NAR says it still wants feedback — but ‘be respectful’ 

NEW ORLEANS — After two years of surveys, forums and focus groups where more than 150,000 members of the National Association of Realtors shared their thoughts on what they want from the trade group, NAR leaders are now indicating that not all feedback is welcome.

At the association's annual conference, NAR NXT, CEO Nykia Wright — who last year declared, "We are on a feedback mission" — nodded in agreement with Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered podcast host Keith Robinson when he opined that "the level of complaining [about NAR] should be commensurate with the level of involvement" and that agents and brokers who want to talk about "what NAR is doing wrong" or how "the industry should be different" but are aren't "investing time and being part of the change" should "stop talking."

"I agree with that," Wright said. "I would get less licks going around the country."

While it's common for NAR volunteers to tell other members who complain about the association that they should take the time to get involved, it is not a stance typically heard from the association's employees, let alone its CEO.

From 'we're listening' to 'be respectful'

Since Wright took the helm at NAR in the wake of scandals and litigation woes, association leaders have struck a conciliatory tone with members and other stakeholders, ensuring them that the trade group was listening and ready to engage with them. 

As part of this effort, NAR hired Jarrod Grasso in early 2025 as its first senior vice president of industry relations, charging him with deepening NAR's engagement with local and state Realtor associations and MLSs by gathering "real-time feedback about challenges leaders face so they can be addressed quickly."

Nearly two years later, at NAR NXT, the tone appeared to have shifted somewhat as leaders chafe under the effort. When Grasso addressed the Association Executives Forum at the event, he began with an admonition. He noted that there are more than 1,000 state and local associations, which he called "the backbone of this organization," then asked the NAR staffers in the room to stand up.

"We are your support system," he said. "And my message to you all is: please, please, you see that there's what six, seven of us total servicing 1,020 of all of you. When you take to Facebook and when you take to messaging us, be respectful," Grasso implored.

"We are trying to deliver as fast as we possibly can," he continued. "Give us an opportunity to respond. I see messages all the time, and I read the messages coming in. This is one of the hardest working teams at the National Association of Realtors."

Keep providing feedback 'so we can be better'

Grasso went on to say that everything he and his team have been building over the previous 1.5 years was for the purpose of ensuring that association and MLS executives feel more connected to NAR, and "that we're conveying that we truly understand the foundation of the organization is that three-way agreement."

He also thanked industry leaders for "working together in partnership, making sure that we are delivering the highest value that we possibly can for our Realtor members."

And despite the flood of messages he has received, Grasso said NAR still wants feedback, though he asked attendees to share their thoughts via accelerator.realtor, an NAR web page for association executives. 

"Send me more ideas so we can be better for all of you," he said.

… but keep it short

Grasso also stressed that NAR still has more work ahead to alleviate "broker frustration." 

"I want to work with you so that we can show the value of what we are doing on all three levels of the organization together, so as we move into 2027, there's a true partnership, there's true communication," he said. "I want your feedback as much as possible."

But he ended with a caveat.

"I love AI," he said. "I love getting messages, but when you guys are sending 15 paragraphs to me, please just send me a paragraph of what you need. I'm happy to respond, but getting to the point sometimes is a little long. I want to help you. A paragraph is great."