to increase the sale price of your house by over $5,000 (or more). That might sound like a lot, but consider this: if you pay someone to pressure wash your house for $600 and then sell it for $5,000 more than before (which is entirely possible), that means that one-time expense resulted in a return of over 800%! That’s an investment any homeowner would be crazy not to make.

One of the best things you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers is pressure washing.

Pressure washing will clean the exterior of your home and remove dirt, mold, mildew, and other contaminants from the surface. This process makes your house look newer, cleaner, and well-maintained. All of that will assist in helping it sell faster.

Yes, pressure washing will cost a little money upfront, but it can mean a much better sale price.

You may be thinking, “This pressure washing thing sounds great and all, but it’ll cost me money. I need to make sure I don’t spend anything unless it will bring in a return.”

And that’s exactly what we’re here to share: pressure washing is an investment that will pay dividends back to you. It’s a small price to pay for the chance to make more money on your home sale than you would have otherwise.

The first benefit of investing in a good cleaning is that it can make your home more attractive for buyers—and who doesn’t want as many buyers as possible? The second benefit is speed: by making your home look nice and clean (and maybe even new), it will help move things along with the sale process so that no one has that as a reason not to buy your house!

If you’re planning to sell your home, consider pressure washing as part of your process.

If you’re planning to sell your home, consider pressure washing as part of your process. Pressure washing is a great investment that makes your home look better, can make it easier to sell and may even increase the sale price of your house. It’s also quick and easy!

You’re probably wondering how much pressure washing will cost. The short answer is, it depends on the size of your home and how much work it needs. We have a great network of vendors and people who can get the job done. When you decide to sell your house, we will make the connection for you and help get the job done! Whether it is pressure washing, repairs, you name it, we’ll help you get the job done so you can sell for the best possible price.

When you’re ready to sell, The Poltrock Team will connect you with trusted murphy NC realtors for Pressure Washing and more—so you can sell faster and for top dollar.

Call The Poltrock Team at REMAX at 1-866-687-7496. We’re here for you!

Real Estate Team Helps Sellers to Navigate Challenges & Realize Their Goal

Kaye and William Wilkinson recently planned to sell their Marble, NC home and relocate out of state for new opportunities. Naturally, they wanted to work with a very successful real estate, and they happened to find The Poltrock Team through an online search of relevant terms.

When they spoke with John, his high energy and infectious enthusiasm came through loud and clear. Kaye and William were also impressed with The Poltrock Team’s use of professional photography and cutting-edge technology. So, the couple decided to hire John and The Poltrock Team to sell the couple’s mountain cabin.

After The Poltrock Team found a home buyer, the team skillfully navigated the buying transaction from start to finish. The Wilkinson’s most appreciated the team’s constant support during often-challenging contract negotiations. At the end of the day, The Poltrock Team got the job done.

Looking back, Kaye and William were super pleased with John Poltrock’s high energy and enthusiasm. They’re also confident that John’s use of professional listing photography, plus the latest technology, will help each seller to accomplish their goal on their own terms. The couple gave The Poltrock Team a “10” for their stellar services, and they would absolutely work with this company of high achievers again.

“We decided to sell our Marble, NC home place, and wanted to work with a realtor who would navigate the obstacles and get results. So, we launched an online search for top realtors, and decided to contact The Poltrock Team.

We spoke with John Poltrock, and were impressed with his high energy and enthusiasm. He also emphasized The Poltrock Team’s use of professional photography to showcase clients’ listings, and use of new technology throughout the process. Based on our conversation, we decided to partner with The Poltrock Team to sell our Marble, NC mountain home.

During our real estate transaction, we most appreciated The Poltrock Team’s constant contact, valuable resources, and help in resolving new negotiations challenges.

If you’re planning to sell your home, and want to find a great realtor to help you accomplish that goal and navigate the closing process, here’s our advice:

If you list your property with John Poltrock because of his energy, enthusiasm, and obvious love for what he does, plus the fact that he is the Top Selling Realtor in our area, stay with him, because he WILL SELL YOUR PROPERTY. Also, it is obvious that he is well respected by others in the real estate community.

Most people first access a property listing online, and they certainly notice the pictures. John’s photographer does a magnificent job. In addition, John made a video of our property, and he did it amazingly well.

Based on our recent experience, we would give The Poltrock Team a “10” for their excellent services, and we would definitely work with this company again. You can’t go wrong with The Murphy NC realtors Team!”

Kaye & William Wilkinson
Formerly of Marble, North Carolina

December 2018 SOLD SHOW – Real Estate Update

Happy New Year from The Poltrock Team! If you’re wondering what the real estate market in Cherokee County is doing, we’ve got the insight for you! Watch the video above.

Want to get all our exclusive market research? Want to see all the SOLD Properties? We’ve got you covered! Click the link below and we’ll send it to you immediately. Don’t worry,  we never sell, share, or otherwise give out your information.

Get the Research and SOLD Properties HERE!

Sell My Property!

Ready to sell your house? Have questions? We’re here to help. Contact Us online or call at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496

Don’t miss a single update from the SOLD SHOW—get your exclusive data and insights from our expert Murphy NC realtors today!

This video covers all about sold real estate in Murphy NC, Marble NC, Andrews NC, Brasstown NC, and all the beautiful communities in the boundaries of Cherokee County NC.

Another Satisfied Real Estate Client

After owning their Murphy, North Carolina cabin for several years, Charles and Jean Titcombe made the decision to sell their mountain property. Although they had their choice of real estate agents, the couple wanted to work with a highly successful agent with a proven record of results. Naturally, they chose John Poltrock and The Poltrock Team, and they’re delighted with the outcome.

In fact, you might say the Titcombe’s experienced the best of both worlds. After they had enjoyed their mountain home’s beautiful view and cozy ambience for several years, The Poltrock Team sold the very desirable property in just one day. Even better, the buyers happily paid the asking price – in cash. After the transaction was complete, Charles and Jean were very happy clients, and they gladly expressed their satisfaction with The Poltrock Team’s impeccable service.

“We learned about The Poltrock Team though a mailing, and we decided to work with them after visiting with John. From a client perspective, we were very satisfied with our real estate experience. Our house sold in one day at our asking price, and the transaction was a cash sale. You can’t get better than that!

During the real estate transaction, we found Cowan & Cowan, PA’s expertise most helpful, and Friends Moving Company provided us with terrific customer service. Everything was great, and we would give The Poltrock Team a “10” for their efforts. We would certainly work with them again.”

Ready to turn your real estate goals into success stories? Work with murphy NC realtors – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team, where results speak for themselves.

Charles and Jean Titcombe
Palm Harbour, FL