At NAR meetings, internal strains find way onto DC agenda
The National Association of Realtors seeks alignment on hate speech, DEI while fighting to build trust in polarized times and deal with declining membership.
Key points:
- NAR’s 2025 Legislative Meetings kicked off Sunday with leaders addressing shrinking membership and policies on DEI and hate speech.
- At the general session on Monday, speakers from FOX News and CNN discussed today’s polarized environment and the loss of trust in institutions.
- Those topics dovetail with some of the challenges NAR has been facing following its March 2024 settlement, such as member frustration and waning trust.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 2025 NAR Legislative meetings kicked off this week, featuring sessions on issues ranging from the current political climate to cutting red tape — but some of the most divisive topics weren't highlighted on the agenda.
In an opening address on June 1, leaders with the National Association of Realtors hit on a variety of sensitive themes including membership, DEI and the association's hate speech policy.
According to reports in several trade publications including Inman, NAR based its 2025 budget on a membership level of 1.4 million, and it is projecting membership will fall to 1.2 million in 2026. As of January, membership was just below 1.5 million. Against that backdrop, and with another payment due on its deal to settle the commissions lawsuits, continued belt-tightening seems likely.
Reviewing the code of ethics, DEI policies
NAR President Kevin Sears confirmed that the association is looking at its standard of practice related to hate speech, an addition to its Code of Ethics adopted in 2020. The Texas legislature recently targeted such policies, and while that bill failed to pass, similar moves could leave trade groups like NAR open to some legal liability risks.
Although CEO Nykia Wright acknowledged that NAR must tighten its purse strings in anticipation of a smaller budget, she told attendees the organization would not be abandoning DEI efforts and other priorities they've focused on over the years.
"Kevin has always said that everything has to be affected in an equitable fashion, but we're not going to cripple anything," Wright said, according to Inman. "Fair housing, DEI, has not been crippled. We are just trying to be more strategic and talk to stakeholders and understanding how we are placing our bets."
Polarization — and a type of division real professionals can relate to
Monday's general session addressed some of the broader issues affecting the country — and by extension, the real estate industry. The tone was set by Fox News political analyst Juan Williams and CNN contributor Scott Jennings, who took the stage to talk about the challenges of finding common ground in today's polarized environment.
"I think every Realtor knows what it's like to deal with two parties who think the other side is unreasonable," Williams said, garnering a knowing chuckle from many of the hundreds of attendees.
Williams also discussed the role of social media, suggesting that it has pushed groups further apart than ever. "We are stuck — paralyzed — in the social media age where people are punished for saying they're willing to compromise and do business with the other side," Williams said.
The erosion of trust (something NAR understands)
Many Americans have lost trust in institutions including the government, media and corporations, Jennings said, which can make it harder for people to see the full picture.
"So to me, the biggest change is that how we get our information has completely changed," Jennings said.
Williams and Jennings closed by touching on solutions to these societal problems, such as engaging in constructive debate, acknowledging weaknesses and the importance of dissenting voices.
That seemed like fitting advice as NAR looks to reestablish trust and address dissatisfaction among some members in the wake of its 2024 commissions settlement — and as its board members prepare to vote on a variety of issues later this week.