Member Updates

Let's Recap: 2026 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings

During REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in D.C. last week, NAR’s Board of Directors approved decisions shaping the year ahead, including maintaining national dues at $156 for 2027 and confirming the 2027 Leadership Team, led by President Christine Hansen.

Directors took action on professional standards, budget planning, and member programs, while recognizing industry leaders and award recipients.

We also recognize the Washington REALTORS® members who were on the ground in D.C. last week (some pictured above), advocating alongside peers from across the country to advance solutions that support homeownership, property rights, and housing availability. Thank you for your time, expertise, and commitment to strengthening our industry.

Read the full report for an overview of decisions, 2027 leadership, and updates from last week’s meetings.

Read More →

Final Call for NAR Committee Applications

Time is running out to apply for a 2026 NAR Committee position. If you—or someone you know—are ready to step up, expand your network, and help shape the national conversation, now is the time to act.

Applications close this Wednesday, June 24! Learn more and apply before it's too late!

Apply Here →

Spread the Word: Western Washington Realtist Community Impact Day

Community Impact Day: Stronger Together, Better Together!

Western Washington Realtists are gearing up for their Community Impact Day this Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Federal Way Community Center. This is a free, family-friendly community event that's packed with resources, connection, and fun:

Homeownership Resources
Down Payment Assistance Information
Educational Panel Discussions
Game Truck: 2 PM - 4 PM
Free Shredding: 2 PM - 5 PM
Free Boxed Lunches

Whether you’re a current homeowner, REALTOR®, or simply looking for valuable community resources, there’s something at this event for everyone; spread the word and register (for free) today!

Register Here →

NAR Celebrates Washington REALTORS® at RPAC Hall of Fame Ceremony

NAR honored 9 Washington REALTORS® at the 2025 RPAC Hall of Fame Ceremony during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C. last week—recognizing members whose extraordinary commitment helps protect the future of our industry.

Induction into the RPAC Hall of Fame represents a lifetime investment of at least $25,000 in REALTOR® advocacy, and we're proud to celebrate this year’s honorees:

2025 RPAC Hall of Fame Inductees:

Kathy Berndtson, Kitsap County Association of REALTORS®
Norman Jacobson, Kitsap County Association of REALTORS®
Glenda Krull, Snohomish County Camano Association of REALTORS®
Virginia Madeya, Seattle King County Association of REALTORS®
Carolyn Sanborn, Seattle King County Association of REALTORS®
Jodie Sharp, Clark County Association of REALTORS®
Jeff Smart, Tri-City Association of REALTORS®

Additionally, these members were honored for reaching the following milestone lifetime investments:

Gary Wright, Whitman County Association of REALTORS® — $75,000 (inducted in 2008).
Laura Yoder, Lower Columbia Association of REALTORS® — $50,000 (inducted in 2020).

Please join us in celebrating and thanking these outstanding members for their leadership and unwavering support of REALTOR® advocacy!

Did You Know?

You Can Create a FREE Realtor.com Profile with Your Membership!

Chances are, you've probably already created one, but are you making the most of your profile?

Maximize this perk by completing your profile today! Only agent profiles of NAR members are featured in the Realtor.com® Find a Realtor® search, so it's important to keep your profile up-to-date and accurate!

Learn More →

Legal Hotline Q&A of the Week

Question

We recently had a transaction representing a buyer where he decided to back out of the offer just a few days into being under contract. His daughter talked him into moving to a different city to be closer to her. We were honest with the listing broker and told her the situation. We were not worried because we had an inspection contingency and have always been advised that you can get out of the offer for basically any reason in that 10 day contingency period. When we sent over the 35R the listing agent sent back an email stating that we did not have the right to terminate on the inspection because he "changed his mind". Can the buyer in fact terminate on the inspection contingency if you don't have a licensed inspector do the inspection? We did not mark "neighborhood review". Is the buyer assessing the home himself enough reason to terminate and get his earnest money back? We have done this many times or it has happened on my listings but the seller on this property is an attorney so I want to make sure I am handling it correctly.

Answer

Both parties have an argument to make in this case. Buyer broker should never disclose to a seller that buyer "changed their mind". The seller is correct that buyer does not have a contingency for buyer remorse or a change in life plans or even for a changing mind. Rather, every party to every contract has an implied duty of good faith in performance of the agreement. This means that buyer will perform every aspect of the contract with good faith.

It is also true that buyer's inspection contingency allows buyer to terminate based on buyer's subjective dissatisfaction of the condition of seller's property and that buyer is not required to hire a professional inspector but can inspect the property personally. In fact, if buyer is able to assess some element of the condition of the property and determine that it is not suitable for buyer's purposes without actually inspecting the property at all, buyer may still terminate based on the inspection contingency. The inspection contingency does not, however, give buyer the right to terminate because buyer decided to live in a different geographic location.

Buyer may very well have a fight on their hands to recover this EM because seller has been advised that buyer terminated the agreement not based on buyer's subjective dissatisfaction with the condition of the property but rather, because buyer no longer wants to live in the area. If the dispute cannot be resolved between the parties, broker should advise buyer to seek legal counsel.

Learn More →