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FROM THE EDITOR One message stuck with me while covering NAR NXT last week: In a changing housing market, your local expertise matters more than ever. It's what makes you a trusted adviser whose knowledge can't be replaced by a search engine or AI. Buyers and sellers have access to plenty of housing data, but they still need someone who can explain what those numbers mean for their neighborhood, their home and their next move. Conditions vary from one community to the next. Help clients understand what's happening locally and how to make informed decisions. Those interactions build trust. And remember, your knowledge extends beyond home prices and inventory. Understanding local developments, affordability challenges and the issues affecting your community helps you provide the context and guidance clients can't get from numbers alone. —Erica Christoffer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Story 1 of 10 'Tonight, We Are Young!' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Young Professionals Networks across the country are helping build the future of real estate by bringing peers together, creating opportunities for professional development and encouraging greater involvement in their associations. Each year, NAR honors five outstanding state and local YPNs through the Network of the Year Awards. The awards recognize networks of all sizes for their work engaging members, promoting industry involvement, developing future leaders and making a positive impact in their communities. Join us in celebrating their commitment to strengthening the profession. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Christine E. Hansen knows what it means to rebuild. After growing her family's Florida brokerage to four additional offices and 300 agents and staff, she watched much of that success disappear during the 2008 housing crash. Rather than walk away, she rebuilt her business around mentorship, relationships and a commitment to helping others succeed. Now, as NAR's 2027 president, Hansen is bringing those experiences to a national stage. A longtime broker-owner and volunteer leader, she understands the pressures members face because she's lived them. “What can we do to bring value to our REALTOR® members that will be substantive; that'll be strong for their businesses?” she asks. Her priorities include advancing NAR's three-year strategic plan, helping members better understand the tools and resources available to them and restoring pride in the REALTOR® brand. Get to know the leader whose colleagues say her greatest strength is believing in others, often before they believe in themselves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story 3 of 10 Home Sales Slow, But Equity-Rich Homeowners Hold Steady | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Higher mortgage rates are slowing home sales this fall, keeping more buyers on the sidelines as affordability challenges persist. Existing-home sales were down 5.5% in October and 8.8% annually, NAR’s latest national sales report shows. Yet “despite fewer transactions in October, the 88 million homeowners across the country are largely in a comfortable financial position due to sizable housing wealth accumulation,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. That equity cushion is giving sellers greater flexibility to negotiate with buyers, without sacrificing their financial goals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distressed sales—foreclosures and short sales—remain at historical lows, just 2% of sales in October. Also, homeowners continue to leverage equity to pay all-cash on their next home purchase: More than a quarter—or 29%—of existing-home sales transactions in October were all-cash, according to NAR. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Meanwhile, for buyers who can afford higher mortgage rates—lately in the 7% range—their bargaining power is growing as inventory expands, price reductions become more common and homes take longer to sell. About two-thirds of the nation’s largest metros lately have been favoring buyers or are trending in that direction, according to Realtor.com data. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What's ahead for 2027? Join Yun, NAR Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz, Principal Economist Nadia Evangelou and other industry experts for NAR's Real Estate Forecast Summit on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. CT. Get the economic insights and housing market outlook you need to prepare your business and advise clients in the year ahead. Register now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Story 4 of 10 How Member Feedback Is Shaping NAR's Future | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How is member input translating into meaningful change at NAR? At NAR NXT, President Kevin Brown and CEO Nykia Wright highlighted progress on the association's three-year strategic plan, shaped by feedback from more than 150,000 members. NAR is now reporting progress every 90 days, with updates spanning housing advocacy, MLS collaboration, legal protections and financial accountability. Association executives can also look ahead to a modernized learning platform launching Dec. 1, updated professional development courses and expanded broker resources, including a fraud prevention hub and tools developed with input from the Small Broker Committee. The takeaway for AEs: Member engagement is helping shape practical resources that associations can use to strengthen their own programs and demonstrate value to members. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story 5 of 10 NAR Leaders Emphasize Listening, Delivering Resources | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How can NAR better support the associations and members on the front lines of real estate? At the Association Leaders Town Hall during NAR NXT, national leaders emphasized the importance of listening to members and strengthening collaboration among local, state and national associations. The discussion highlighted more targeted member communications, growing broker engagement and practical resources designed to help associations do more with limited staff and budgets. Among them are NAR's new Association Accelerator toolkits, which offer customizable templates for newsletters, committee notices and other association communications. “We know that you're stretched thin and that you only have so many resources available to you at the association level,” said NAR Senior Vice President of Industry Relations Jarrod Grasso. The message for AEs: NAR is working to make it easier to communicate member value and deliver resources tailored to local needs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Another opportunity to share value with members—remind them that November is Designation Awareness Month. Members can save 20% on the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation online course. The course helps agents strengthen their buyer representation skills, navigate complex transactions and demonstrate their value to clients. Encourage members to take advantage of the offer through Nov. 30 using code DAM2026. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tricia Thomas, RCE, chief executive officer of the Bay East Association of REALTORS® in California, has been named the 2026 recipient of the William R. Magel Award of Excellence, NAR's highest honor for association executives. During her 37 years with Bay East, Thomas has helped build a strong, member-focused association serving thousands of real estate professionals. She has guided the organization through economic cycles and industry changes, advanced technology and regional collaboration, and championed advocacy and homeownership. Beyond her organizational accomplishments, Thomas is widely respected for mentoring fellow AEs and volunteer leaders, bringing people together and navigating complex challenges with integrity and compassion. Selected during NAR NXT in New Orleans, Thomas will be formally recognized at the 2027 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C. Learn more about Thomas and the Magel Award. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story 7 of 10 Become a Trusted Voice on Housing Issues in Your Community | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You know your local housing market, but are you helping tell its story? Whether it's a proposed development, changing zoning regulations or a shortage of affordable homes, REALTORS® often see emerging housing challenges before they make headlines. At NAR NXT, Realtor.com senior writer Allaire Conte encouraged agents to think like journalists, combining firsthand observations, market data and personal stories to become trusted sources for local media and their communities. The key is listening to different perspectives, acknowledging concerns and backing up your insights with credible facts. “Every housing decision affects real people,” said Housing Opportunities Committee Chair Amy Peterson. The committee is now developing a course to help members navigate difficult housing conversations. In the meantime, start by reaching out to local reporters, sharing what you're seeing in your market and helping put a human face on the housing issues affecting your clients and neighbors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Want to reach more people with your real estate knowledge? The REALTOR® Store's "Harnessing YouTube's SEO Power: Capturing High-Intent Real Estate Clients" webinar can help you explore another way to connect with potential clients. Save 20% through Nov. 30 as part of the store's monthly promotion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story 8 of 10 Help Veteran Homebuyers Overcome VA Loan Misconceptions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Yesterday was Veterans Day, a reminder of the important role real estate professionals play in helping those who have served achieve homeownership. VA loans offer significant benefits, including no down payment for eligible buyers, no private mortgage insurance and the ability to use the benefit more than once. Yet misconceptions about lengthy closings and strict appraisal requirements can cause sellers to overlook otherwise qualified buyers. Agents can help level the playing field by addressing those concerns early, providing strong preapproval documentation and working with lenders experienced in VA financing. Understanding the VA's appraisal requirements, funding fees and seller concession rules can also help prevent surprises during a transaction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Build your expertise in serving military clients. Join instructor Tony Dias on Wednesday, Nov. 18, for NAR's live, interactive Military Relocation Professional (MRP™) Certification webinar. Learn to navigate VA financing, military relocations and the unique housing needs of service members and their families. Register and save 20%—just $110. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Story 9 of 10 NAR Board of Directors Sets Course for 2027 at NXT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NAR's Board of Directors approved a 2027 operating budget and installed new leadership during its Nov. 9 meeting at NAR NXT in New Orleans. The budget projects approximately $280 million in revenue and $247 million in expenses and marks NAR's first use of zero-based budgeting, requiring departments to justify expenditures based on priorities and measurable outcomes. Directors also heard updates on housing advocacy, MLS collaboration, broker engagement and professional development. Christine E. Hansen was installed as 2027 president, with a focus on strengthening member value and awareness of NAR resources. The meeting also recognized distinguished association leaders and marked the 25th anniversary of the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, which has provided more than $54 million in disaster-related housing assistance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story 10 of 10 REALTOR® Party Prevails in 2026 Elections Nationwide | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The votes are in, and REALTOR®-backed candidates are heading to Washington, state capitols and local offices across the country. In the latest "Advocacy Scoop" podcast, recorded live at NAR NXT, NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn breaks down the 2026 midterm election results and what they mean for housing policy. With some races still undecided, candidates supported by the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) have secured 369 victories, representing a 90% win rate in races called so far. Voters also backed ballot measures addressing down payment assistance, property taxes and homeownership protections. As a new Congress takes shape, NAR is building bipartisan relationships while continuing to push for implementation of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and passage of the More Homes on the Market Act. “When pro-real estate issues were on the ballot, that's where we were winning,” McGahn said. Listen to the episode to learn what's next for REALTOR® advocacy and the issues affecting your business and clients. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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