Six months into its 2026-2028 Strategic Plan, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has released its second quarterly progress update, highlighting the work completed during the second quarter of the year. The update focuses on seven key priorities designed to strengthen the REALTOR® profession, improve member resources, and modernize the association.

For members, the biggest takeaway is that many of the initiatives are already producing tangible tools, guidance, and advocacy efforts that support day-to-day business.

View the full report on NAR's Second Quarter Progress webpage.

Advancing Housing Advocacy

One of the quarter's biggest accomplishments was NAR's role in advancing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the most significant federal housing legislation in nearly two decades. The law includes measures intended to increase housing supply, expand access to homeownership, and address affordability challenges across the country. NAR credits years of advocacy, research, and collaboration with lawmakers for helping move the legislation forward.

Beyond federal legislation, NAR also expanded the Congressional Real Estate Caucus to more than 150 members and released new research supporting updates to the capital gains tax exclusion on the sale of a primary residence.

New Resources for MLSs

As the real estate industry continues adapting to changing legal and regulatory expectations, NAR has placed a strong emphasis on supporting MLSs and local associations.

During the second quarter, NAR:

• Published new guidance explaining MLS policies and pre-marketing practices.
• Created an MLS Executive Advisory Group to provide ongoing feedback from MLS leaders.
• Began developing a legal risk framework to help MLSs navigate an evolving landscape.

Many MLS executives have praised these resources for providing clarity while still allowing local marketplaces the flexibility to make decisions that best serve their subscribers.

Continued Legal and Brand Protection

Reducing legal uncertainty remains one of NAR's highest priorities.

This quarter included progress on several legal matters, including:

• A preliminary settlement in the Tuccori homebuyer commission lawsuit that, if granted final approval, would extend protections to members, MLSs, state and local associations, and eligible brokerages without requiring additional business practice changes.
• Continued defense of NAR's membership structure and MLS system through successful court dismissals.
• Ongoing efforts to protect the REALTOR® trademark and strengthen brand monitoring.

More Support for Brokers

Recognizing the important role brokers play within the industry, NAR expanded its outreach through new broker-focused programming and resources.

These efforts include:

• Business tools designed specifically for brokerages.
• Advocacy forums that encourage direct feedback.
• Increased communication between NAR leadership and brokerage professionals.
• Additional resources to help brokers strengthen their businesses and support their affiliated REALTORS®.

Technology and Education Improvements

Several initiatives focused on improving how members access information and professional development.

Current projects include:

• Modernizing NAR's technology infrastructure.
• Expanding market intelligence and data resources.
• Launching a new learning management system that will support updated educational content.
• Continuing to improve courses and professional development opportunities based on member feedback.

Modernizing the Association

The strategic plan also continues to reshape how NAR operates internally.

Recent work includes committee and governance reforms, simplified leadership opportunities for members, and greater transparency through quarterly public progress reports. These efforts support NAR's broader goal of rebuilding trust while ensuring the association remains responsive to member needs.

Looking Ahead

NAR plans to continue rolling out new member benefits throughout the remainder of 2026. Upcoming initiatives include enhanced programming at NAR NXT, expanded broker resources, additional MLS guidance, the launch of its new learning platform, and continued investment in legal protection and REALTOR® brand enforcement.

Quarterly updates are part of NAR's commitment to keeping members informed about the progress of its 2026-2028 Strategic Plan and demonstrating how those initiatives translate into practical value for REALTORS® across the country.