The National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors concluded the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C., Thursday with full-throated support for NAR’s stance opposing harassment. Directors debated whether to pass clarifying language to a Code of Ethics Standard of Practice prohibiting such harassment, and those on both sides of the debate expressed passionate support for the standard and the importance of professionalism in any setting. During the discussion, concerns were raised about the impact on enforcement, legal challenges, and the overall reputation of the REALTOR® brand. In the end, the recommendation passed by a significant margin.
The change, which went into effect immediately, clarifies language in NAR’s 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.
Read the revised Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
In addition to approving Policy Statement 29, the Executive Committee voted to repeal the optional non-commingling rule from the MLS Policy Handbook. The rule, often referred to as "no commingling," allowed MLSs to require that listings from non-MLS sources be displayed separately from MLS listings. The rule was always optional, and now it's no longer part of NAR policy. According to NAR Senior Counsel Charlie Lee, the decision was based feedback from the MLS community about the rule's declining usage and relevance in local marketplaces.
Balanced Budget, No Dues Increase
Directors also approved the association’s 2026 operating and advocacy budget of $270,750,765 and program expenses of $237,911,129. Under the direction of CEO Nykia Wright, NAR has delivered a balanced budget for two years, following a decade of deficit budgeting. Directors voted to keep total member dues at $201—$156 for dues, plus $45 for the consumer ad campaign special assessment.
Directors agreed that $35 of the $45 assessment should be diverted to operating funds. This change positions NAR to make its next settlement payment in February 2026 while maintaining a balanced budget and not raising dues. The remaining $10 will continue to fund the consumer ad campaign, which will focus on 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.
Becoming a ‘Nimble and Competitive Force’
During her opening report to the board of directors, NAR CEO Nykia Wright focused on strategies to enhance membership value and strengthen relationships with state and local associations.
“The rules of real estate are changing and so are our members,” Wright said. “The market is constantly evolving and increasingly challenging, and our members are assessing the landscape for tools and resources that will empower them to succeed in this dynamic environment. NAR is committed to evolving alongside our members, emerging as a nimble and competitive force delivering the value that REALTORS® deserve.” “In November 2024, the leadership team and I promised to redefine the member experience through the use of surveys, interviews, focus groups and understanding member journeys,” Wright said.
“What have we accomplished? Over 70,000 people participated, including members and volunteer leaders across the association. The results of these efforts yielded nine initiatives that we will be workshopping in the coming days and weeks.” These initiatives include producing cutting-edge real estate industry research, creating business-centric tools, elevating education and offerings, amplifying the advocacy impact, rebuilding our partnership foundations, centralizing relationship management and creating valuable business solutions, she said.
Leadership Elected, 2026 Teams Announced
Following Wright’s remarks, the board approved a consent agenda to elect the 2026 officers and regional vice presidents, who will take office in November. Christine Hansen of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was elected 2026 president-elect, and Colin Mullane of Ashland, Ore. was elected 2026 first vice president.
The 2026 regional vice presidents are:
- Mike Hickey—Region 1
- Nick Manis—Region 2
- Christopher Suranna—Region 3
- Hagan Stone—Region 4
- Keith Henley—Region 5
- John Mangas—Region 6
- Dana Keegan—Region 7
- Brandon Martens—Region 8
- Nate Johnson—Region 9
- Russell Berry—Region 10
- David Barber—Region 11
- Drew Coleman—Region 12
- Melanie Barker—Region 13
President-elect Kevin Brown of Oakland, Calif., ascends to the 2026 presidency, and Craig Sanford of Phoenix remains treasurer. After the election, Brown recognized members of his 2026 extended leadership team:
- Asa Fleming—Vice President of Advocacy
- Bobbi Howe—Vice President of Association Affairs
Liaisons:
- Jeff Baker—Association Leadership
- Jef Conn—Commercial & Industry Specialties
- Frank Oti—Global Real Estate
- Judy Covington—Housing Issues
- Tim Weisheyer—Law & Policy
- Bernice Helman—Broker Relations
- Chris Beadling—MLS & Data Management
- Ines Hegedus-Garcia—Member Engagement
- Deborah Baisden—Member Services
- James Martin—Public & Federal Issues
- Seth Task—REALTOR® Party Director
- Tommy Choi—REALTOR® Party Community Engagement
- Rick Violett—REALTOR® Party Disbursement
- Maura Neill—REALTOR® Party Fundraising
- Lou Baldwin—REALTOR® Party Member Involvement
Commending NAR Members
In a surprise “appearance,” the meeting featured a pre-recorded video message from President Donald Trump, who commended NAR members for their contributions to the national economy and thanked them for supporting the House-passed tax reform package and for building opportunities for American homeownership. NAR routinely invites the U.S. president to address NAR members, and over the association’s history, nine sitting presidents have been a presence at conferences.
Separately, President Kevin Sears announced the 2025 Distinguished Service Award winners. They are:
- James P. Cormier, AHWD, C2EX, of Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Brooke S. Hunt, AHWD, E-PRO, SFR, SRS, C2EX , of Flower Mound, Texas
The Distinguished Service Award honors REALTORS® who have shown exceptionally meritorious service for at least 25 years, who have been recognized as local leaders, and whose involvement and performance in political and community activities have been extraordinary.
In addition, Sears recognized the winner of the 2024 William R. Magel Award, Anne Marie DeCatsye, CEO, Canopy REALTOR® Association and Canopy MLS in the Charlotte, N.C. metro area. The William R. Magel Award of Excellence is presented annually to an individual who has truly excelled in his or her role as an association executive of a REALTOR® association.
REALTORS® Relief Foundation Raises Nearly $42k
Directors heard reports from REALTORS® Relief Foundation President Greg Hrabcak and REALTOR® Party Director Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris.
Morris said a quarter of NAR members have participated in RPAC so far this year, contributing at least $15, and gave special thanks to the RPAC major investors in the room.
Hrabcak made an appeal for donations to RRF. The foundation provides housing assistance to victims in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, and 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,” he said. “We all want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Supporting RRF is your chance to be the reason someone finds hope in the rubble, to be the reason a family gets to start over. So I ask you today, don’t wait for the next disaster to happen; be proactive.”
By the conclusion of the meeting, directors and others in attendance had donated more than $41,000.