We’re working hard on your behalf so you and your clients can continue selling and leasing residential and commercial real estate back home.

The 89th Texas Legislature is just around the corner, and with it comes plenty of opportunities and threats. Rest assured that Texas REALTORS® will work tirelessly on behalf of our 150,000-plus members to support good legislation and stop bad proposals in their tracks. That’s what our association has done for more than a century now—protect private property rights for all Texans, including you and your clients!

As a busy real estate professional, you might take for granted how successful our association has been in shaping a great real estate business environment in Texas. Talk to REALTORS® in states with real estate transfer taxes, taxes on their services, and other challenging conditions, though, and you’ll realize how important our legislative and political activity has been.

Also know that we don’t wait until the legislature convenes. Our staff, lobby team, and countless members have not stopped working since the last session. Your Texas REALTORS® Public Policy Committees—Business Issues, Taxation, Land Use, and Infrastructure—discuss topics suggested by our members and staff. Each committee dives into the details with research and discussion, then proposes priorities for the next legislative session. The proposals get further consideration by the Public Policy Oversight Committee, Leadership Team, Legislative Management Team, Executive Board, and Board of Directors. A lot of eyes are reviewing our positions to make sure we are putting Texans’ private property rights first!

I’m really excited about this year’s list of legislative priorities. We’ll tackle issues such as water, infrastructure, property taxes and insurance, HOA reform, foreign real estate buyers, squatters, and more. You should know that our expert team of lobbyists spends more time in the Capitol during session than they do in their own offices! REALTOR® leaders often join our staff at the Capitol to testify at legislative hearings as well. All are working hard on your behalf so you and your clients can continue selling and leasing residential and commercial real estate back home.

You can be part of the action, too! Mark your calendar to attend REALTOR® Day at the Texas Capitol on March 26. You’ll join thousands of REALTORS® from all parts of Texas who will meet with our state representatives and senators to share customized talking points about our priorities. It’s a great day of legislative advocacy, tasty barbecue, a tour of your Texas REALTORS® building (right across from the Capitol), and other fun activities.

Politics and real estate go hand in hand. Rest easy knowing we have a team of experts leading the way, but know that we also need you. Check out page 22 to read more about our legislative priorities, which came from the August 2024 policy issues survey sent to members, and learn how you can get involved.

It has been an honor to serve as your 2024 chairman of Texas REALTORS®. Thank you for this opportunity!