In This Issue
🗂️NXT Recap & Key Takeaways: A recap from NXT with key takeaways and resources shared in Houston as we look ahead to 2026.
📚Access & Share “On Common Ground: Financing the Future”: Local governments are facing rising fiscal pressures, and the latest On Common Ground issue explores how communities are strengthening resilience through smart growth and financial strategies. Easily share the issue using the Digital Distribution Toolkit.
Key Dates
- December 2: Community Outreach Grant Webinar, 2 PM ET
- December 3: All GAD Call, 3 PM ET
- December 4: RPAC Office Hours, 3 PM ET
- December 15: Year End RPAC Transmittal Deadline
- December 26: Advocacy Week Registration Closes
Chair’s Letter
GAD Nation,
Hopefully you’re coming back from NXT feeling renewed and connected. It’s always powerful to see how our experiences in different markets still reflect the same commitment to protecting property rights and strengthening communities.
The sessions this year delivered strong takeaways, from shifting voter demographics to new trends in political engagement and changing expectations from elected officials and voters. There is a lot happening in the policy landscape, but the week showed how grounded we stay when we lean on each other’s experience and expertise as a network.
The planning for GADI in Columbus is well underway, and the Advisory Group is using your survey responses to shape content that reflects the programming you asked for. The broad range of topics and insights shared truly shows how engaged this network is, and we’re excited to build a program driven by your feedback and collective insight.
Our members are navigating a moment of rapid change, from advancements in technology and AI to evolving consumer expectations and policy pressures. Through all of it, advocacy remains constant. GADs are the steady force helping associations adapt and ensuring REALTORS® continue to have a strong voice in the decisions that shape their livelihoods.
A colleague recently shared an analogy that stuck with me: sometimes this work feels a little like the movie Jaws. We weather the first wave, but we know bigger challenges can be on the horizon. When we spot early warning signs, we don’t panic or amplify them; instead, we build coalitions, stay vigilant, and prepare strategically so our members remain protected.
By working together, we’ll continue delivering results our members can count on.
Neeley Erickson
815.543.7147
nerickson@illinoisrealtors.org
📌 Top Takeaways
NXT Recap: Highlights & What’s Ahead
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Houston for NXT! From packed sessions to hallway conversations, this year’s meeting delivered exactly the kind of insight and momentum we need heading into 2026.
We’ve compiled updated slide decks, and materials from the GAD meeting on the Hub for easy reference. More to come in 2026—stay tuned!
Not getting the Hub updates? Check your community preferences on hub.realtor. Not a member? Email Jami Sims your M1# (formerly NRDS) to be added.
NAR Sets Future Course With Strategic Plan, MLS Handbook Updates and More
NAR leaders took a series of pivotal steps during their annual conference in Houston, including approving the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, which spells out how the association will deliver member value in an increasingly dynamic marketplace. Association leaders also approved 18 updates to NAR’s Multiple Listing Handbook. It’s the most extensive update to the handbook in 20 years.
Capping off the event: NAR’s governing Board of Directors and Delegate Body approved changes to the Code of Ethics and Constitution. Read a recap.
Advocacy Week 2026: What GADs Need to Know (and Share)
Dates/Location: January 21–23, 2026 | Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC
What’s on the agenda: REALTOR® Party Training, Public Policy Leadership Meeting, and the Policy Forum. (Note: No FPC Training in 2026; it returns in 2027.)
Who’s invited:
- Select 2026 committee chairs/vice chairs and committees
- New: State AEs may bring one complimentary guest
- New: 2026 State RPAC Chairs are invited
- AEs are encouraged to bring their State GAD (or another staffer who would benefit)
- State GADs not invited by their AE may attend at their own expense ($199 fee)
Travel & lodging (covered by NAR): Three hotel nights, coach airfare (book through Ovation Travel with no upfront cost), meals, and ground transportation.
Special events:
- Welcome Reception: Wed, Jan 21, 6:00–9:00 PM at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (each invited attendee may bring one guest, $50).
- Policy Forum (Fri, Jan 23): Beyond the Tax Bill: What’s Next for Housing Affordability and Real Estate. Lodging is covered for attendees departing Sat, Jan 24.
Registration: Opens Thursday, October 9 and closes December 26, 2025.
Questions? Contact advocacyweek@nar.realtor
📆 Training & Events
All GAD Call | Wed, December 3, 3:00 PM ET
Mark your calendar for the final All GAD Call of the year!
Have an idea for a future All-GAD Call?
We want your input! Share topic ideas, success stories, or speaker suggestions anytime.
Sign up for 2026 All GAD Calls (1 link for the year!)
Power Up Your 2026 Advocacy: Community Outreach Grant Webinar
Get the latest on NAR’s Community Outreach resources to fuel your advocacy. Learn what’s new, what’s funded, and how to plan impactful community development initiatives using grants and resources like the Land Use Initiative, Transforming Neighborhoods, and more. Plus, hear expert tips to make every dollar count.
Questions? Contact Hannah Dannenfelser
- ✉️Aristotle 360 System Overview for PAC Managers (Semimonthly)
- 🔗Aristotle 360: Calls for Action Training (Resume in 2026)
- 🔗Community Outreach Planning Sessions (Weekly)
- 🔗RPAC Office Hours (Monthly)
🎙Advocacy Scoop | Shutdown and Elections: What’s Next for Real Estate
The Advocacy team continues to play a leading role in every major policy discussion shaping real estate. In this episode, taped live at the NXT Conference in Houston, Shannon McGahn and Patrick Newton break down the government funding deal that ended the shutdown, examine the latest election results and explain what these developments mean for NAR’s advocacy priorities heading into 2026.
RPAC Updates
One Month Left – December 15, 2025 RPAC Recognition Date is Approaching!
RPAC Major Investor contributions must be received by NAR by end of day on Monday December 15, 2025. To ensure funds are counted correctly, we recommend you transfer funds no later than December 11, 2025. If mailing contributions, please place in the mail no later than December 8. 2025.
As a reminder, you can view the transmittal deadline calendar and payment processing timeframes here.
Important President’s Circle Updates
President’s Circle program is now closed. The RPAC Fundraising team sincerely appreciates your assistance in renewing and recruiting President’s Circle investors. We will consider one-time exceptions on a case-by-case basis. If you have members who wish to complete President’s Circle in 2025, please contact Daniel Roth.
What happens next?
- Aristotle recently removed the “PC” check mark from any donor profile where the investor did not complete their $2,000 President’s Circle commitment by the 9/30.
- Donors, regardless of current status in the program, will retain access to the President’s Circle site and their giving history which can be found under “My Account.”
- Donors who wish to complete their $2,000 investments will be permitted one time exception. Any member interested should contact PC@nar.realtor. Upon completion of their investment their donor record in Aristotle will be updated to reflect that they are a PC investor in good standing. They will also receive an invitation to the 2026 President’s Circle conference on a rolling basis.
2025 Hall of Fame Nominations Open!
Before submitting a Hall of Fame nomination, NAR must verify the member’s lifetime giving history. Because January brings a high volume of requests, please submit all lifetime giving history requests by January 20, 2026, to ensure timely confirmation for this year’s class.
Nomination forms cannot be accepted without confirmed giving histories. Final Hall of Fame nomination submissions are due January 31, 2026.
December RPAC Office Hours
Need quick guidance before the year wraps? December’s RPAC Office Hours are your opportunity to:
- Get answers to your questions
- Connect directly with RPAC staff and Aristotle experts
- Walk away with clear next steps
Join us and make sure you’re set up for a strong start to 2026.
📰 NAR Washington Report
- EPA Proposes WOTUS Rule Revisions
- Senate Banking Committee Approves Key Housing Finance and Banking Nominations
- NAR Comments on FHFA’s Proposed Strategic Plan
- NAR Comments on FHFA’s Proposed Housing Goals
- Fannie and Freddie Will No Longer Enforce CARES Act 30-day Notice
- HUD Extends Funding for Housing Choice Vouchers Through December Amid Government Shutdown
- Update: Court Issues Preliminary Injunction Further Pausing All Shutdown-Related Firings
- NAR Sends Letters of Support for Confirmation of FHA, Ginnie Mae, and FDIC Nominees
- NAR Responds to White House Request for Input on Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Reform
- NAR Backs Housing Providers in Challenge to Burdensome Rent Control and Eviction Restriction Measures
- Senate Passes Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act as Part of NDAA
📚 Resources & Research
Access and Share Common Ground: Financing the Future
Local governments face mounting fiscal pressures—from shrinking federal support to rising pension, infrastructure, and severe weather costs. This edition of On Common Ground examines how innovative communities are building resilience through smarter growth and financial strategies. Use the Digital Distribution Toolkit to share content with ease More info. Contact Hugh Morris.
Real Estate and Economic Outlook
(November 2025 NXT Presentation)
Positive Price Gains in 77% of Metro Areas in 2025 Q3
Home prices continued to rise in the third quarter of 2025, with national median prices rising 1.7% year over year to $426,800.
NAR Existing Homes Sales Report Shows 1.2% Increase in October
Home sales increased in October even with the government shutdown due to homebuyers taking advantage of lower mortgage rates.
Economist’s Outlook
Housing stats and analysis from NAR’s research experts.
Research Update
Each month, the Research Update report provides a summary of the data, reports, blog posts, and instant reactions produced by NAR’s research team.
🏆 REALTOR® Party Success Stories
Each month, state and local associations that achieved an advocacy win with the help of a REALTOR® Party grant or resources are highlighted in the REALTOR® Party Success Stories. November’s success stories include:
- St. Louis REALTORS® Help Lower Minimum Lot Size with Expert Guidance from Land Use Initiative Program
- Texoma Board of REALTORS® Sparks a Main Street Comeback with Better Block Project
- Sante Fe Association of REALTORS® Helps City Fine-Tune its Re-Write of Zoning Code
Post a comment