A
t Avance Global 2025 in San Diego, NAHREP’s Jason Riveiro met with NAR CEO Nykia Wright to discuss how the industry can attract more Latino professionals and boost Latino homeownership. Wright stressed that diversity, equity, and inclusion must translate into closing the wealth gap, noting that real‑estate is a powerful engine for generational wealth that should be accessible to all.
NAR’s agenda focuses on expanding housing affordability and access. The association lobbied for the VA Home Loan Reform Act, ensuring veterans can compensate agents who help them purchase homes. With 14 % of Hispanic and Latino buyers using VA loans—higher than White or Asian/Pacific Islander buyers—this legislation, signed in July after unanimous congressional approval, directly supports a key demographic. In the same month, NAR pushed the Federal Housing Finance Agency to adopt VantageScore 4.0, a credit model that incorporates rent and utility payments, thereby opening mortgage options for borrowers previously excluded. The organization also provides grants to local and state REALTOR® groups to fund advocacy on housing supply, buyer education, down‑payment assistance, and fair‑housing training.
Data from NAR’s 2025 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying reveal persistent credit barriers: 21 % of Black applicants and 17 % of Hispanic applicants face mortgage denials, compared with 11 % for White and 9 % for Asian applicants. Hispanic buyers often turn to alternative financing, which can carry higher costs and fewer protections. Despite these challenges, Hispanic homeownership has grown fastest among all groups. From 2013 to 2023, the rate climbed from 45.2 % to 51 %, adding over 3.5 million homeowners.
Within the REALTOR® community, 9 % of agents identify as Hispanic, and Spanish ranks as the second most spoken language. To serve Spanish‑speaking clients, NAR publishes bilingual consumer guides on topics such as buyer agreements, financing, appraisals, and seller disclosures, available at facts.realtor.
During NAHREP’s Avance event (Sept. 18–20), Wright urged Latino professionals to step into leadership roles, stressing that increased representation amplifies voices and drives change. NAHREP CEO Gary Acosta praised the partnership, noting that NAR’s commitment to transformation and collaboration will broaden homeownership access and foster intergenerational wealth for families.
The collaboration extends beyond policy; NAR also supports educational initiatives, such as workshops and webinars tailored to Latino agents, and funds community outreach programs that demystify the home‑buying process. By aligning resources, both organizations aim to create a pipeline of culturally competent professionals who can better serve diverse neighborhoods. Looking ahead, NAR plans to track progress through annual reports and adjust strategies to ensure that the wealth‑building benefits of homeownership are shared equitably.
