T
he National Association of Realtors (NAR) kicked off its 2025 Legislative Meetings, addressing pressing issues such as declining membership and policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), while navigating a polarized environment. Key points from the meeting include:

    * NAR's leaders acknowledged the shrinking membership, with projections indicating a decline to 1.2 million in 2026, down from 1.4 million in 2025.

    * The association is reviewing its Code of Ethics and DEI policies, including its hate speech policy, which has been targeted by some state legislatures.

    * NAR's CEO, Nykia Wright, emphasized that the organization will not abandon its DEI efforts, but rather approach them with a more strategic and stakeholder-focused mindset.

    * The general session featured speakers from Fox News and CNN discussing the challenges of finding common ground in today's polarized environment, including the role of social media in exacerbating divisions.

    The erosion of trust in institutions is a pressing issue that NAR understands firsthand. With many Americans losing faith in government, media, and corporations, it can be challenging to see the full picture. To address this, Williams and Jennings suggested engaging in constructive debate, acknowledging weaknesses, and valuing dissenting voices.