Federal Update from the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR)
- NAR releases a statement on institutional real estate investors in response to recent statements made by President Trump. The quote is attributable to Shannon McGahn, NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer. NAR Calls for Federal Incentives to Spur Investor Sales
Regarding institutional buyers:
At the national level, the share of residential purchases made by corporations, companies, and LLCs has remained relatively stable over the past decade, averaging around the mid-teens. After falling during the early pandemic period, investor participation rose in 2021 and peaked in 2022 at 17.1%, before easing in 2023 and 2024. The 2024 reading of 15.7% is broadly in line with pre-pandemic norms, suggesting that institutional activity has cooled from its peak but not surged beyond historical ranges.
A key distinction in the data is the role of LLCs, which account for the majority of entity purchases. When purchases by corporations and companies only are isolated, the national share falls to 3.2% in 2024, underscoring that large, institutional buyers represent a much smaller portion of total market activity than headline figures sometimes imply.
Washington State institutional buyer data:
- Share of Residential purchases (Corporations, Companies, LLCs): 10.9%
- Share of Residential purchases (Corporations, Companies): 1.5%
- Court to hear oral arguments in Sitzer-Burnett settlement appeal
A panel of appellate judges Wednesday will hear arguments in support of and in opposition to the March 2024 Sitzer-Burnett settlement. Both the plaintiffs and defendants in that case, including NAR, will argue that the settlement should stand. Importantly, the settlement-required practice changes on broker compensation remain in place.
Full Story: NAR REALTOR® News Now
- EPA to begin enforcement of stricter lead-based paint rules
The Environmental Protection Agency’s enforcement of penalties went into effect Monday, Jan. 12 under the revised “Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule” designed to protect against lead-based paint hazards. Property managers who engage in renovation and repair of residential properties on behalf of the owner and fail to comply with the updated standard could face costly lawsuits, project shutdowns, future insurance denial, and fines of up to $40,000 per violation.
Full Story: NAR REALTOR® News Now/Commercial Insights
- Recent NAR Advocacy, Planning, and Research
- Immediate Past President Kevin Sears testified on housing supply and affordability at length before the full House Financial Services Committee in December.
- On the tax front, NAR is pushing for legislation to modernize the capital gains exclusion for home sales (More Homes on the Market Act).
- With another government funding deadline looming January 30, NAR is actively engaged in conversations with Congress about the importance of housing programs.
- NAR’s 2025 REALTORS® Technology Survey found integrating new technology into a real estate agent’s business can lead to both increased efficiency and higher client satisfaction.
- And our 2026 Housing Hot Spots report named the top-10 homebuying hot spots for 2026 poised for opportunity.
- NAR’s Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun anticipates a 14% increase in existing home sales in 2026 because of declining mortgage rates, increased market stability, and job gains and rising inventory.
- We restructured the NAR legal department to be more assertive in identifying and combating legal risk so NAR can continue to serve REALTORS® and their clients for generations to come. Specifically, we’ve named three Associate General Counsels to provide in-house expertise