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The National Association of REALTORS published a policy report that breaks down what lawmakers are paying attention to as we move through 2026. If you’re wondering what’s coming next in real estate, this is worth understanding.
NAR has identified three key real estate trends that policy makers are focusing heavily on. Here’s what they are and why they matter to you as an agent.
TREND #1: SUPPLY ACCELERATION
What’s Happening:
Right now, most neighborhoods in America only allow single-family homes. That means no duplexes, no townhouses, no small apartment buildings. Just one house per lot, period.
Policymakers are changing this. They’re loosening zoning rules so developers can build different types of housing—duplexes, townhouses, small apartment buildings, mixed-use properties. States like Washington and Montana have already passed laws doing this. Cities across the country are updating zoning codes.
Why It Matters to You:
When neighborhoods change what can be built, property values and neighborhood growth change too. Understanding what zoning is loosening in your area helps you see which neighborhoods are positioned for growth. You can explain to buyers why a property in an area with new zoning flexibility has different potential than a property in a locked-down neighborhood.
It also means more housing options for your clients. Buyers who want a townhouse or duplex might finally find options that didn’t exist before. That’s good for your business.
TREND #2: BARRIERS TO AFFORDABILITY
What’s Happening:
Everyone knows home prices are expensive. But policymakers are realizing that’s only part of the problem. Property taxes keep going up. Insurance costs are rising. Closing costs are climbing. The total cost of owning a home keeps increasing, even if mortgage rates stay stable.
Policymakers are now asking: how do we help people afford to actually own a home, not just buy one? So they’re working on property tax relief, insurance programs, and transfer tax reform.
Why It Matters to You:
Your clients need to understand the real cost of homeownership. It’s not just the monthly mortgage payment. It’s taxes, insurance, maintenance, everything. When you help buyers understand the full picture, you’re doing something most agents don’t do.
Also, if policymakers succeed in moderating some of these costs through tax relief or insurance programs, homeownership becomes more accessible. That’s good for your buyer pool.
TREND #3: PROPERTY RIGHTS AND THE RENTAL MARKET
What’s Happening:
Policymakers are introducing new regulations around rental housing. Just-cause eviction requirements, tenant protections, screening limits, and other rules designed to protect renters. These regulations are becoming more common, not less.
More regulations mean higher costs for landlords. Some landlords handle it. Others sell their rental properties and exit the market entirely.
Why It Matters to You:
When smaller landlords sell, rental inventory can shrink, which drives rents up and affects your broader market. It also affects your landlord clients who are thinking about rental investments—they need to understand the regulatory environment before they buy.
Understanding what’s happening in the rental market helps you understand your whole market better.
What This Actually Means
Policymakers are working on three connected problems: getting more housing built, making ownership costs manageable, and creating a rental market that works for everyone.
These aren’t revolutionary changes. They’re incremental shifts in policy that add up over time.
Your job is to pay attention to what’s happening in your specific market. What zoning changes are coming? What property tax or insurance changes are on the horizon? What rental regulations are being proposed?
Then use that knowledge when you talk to clients. You’ll be the person who understands not just the current market, but where it’s headed. That’s valuable.
