Last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., with Greater Nashville REALTORS® staff and leadership to attend the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2025 Legislative Meetings. We joined thousands of REALTORS® from across the country to meet directly with members of Congress, advocating for policies that support the housing market, protect property rights, and help make homeownership more attainable for more Americans.
Throughout the week, REALTORS® held over 500 meetings with lawmakers—reaching 95% of the U.S. Congress. Tennessee was proudly represented, with nearly 100 REALTORS® meeting with Senators Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn, along with Representatives Mark Green, Andy Ogles, and John Rose. We discussed key policy solutions to increase housing supply, preserve homeowner tax benefits, and support the real estate profession.
One of the central topics was the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a wide-reaching piece of legislation that could have a major impact on real estate and housing affordability. We also expressed strong support for the More Homes on the Market Act, which would double the capital gains exclusion to $500,000 for individuals and $1 million for married couples. This change could unlock millions of homes by encouraging longtime owners to sell, creating more opportunities for both move-up buyers and first-time purchasers.
In addition to expanding housing supply, we focused on preserving independent contractor status for REALTORS®, strengthening incentives for affordable housing, and protecting vital programs like the National Flood Insurance Program.
Advocacy is ongoing work—but it’s paying off. In recent years, REALTOR® advocacy has led to:
- Protection of independent contractor status for real estate professionals
- Preservation of 1031 like-kind exchanges
- Defeat of 11 harmful tax proposals in Congress
- Continuation of the National Flood Insurance Program
More recently, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed the House in May, includes several REALTOR®-backed provisions:
- Making the mortgage interest deduction permanent
- Enhancing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
- Renewing Opportunity Zone incentives
- Providing estate tax certainty for property owners
- Creating tax-advantaged child investment accounts, which can help cover major life expenses—including the purchase of a first home
While there’s still much work ahead to address housing affordability, supply, and generational wealth-building, I’m confident that REALTORS®—in Tennessee and across the country—are making a real difference. We’re not just selling homes; we’re showing up, speaking out, and shaping policies that protect consumers and promote access to the American Dream.
