A proposed addition to the National Association of REALTORS®’ Standards of Practice for Article 1 of the Code of Ethics sparked significant discussion during Thursday’s Board of Directors meeting at the 2026 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings. Ultimately, directors voted to send the recommendation back to committee for further review.
The proposal from the Professional Standards Committee was intended to clarify the broad language under Article 1 of the Code of Ethics. Proposed Standard of Practice 1-17 would have added language that specified a duty to disclose if a member lacked the knowledge, information or skills about a property type or geographical area to adequately protect and promote the client’s interests.
Supporters argued the proposal would reinforce REALTORS®’ ethical obligation to protect and promote their clients’ interests by encouraging transparency when practitioners encounter unfamiliar situations.
“This [proposal] states clearly and simply something we all should be doing anyway,” said Todd Beckstrom of South Carolina, immediate past chair of the Professional Standards Committee and member of the Interpretations and Procedures Advisory Board. “A vote in favor of this motion is a vote for increasing professionalism, a commitment to protecting and promoting your clients’ interests above your own.” But several board members questioned whether the language was too vague and could create unintended consequences.
Opponents said it was unclear how a lack of knowledge or expertise would be defined, how disclosure requirements would be enforced and whether the proposal could discourage newer agents from entering unfamiliar market segments while they build experience.
“This is such a judgment call on knowledge,” said Joe Johnson of Alabama. “Who determines what level of knowledge qualifies to represent that customer?”
NAR’s Executive Committee, which met Wednesday, recommended the Board defeat the measure. But after nearly 30 minutes of discussion, directors voted 497–356 to refer the proposal back to the Professional Standards Committee for further consideration.
The decision to refer the motion back to the committee doesn’t change members’ obligations under Article 1, says NAR General Counsel Jon Waclawski.
The board approved a second Professional Standards recommendation to make any request for compensation from a seller of unlisted property no later than when an offer is being presented rather than at first contact.
Leadership Elections and Treasurer Vote
In a contested race for NAR treasurer, Patti Fitzgerald of Florida defeated Matt Ritchie of Louisiana by a vote of 506–424 and will serve as NAR treasurer for 2027 and 2028.
Directors approved the rest of the 2027 Leadership team by consent agenda:
2027 Leadership Team
- President Christine Hansen (Fla.)
- President-elect Colin Mullane (Ore.)
- First Vice President Pete Kopf (Ohio)
- Treasurer Patti Fitzgerald (Fla.)
Appointed positions are Vice President of Advocacy Chris Beadling (Pa.) and Vice President of Association Affairs Mary Dykstra (Va.).
2027 Regional Vice Presidents
- Region 1: Dawn Ruffini (Mass.)
- Region 2: Dave Legaz (N.Y.)
- Region 3: John Powell (Va.)
- Region 4: Mike Inman (Ky.)
- Region 5: Gia Arvin (Fla.)
- Region 6: Sara Lipnitz (Mich.)
- Region 7: Tommy Choi (Ill.)
- Region 8: Jason Miller (Minn.)
- Region 9: Natalie Moyer (Kan.)
- Region 10: Leigh York (Texas)
- Region 11: Hubert Hill (N.M.)
- Region 12: John Blom (Wash.)
- Region 13: Dave Walsh (Calif.)
2027 Liaisons
- Association Leadership, Margy Grant (Fla.)
- Commercial & Industry Specialties, Fernando Arencibia (Fla.)
- Global Real Estate, Steven Pagan (N.J.)
- Housing Issues, Matt Silver (Ill.)
- Law & Policy, Todd Beckstrom (S.C.)
- Broker Relations, Rick Davidson (Utah)
- MLS & Data Management, Michelle Bailey (Idaho)
- Member Engagement, Debra Beagle (Tenn.)
- Member Services, Elizabeth Monarch (Ky.)
- Public & Federal Issues, Drew Coleman (Ore.)
- REALTOR® Party Director, Steve LaRue (Kan.)
- REALTOR® Party Community Engagement, PJ Johnsen (Calif.)
- REALTOR® Party Disbursement, Marvin Jolly (Texas)
- REALTOR® Party Fundraising, Beth Dalton (Va.)
- REALTOR® Party Member Involvement, Tiffany Meyer (Ore.)
Finance Committee Actions
The board approved several Finance Committee recommendations, including:
- Using 1.2 million members as the basis for 2027 budget planning.
- Maintaining national dues at $156 per member for 2027.
- Continuing the Consumer Advertising Campaign assessment structure from 2026.
- Accepting NAR's 2025 year-end financial statements.
Advocacy and NAR Updates
Earlier in the meeting, NAR President Kevin Brown highlighted recent momentum on federal housing policy, pointing to the Senate's advancement of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Brown described the legislation as “one of the most significant bipartisan housing packages Congress has considered in years” and credited NAR members, Federal Political Coordinators and advocacy staff for helping build support for housing affordability and supply solutions.
CEO Nykia Wright provided a brief update on NAR's Strategic Plan and organizational initiatives, noting that additional progress reports will be shared with members in July.
Directors will reconvene during NAR NXT in New Orleans this November.
