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MSRE Class Takes Part in Sacramento Homebuilding Day

It was an early start to a long and eventful day as the Masters of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) students and Burnham-Moores Center staff boarded a 6:30 a.m. flight to Sacramento April 16 for the California Building Industry Association's Homebuilding Day. The annual Legislative Conference and Homebuilding Day event provides those new to government advocacy a first-hand look at how to impact housing policy. The students' airfare was covered by the Building Industry Association of San Diego County, whose staff members, as well as the association's president Sherm Harmer, served as hosts to the class throughout the day.

The students attended a legislative briefing by CBIA staff members in the morning before breaking into three groups for a Capitol tour and a group lunch at a Sacramento restaurant, hosted by the BIA-San Diego. In the afternoon, students continued with their groups for a series of legislative meetings. During the meetings, the students voiced their perspectives as future real estate leaders to legislators and their staff. Several students expressed concerns over San Diego's housing affordability, as well as the challenging job market they will be entering when the program completes this summer.

Mondana Hamniaz said the meetings were "eye-opening" in revealing how strongly legislators were focused on their own agendas. Trevor Jensen agreed. "It definitely gave you some insights into how complicated law-making is and how much of a need there is to educate lawmakers on real estate issues," he said.

Following the afternoon meetings, students headed to the Senator Building for a legislative reception where they networked with industry professionals and politicians from around the state. The day concluded as the Burnham-Moores Center/BIA contingent boarded an 8:30 p.m. flight back to San Diego.