NAR NXT 2027 — What the National Association of Realtors Conference Means for Buyers
NAR NXT 2027: what the National Association of Realtors annual conference produces, how NAR data shapes housing policy, and what buyers need to know about NAR settlement changes to buyer agent compensation rules.
Event
NAR NXT 2027
National Association of Realtors
The National Association of Realtors is the largest trade association in the US, representing over 1.5 million real estate professionals. NAR NXT is its flagship annual conference — and 2027 follows a period of major disruption: the landmark 2024 commission settlement, ongoing antitrust scrutiny, and a housing market shaped by the worst affordability conditions in a generation. Here is what buyers should know about what NAR does, what it signals, and how the post-settlement landscape changes the homebuying process.
NAR after the 2024 settlement — what actually changed
The NAR commission settlement, effective August 17, 2024, changed two fundamental rules:
Sellers are no longer required to offer buyer agent compensation through MLS listings. The practice of sellers automatically paying 2.5%–3% to the buyer's agent is gone as a default. Buyers must now negotiate compensation explicitly.
Buyers must sign a written agreement with their agent before touring homes — specifying the agent's compensation. This agreement must be negotiated before any representation begins. The CFPB guide to the NAR settlement explains buyer rights and what to look for in these agreements.
What the data NAR publishes means for buyers
NAR publishes more housing market data than any other single organization. Understanding which reports to track — and what they actually measure — helps buyers time their searches and calibrate offers:
Existing Home Sales
Monthly — 3rd Thursday
Closed sales of previously owned homes. The headline number and median price. The months of supply figure (inventory ÷ monthly sales rate) is the most important market indicator — below 3 months is a seller's market; above 5 is a buyer's market.
Pending Home Sales Index
Monthly — 4th Thursday
Signed contracts not yet closed. Leads closed sales by 1–2 months — the best real-time read on buyer activity. Rising PHSI means more competition incoming; falling PHSI signals softening.
Affordability Index
Monthly
Measures whether a median-income family can qualify for a median-priced home at current rates. A reading below 100 means the median family cannot afford the median home. The index has been below 100 since mid-2022 — the worst sustained reading in 40 years.
Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Annual
Annual survey of actual home transactions. Tracks first-time buyer share, median age, down payment sources, agent usage, and how buyers found their home. Essential context for understanding what today's typical transaction looks like.
Themes at NAR NXT 2027
Given the post-settlement environment and market conditions entering late 2026, the sessions most relevant to buyers will likely cover:
Buyer representation agreement standards
One year after mandatory written agreements took effect, NXT 2027 will review how different brokerages are structuring compensation, what terms are common, and how buyers should evaluate and negotiate these agreements before signing.
Inventory and affordability policy
NAR has been a leading advocate for zoning reform, ADU legalization, and supply-side housing policy. Sessions here preview what legislative agenda NAR will push at the federal and state level in 2027 — which shapes the medium-term supply picture.
Fair housing and appraisal bias
NAR has increased focus on fair housing enforcement and the racial appraisal gap. Sessions on appraisal bias remediation and lender fair lending practices matter to minority borrowers facing documented disparities in appraisal values and loan approval rates.
Understand your full buying costs
With buyer agent compensation now explicitly negotiated, your total transaction cost needs a fresh look. Use the affordability calculator to model how agent fees, closing costs, and current rates affect your true all-in budget.
External references
- NAR — Existing home sales data — monthly report on closed sales volume, median prices, and months of supply — the most widely cited US housing market indicator
- NAR — Commission settlement facts — official NAR explanation of the August 2024 settlement changes to MLS compensation rules and buyer representation requirements
- CFPB — What homebuyers should know about the NAR settlement — consumer-focused explainer on written buyer agreements, how to negotiate agent compensation, and buyer protections
- NAR — Pending home sales index — leading indicator of closed sales 1–2 months ahead; useful for gauging how competitive the buyer pool will be when you are actively searching
- WSJ — NAR settlement coverage — Wall Street Journal reporting on how the commission changes are playing out in practice for buyers and sellers in major markets
Common questions
What changed for buyer agent commissions after the NAR settlement?
The NAR settlement effective August 2024 eliminated the requirement for sellers to offer buyer agent compensation through the MLS. Buyers must now sign written buyer representation agreements before touring homes, and buyer agent compensation must be negotiated explicitly — it is no longer assumed to come from the seller. The practical effect: some buyers are paying agent fees directly; others are negotiating seller concessions to cover them.
How does NAR data affect what I pay for a home?
NAR publishes the most widely cited existing home sales data, including the national median price, months of supply, and sales volume. These figures set market expectations and are used by lenders, appraisers, and buyers to calibrate offers. When NAR reports tight inventory and rising prices, it reinforces seller leverage. The monthly Existing Home Sales report is released on the third Thursday of each month.
What is the NAR pending home sales index?
The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) measures signed contracts that have not yet closed — a leading indicator of future closed sales by 1–2 months. A rising PHSI signals improving buyer activity; a declining PHSI signals weakening demand. The index is released monthly and is one of the best real-time signals for whether the buyer pool you are competing in is growing or shrinking.
What does NAR NXT actually cover as a conference?
NAR NXT (formerly NAR Annual) is the primary conference for real estate agents and brokers, covering market trends, technology, legal and regulatory changes, and professional development. The buyer-relevant signal is from the policy sessions: changes to MLS rules, commission practices, fair housing enforcement, and state-level legislative changes typically previewed here before formal implementation. Session details and registrations are published at NAR Events ahead of each conference.
Does NAR membership affect the agents I can work with?
NAR members must adhere to the NAR Code of Ethics and are bound by the settlement terms. Not all real estate licensees are NAR members (Realtors® is a trademarked term for members). The practical difference: NAR Realtors are subject to additional ethics obligations and arbitration processes. When interviewing agents, ask whether they are NAR members and review the written buyer representation agreement before signing. The NAR Code of Ethics outlines member obligations in full.