Membership News: June 24, 2025
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🌈 CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH 🏳️🌈
This June, we honor the vibrant, diverse, and powerful LGBTQIA+ community. Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a movement. A stand for equality. A symbol of love, resilience, and the freedom to be who you are, unapologetically.
In every color, every protest, every quiet moment of love and courage—there is power. 🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
As we reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still must go, we hold space for both celebration and continued action. Together, we raise our voices and our flags in unity.
🏳️🌈 ✊🏾 Love is love. Pride is power. You are seen. You are valued. You belong.
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NAR's New Fair Housing Training Requirement
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REALTORS® are now required to complete Fair Housing / Anti-Bias Training upon becoming a member, and every 3 years thereafter, coinciding with the Code of Ethics training timeline. This requirement is in addition to the Code of Ethics training. Qualified training must be of not less than 2 hours of instructional time. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. This requirement began January 1, 2025, with a cycle deadline of December 31, 2027. This falls in line with the Cycle 8 of the Code of Ethics as it began January 1, 2025, with a deadline of December 31, 2027, as well.
Training may be completed through NAR’s online courses or through another method, such as online or classroom courses via local/state associations.
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Upcoming Classes & Events
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Committee Workdays are Back!
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We have created our Committee Workday schedule for 2025. This is the best way to jump head-first into having a voice in your association. Make plans to join one of our upcoming sessions and see where you might be interested in jumping in to help. All MSAR Members are welcome!
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Welcome to our Newest Members!
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New Member Orientation is required of all new REALTORS® within 6 months of joining an association. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, MSAR's New Member Orientation program, like many other programs, went fully virtual. For these years, new members were asked to meet this requirement by spending a couple hours on a computer learning about various resources connected to our membership, then were asked to take a quiz. Just like many other things in our business, this well-put together resource served its purpose well and kept us all safer, but something was missing.
For the first time since the pandemic, MSAR has brought this session back to a fully in-person experience. At its core, New Member Orientation is about more than just learning how things are done. This 2-hour interactive event gives new members the opportunity to meet the leadership team and staff at MSAR. It also gives our Affiliate Business Partners a unique opportunity to network with these new members and give them tools to help start a successful business. Further, participants in orientation build camaraderie and a support system of other new members. They learn about REALTOR® membership requirements, all the benefits associated with being a REALTOR® at MSAR, and how to get more involved in the business, MSAR, and our community. We ended last week's orientation program by administering the REALTOR® Oath and sharing a toast to all our new members and their shared success.
New Member Orientation is offered every other month, alternating between Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10:00am to 12:00pm. This essentially gives all new members 2-3 opportunities to attend the program within their first 6 months of joining.
While orientation is required for all new members, we invite our affiliates and leaders to come on out and show what they do for MSAR. If you didn't get your opportunity to get plugged into this wonderful resource in-person, we also invite you to join us for one of our upcoming orientation sessions, linked below.
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Welcome to the very first episode of REALTOR® Therapy Sessions — where the paperwork is endless, the clients are unpredictable, and the emotional trauma is... oddly relatable. In this debut session, we sit down with Sheila and William Carpenter — a real estate power couple on the edge. Between open house disasters, midnight phone calls from anxious buyers, and one too many escrow nightmares, the Carpenters are ready to crack — or at least, have a good laugh about it. 😵💫 Witness a couple who loves real estate almost as much as they love each other... almost. This isn’t therapy. It’s REALTOR® Therapy. A comedy series by MSAR for anyone who's ever said “I’m never working with buyers again” — and meant it… until next weekend.
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Recording of Season 2 of Nexus Podcast Has Begun
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Hey MSAR! We have had a great year. So many events, awards, and fun!
Nexus has become an international podcast being in over 20 countries! We have laughed, cried, and laughed until we've cried. This year I want to challenge you to get more involved in your Association, and your communities, and in the Spirit of that I want to ask each of you to complete the following checklist:
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Thank you For Being a part of Season One of Nexus. We cannot wait to see you in season 2!
P.s. Season Two Features a Tiger.
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We’re thrilled to announce that The Nexus Podcast is planning to take our conversations to the next level by launching live streams on Twitch—and we need your support to make it happen!
What is Twitch?
Twitch is a popular live-streaming platform where creators from all walks of life connect with their audiences in real time. Originally known for gaming, Twitch has evolved into a hub for creators sharing everything from podcasts and music to cooking and art. It’s an interactive space where listeners like you can watch, comment, and engage directly with us and our guests during live recordings.
Why Twitch Matters for The Nexus Podcast
- Real-Time Interaction: Imagine having your questions answered live or sharing your thoughts as our guests discuss the topics you love. Twitch allows us to build a stronger, more interactive connection with you.
- Broader Reach: With millions of active users on Twitch, this platform will introduce The Nexus Podcast to a global audience, helping us grow our community and amplify our impact.
- Exclusive Content: Twitch live streams will feature behind-the-scenes moments, live Q&A sessions, and special events you won’t find anywhere else.
- Community Building: Twitch isn’t just a platform—it’s a community. By joining us live, you become part of a dynamic, engaged group of listeners who help shape the conversation.
We’re excited about this next chapter, but we can’t do it without you! Whether it’s following us on Twitch, sharing the news with friends, or tuning in for our first live stream, your support means everything.
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6 ‘Wellness’ Additions Taking Priority in Bathroom Updates
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Designers emphasize the introduction of the “Re-Room.”
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"Homeowners are transforming their bathrooms into wellness retreats. They’re favoring features like optional lighting, smart technology, natural colors and low-maintenance materials, according to the 2025 Bath Trends Report, produced by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
“The bathroom is evolving into a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation, as the demand for spa-inspired features continues to grow in response to the stresses of modern life,” says Bill Darcy, global president and CEO of NKBA.
NKBA dubs it the “Re-Room”—a wellness retreat where homeowners can renew, re-center and reinvigorate.
Ninety percent of designers surveyed by NKBA believe the primary bath will increasingly be viewed as a “personal sanctuary” within the home; about 60% predict “relaxed/retreat-like” themes and spa-like environments to dominate. Surveyed designers and remodeling contract professionals say, over the next three years, “wellness-focused design” will largely be the focus in updating bathroom spaces. You can expect such features to resonate with home buyers, too."
- Melissa Dittman Tracey
Melissa Dittmann Tracey is a contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine and editor of the Styled, Staged & Sold blog.
Click the link below to read the full article by Melissa Dittman Tracey
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GREC Now Requires Broker Specific CE
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The Georgia Real Estate Commission’s Rule change regarding continuing education (CE) for brokers has been approved by the Office of the Governor.
Effective July 1, 2025, all brokers will be required to complete a minimum of 18 hours of broker CE per 4-year renewal period. The 18 hours is part of the required 36 hours of CE each renewal period. The required 3 hours of license law CE will remain in effect for all licensees.
In preparation for creating appropriate broker CE courses, please review GA license law and rules and regulations pertaining to duties and responsibilities brokers perform daily.
See the link below for resources about the new rule change from the GREC website.
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‘Should I Remodel My Home Before I Sell?’
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Learn the home remodeling projects that offer the highest returns at resale.
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"Real estate professionals say they often recommend potential sellers prioritize these two house projects before they sell: Painting, whether it’s the entire home or at least one interior room, and making sure the roof is up to par. Such projects can make a difference in marketing a home to potential buyers, according to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. About one-third of real estate pros also believe kitchen upgrades can make a big difference in upping a property’s appeal.
Home remodeling continues to be a booming business, as homeowners flex the rapid increase they’ve seen in home equity and use it to spruce up their homes. Real estate pros are finding themselves an important ally in helping to guide remodeling decisions. "
- Melissa Dittman Tracey
Melissa Dittmann Tracey is a contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine and editor of the Styled, Staged & Sold blog.
Click the link below to read the full article by Melissa Dittman Tracey
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Dear Association Executive Committee Diversity Advisory Board Leadership and Members,
I wanted to share an update about changes to the Code of Ethics that were ratified at the recent REALTORS® Legislative Meetings—specifically, Standard of Practice 10-5 (“SOP 10-5”) and Professional Standards Policy Statement 29, which fall under Article 10.
As you know, the Code of Ethics is what distinguishes REALTORS® from other real estate professionals. It is the foundation of our ability to earn and maintain consumers’ trust as we fulfill our mission to preserve, protect, and advance the right to real property for all. To ensure these guidelines are up to date, NAR’s Professional Standards Committee is tasked with continually assessing and, when appropriate, amending the Code of Ethics.
NAR takes any changes to the Code of Ethics seriously, and I wanted to explain the context and rationale for these changes.
Article 10 prohibits REALTORS® from denying equal professional services and employment opportunities based on protected characteristics. SOP 10-5 was adopted in 2020 to further clarify the application of Article 10 by prohibiting REALTORS® from using harassing speech, hate speech, epithets, or slurs.
Like any other article of the Code of Ethics, state and local associations are empowered to enforce Article 10.
In the years since 2020, it has become clear that there has been uncertainty about the interpretation and implementation of these standards of practice. With more than a million members across the country, we need to ensure the specific articles of the Code of Ethics are clear in their language and intent and can be enforced fairly and consistently. Without this, the defensibility—and sustainability—of the Code itself is in doubt.
At RLM, the Professional Standards Committee moved to recommend changes to SOP 10-5, which were then ratified by both the NAR Executive Committee and Board of Directors, in accordance with our amendment process.
The new language, which you can review here, 1) creates a more specific definition of “harassment,” aligning with the definition in the NAR Member Code of Conduct, and 2) focuses Article 10’s—along with the entire Code of Ethics’—application on instances in which REALTORS® are operating in their professional capacity, consistent with similar ethical requirements applied by other large trade associations across the country. Further, by enhancing the clarity of this language, the changes reduce risk to state and local associations and their volunteer leadership who administer and enforce Article 10.
I will conclude by emphasizing that NAR is deeply committed to upholding principles of fair housing and equal treatment for all consumers—these changes aim to make the Code of Ethics clearer while continuing to hold REALTORS® to the highest ethical and professional standards.
If you have any questions about the proposed changes or NAR’s formal process for amending the Code of Ethics, please contact the NAR Member Policy team at narpolicyquestions@nar.realtor.
Chief Human Resources Officer, National Association of REALTORS®
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Thank you, valued members of Metro South Association of REALTORS®, for your unwavering commitment to excellence in the real estate industry.
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