NAR’s Real Estate Forecast Summit

12/02/2025

On December 9, 2025, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. ET, NAR will hold a virtual economic and real estate summit that will provide a year-end review and a forecast on the economy and housing for 2026.

Join NAR’s top economists—Dr. Lawrence Yun, Dr. Jessica Lautz, and Nadia Evangelou—for the Real Estate Forecast Summit: The Year Ahead, happening Dec. 9, 3:30–5 p.m. ET.

This free, 90-minute virtual event will explore the latest economic data and how it’s expected to impact the real estate market in 2026.

Expert speakers and guest panelists will share insights on:
• Residential market outlook: Reviewing 2025 performance and 2026 projections
• Demographic shifts: How evolving buyer and seller profiles are shaping demand
• Regional perspectives: Deep dives into key U.S. markets and what to watch next
Gain the strategic guidance you need to plan for the year ahead. Reserve your spot today—attendance is free.

2026 Gala Single Tickets & Tables on Sale

12/01/2025

Reserve your ticket to the 2026 REALTOR® Gala!

From navy to sapphire to sky, wear your formal blue with pride at the 2026 REALTOR® Gala.

Event Highlights: New Day/Date of the Year, Attire, Seating

An Evening of Elegance & Purpose

On Saturday, January 10th, at The Jackson Center,
HAAR proudly hosts the annual REALTOR® Gala.

Together, we will celebrate the induction of new leaders of HAAR & ValleyMLS,
and honor the unwavering commitment REALTORS® share with our communities.

This year’s Gala will shine in support of Girls Inc.,
empowering the next generation to be strong, smart, and bold.

In a spirit of unity and leadership,
guests are invited to grace the evening in shades of blue—
a reflection of strength, empowerment, and community.

Join us for a night of celebration, purpose, and promise.

Please note, tables include a total of 8 seats. If you need more than one table, please email gala@valleymls.com.

Log into the dashboard at HAAR.realtor, click Register for Event, then click Realtor Gala Table (8 seats) or Realtor Gala Tickets. From there, put in the names of the (7) people sitting at the table with you and any dietary restrictions (Vegetarian, Vegan). Please put “unknown” when adding each attendee if you do not know who will be sitting at your table yet.

Once you know who will sit at your table, email gala@valleymls.com to add your attendees and their meal preferences.

Login at ims.huntsvillerealtors.com and enter your NRDS ID and Password; please call 256.536.3334 if you need help logging into your account. Next go to the Realtor® Gala Table (8 seats), click on Register. From there, put in the names of the (7) people sitting at the table with you and any dietary restrictions (Vegetarian, Vegan). Please put “unknown” when adding each attendee if you do not know who will be sitting at your table yet.

Once you know who will sit at your table, email gala@valleymls.com to add your attendees and their meal preferences.

HAAR & ValleyMLS Joint Meeting December 4th

11/21/2025

Mark your calendars! HAAR & ValleyMLS will hold a special called meeting to approve revisions to association and MLS bylaws. Please register through your dashboard. CLICK HERE for a refresher on how to register.

The Details

Date: Thursday, December 4th

Time: 11:30am

Location: 535 Monroe St. NW, Huntsville, AL, 35801

Key Agenda Item: Vote on revised HAAR & ValleyMLS bylaws.

Bylaw revisions were approved by the ValleyMLS and HAAR Boards of Directors, respectively, at their meetings on November 4th, 2025.

Thank you to our meeting sponsor:

NXT Wrap Up: The Wrap on 2025: A Year of Challenge—and Tremendous Progress

11/19/2025

The National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors and Delegate Body meetings on Monday capped off a week of governance meetings, education and networking at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience.

At the Board of Directors meeting, the association’s 2026 officers were installed; NAR Treasurer Craig Sanford presented a report on the association’s financial position; and board members approved recommendations from the Finance Committee, Professional Standards Committee and Leadership Team.

Board Actions

Board members approved four Professional Standards Committee recommendations to modernize the Code of Ethics and bring it into alignment with the 2024 legal settlement:

Amended Article 6 to expand transparency by ensuring that real estate referral fees are disclosed to clients and customers (later narrowly defeated by the Delegate Body)
Amended Article 7, regarding disclosure of compensation from more than one party, to limit its disclosure and approval requirements to a REALTOR®’s client or clients. (Written agreements with buyers, required under the 2024 settlement agreement, may include compensation from both the buyers and the listing side. The change makes clear that there is no obligation to disclose the contents of a buyer-broker agreement to sellers or their brokers.)
Deleted Standard of Practice 3-4. The SOP’s requirement to disclose a variable rate commission was predicated on a unilateral offer of compensation in the MLS. The elimination of this SOP is another step in modernizing the Code with regard to the settlement practice changes.
Updated the language of Standard of Practice 17-4 to ensure compliance with the tenets of the settlement agreement by reinforcing that compensation awarded in arbitration may not exceed the amount outlined within the terms of the buyer representation agreement.

The Article 7 and Standard of Practice changes go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Board members approved BDO USA as the audit and tax services provider for NAR, effective with the 2025 fiscal year audit. Sanford reported that membership stands at 1,491,126 members, 6.5% over the budgeted number for 2025. The projected membership for 2026 is 1.2 million.

Finally, the board approved an amendment to the NAR Constitution to give local and state associations more time to appoint NAR directors. The deadline was extended from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 of the year prior to service.

Special Recognitions

Directors welcomed the 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners to the stage. The DSAs, named at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in June 2025, are Brooke Hunt of Flower Mound, Texas, and Jim Cormier of Blaine, Minn. Hunt thanked all those who contributed to her journey and said, “no one gets here without the support of others.” Cormier said a comment made by an NAR keynote speaker, early in his career, has stuck with him: “You’ll get what you want in life if you help others get what they want.”

NAR 2025 President Kevin Sears gave special thanks to CEO Nykia Wright and San Francisco broker Vince Malta for their leadership. Malta, who was NAR’s 2020 president, stepped back onto the Leadership Team in 2024 to fill a sudden vacancy and remained on the team through 2025.

Sears, a broker from Springfield, Mass., surprised two volunteer leaders with a President’s Award for their extraordinary service in 2025:

Dawn Ruffini of Wilbraham, Mass., 2025 Strategic Planning Committee Chair
Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris of Chicago, 2025 REALTOR® Party Director

CEO Nykia Wright closed the meeting with her own thank you. Sears—who stepped into the presidency a year early—is only the second two-term president in NAR’s 117-year history. Wright said she’ll remember him “for carrying the association through its most turbulent and darkest period … He made the load easier to carry … I’m grateful to have had him along with me on this journey.”

Delegate Body Actions

Changes to the NAR’s Constitution and Code of Ethics Articles also require approval by two-thirds of the Delegate Body. Following the board meeting, the Delegate Body met to consider three constitutional amendments and two changes to the Code of Ethics.

The Delegate Body:

Approved a constitutional amendment that no fewer than 10% of the Executive Committee be REALTORS® whose primary focus is commercial real estate, as approved by the Board of Directors in November 2024
Approved a constitutional amendment to say that the Executive Committee include a commercial practitioner who has served as chair, vice chair, or liaison of an NAR commercial-related committee or forum for a two-year term, as approved by the Board of Directors in June 2025
Approved extension of the deadline for NAR director appointments, as approved by the Board of Directors at Monday’s meeting
Narrowly defeated the amendment to Article 6 of the Code of Ethics that real estate referral fees be disclosed to clients and customers, a motion approved by the Board of Directors at Monday’s meeting
Approved the amendment to Article 7 of the Code of Ethics regarding disclosure of compensation from more than one party, as approved by the Board of Directors at Monday’s meeting

Executive Committee Actions

Unanimously approved the 2026-28 Strategic Plan
Approved a set of 18 recommendations to update the Multiple Listing Policy Handbook
Supported a uniform, nationwide adoption of a requirement for community associations to disclose master insurance policies and related documents to buyers.
Supported reforms to preserve the long-term viability of the National Flood Insurance Program, including limiting or excluding coverage for properties with excessive flood loss claims
Reaffirmed support for federal tax policies that assist owners whose real and personal property is threatened by, damaged or destroyed by national disasters
Modified NAR’s policy on 1031 exchanges in support of elimination of the 45-day and 180-day rules
Voted to support digital transaction technologies proposed in federal legislation
Approved a new policy on public land use that encourages protection of property rights, sustainable resource use, long-term conservation and ecosystem protection, public access and recreation, science-based management, and local input and decision-making

Help Huntsville Shine: Vote for Galaxy of Lights!

11/18/2025

We are excited to share some fantastic news: The Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Galaxy of Lights has been nominated as one of USA Today’s prestigious 10Best Holiday Light Shows!

This wonderful recognition is a true testament to the dedication of the community that brings this cherished event to life every holiday season—including all of you!

Your Vote Makes a Difference!

Now, we need your help to secure the top spot and bring this national title home to Huntsville!

Please show your support for the Huntsville Botanical Garden by voting daily from every device you can:

➡️ VOTE HERE: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/galaxy-of-lights-huntsville-botanical-garden-huntsville-alabama

Voting is open until 11:59 a.m. EST on December 1st. Every single vote is crucial and helps put a national spotlight on our amazing city and the Garden.

Spread the Word!

We encourage all our members to utilize your communication channels to amplify this effort!

Thank you for helping us celebrate three decades of this incredible holiday tradition and for your support of one of Huntsville’s most treasured community assets!

CRITICAL 2025 DATA: Know Your Client Better Than Ever

11/07/2025

The housing landscape is shifting dramatically. This year’s flagship report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reveals market extremes—from an unprecedented drop in first-time buyers to record-high tenure for sellers. Access this data now to sharpen your listing presentations, advise your buyers with confidence, and secure your place as the definitive market expert in our area.

Top Three Insights to Know

— A New Buyer Age: The median age of the first-time buyer has climbed to a record 40 years old.

— Loyalty is at a High: A record-matching 91% of sellers used a real estate agent.

— The Equity Effect: All-cash purchases hit an all-time high of 26% among primary residence buyers.

Your Voice Matters: How Is the Government Shutdown Affecting Housing in Your Community?

10/29/2025

For the Huntsville area, where our community and economy are uniquely tied to federal work, the impacts of a government shutdown are immediate and deeply personal.

REALTORS® are on the front lines of these impacts every day. You see how stalled loans, delayed approvals, and program shutdowns ripple through families, businesses, and our local economy.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is working tirelessly to advocate for a swift resolution. To strengthen NAR’s advocacy efforts, we are asking for you to share your story about how the shutdown is affecting:

Your clients’ ability to buy, sell, or close on homes
FHA, VA, or USDA loans, including delays or pauses in approvals
Access to flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Rental assistance or community development programs
Your business operations and local market activity (especially given the high concentration of federal employees and contractors in our area)

Every REALTOR® story adds weight to that message. Sharing your direct experience helps us illustrate the real-world consequences and urgency of a resolution to Congress.

Thank you for helping us tell it.

Government Shutdown: What To Know

10/08/2025

OCTOBER 8 Update Podcast: What a government shutdown means for real estate

When the federal government closes for business, there’s a ripple effect in the real estate economy. From the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to rental assistance to federal permitting to FHA condo approvals, many of the processes buyers and sellers depend on come to a halt. As always, NAR Advocacy is prepared for the situation! Shannon and Patrick break down what this shutdown means for REALTORS® and give an insider’s perspective into the history of government shutdowns.

OCTOBER 1 Update: Shutdown begins, NAR resources

Congress has failed to pass a proposal providing funding for most government operations. Therefore, spending authority for most of the government expired at midnight on September 30, 2025. Until legislation providing for funding is signed into law, many offices and programs of the federal government are now shut down. This means many, but not all, government programs, including some that impact federal housing and mortgage programs, have been suspended or slowed due to the lapse in government funding.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires each agency to have contingency plans in place. The information below is based on NAR staff review of agency contingency plans for the current shutdown and past experience with previous shutdowns and near-shutdowns.

NAR’s Shutdown Memo will continuously be updated as we receive new information regarding how relevant programs and agencies are expected to operate during a shutdown including the EPA, HUD, GSEs, IRS, NFIP, Rural Housing Programs, Veterans Affairs, Small Business Administration, and Visa Programs.

Here are eight programs in which NAR members might feel an impact if Congress doesn’t take action by Sept. 30. This article courtesy of REALTOR® Magazine and author Michael Rauber, manager of advocacy communications at the National Association of REALTORS®.

With just a handful of days between now and the FY26 government funding deadline (midnight on Sept. 30), Congress appears to be moving toward a “shutdown showdown.”

The National Association of REALTORS® is working to protect the real estate economy in the event Congress does not pass a stopgap spending measure or reach a larger spending agreement before Oct. 1. Although the House passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Nov. 21, that measure failed in the Senate.

A government shutdown impacts housing, mortgage lending and other industries crucial to the real estate sector. It also results in a lapse of authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which NAR says the administration is committed to protecting.

“NFIP supports nearly half a million home sales annually, contributing $70 billion to the U.S. economy and over a million jobs,” says NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn. “We are taking this critical information straight to lawmakers and working with the administration to ensure that NFIP resources are available and can be deployed during a shutdown. Each day a shutdown continues, the effects on the housing sector grow.”

During a lapse, most lending regulators suspend the flood insurance requirement, allowing sales to proceed without coverage. However, this can create complications if a flood occurs and it’s unclear whether the home will be covered retroactively once NFIP is reauthorized.

“NAR has original research and resources to both educate and assist lawmakers and prepare our members for the potential impact of a partial government shutdown. Real estate makes up nearly 20% of the entire U.S. economy, and we encourage the Senate to pass the clean CR that was previously passed in the House to avoid any disruptions in this sector,” McGahn continues.

How a Shutdown Affects the Real Estate Economy

NAR has been monitoring government programs important to the real estate sector to assess the potential impact of a shutdown. Here are eight programs in which NAR members might feel an impact.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

During a lapse of authority, the NFIP, administered by FEMA, cannot sell new or renewal insurance policies. However, existing NFIP policies will remain in effect until their expiration dates, and claims will continue to be paid until the funds are depleted. Home buyers can also continue to assume the seller’s policy during a lapse, and most insurance regulators suspend the flood insurance requirement for the duration. Private market flood insurance is also an option.

NFIP lapses introduce uncertainty into real estate markets. Buyers may be unable to obtain coverage before closing, and owners may face delays in processing claims if there is an extended lapse. To avoid complications, buyers should secure NFIP coverage well before the expiration date or consider private flood insurance. Even minor flooding can cause significant damage, and NFIP can pay claims only while funding remains available.

NAR is urging Congress to support long-term reauthorization and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Last month, Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) requested public input on 46 questions covering NFIP reauthorization, mapping, mitigation and other reforms. On Sept. 15, NAR submitted a letterpdf to the senators and the Senate Banking Committee, thanking them for the opportunity and outlining several key recommendations.

Government-Sponsored Enterprises

During previous shutdowns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have continued normal operations since they are not reliant on appropriated funds. However, there are four key areas of consideration:

Verification of Employment: For home buyers employed by the federal government, both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allow for verification of employment to occur after closing but prior to delivery of the loan.
Tax Transcripts: Freddie Mac requires all borrowers to sign a 4506T (Request for Transcript of Tax Return) request form before a transaction’s closing, but the request does not have to be processed prior to the closing. Fannie Mae requires the same unless the borrower’s income can be verified through Fannie Mae’s proprietary Desktop Underwriter verification system, in which case no 4506T is required. During past government shutdowns, the IRS suspended the issuance of tax return transcripts.
Verification of Social Security numbers: Sometimes, Social Security numbers are disputed and must be verified. Fannie Mae allowed lenders to verify the numbers prior to delivery during the 2018 shutdown as a precaution, but did not allow delivery if the numbers were not confirmed. Freddie Mac does not require verification of a Social Security number.
Proof of flood insurance coverage application: Both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae require a completed flood insurance application and a copy of the check for the first premium, a settlement statement reflecting payment of the initial premium, or an assignment of an existing policy from the previous owner.

Internal Revenue Service

At the time of writing, the IRS had not published its shutdown contingency plan. In past government shutdowns, however, the agency has consistently held that its employees can remain on the job during shutdowns only if their duties protect the government. For example, during the 2018 closure, the roughly 12% of employees who were required to report to work could open mail only in search of checks payable to the government and were not allowed to answer taxpayer phone calls, issue tax refunds, release liens and levies, or perform most other taxpayer services.

Rural Housing Programs

Under a shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will halt issuance of new direct and guaranteed home loans, and any scheduled direct‑loan closings will be postponed. Pending conditional commitments for guaranteed loans are still being reviewed. However, closings for guaranteed loans that do not yet have a guarantee will proceed only at the lender’s risk. Disbursements on existing construction loans may continue, but only when doing so is necessary to protect USDA’s property interests. All pending loan servicing actions, including guaranteed loss claims, must be documented and secured so that processing can resume promptly once operations are restored. Rental assistance under USDA contracts will continue only if a threat to USDA’s property interests becomes imminent (after 30 days), and only if existing rental assistance funding remains available.

Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to guarantee home loans during a government shutdown, and lenders may keep processing applications. However, some VA staff and support functions may be reduced, which may slow down approvals, appraisals and certificate of eligibility requests. Veterans seeking a new loan or refinance should check with their lender for updated processing times during an extended shutdown.

Environmental Protection Agency

Under the EPA’s shutdown plan, most employees will be furloughed. This will impact various regulatory programs and compliance activities, including wetlands determinations under the 404 program and enforcement of the lead-based paint disclosure and renovation, repair, and painting programs.

HUD Programs

During a federal government shutdown, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s contingency plan allows many key housing programs to continue, though often at reduced capacity, while others face significant disruption. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will keep endorsing new single-family mortgage loans, with the exception of products like home equity conversion mortgages and Title I loans. Critical FHA operations such as claim payments, mortgage servicing, loss mitigation, and REO property management will continue, often through contractors. However, activities requiring direct staff input, like some condo project approvals, are suspended. If the NFIP halts, borrowers may use private flood insurance alternatives. The FHA Resource Center remains open but with limited staffing, leading to longer wait times and restricted support for case-specific questions.

Housing counseling agencies may operate only if they have already received grant funding and have sufficient cash flow; otherwise, services may be scaled back or paused, as new grants and payments are frozen unless deemed emergency related. For Housing Choice Voucher holders, assistance payments will proceed under current commitments, but new funding approvals and voucher issuances could be delayed. Extended shutdowns may create financial strain for Public Housing Authorities, potentially impacting landlords and tenants. NAR members are encouraged to stay informed and advise clients to maintain close communication with their local PHAs and housing agencies.

Small Business Administration

During a shutdown, the SBA will not process new loans or approve routine small-business loans. However, the agency will continue to close previously approved CDC 504 Loans and carry out limited loan servicing and liquidation activities. The Office of Advocacy will also cease operations. SBA will continue to issue disaster loans should the need arise.

Consensus and What’s Next

Government shutdowns are generally very unpopular among NAR members and the American public. The longest government shutdown lasted 34 days from December 2018 through January 2019. In a previous NAR survey of members on the impact of government shutdowns on their businesses, 75% reported that the shutdowns did not affect their contract signings or closings. However, 11% reported an impact on current clients, and 11% reported an impact on potential clients.

Given the evolving political environment, NAR staff continues to closely monitor federal agencies and work with Congress, the administration, and industry partners to evaluate and address impacts on NAR members and their businesses.

SCAM ALERT: Be aware of malicious Zoom links from out of town clients

10/08/2025

Our members frequently report new and evolving scams. We recently received a report about a highly convincing Zoom link scam that targeted a Listing Agent.

Here’s how the scam worked in this instance: A person who claimed to be out-of-town (or in another state) and was interested in a property requested a Zoom meeting with the Listing Agent. The prospective buyer then sent the agent the Zoom link to join the call.

Why Malicious Zoom Links Are Dangerous

Scammers are actively using fraudulent or malicious Zoom links to spread malware, steal your login credentials, and hijack accounts.

Bypassing Filters: Some criminals use trusted-looking domains, like docs.zoom.us, to host malicious files or redirect you to credential-harvesting pages. Because the initial link is legitimate, these emails can unfortunately bypass many common email security filters.
The Goal: The scammer wants you to click their link, which can install malicious software or take you to a fake login page to steal your username and password.

4 Ways to Spot a Malicious Zoom Link

Protect yourself and your business by following these simple, but crucial, steps before clicking on any meeting link:

✅ Check the Sender’s Email Address

A genuine Zoom meeting invite will not come from a generic address like “Zoom Video Communications.” It will come from the personal or business email address of the person who is actually hosting the meeting. If you don’t recognize the sender, be highly suspicious.

✅ Hover Over the Link

Before you click, move your mouse cursor over the link and hold it there (on a mobile device, you can usually tap and hold).

A legitimate Zoom link should always direct you to a zoom.us or zoom.com domain.

Be wary of shortened links or those with misspellings like zooom.us or zom.us.

✅ Look for Red Flags in the Language

Phishing emails often create a false sense of urgency with subject lines like “Missed Zoom Call” or “Urgent Meeting Request.” They may also use overly generic and impersonal language like “Dear Customer” instead of your actual name.

✅Trust Your Existing App

If you already have the Zoom application installed, there is no need to click on a link in an email! Instead, launch the application and manually enter the meeting ID to join.

🚩 Major Red Flag: If an email tells you that you must download and install a new version of Zoom to join, close the email immediately—this is a common tactic for spreading malware.

Have you seen a scam like this?

Protect the community by reporting it! By sharing your experiences, you help keep all of our members safe.

It’s a Wrap: 2025 REALTOR® Expo

10/03/2025

Congratulations to our winners!

The Realtor® Expo featured several prizes. Congrats to our winners and thank you to everyone who joined in the fun!

Booth Winners:

1st Place: Stockton Mortgage

2nd Place: Redstone Federal Credit Union

3rd Place: Foundation Title & Escrow

Congrats to Nicole Breighner, who scored FREE 2026 DUES just for visiting our Sponsor booths and voting for Best Booths!

Our lucky winner who visited our booth and installed the ValleyMLS App is… Yulonda VanBuren!

Enjoy your new Smart Home Bundle — courtesy of ValleyMLS. (Please pick up at HAAR)

Cutes & Cakes came through like true heroes with cupcakes for our guests — make sure to visit them again for your next sweet adventure!

Website Search:

News

NAR’s Real Estate Forecast Summit

On December 9, 2025, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. ET, NAR will hold a virtual economic and real estate summit that will provide a year-end review and a forecast on the economy and housing for 2026.

Join NAR’s top economists—Dr. Lawrence Yun, Dr. Jessica Lautz, and Nadia Evangelou—for the Real Estate Forecast Summit: The Year Ahead, happening Dec. 9, 3:30–5 p.m. ET.

This free, 90-minute virtual event will explore the latest economic data and how it’s expected to impact the real estate market in 2026.

2026 Gala Single Tickets & Tables on Sale

Reserve your ticket to the 2026 REALTOR® Gala!

From navy to sapphire to sky, wear your formal blue with pride at the 2026 REALTOR® Gala.

Event Highlights: New Day/Date of the Year, Attire, Seating

Once you know who will sit at your table, email gala@valleymls.com to add your attendees and their meal preferences.

Once you know who will sit at your table, email gala@valleymls.com to add your attendees and their meal preferences.

HAAR & ValleyMLS Joint Meeting December 4th

Mark your calendars! HAAR & ValleyMLS will hold a special called meeting to approve revisions to association and MLS bylaws. Please register through your dashboard. CLICK HERE for a refresher on how to register.

The Details

Date: Thursday, December 4th

Time: 11:30am

Location: 535 Monroe St. NW, Huntsville, AL, 35801

Key Agenda Item: Vote on revised HAAR & ValleyMLS bylaws.

Bylaw revisions were approved by the ValleyMLS and HAAR Boards of Directors, respectively, at their meetings on November 4th, 2025.

Thank you to our meeting sponsor:

NXT Wrap Up: The Wrap on 2025: A Year of Challenge—and Tremendous Progress

The National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors and Delegate Body meetings on Monday capped off a week of governance meetings, education and networking at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience.

At the Board of Directors meeting, the association’s 2026 officers were installed; NAR Treasurer Craig Sanford presented a report on the association’s financial position; and board members approved recommendations from the Finance Committee, Professional Standards Committee and Leadership Team.

Board Actions

Board members approved four Professional Standards Committee recommendations to modernize the Code of Ethics and bring it into alignment with the 2024 legal settlement:

Amended Article 6 to expand transparency by ensuring that real estate referral fees are disclosed to clients and customers (later narrowly defeated by the Delegate Body)

Deleted Standard of Practice 3-4. The SOP’s requirement to disclose a variable rate commission was predicated on a unilateral offer of compensation in the MLS. The elimination of this SOP is another step in modernizing the Code with regard to the settlement practice changes.

Updated the language of Standard of Practice 17-4 to ensure compliance with the tenets of the settlement agreement by reinforcing that compensation awarded in arbitration may not exceed the amount outlined within the terms of the buyer representation agreement.

The Article 7 and Standard of Practice changes go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Board members approved BDO USA as the audit and tax services provider for NAR, effective with the 2025 fiscal year audit. Sanford reported that membership stands at 1,491,126 members, 6.5% over the budgeted number for 2025. The projected membership for 2026 is 1.2 million.

Finally, the board approved an amendment to the NAR Constitution to give local and state associations more time to appoint NAR directors. The deadline was extended from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 of the year prior to service.

Special Recognitions

Dawn Ruffini of Wilbraham, Mass., 2025 Strategic Planning Committee Chair

Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris of Chicago, 2025 REALTOR® Party Director

Delegate Body Actions

Changes to the NAR’s Constitution and Code of Ethics Articles also require approval by two-thirds of the Delegate Body. Following the board meeting, the Delegate Body met to consider three constitutional amendments and two changes to the Code of Ethics.The Delegate Body:

Approved a constitutional amendment that no fewer than 10% of the Executive Committee be REALTORS® whose primary focus is commercial real estate, as approved by the Board of Directors in November 2024

Approved a constitutional amendment to say that the Executive Committee include a commercial practitioner who has served as chair, vice chair, or liaison of an NAR commercial-related committee or forum for a two-year term, as approved by the Board of Directors in June 2025

Approved extension of the deadline for NAR director appointments, as approved by the Board of Directors at Monday’s meeting

Narrowly defeated the amendment to Article 6 of the Code of Ethics that real estate referral fees be disclosed to clients and customers, a motion approved by the Board of Directors at Monday’s meeting

Approved the amendment to Article 7 of the Code of Ethics regarding disclosure of compensation from more than one party, as approved by the Board of Directors at Monday’s meeting

Executive Committee Actions

Unanimously approved the 2026-28 Strategic Plan

Approved a set of 18 recommendations to update the Multiple Listing Policy Handbook

Supported a uniform, nationwide adoption of a requirement for community associations to disclose master insurance policies and related documents to buyers.

Supported reforms to preserve the long-term viability of the National Flood Insurance Program, including limiting or excluding coverage for properties with excessive flood loss claims

Reaffirmed support for federal tax policies that assist owners whose real and personal property is threatened by, damaged or destroyed by national disasters

Modified NAR’s policy on 1031 exchanges in support of elimination of the 45-day and 180-day rules

Voted to support digital transaction technologies proposed in federal legislation

Approved a new policy on public land use that encourages protection of property rights, sustainable resource use, long-term conservation and ecosystem protection, public access and recreation, science-based management, and local input and decision-making

Help Huntsville Shine: Vote for Galaxy of Lights!

We are excited to share some fantastic news: The Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Galaxy of Lights has been nominated as one of USA Today’s prestigious 10Best Holiday Light Shows!

This wonderful recognition is a true testament to the dedication of the community that brings this cherished event to life every holiday season—including all of you!

Your Vote Makes a Difference!

Now, we need your help to secure the top spot and bring this national title home to Huntsville!

Please show your support for the Huntsville Botanical Garden by voting daily from every device you can:

➡️ VOTE HERE: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/galaxy-of-lights-huntsville-botanical-garden-huntsville-alabama

Voting is open until 11:59 a.m. EST on December 1st. Every single vote is crucial and helps put a national spotlight on our amazing city and the Garden.

Spread the Word!

We encourage all our members to utilize your communication channels to amplify this effort!

Thank you for helping us celebrate three decades of this incredible holiday tradition and for your support of one of Huntsville’s most treasured community assets!

CRITICAL 2025 DATA: Know Your Client Better Than Ever

Top Three Insights to Know

— A New Buyer Age: The median age of the first-time buyer has climbed to a record 40 years old.

— Loyalty is at a High: A record-matching 91% of sellers used a real estate agent.

— The Equity Effect: All-cash purchases hit an all-time high of 26% among primary residence buyers.

Your Voice Matters: How Is the Government Shutdown Affecting Housing in Your Community?

For the Huntsville area, where our community and economy are uniquely tied to federal work, the impacts of a government shutdown are immediate and deeply personal.

REALTORS® are on the front lines of these impacts every day. You see how stalled loans, delayed approvals, and program shutdowns ripple through families, businesses, and our local economy.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is working tirelessly to advocate for a swift resolution. To strengthen NAR’s advocacy efforts, we are asking for you to share your story about how the shutdown is affecting:

Your clients’ ability to buy, sell, or close on homes

FHA, VA, or USDA loans, including delays or pauses in approvals

Access to flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Rental assistance or community development programs

Your business operations and local market activity (especially given the high concentration of federal employees and contractors in our area)

Every REALTOR® story adds weight to that message. Sharing your direct experience helps us illustrate the real-world consequences and urgency of a resolution to Congress.

Thank you for helping us tell it.

Government Shutdown: What To Know

OCTOBER 8 Update Podcast: What a government shutdown means for real estate

Changes to the NAR’s Constitution and Code of Ethics Articles also require approval by two-thirds of the Delegate Body. Following the board meeting, the Delegate Body met to consider three constitutional amendments and two changes to the Code of Ethics.

The Delegate Body:

Bypassing Filters: Some criminals use trusted-looking domains, like `docs.zoom.us`, to host malicious files or redirect you to credential-harvesting pages. Because the initial link is legitimate, these emails can unfortunately bypass many common email security filters.