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The National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors approved a 2026 budget with no dues increase and passed a Professional Standards Recommendation to clarify language in NAR Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 10-5, which prohibits harassment of any person or persons protected under Article 10 of the Code. A day earlier, the Executive Committee approved another Professional Standards change, revising language for Policy Statement 29 designed to ensure state and local associations can fairly and consistently enforce the Code of Ethics. Learn more about the changes. Read the revised Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Board members also approved a consent agenda to elect the 2026 officers and regional vice presidents . Christine Hansen of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was elected 2026 President-Elect, and Colin Mullane of Ashland, Ore. was elected 2026 First Vice President. The meeting opened with a video message from President Donald Trump, who welcomed REALTORS® to Washington and thanked them for support of the House-passed tax reform. NAR routinely invites the U.S. president to address REALTORS® at the Washington meetings. Over NAR's history, nine sitting presidents have addressed the association. Board Actions Approved a series of Finance Committee recommendations, accepting the association’s financial statement, approving the 2026 operating and advocacy budgets, and keeping dues at $156. The board actions also redirect $35 of the $45 Consumer Advertising Campaign assessment to operating funds. This change positions NAR to make its next settlement payment in February 2026 and maintain a balanced budget without raising total dues. The remaining $10 for the Consumer Advertising Campaign will fund optimized, metrics-driven activities that reach and engage consumers in critical markets. NAR CEO Nykia Wright and President Kevin Sears explained the shift at the opening session of the conference . Amended Standard of Practice 10-5 to give state and local associations greater clarity in how to fairly and consistently enforce Article 10 of the Code of Ethics. The amended Standard of Practice says that REALTORS®, in their capacity as real estate professionals, in association with their real estate businesses, or in their real estate-related activities, shall not harass any person or persons based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Made a series of recommendations to the Standards of Practice to bring the language in line with the terms of NAR’s 2024 settlement. Approved a motion to make one member of the Executive Committee a commercial practitioner who has served as chair, vice chair or liaison of an NAR commercial-related committee or forum to serve a two-year term and be independent of the 10% commercial representation requirement outlined in the NAR Constitution. Approved a recommendation from the Credentials and Campaign Rules Committee to amend qualifications for president-elect, first vice president and treasurer effective Jan. 1, 2026. Qualifications for top-line officers are now aligned with those already in place for regional vice presidents. Approved recommendations from the Member Accountability Committee related to applications for volunteer leadership and the Statement of Appropriate Event Conduct. The goal of the recommendations is to ensure members found in violation of the NAR Member Code of Conduct are properly disclosed. Award Winners NAR President Kevin Sears announced the 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners James P. Cormier , AHWD, C2EX, of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Brooke S. Hunt , AHWD, E-PRO, SFR, SRS, C2EX , of Flower Mound, Texas. In addition, the group recognized the winner of the 2024 William R. Magel Award, Anne Marie DeCatsye , CEO of the Canopy REALTOR® Association and Canopy MLS in the Charlotte, N.C., metro area. REALTORS® Relief Foundation  During the meeting, REALTORS® Relief Foundation President Greg Hrabcak appealed to board members to make a tax-deductible donation. The fund provides housing assistance to victims in the immediate aftermath of a disaster; 100% of funds donated go to disaster relief. “We’ve had devastating wildfires in California, tornadoes in Missouri and Kentucky and flooding in West Virginia, and we’re still in the first half of this year,” Hrabcak said. Before the meeting ended, directors had donated more than $41,000.

Whether you’re working in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, or anywhere in between, here’s how you can use Homeownership Month to elevate your real estate marketing and better serve your community.

Here are key insights and ready-to-use talking points to show your clients how homeownership is more than just a place to live—it's a smart strategy for long-term wealth building, especially right here in our state.

NAR works diligently to make an impact on vital issues like housing supply and affordability, property rights and fair housing—that's The Advocacy Effect. [ LEARN MORE ] 2025 NAR Advocacy Highlights Recent advocacy wins:  Protected your Independent Contractor Status Preserved the 1031 Like-Kind Exchange Ensured continuity of the National Flood Insurance Program Defeated 11 harmful tax changes in Congress [ SEE THE IMPACT ] Empowering Your Success Through Advocacy As a champion for property rights and homeownership, you can help drive meaningful change by tapping into NAR’s extensive toolkit of programs, grants and resources—all designed to fuel your success and amplify your impact. Advocacy Scoop Podcast : episodes packed with real-time perspectives on critical legislation impacting the real estate industry → [ Listen Now ] Fairhaven 2.0 Simulation: training that brings real-life scenarios and fulfills NAR’s Fair Housing Requirement. → [ Start Now ] Community Outreach Grants: Apply for funds that increase your association’s visibility and community impact → [ See How ] REALTOR® Party: help elect REALTOR® champions who protect our members' interests on Capitol Hill. → [ Participate ] REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC): invest in advocacy that protects their business. → [ Learn More ]

As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on assistance programs. This guide explains how to identify the right assistance program for your needs, the types of expenses these programs can help with, and what steps to take to access support. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Assistance Programs Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Markets Estate Planning Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction Understanding & Protecting Yourself from Title Fraud Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients so that they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Please remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover real estate auctions.

As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Markets. This guide explains how knowing whether conditions favor buyers or sellers can help consumers make smarter, more confident decisions when buying or selling a home. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Buyer’s vs. Seller’s Markets Estate Planning Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction Understanding & Protecting Yourself from Title Fraud Buying Land and Building a New Home Deeds and Titles Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients so that they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Please remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover assistance programs.

The House of Representatives early this morning passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that delivers significant wins for the real estate sector, reinforcing tax provisions long championed by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR’s advocacy team successfully secured its top five tax priorities in the bill, including an enhanced small business tax deduction, a strengthened state and local tax deduction, and protections for the mortgage interest deduction. The bill also makes the current lower individual tax rates permanent and increases the child tax credit, moves that could help increase homeownership access for more American families. In addition to NAR’s top tax priorities, the bill includes a broad range of other NAR-supported provisions—such as enhancements to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, estate tax certainty, renewed Opportunity Zone incentives, and the creation of tax-advantaged child investment accounts that can be used for qualified expenses of the beneficiary such as first-time home purchases—all of which strengthen housing affordability, investment, and generational wealth. “We appreciate House leaders for taking this important step with a bill that supports hardworking families and strengthens the real estate economy. With lower tax rates, SALT relief, and new incentives for small businesses and community development, this proposal brings real benefits to everyday Americans,” says Shannon McGahn, NAR executive vice president and chief advocacy officer. “While significant changes are possible as this bill moves to the Senate, NAR will stay closely engaged with lawmakers to ensure real estate remains a central focus,” McGahn says. “We are committed to advocating for provisions that expand opportunity, support homeownership, strengthen communities nationwide, and put the American Dream within reach for more families.” In a recent national survey commissioned by NAR, Americans expressed strong support for retaining provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act critical to the real estate economy and homeownership. Fully 76% of voters are aware of efforts to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Among those familiar with the law, support grows significantly when specific provisions are highlighted—86% back lower income tax rates for individuals and married couples, 83% support a new 20% deduction for independent contractors and small businesses earning under $400,000, and 80% favor tax incentives aimed at spurring investment in underserved communities. The national survey of 1,000 registered voters was commissioned by NAR and conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research April 3–6, 2025. It has a margin of error of 3.10%. Below is a summary of the provisions included in the current bill: Top Five NAR Tax Priorities 1. Qualified Business Income Deduction (Section 199A) The bill permanently increases the QBI deduction from 20% to 23%. This deduction benefits more than 90% of NAR members, who are classified as independent contractors or small business owners. 83% of voters said they supported the 20% tax deduction for independent contractors and small businesses making less than $400,000 a year, according to NAR’s national poll. 2. State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) The SALT deduction cap is quadrupled from $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000. However, the bill does not eliminate the marriage penalty. Thus, whether taxpayers are single filers or married couples filing a joint return, they can deduct a maximum of $40,000 in state and local taxes. The income cap and deduction both grow 1% every year over a 10-year window. 3. Individual Tax Rates Current individual tax rates, lowered as part of the TCJA, are made permanent and indexed for inflation, aiding taxpayers and improving affordability for prospective homebuyers. 86% of voters support the lowered income tax rates for individuals and married couples, according to NAR’s national poll. 4. Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) The draft preserves and makes permanent the MID at its current level, maintaining a key tax benefit for homeowners and supporting housing market stability. There had been concern MID might be reduced or eliminated as a budget offset 91% of voters support maintaining tax incentives such as the mortgage interest deduction for homeowners, according to the NAR poll. 5. Business SALT and 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges The draft bill protects Section 1031 like-kind exchanges, which are often erroneously regarded as a tax loophole. It also includes no changes for most businesses deducting state and local taxes (sometimes referred to as “Business SALT"). While the bill does provide limits in state-level business SALT workarounds for certain high-income professionals (e.g., law firms, hedge funds, consulting businesses, and other services), the provisions do not appear to impact real estate professionals. Additional Positive Tax Provisions for Real Estate Economy Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Key provisions from the LIHTC Improvement Act will be included to support affordable housing development. Child Tax Credit Increased to $2,500 (2025–2028) Temporarily raises the child tax credit through 2028 and then indexes it for inflation starting in 2029. The child tax credit supports families and could help with housing affordability. Creation of Tax-Advantaged Child Investment Accounts Can be used for qualified expenses of the beneficiary such as first-time home purchases. Permanent Estate and Gift Tax Threshold Set at $15 Million (Inflation-Adjusted) Prevents a significant drop in exemption levels and supports generational wealth transfer, aligning with NAR priorities. No Top Tax-Rate Increase The proposed 39.6% top rate was removed from the bill. Restoration of "Big 3" Business Tax Provisions Full expensing of research and development (R&D) Bonus depreciation Fixes to interest expense deduction limits Immediate Expensing for Certain Industrial Structures Applies to structures used in manufacturing, refining, agriculture and related industries. No Change to Carried Interest Treatment Opportunity Zones Renewed with revised incentives to encourage targeted investment, including in rural areas. 80% of voters expressed support for tax incentives for investors to encourage economic growth and development in underserved and poorer communities, according to NAR’s recent national poll.

Many homeowners don't realize how much equity they've built—or how a REALTOR® can help them turn it into the key to their next home.

Louisiana REALTORS® successfully hosted their annual Spring Into Action Legislative Conference in Baton Rouge on May 6-7, 2025. The two-day event provided REALTORS® the latest in industry changing issues while engaging in conversations with the state’s legislators and their peers. The conference kicked off with a pre-conference Appraiser Day hosting education devoted to that specialty. That evening, the LARPAC fundraising event celebrated Cinco de Mayo with the 80s cover band The Spazmatics and both live and silent auctions. The next day, REALTOR® Day, began with a breakfast expo with tabletop one-on-one discussions with partners of the real estate industry. Attendees then took part in education sessions on fair housing, code of ethics and professionalism. After a luncheon full of legislative updates from Louisiana REALTORS®, Senate President Cameron Henry, Jr. and NAR President Kevin Sears, attendees braved the weather and headed to the Capitol to advocate to lawmakers about the key issues impacting the real estate industry. The conversations continued at the Legislative Reception later that evening. From in-depth legislative updates to face-to-face meetings with our elected officials, this event brought our community together to amplify our voices and shape the future of real estate. Other conference highlights included a reception for our YPN members, local leadership forums and governance meetings. On Wednesday, Misty Ingersoll was elected as the 2026 Secretary/Treasurer and Marsha McGraw-Barbera was elected as NAR Small Board rep by the LR Board of Directors. Additionally, the following were elected to their 2026 positions by means of acclamation: David Favret, President-Elect; Kyle Straughn, Region I RVP; Tim Castle, Region II RVP; Leslie Victory Ortego, Region III RVP; Sabrina Pierre, Region IV RVP; Cindy Dyer, NAR Medium Board; David McKey, NAR State Allocated Specialty Director. Congratulations to Eloise Gauthier on receiving the REALTOR® of the Year Award! Louisiana REALTORS® looks forward to hosting REALTORS® from around the state at the Fall Governance Meetings and Installation, October 6-8, 2025, at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge. Take a peek of a quick recap on the day in the video and below! We would like to thank our sponsors La Capitol Federal Credit Union , Guard Home Warranty , realtor.com , The CCIM Institute Louisiana Chapter , CRS and Women's Council of REALTORS® Louisiana for their generous support in helping make this conference happen!