Deirdre Shesgreen

USATODAY

WASHINGTON – Rep. Billy Long benefited from the uptick in the housing market last year, selling three properties that he had been trying to unload for years.

According to his latest financial disclosure form, Long, R-Springfield, sold a commercial building last October, located in Springfield at 1444 N. Wabash, for between $100,000 and $200,000. In June of last year, he sold a condo in Malibu, Calif., for between $500,000 and $1 million.

And last July, the congressman sold a 165-acre property in Stone County for between $100,000 and $200,000. His report says he took a loss on that sale, but it doesn't provide specifics.

Joe Lillis, Long's chief of staff, said all three properties had been on the market since before the congressman ran for office in 2010. "They all three finally sold in 2013," he said.

The real-estate transactions were reported on Long's annual financial disclosure form.

Lawmakers filed those in May and the House clerk's office released them last week.

Overall, Long reported having assets worth at least $1.6 million and as much as $3.6 million. He paid off four loans last year, shedding between $460,000 and $1 million of debt.

He reported one remaining liability, a loan with the Ozark Bank of between $500,000 and $1 million.

Lawmakers only have to report their financial holdings in broad ranges, so determining exact net worth is impossible.

But the forms show a big wealth gap among Springfield-area Republicans.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, is the richest among local lawmakers, with assets worth at least $3.9 million and as much as $14.3 million. She reported four debts, totaling between $1 million and $2.1 million.

The only transaction she reported in 2013 was the purchase, by her husband, of an airplane, for between $15,000 and $50,000.

Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, reported assets of between $425,000 and $1.36 million.

He also had eight debts, including a student loan of between $50,000 to $100,000.

Justin Gibbs, Smith's spokesman, said the 34-year-old congressman was the first in his family to attend college. The outstanding loan is from law school, he said.

Contact Deirdre Shesgreen at dshesgreen@gannett.com or @dshesgreen on Twitter