2026 September Notes

Posted on September 28, 2026

Texas Updates

  • A final report on the Governance Review that was approved by the Executive Board is available at Governance Proposal Board of Directors Packet.pdf. Our legal team is drafting bylaws amendments to support these changes. The Board of Directors will vote on this in February. Texas REALTORS® is also working with local associations in each region to determine district (subregion group).
  • A report on broker engagement initiatives outlines how Texas REALTORS® is actively working to support brokers.  
  • Texas REALTORS® is working to follow up on any outstanding committee appointments. The deadline to accept appointments is September 30. To accept or deny appointments, please visit the Acceptance Portal. 
  • Texas REALTORS® partnered with National Voter Registration Day to promote voter registration. The effort included a series of engaging video testimonials led by Texas REALTORS® YPN.
  • Make sure you’re registered to vote:
    • October 5 is last day to update your voter registration.
    • First day of early voting is October 19.
    • Election Day is November 3.
  • Photos taken during the 2026 Shaping Texas Conference can be found at the Texas REALTORS® Flickr page.
  • We’re gearing up for 2027 REALTOR® Day at the Texas Capitol. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 7. We’d love to see you there!
  • The Texas REALTORS® leaders participated in legislative hearings, sharing testimony during meetings with: House Energy Resources, Senate State Affairs, House State Affairs, and Ways & Means.
  • TREPAC leaders and local associations have been diligently working to close the 2026 TREPAC year, which ends on September 30. Many thanks to all who have helped share the importance of supporting a healthy real estate environment.
  • Texas REALTORS® 360 Regional Meetings are being planned and dates are being secured.
  • A panel of appellate judges affirmed a lower court’s decision on Eytalis to dismiss claims with prejudice and rejection of the allegation that NAR’s three-way agreement violates anti-trust law.
  • New Spanish and Vietnamese forms translations are now available.
  • A webinar for brokers on how new Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) changes will affect their business was held on September 25.
  • The Texas REALTORS® Diversity and Fair Housing Committee scheduled a fireside chat series that features four CE Fair Housing classes at no cost to members.
  • In recognition of National Safety Month, Texas REALTORS® hosted “Vulnerable to Vigilante” that provided practical strategies to help members beware of risks and remain safe while conducting business.
  • A webinar featuring Judge Tricia Krenek was hosted by the Texas REALTORS® Leasing and Property Management Committee on “Order in the Court: The Squatter Showdown,” where discussion on squatter-related legal challenges and practical guidance for real estate professionals was presented.
  • A virtual instructor forum was recently held for instructors and local association staff to share instructor-focused updates and best practices.
  • Texas REALTORS® awards nominations are open now through November 16. Spirit of TREPAC and Heart of TREPAC Awards close September 30.
  • The 2026 Texas Homebuying Experience Report will be distributed to the media in early October.
  • Spanish-language consumer ads that promote the value of working with a REALTOR® are currently in production.
  • An updated website was launched earlier this month to feature a fresh look and improved functionality. Texasrealestate.com now reflects a mobile-first design and AI-enabled search. Texas REALTORS® is continuing to fine-tune search capabilities and will be tackling an improved member dashboard experience in the coming months.
  • Texas REALTORS® continues to engage with policymakers to address rising insurance costs.
  • Through a collab partnership with Amplify Credit Union, members get access to fee-free banking and cashback opportunities.  
  • The AI CMA is available in RPR Mobile for iOS and Android and is included with your NAR membership at no additional cost. Download or open the app, sign in and run your first mobile AI CMA today.
  • Texas Attorney General Warns Texans of Scam Demand Letters Alleging CIPA Website Privacy Violations
  • MarketLeader shares downloadable guide on ChatGPT Lead Gen Secrets

Texas Events & Webinars

National Updates

  • Bryan Green, VP of Policy Advocacy at the National Association of REALTORS®, joined the National Housing Conference podcast to discuss housing policy issues, including affordability, the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
  • NAR is working to ensure 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act moved from federal policy to practical impact in states and local communities. NAR will track progress, keep members information and work with agencies, policymakers and associations to help ensure the law expands housing opportunity.
  • Thanks to NAR lobbying, one-third of the House and one-quarter of the Senate signed on to the More Homes on the Market Act as cosponsors.
  • The Department of Labor is developing a proposed rule that could create a pathway for self-employed professionals to participate in Association Health Plans.
  • NAR launched the Association Accelerator at http://www.accelerator.realtor/ to help Association Executives find tools, guides and best practices quicker than ever.
  • NAR will issue its third quarterly Strategic Plan update in October. The national association is conducting active outreach to all MLS executives to discuss market challenges and trends, and how NAR can best support.
  • To guide MLS leaders and participants through recent market shifts, NAR develops timely, digestible resources. These include: 
    • Guidance for how to apply “objective criteria” and non-filtering as defined in MLS Policy 8.5;  
  • NAR recently launched the Commercial Real Estate Demand Index, a quarterly tool measuring commercial real estate demand drivers across more than 300 U.S. metro areas.
  • In NAR’s weekly Ask the Economist series, experts break down questions from members in easily digestible videos. Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Jessica Lautz recently examined the narrative that higher mortgage rates have created “golden handcuffs,” with sellers hanging on to homes longer.
  • Interested members can now sign up to be an NAR Research Ambassador. 
  • A new RPR® Reports Widget helps members generate leads while capturing useful context about prospective clients’ interests. Brokers can embed the widget on their website and provide report topics, such as market activity, neighborhoods, schools, and let visitors select the markets they care about.
  • In August, NAR launched the pilot cohort for the new NAR Verified Instructor Training course to improve instructional quality and consistency. At NXT, NAR will host the first open session of its Verified Instructor Training, shaped by pilot participant feedback, to engage prospective and current instructors.
  • Realtor.com CEO Damian Eales was featured on Fox Business to discusses several issues, including the impact of climbing mortgage rates and the new Realtor.com Metro Report Cards.
  • A campaign to Let America Build launched earlier this month in an effort to increase awareness about the need to build +4M homes in the United States.
  • NAR published a new consumer guide on buyer safety while viewing homes features practical tips for before, during, and after a showing. Get all consumer guides at: https://www.nar.realtor/the-facts#consumer-guides and find handouts for clients at: https://www.nar.realtor/news/tools/client-education Practical safety strategies for REALTORS® was also discussed during the most recent NAR News Change Agents Podcast.
  • NAR recognized 25 Years of delivering hope after disaster with REALTORS® Relief Foundation. Since the beginning of 2026 alone, RRF has approved $3.3M in grants to support families affected by 21 different disasters. 
  • 23% of REALTORS® use AI daily, according to the most recent REALTORS® Technology Report.
  • In response to rising interest rates, NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun, said “Average mortgage rates rose from 6% in late February to 7% this week, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike in three years today. That’s because inflation picked up after the oil price shock and continuing concerns about unconstrained inflation. The whopping, still-growing federal deficit does not help, as more government borrowing means less capital available for the private sector, including for mortgages. Mortgage rates can come down once oil prices retreat and with a credible plan to reduce the budget deficit. Also, if AI technology boosts worker productivity, then inflation and long-term borrowing rates, like for mortgages, can decline. These developments are highly uncertain, at least in the upcoming months. Expect 7% as the new normal. Job additions will be the one factor that can support homebuying

National Events & Webinars

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