Advocacy Scoop Podcast

In this episode, Shannon and Patrick break down the key policy and market dynamics shaping Commercial real estate today. From tax policy to insurance, to construction and energy costs, to rent control measures, NAR advocacy is working on dozens of federal, state and local actions that impact how CRE is transacted. Whether you're in brokerage, development or investment, this episode connects the dots between market forces and the advocacy efforts shaping the future of commercial real estate.

A once-in-a-generation housing bill is on the move in Congress that would address housing supply and affordability. Shannon McGahn and Patrick Newton break down what happens next, what could stall it and what it all means for the future of homebuyers and REALTORS®. Plus, April marks Fair Housing Month and the 58th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. They highlight NAR's ongoing work and commitment to expand housing access, as well as the resources available to all members.

The House just passed a major bipartisan housing bill aimed at tackling affordability and supply. After years of groundwork and relationship building, NAR helped lay the foundation for this moment, proving once again that advocacy is a long game. In a special episode recorded live at the President's Circle conference in Las Vegas, Shannon and Patrick explore what the bill actually does and whether it marks the beginning of a broader bet on housing in Washington.

Advocacy Scoop Exclusive! Recorded live at the Advocacy Week Conference, this episode unveils new results from an NAR-commissioned national poll of voters. Among the findings: housing affordability is a top voting issue, belief in the American Dream remains strong, and voters across party lines want Congress to act. Shannon and Patrick delve into the data - and why it matters on Capitol Hill right now - and discuss how REALTORS® can turn voter sentiment into bipartisan action.

It's a new year and the Advocacy team is ready to go! In this episode, Shannon and Patrick outline the advocacy portion of NAR's new Strategic Plan and discuss our policy goals for 2026, which include unleashing housing inventory, confronting NIMBYism and the growing equity gap, and protecting access to homeownership and REALTOR (R) representation. Building on our 2025 wins, Shannon shares what it will take - from a legislative and grassroots perspective - to increase housing supply and affordability and ensure homeownership is attainable for more Americans.

NAR is one of the most effective advocacy organizations in the country, and 2025 was no exception! From Congress to the White House to state capitols and the courts, NAR Advocacy was everywhere. In this episode, Shannon and Patrick do a deep-dive on the legislation, regulations and rulings that impacted housing supply and affordability, property rights and fair housing and REALTORS'(R) ability to run their businesses.

The Advocacy team continues to play a leading role in every major policy discussion shaping real estate. In this episode, taped live at the NXT Conference in Houston, Shannon McGahn and Patrick Newton break down the government funding deal that ended the shutdown, examine the latest election results and explain what these developments mean for NAR's advocacy priorities heading into 2026.

When the federal government closes for business, there's a ripple effect in the real estate economy. From the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to rental assistance to federal permitting to FHA condo approvals, many of the processes buyers and sellers depend on come to a halt. As always, NAR Advocacy is prepared for the situation! Shannon and Patrick break down what this shutdown means for REALTORS® and give an insider's perspective into the history of government shutdowns.

Buying or selling a home is one of the most highly regulated transactions in a person's life. In this episode, Shannon and Patrick unpack the complex world of real estate regulations - exploring what they mean for NAR members, how they affect consumers and the role NAR's advocacy team plays in shaping them. Wherever you practice real estate, chances are the National Association of REALTORS®, along with your state and local associations, has influenced how your state's real estate regulations are put into practice.

Tax reform is done, so what's next for NAR's advocacy team as we head into the second half of the year? Shannon and Patrick explain what the policy team is doing to ensure NAR's tax provisions are implemented effectively. They also detail how NAR is working with Congress and the Administration to tackle inventory shortages and affordability. And, there's so much happening at the state and local level… Did you know more than two-thirds of NAR's advocacy work happens outside the beltway?

On July 4th, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law - and it's a game changer for the real estate economy! In this special, bonus episode, Patrick and Shannon break down NAR's key wins in the bill that support homeowners, drive investment in housing supply and strengthen the real estate sector, which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the nation's GDP.

The U.S. Senate is deep in debate over the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," with lawmakers hoping to get it signed into law by the Fourth of July. But the Senate's version won't look exactly like the one passed by the House—so what's up for negotiation, and what could get washed away in the process? Shannon and Patrick break down where NAR's top tax priorities stand, what's transpired so far, and how a "Byrd Bath" could change everything.

In this episode of the Advocacy Scoop, Shannon and Patrick take the stage live at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in Washington to highlight NAR's tax reform wins and reveal what NAR Advocacy is doing behind the scenes as the legislation moves to the Senate. They also unveil NAR's new 2025 federal advocacy priorities and give listeners the scoop on an exciting new NAR member tax survey and an exclusive national poll on capital gains. BONUS CONTENT: Following this month's episode, hear a panel of NAR tax experts go in-depth on the tax bill.

This month on the Advocacy Scoop podcast, we're celebrating one year of delivering real estate policy insights straight from the source. In this special anniversary episode of the NAR podcast, hosts Shannon and Patrick reveal the results of an exclusive new poll commissioned by NAR, focused on key tax reform issues impacting REALTORS®. From the SALT deduction to the mortgage interest deduction (MID), they break down what the data shows and how NAR's advocacy efforts are using these insights to drive change on Capitol Hill. Plus, get a preview of the upcoming REALTOR® Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C., where thousands of members will advocate for the profession through bold, effective policy action.

April is Fair Housing Month, and Shannon and Patrick take us inside NAR's 360 degree approach to the topic. Fair Housing isn't just a feel-good phrase—it's the law. And NAR's members are an army of Fair Housing advocates leading on this issue in every zip code in America. In this episode, you will get the scoop on new NAR data on the racial homeownership gap, the exciting launch of Fairhaven 2.0, on how NAR advocates for Fair Housing every day, from our communities to the halls of Congress. The REALTOR® code of ethics sets NAR apart, and this primer on Fair Housing will bring you up to speed and make you proud to be a member of NAR.

Live from the stage in Orlando, Shannon and Patrick explore the "Magic Kingdom" of advocacy, including the latest on tax reform, the new appointments at HUD, FHFA, Labor, and the CFPB - and what the advocacy team is doing to build relationships with the new members of Congress and the Administration in this new, fast-paced policy making world.

The 119th Congress is officially in session. With 72 new legislators, NAR's advocacy team is on the case. In this episode, taped live during NAR's inaugural Advocacy Week conference, Shannon and Patrick discuss why change is the norm in Washington - and why that makes the REALTOR party model all the more important. Regardless of partisan control, REALTOR party relationships ensure NAR has a voice in Congress.

New year, new season, and new policy priorities for NAR's advocacy team. Shannon and Patrick delve into the complicated world of tax reform and how Congress and the administration plan to tackle the expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). From Opportunity Zone incentives, to the SALT deduction, to protecting 1031 like-kind exchange, they discuss what's on the table this year and what's most important for REALTORS(R) and the fight for affordability, availability, and accessibility.

In the last episode of the season, Shannon and Patrick recap the extensive, yet captivating, list of Advocacy Wins for 2024. The fight for affordability, availability, and accessibility comes in many forms, and they detail the top wins in each of the five advocacy areas: legislative, policy, judicial, state and local, and political. Shannon also shares why she made space in her voicemail ahead of the election - and what her favorite episode was this season.

This post-election episode of the Advocacy Scoop was recorded live at the NAR NXT conference two days after the election. With votes still being tallied, Shannon and Patrick unpack the election results and initial reactions. They zoom in on races from around the country and discuss what each outcome means for NAR and REALTORS® in 2025 and beyond.

For the past 45 years, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States. In this episode, ahead of the 2024 election, Shannon and Patrick "unpack" some of the most commonly asked RPAC questions and uncover why VEEP is Shannon's all time favorite political show.

It's election season, and this is the first of three episodes where we explore all the ways NAR and the REALTOR ® Party is involved in elections. From the Advocacy Everywhere grassroots program to state and local independent expenditures, NAR is helping elect REALTOR® champions in Washington, D.C. - and in state houses and city councils all across the country.

NAR is the largest commercial real estate organization with over 165,000 commercial members. In this episode, we delve into NAR's advocacy work specific to commercial real estate, including 1031 like-kind exchange, opportunity zones, conversion, and the status of the "Ugly 11" - a series of harmful tax measures that were the focus of NAR's advocacy efforts during the past several years.

In recent years, NAR has increased its legal advocacy work, taking the fight for property rights all the way to the Supreme Court. From defeating the national eviction moratorium to protecting the rights of mom-and-pop housing providers, Shannon and Patrick discuss several recent cases where NAR's support helped set new legal precedents.

This special episode was recorded live at the REALTOR® Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C. Shannon and Patrick provide a mid-year advocacy update, including advocacy work surrounding the settlement agreement and its impact on the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan guarantee program - and much more!

In part two, the hosts continue the conversation on NAR's top legislative successes and ongoing policy fights

How is NAR advocacy working for members? In part one of a two-part conversation, the hosts discuss NAR's legislative successes and ongoing policy fights.

What is advocacy? The hosts do a deep dive on NAR's advocacy organization, how it works, and why it matters.