Kathy DeMello
I have recently returned from Houston, Texas, having attended NAR’s NXT Annual Conference. These conferences are a combination of education and governance. My focus, of course, was Commercial Real Estate and the challenges we face at the local, State, and Federal levels.
As any Realtor knows, NAR is focused on reinventing itself after a series of legal blows to the organization, the consequences of which we are all now dealing with. During the State Boards’ governance session, a new, dynamic, and goal-oriented Strategic Plan was adopted, recommitting the organization to professionalism by providing better tools, better training, and better support. You can view that plan on the National Association of Realtors website.
At the governance level, there were a number of key factors discussed that pertain to CRE. The following are 3 that I thought would be most impactful to our business.
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There was a motion to introduce a bill to disincentivize very large investors in single-family rental homes (10,000 units or more) from adding more properties to their portfolios, thus impacting local real estate markets’ inventory. NAR supports impactful changes to the tax incentives currently available to these investors.
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NAR supports an upgrade to the Opportunity Zone toolkit. NAR encourages all CRE Brokers to work with local and State officials to ensure the boundary lines of local Opportunity Zones are inclusive of adjacent neighborhoods that would benefit.
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There was discussion suggesting increasing time periods associated with the 1031 Exchange Program. This was sent back to committee for further review.
As these motions push forward at the Federal level it will be important to support RPAC to ensure our voices are heard.
Here it is, December, and this is my “swan song”. Brian Dano, SVN, will be leading NHCIBOR in 2026. It has been my honor to serve as President of this organization and of NECPE. We were not without our challenges as we adapted to new systems and rules and regulations. Thank you to both Boards and to the membership for their robust and frank opinions, and support, helping the Boards to move forward.