For Buyers, Sellers, Renters
Calendar Login
Logo
ZipForm
October 16, 2026

October 2026 Notes

Texas Updates

  • Statewide award nominations are now open. If you know someone whose accomplishments and contributions should be celebrated, be sure to submit your Texas REALTORS® award nominations by November 16.
  • The comprehensive remodel of the Texas REALTORS® building is on schedule, where the ceiling grid and concrete terrace pillars are currently in progress.
  • Our active member count is currently 154,757.
  • According to the Texas REALTORS® 2026 Texas Homebuying Experience Report, buyers had less competition and more choices this year, with 69% of REALTORS® saying they had clients who did not compete against other offers, up from 57% last year.
  • In case you missed it or would like to watch again, the recording is available for the What Every REALTOR® Needs To Know About TREC’s New Water Disclosure Form webinar.
  • These short videos about the value of membership in Texas REALTORS® have recently been shared on social media channels.  
  • Spanish language consumer ads that promote the value of working with a REALTOR® are currently in the editing phase.
  • Texas REALTORS® submitted comments in opposition to a proposal to eliminate Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) coverage for non-owner-occupied homes.
  • Texas REALTORS® was invited to testify on the positive market impacts of increases to the homestead exemption. Austin REALTOR® and ABoR President John Crowe testified on behalf of Texas REALTORS®.
  • On September 2, Texas REALTORS® Chairman Jennifer Wauhob testified about housing affordability and the state's recent efforts to boost statewide housing supply, particularly by eliminating some municipal regulations that restrict housing development.
  • The Inaugural Texas YPN Leadership Launchpad event will be held October 19 in Round Rock.
  • Texas REALTORS® Party and Leadership Summit for incoming leaders will be held October 20-23 at Kalahari in Round Rock.  
  • Two Texans are in the running for NAR’s Good Neighbor Award. Weston Jenkins of Fair Oaks and Cord Shiflet of Austin are finalists for the NAR Good Neighbor Award for their extraordinary impact on their community through volunteer work. Voting is open through Oct 24.
  • Feedback from committee volunteers of Texas REALTORS® is being analyzed to help ensure each group has a clear purpose and is properly structured to make good use of volunteers' time.

Upcoming Texas Events

National Updates

  • A new NAR resource is available to help members fight real estate fraud. NAR's 2026 Member Profile found that over half (58%) of members say they or others in their company have experienced some form of fraud or scam in the past 12 months.
  • The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals 2025 State of Hispanic Homeownership Report shows that 2025 was a record-breaking year for Hispanic homeownership gains.
  • Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA will accept VantageScore and a new FICO score beginning in 2027. These expanded options for buyers follows years of NAR lobbying for credit-score competition and alternative data use in mortgage lending.
  • Agents cite time savings and improved client experience with growing AI usage in NAR’s Technology Report.
  • An appeals court in Pennsylvania upheld a district court’s decision to throw out a federal case against Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®, Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® and NAR. In a statement, NAR said, “The Association’s integrated structure is essential to the value we provide our members, including a unified voice on policy issues, a uniform Code of Ethics, and important tools and professional development opportunities that help members get to their next transaction with more confidence."
  • A bipartisan group of lawmakers are challenging an MLS copyright fee increase. In a letter to the U.S. Copyright Office, Representatives Mark Alford (R-MO) and Lou Correa (D-CA), who chair the bipartisan Congressional Real Estate Caucus, have urged the Office to reconsider or delay a proposed MLS registration fee increase. The fee proposed would jump to $700 from $500 per filing. NAR has worked with lawmakers to raise concerns about the increase.
  • The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a seven-year extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act through 2034, advancing a measure NAR supports to help keep required terrorism coverage available for commercial real estate.
  • A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would clarify that real estate professionals and direct sellers qualify as independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act, aligning labor law with existing federal tax treatment. The new measure would reduce regulatory uncertainty, protect the independent contractor model used by most NAR members, and preserve the flexibility that has long been a hallmark of the profession.
  • RPR data now integrates with RealAssist AI, a new feature within realtor.com designed to help real estate pros create tailored home searches, summarize client activity and draft follow-up messages for clients.
  • Election Projection: the 2026 Midterms EVP and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn and VP of Advocacy Communications Patrick Newton break down the midterm battlefield and the REALTOR® Party’s role in the latest Advocacy Scoop episode. McGahn said, “Our issues remain consistent no matter what the campaign, no matter what the political party, and that is making sure that housing is more available, accessible, and affordable, with top of that being increasing the inventory that is available.”
  • A national broker mastermind event was held virtually on October 15, focusing on strategies, tools, and insights that can be used to strengthen businesses, support agents and operate more efficiently.
  • In a recent Ask the Economist video, NAR’s Nadia Evangelou notes that new foreign investment in U.S. real estate rose 47% in 2025, with Japan and Germany among the largest investors. At the same time, individual foreign buyers purchases approximately 14% fewer U.S. homes as limited inventory made it harder to find the right property.
  • In the latest monthly Commercial Market Insights Report, NAR reported that improving fundamentals point to commercial market stabilization, with stronger absorption and slightly lower vacancy, although recovery remained uneven across property classes.
  • According to a survey by Fannie Mae and Junior Achievement, nearly 90% of teens want to own a home someday. NAR’s shareable consumer guide helps parents prepare teens for that goal.
  • NAR tracks a wide range of industry events; plan your year with our Major Real Estate Events calendar.
  • The latest Existing-Home Sales report has been released with updated data and insights on the housing market. “Despite the small monthly gain on a seasonally adjusted basis, August and September marked the two slowest months for home sales this year," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Further increases in mortgage rates in recent weeks mean fewer buyers can qualify to purchase a home."

Upcoming National Events


Share: