It’s on four wheels and is a moving billboard promoting the value of homeownership and is not something you’ve probably ever seen before—but is coming your way soon.

Photo of Homeownership matters busIn March the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) leadership team will kick off a three-city bus tour to promote the benefits of homeownership. First stop? NAR headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

If you are in the city—you will see the NAR bus perhaps parked at a local Lowe’s store.  The three-city Home Ownership Matters Campaign tour includes Chicago,  Denver and Portland. Each location will host two events designed to engage REALTORS® and consumers on key issues.

The goal of the tour is to educate the public on issues such as preserving the mortgage interest deduction (MID) and ensuring smart reforms for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Another goal is to invite the public to join NAR’s efforts to keep housing first and to show members of Congress the depth of the REALTOR® association’s reach in local communities. The program will also attract consumers to Houselogic.com and “Real Estate Today” radio program.

Moe Veissi, 2011 NAR President-Elect, will host a REALTOR® Town Hall meeting at the NAR headquarters on March 4 at 9:30 a.m. Members interested in attending should RSVP to [email protected] by Monday, February 28. Discussion topics include the MID, GSE reform and other issues.

REALTORS® are encouraged to bring their clients to the Chicago Flower and Garden Show on Saturday, March 5 at Navy Pier in Chicago from 10:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. NAR representatives will be at the show giving away food and prizes while celebrating the benefits of homeownership to communities and the American economy. Consumers can enter to win one of three Lowe’s gift cards, valued up to $5,000. Escape the winter doldrums by stepping instead the transformed Navy Pier full of lush landscaping and gardening ideas to get in the mood for spring.

So put aside your snow shovels and head to Chicago to support the NAR campaign at the Home Ownership Matters event on March 5 at Navy Pier.