2026 April Notes

Texas REALTORS®

• May should be renamed “election month” as there could be three election days this month, depending on where you live! First, many cities and school districts have important elections on May 2. Early voting runs Monday, April 20 through Tuesday, April 28. In Houston, there is a special runoff election on May 16 for an open city council seat (early voting is April 29- May 12). Finally, don’t miss the primary runoffs, which are May 26, with early voting running from May 18-22. Remember to check out texasrealtorssupport.com for info on supported candidates. and remember: When Texas REALTORS® vote, Texas wins!
• Our current membership total is 147,423
• March data is now available in Marketviewer: https://modules.texasrealestate.com/marketviewer/index.cfm
• More than $3.37M has been raised for TREPAC through April 15 with a 37% participation rate. We’re preparing for June 4-5 meetings with TREPAC trustees
• Texas REALTORS® is proud to partner with March Matters, a non-partisan effort to increase turnout in primary elections. On Thursday, April 23, Brandon Alderete is speaking at a private breakfast, hosted by the organization, to talk about the partnership.
• The Texas attorney general proposed rules on foreign acquisition of property. Rules are open for public comment through April 26. Texas REALTORS® is working closely with our real estate coalition partners, NAR, and the Attorney General’s office to make sure our voice is heard in this important process.
• Texas REALTORS® public policy committee meetings are in full swing, with the four standing committees (Business Issues, Infrastructure, Land Use, and Taxation) holding multiple in-person meetings to study critical real estate issues.
• The Policy Subcommittee on Data Centers which was formed earlier this year is also meeting in-person, hearing from experts in many fields involved in data center projects.
• Voters in Fort Worth will consider two real estate-related ballot measures on May 2, Props A (broad transportation infrastructure funding) and D (housing development funding). The Greater Fort Worth Association and TRIP partnered to poll the public on the propositions, finding moderate but not overwhelming support for the measures.
• We secured an NAR Fair Housing Grant for $3,000 to support virtual fireside chat focus on fair housing issues and trends impacting communities across Texas.
• Task forces are meeting to discuss residential and leasing & property management forms.
• We are continuing to communicate about removing broker-to-broker compensation from the Texas REALTORS® residential listing agreement. Use the latest legal video, handout and blog post in sharing details.
• Comments are encouraged through April 30 on proposed changes to Texas REALTORS forms. Submit comments online at: https://www.texasrealestate.com/members/legal-and-ethics/forms/form-changes/
• We’re helping TREC get the word out about the REALM portal. REALM Portal help guides can be found at: https://www.trec.texas.gov/lms
• TREC reported that the agency is expected to be current with license renewal applications soon. Progress towards new license application backlog is unknown.
• TREC is hosting monthly webinars: REALM Portal 101 webinar set for April 22 at 12P CT.
• The Texas Homebuyers and Sellers Report was picked up by 300+ outlets since April  9, including WRE News, National Mortgage Professional, San Antonio Express-News, Mortgage Professional of America, Austin Business Journal.
• A soft launch of Transact (updated version of zipForm) is scheduled to begin on May 19. Member-wide communications will begin May 1.
• Registration for the Texas REALTORS® Shaping Texas conference, to be held in San Antonio August 26-30 will open May 19. John Quiñones will be featured keynote. Use these conference talking points when sharing details.
• A media kit for conference sponsorships is being shared with interested sponsors. Limited space is available. Interested sponsors should submit an online inquiry or contact Mohanna at 214-291-3648.
• We’re continuing to remind members to update the IABS form to reflect changes to agency law. The new form became effective January 1.
• Upcoming Texas REALTORS® 360 region meetings are set for: Region 16 in El Paso on April 28; Region 11 in Harlingen on May 8; Regions 7 & 13 in Del Rio on May 14; Region 1 in Lubbock on June 11.
• Texas REALTORS® committed $100k for REALTOR Relief Foundation, putting Texas at $1M level lifetime contributor. Texas REALTORS® will be recognized at the new RRF Donor Plaza.
• A comprehensive Governance Review is currently underway. Being led by Slalom, volunteer work groups actively involved in the process.
• TDHCA is holding a webinar on how to handle requests for reasonable accommodations on April 22 from 9:30-11A CT.
• An infographic on Texas Homesellers was featured in Texas REALTOR® magazine
• A shareable flier was created to help members communicate why real estate transactions take time
• YPN Committee hosting webinar titled If Real Estate is Your Profession, Politics is Your Business to be held on September 9 and another on The Power of Mentorship on December 16
• A broker summit is being held on Friday, May 1 from 10A to 2PM in Austin.
• Texas RLI Ranch Tour is set for May 6-7 in Conroe. Submit properties to be featured during the ranch tour by May 7. Property must be land (equine, farm, ranch, commercial, recreational, and land) located in one of the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Pol, San Jacinto, Walker, Waller, Washington send submissions to clayton@c21php.com.
• Since receiving Board of Directors approval to modernize the Texas REALTORS® headquarters, we’ve been taking steps towards June construction. Feel free to refer to the HQ Modernization FAQs as you engage with members about this important project.

National Updates

• NAR’s Lawrence Yun posted info about existing home sales decrease of 3.6% in March: Existing home sales dip in march, buyers hold back https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/existing-home-sales
• NAR’s March 2026 Commercial Real estate market insights found office and multifamily markets stabilizing, where retail remains the strongest performing sector and industrial markets are normalizing. In a recent Ask the economics video, Jessica Lautz discusses how sellers can use housing equity to buy down their next mortgage rate.
• NAR Reached Agreement to Resolve Nationwide Homebuyer Claims in Tuccori v At World Properties.
• Judge Dismisses ‘Hardy’ Antitrust Case Against NAR
• Join RPR and Brevitas on April 30 at 1PM CT for a webinar on how RPR Brevitas integration streamlines workflows, enhances access to commercial listing data, simplifies research, and opens the door to more opportunities.
• Did you know RPR offers materials that can be co-branded? https://blog.narrpr.com/type/canva/
• Nominations for the NAR Tech & Innovation ‘s Innovator of the Year Award is open through May 8. This award recognizes leaders who are advancing innovation through impactful ideas, products, and services.
• ON April 23 at 12P CT, the NAR Real Estate Monthly Webinar Series will feature content on “Learn How to Get Found on AI Search, Google Search and Social Media” to help agents learn how to position themselves online as a trusted authority.  
• Check out NAR’s April Sales Meeting Slide Deck. Slides on advocacy and additional benefits are also available
• NAR is seeking participation in an International Real Estate Business Survey.
• EPA now considers dust in any concentration to be hazardous.
• Applications to serve on NAR committees are open through June 24. Applying members must complete a new Expertise Profile. For more information about the NAR committee selection process at NAR.REALTOR.
• NAR AI toolkit is available at broker.realtor
• NAR’s Bennett Richardson will be featured at a Broker Power Hour, scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at 12P CT. Registration will be available at broker.realtor
• REALTORS® Legislative Meetings will take place June 13-18 in Washington, DC.  A stakeholder zoom meeting is set for June 8 at 9:30AM CT. A meeting with Texas NAR Directors will be held on June 9 at 2PM CT (link coming).
• NAR is holding a webinar for REALTORS® on Appraisal Reporting and Terminology and What Members Should Expect Moving Forward on April 28 1PM CT.
• NAR Responds to Executive Orders Aimed at Home Affordability and Mortgage Lending.
• NAR is responding to members who are asking for more transparency and efficiency in governance. A full review of 95+ groups showed overlap and declining confidence in committee effectiveness. In response, NAR is streamlining. Committees and cutting duplication. Eight specific committees and groups have been sunset to simplify the structure and better allocate resources. These changes represent the first phase of a broad effort to modernize how NAR operates.
• The latest episode of NAR’s Advocacy Scoop podcast is a must-listen: Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn and Patrick Newton break down what the 21^st Century ROAD to Housting Act legislation includes, how REALTORS® helped set the stage, and why this could be a turning point for the industry.
• A new guide on Financing a Renovation When You Buy was added to the NAR Consumer Guide Library.