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NAR Launches 3-Year Strategy to Demonstrate Value to Members

NAR NXT leaders claim significant ROI, plan to prove value by tackling 75 projects over coming years.

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AR CEO Nykia Wright and President Kevin Sears announced at NAR NXT 2025 in Houston that the association will complete 75 projects over the next three years to deliver measurable ROI to members. The plan, unveiled during the Leadership Scoop session on Nov. 13, targets market insights, budgeting, modernization, and brand elevation. The executive committee will soon vote on the budget and strategy.

    Transparency is a priority. Wright and Sears said NAR will publish its first annual report in Q1 2026, detailing the benefits members receive. “We need to prove the value,” Wright said, noting that many members question the return on their annual investment. The report will include metrics on member engagement, cost savings, and advocacy outcomes, and will be released quarterly to keep members informed.

    Member satisfaction remains low. A recent survey showed only 49 % of respondents were somewhat or very satisfied, while 28 % were not at all or not very satisfied. The survey also highlighted that 15 % of members felt the association’s communication was inadequate. Legal battles, commission lawsuits, sexual‑harassment allegations, and a “culture of fear” have eroded trust. Leaders asked for feedback on key priorities; restoring brand trust, protecting members, recommitting to professionalism, and supporting daily business were top concerns.

    To avoid repeating past mistakes, Wright emphasized that NAR will heed external legal perspectives on ongoing commission and membership lawsuits. The legal review will involve external counsel and industry experts to ensure future compliance. Completing all 75 projects could be the organization’s biggest turnaround yet, but tasks range from four weeks to 18 months, she said. “We’re reshaping the industry from the ground up to meet people’s needs,” she added. The 75 initiatives cover areas such as data analytics, digital tools, member education, lobbying, diversity and inclusion, and technology infrastructure. Project milestones will be tracked quarterly, with clear deliverables for each phase.

    After 14 months of nationwide member listening tours, NAR enters a new implementation phase. The strategic plan is designed to position the association for the next century, focusing on sustainability, technology leadership, and global expansion. Sears reminded members that patience and grace were requested, not blind trust, and that accountability now follows the rollout of changes. The accountability framework will involve member representation on oversight committees and an annual review of the plan’s relevance. This shift moves NAR from a traditional trade group to a data‑driven, member‑centric organization that delivers tangible value and protects its members’ interests.

National Association of Realtors launches 3‑year strategy to demonstrate member value.