NAR Tech & Innovation

Innovation isn't just about new technology, it's about solving real problems and creating new opportunities for people and businesses. 📰 https://bit.ly/4xG2UOm

Congratulations again to Landy Liu, Andrew Coca, and Jerimiah Taylor on being named our 2026 Innovators of the Year! Their work reflects the incredible momentum happening across our industry.

While we celebrated three outstanding innovators at , the awards are also a reminder of something bigger: innovation is happening across every corner of real estate, and the pace of change continues to accelerate.

We took a closer look at this year's honorees, the problems they're solving, and what their work says about where our industry is headed.
📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/4xG2UOm

A special thanks to Marki Lemons Ryhal, MBA, CSP, CRS, CRB, CIPS for emceeing an inspiring celebration, Damian Eales, CEO at Realtor.com and Colleen Lyons Doyle, NAR’s vice president of REALTORS® Information Network and Strategic Initiatives for sharing their perspectives during an engaging fireside chat on innovation and leadership, and .RealEstate for sponsoring the reception and helping us celebrate the entrepreneurs and visionaries shaping the future of real estate.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in recognizing the changemakers moving our industry forward! 📸 Have photos from the event? We'd love to see them—share them in the comments below! 👇

📣 Webinar this Thursday! The Future of Social Media + AI Technology: From Content to Clients — Hosted by .RealEstate. https://bit.ly/4fAL7S9

From content creation to lead generation, the agents learning how to combine AI + social media effectively are gaining a major competitive advantage.

In this upcoming session, learn practical strategies for:
→ Streamlining content creation with AI
→ Growing your personal brand online
→ Creating more consistent engagement
→ Attracting buyers, sellers, and referrals through social media

Whether you’re experimenting with AI for the first time or refining your digital strategy, this session offers a practical look at where the industry is heading next.

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4fAL7S9

Home search is changing faster than most people realize.

AI is making search feel more intuitive, conversational, and personalized than ever before.

Buyers are no longer just filtering by beds, baths, and price. They’re asking:
→ “Show me homes with good natural light”
→ “Find neighborhoods with a creative vibe”
→ “I want something walkable but quiet”

And increasingly, AI can interpret that.

The shift isn’t just about smarter search. It’s about changing consumer expectations, and what people will expect from agents, platforms, and the overall experience moving forward.

New from NAR Tech & Innovation: how AI is reshaping home search, redefining consumer expectations, and reinforcing the value of human expertise in the transaction.
Read here: https://bit.ly/49C9dYV

The next wave of fintech won’t be about adding AI to outdated workflows. It will come from rethinking the system itself. 📰 https://bit.ly/4u6B2kg

This piece explores:
• Why legacy infrastructure is slowing meaningful AI impact
• The difference between automation and transformation
• How “native AI” fintech startups are approaching the problem differently
• What real estate professionals should watch as financing, underwriting, and transaction experiences evolve

If you’re tracking where AI is creating real operational change, and where the industry may still be thinking too small, don't miss this read.

⏱️ Last day to apply! https://bit.ly/4rTg7PH

You don’t have to be a tech expert to be an innovator. If you’re rethinking processes, testing new approaches, or driving change—you’re already innovating.

➡️ Apply or nominate someone who’s making an impact: https://bit.ly/4rTg7PH

Application closes at Midnight ⏳

⏳ Time's almost up.

This is your moment to step forward—or nominate someone who’s rethinking what’s possible in real estate through technology, leadership, and impact.

Don’t wait. Applications for the 2026 Innovator of the Year Award close May 8. Apply or nominate now: https://tech.realtor/innovator-of-the-year-award/

🔥 ICYMI: Housing affordability is a defining challenge in real estate today. And it’s driving urgent innovation across the ecosystem.

We’re seeing bold ideas move from concept to real-world impact:
→ Watch: Opening Doors: How Innovation Is Rewriting Housing Affordability https://bit.ly/3Qrzt1t
→ Read: Tech-Driven Solutions for Housing Affordability https://bit.ly/4vM0jS0

From AI-powered construction to smarter financing and entirely new ownership models, the future of housing is being built right now.

📰 In the news: New paths to homeownership are emerging.

A new Realtor® News article highlights three startups tackling housing affordability https://bit.ly/4mI37M7. From down payment savings tools to co-buying models, new solutions are helping buyers rethink what’s possible and how quickly they can get there.

As affordability challenges persist, innovation is stepping in to expand access, simplify the process, and unlock new pathways into the market.

⚡ Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s driven by people pushing real estate forward.

Want to see what that looks like in action? Meet the 2025 Innovator of the Year honorees who are shaping what’s next: 🔗https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/technology/visionaries-3-tech-trailblazers-honored-as-ioi-innovators-of-the-year

Know someone driving change? (It might be you!)

Apply or nominate for the 2026 Innovator of the Year Award, today. https://bit.ly/4rTg7PH

⏳ Last chance to register! Free Webinar TODAY!

“Opening Doors: How Innovation Is Rewriting Housing Affordability”
Hear from founders tackling housing affordability head on:

⭐ Landy Liu, Founder, https://www.foyersavings.com/
⭐ Kyle Collier, Co-Founder & CEO, https://www.neobanc.com/
⭐ Nikki Merkerson, CEO, Pairgap https://pairgap.com/

🗓️ April 16 | 1:00 PM CT
👉 Save your spot before it’s too late: https://bit.ly/480sL8r