SMDRA WEEKLY NEWS & EVENTS • JANUARY 16, 2026

Inside the Advocacy Strategic Plan

What It Means for Your Business
Housing Supply, Affordability and Access What's next for advocacy in 2026

In the first episode of 2026, EVP and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn and VP of Advocacy Communications Patrick Newton outline the advocacy component of NAR’s new Strategic Plan and the 2026 policy goals that matter most to members, including increasing housing inventory, addressing NIMBYism and protecting access to homeownership and REALTOR® representation. Shannon also shares how associations can leverage legislative and grassroots efforts to increase housing supply and affordability, ensuring that homeownership is attainable for more Americans.

Episode’s Key Highlights:

• An overview of the advocacy pillar of NAR’s new Strategic Plan and how it guides 2026 priorities
• The top policy goals for 2026, including expanding housing inventory and improving affordability
• How NAR is working to confront NIMBYism and address the growing equity gap in housing

FREE EDUCATION FOR SMDRA MEMBERS!

ALL CLASSES except designations and certifications are FREE for SMDRA members.

Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation

DATE: Tue & Wed, February 24 &25, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 4:00pm Each Day

LOCATION: On-Line Zoom Format

CE CREDITS: 12

INSTUCTOR: Mickey Sanders

COST: $225 Members / $275 Others

CLASS INFORMATION: According to NAR's 2023 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, Baby Boomers now constitute a remarkable 52% of all sellers. In addition, they overtook millennials in 2022 as the largest cohort of homebuyers. The impact of this demographic on our market is undeniable, making it essential for real estate professionals to be well-prepared to counsel and assist them in the home buying and selling process.

The SRES® designation course is designed to instill knowledge, understanding and empathy for 50+ real estate clients and customers. By completing this intensive two-day, 12 CE credit course, you will develop the business-building skills and resources needed to specialize in the 50+ real estate market. The curriculum covers a wide array of topics, including selling family homes, buying rental properties and assisting seniors with transitions to senior communities.

Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA)

Certification

DATE: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

TIME: 9:00am to 4:00pm

LOCATION: On-Line Zoom Format

CE CREDITS: 6

INSTUCTOR: Rich Sands

COST: $129 Members / $159 Others

CLASS INFORMATION: The Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification is specifically designed to enhance your skills on pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values.

Determining property values depends more than ever on professional expertise and competence, the best use of technology, and approaching the pricing assignment from various perspectives. Enhance your skills in pricing properties, creating CMAs, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through the anxieties and misperceptions they often have about home values with the PSA certification.

The key to competitive home pricing is becoming proficient at comparative market analyses (CMAs). In this class, you will learn how to evaluate the existing real estate market to take the guesswork out of pricing homes. 

January Power Lunch: 2026 Economic Forecast for Metro Denver

DATE: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

TIME: 11:00am-11:20am – Lunch and Networking

11:20 Welcome Announcements & Sponsor

11:30am-1:00pm – Program

TOPIC: 2026 Economic Forecast for Metro Denver

LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center

SPEAKER: Hanna Scovill, Senior Economist and Director of Economic Competitiveness at Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation

SESSION INFORMATION: The annual look forward to the trends that are expected to influence employment activity, consumer spending, residential real estate, and commercial real estate in Colorado and Metro Denver during the year ahead.

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR: Vango Inspections

https://vangoinspections.com/

February Town Hall Talks Member Meeting: Legislative Update - Bills We Are Watching

DATE: Friday, February 6, 2025

TIME: 9:00am to 10:00am

COST: This is a SMDRA Member Only Event

LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center

SPEAKER: SMDRA Government Affairs Com.

TOPIC: Legislative Update: Bills We Are Watching

SESSION INFORMATION: Town Hall Talks are on the first Friday of every month. This will be a general SMDRA membership and marketing meeting. An opportunity to catch up on what’s happening at SMDRA, a brief informational presentation, property marketing, buyers and seller’s needs, networking with fellow SMDRA members and OF COURSE DONUTS!

Colorado’s 2026 Legislative Session kicked off on January 14th, and the next few months will be packed with bills and proposals that directly impact the way REALTORS® do business. From affordable housing and artificial intelligence to wildfire mitigation, land-use policy, and landlord/tenant law — lawmakers are taking aim at the core issues shaping our industry.

Join us for February Town Hall Talks as we break down the real conversations happening at the Capitol and the bills we’re watching closely. Learn what’s on the table, what could change, and how SMDRA and our REALTOR® partners are working behind the scenes to protect your business, your clients, and the future of real estate in Colorado.

If you want to stay informed, stay prepared, and stay ahead, this is the meeting you don’t want to miss.

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR: People’s Mortgage

https://www.peoplesmortgage.com/

February Connections & Cocktails Valentine's Day Pizza Party

DATE: Thursday, February 12, 2026

TIME: 4:00pm to 6:00pm

TOPIC: Connections & Cocktails Member Networking

FEBRUARY THEME: Valentine’s Day Pizza Party

THIS IS A SMDRA MEMBER ONLY EVENT!

Every second Thursday of the month from 4:00pm to 6:00pm for Connections & Cocktails, our lively networking event designed exclusively for SMDRA members! Enjoy delightful cocktails, light appetizers, and vibrant music spun by our DJ Member.

Love is in the air… and so is the smell of fresh, hot pizza! Join us for a special Valentine’s Day Pizza Party edition of Connections & Cocktails, where the only thing better than the networking is the toppings.

Whether you’re celebrating love, friendship, your business, or simply your deep emotional connection to mozzarella, this is the perfect way to warm up your February.

Enjoy a fun, casual evening filled with: Sweet conversations, new connections, and plenty of SMDRA heart!

CONNECTIONS & COCKTAILS SPONSOR: Karen Hyman, Fidelity National Home Warranty

https://www.homewarranty.com/

February Power Lunch: FinCEN is Coming: What REALTORS Need to Know Before March 1, 2026

DATE: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

TIME: 11:00am-11:20am – Lunch and Networking

11:20 Welcome Announcements & Sponsor

11:30am-1:00pm – Program

TOPIC: FinCEN Is Coming: What REALTORS® Need to Know Before March 1, 2026

LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center

SPEAKER: Gina Galati, SVP, Colorado Operations Manager, WFG National Title

SESSION INFORMATION: Starting March 1, 2026, a new federal rule from the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will apply to certain U.S. residential real estate transactions, particularly all-cash purchases involving LLCs or trusts. This Power Lunch will break down what FinCEN is, why real estate is impacted, and how the new requirements may affect transaction timelines, documentation, and client expectations. REALTORS® will learn practical steps they can take now, including setting expectations with cash buyers, involving settlement agents earlier, and educating clients calmly to help ensure smoother, compliant transactions moving forward.

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR: Checkmate Moving and Storage https://checkmatemoving.com/

Get the SMDRA Market Trends & Statistics for December 2025

NAR's Consumer Guide Series

How to Make Your Home

More Energy Efficient

National Association of REALTORS®

National Association of REALTORS®

NAR continues to roll out our “Consumer Guide” series, and they are pleased to share the latest resources on offers of compensation for home sellers. These resources cover the process and options available for offering compensation to a buyer’s agent and the reasons why this may be a compelling strategy for sellers to consider when marketing their property.

NAR hopes you are finding these resources to be useful, and they encourage you to continue to distribute them to inquiring consumers so they are armed with the information they need as they begin working with an agent who is a REALTOR®.

Colorado Association of REALTORS Share 2025 Recap and Outlook for Statewide Markets in 2026

Colorado Association of REALTORS

Colorado’s housing market closed 2025 in a more balanced and cautious position after years of disruption and volatility, according to the latest Market Trends Housing Report from the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

December Housing Market Reports

REcolorado

The Denver Metro housing market showed signs of moderation this December, with seasonal slowing and steadier pricing, creating a more measured environment for both buyers and sellers. Closed listings fell by 2% to 3,100, indicating a mild slowdown compared to last year. Home prices stayed consistent as the median closed price decreased by just 1% to $574,000. Single-family homes showed price stability with a median closed price of $625,000, down less than 2% year over year. Attached homes accounted for a larger shift, with the median price dipping 3% to $400,000.  

RPAC UPDATES

Get on the Bus 2026:

REALTOR Day at the Capitol

Nick Bokone - SMDRA Government Affairs

SMDRA is pleased to announce that we will again be asking members to “Get on the Bus” and join us at our annual REALTOR Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 11th.

Details are still being confirmed, but we expect our chartered bus to leave SMDRA at 8:00 am that day and return sometime around 3:00pm. We’ll have a private briefing during the ride to the Capitol from CAR VP of Public Policy Brian Tanner.

This day is a great chance to not only see how your state legislature works, but to advocate for specific policies supported by the Colorado Association of REALTORS and the real estate industry. We’ll spend time one on one with our elected officials and talk to them about things that matter most to our business.

Look for a link to sign up for this special day soon and mark your calendars now to attend on March 11, 2026! 

A Year of Wins: How Your Advocacy Dues Fueled Big Victories in 2025

NAR REALTOR Party

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®' ability to run their businesses. 

This edition of the SMDRA Weekly Newsletter is made possible by our Corporate Sponsors:

SMDRA Event Rentals

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SMDRA REALTOR Member

Benefit - Forewarn!

SMDRA is thrilled to announce a COMPLIMENTARY proactive safety and lead intelligence service for all SMDRA REALTOR Members!

NEW AT FOREWARN! We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Community Hub to help agents make the most of their FOREWARN member benefit! 

The FOREWARN Community Hub includes:  

• How to use FOREWARN: A quick guide to using FOREWARN. 
• Activation instructions: Four easy steps to set up your account if you haven’t already. 
• Search tips and FAQs: How to get the most out of the app and get answers to common questions. 
• Training sessions: Sign up for live training or watch the demo video. 
• Videos: Watch the product video to see how FOREWARN can help protect you and your business or watch a testimonial video to see how it has helped others. 

STAY ATTENTIVE TO WHEN YOU feel stress building and dedicate time to self-care habits and activities that help you manage stress in healthy ways.

Learn more at www.NAR.realtor/safety

YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS!

Discover Member discounts and resources from NAR, CAR and SMDRA!. Time to maximize your strategic partnerships, and member-only discounts for members. Our mission is to ensure you have access to the best tools resources you need to achieve greater success.

NAR BENEFIT

REALTORS INSURANCE

REALTORS® Insurance Place is an exclusive insurance shopping site created just for NAR members. It provides plans for you and your family, including health coverage options, group dental, group vision, and group life insurance, plus a variety of wellness solutions including 24/7/365 telemedicine – all with exclusive benefits just for NAR members. Plans for all stages of life, including an offering that even extends to your pets.

CAR BENEFIT

DOMII

Domii offers a mobile residential real estate platform for agents to utilize as their preferred method of gaining listing prospects, provides an instant link to the national DNC database and a felony check on potential clients. Currently, the safety service is free to CAR members using the Promo code CAR5. domii® is FREE once you have watched the training video to learn how to use this incredible technology.

SMDRA BENEFIT

COPY SERVICES

High Quality, copy services at Prices Below Local Area Services. SMDRA Members have access to high quality, color/black and white copy services with all the bells and whistles to meet your document reproduction needs. The cost of SMDRA Copy Services is well below current copy costs that are available in the local area marketplace.

Stop by the SMDRA Office for more details or to give it a try!

2026 CORPORATE SPONSORS & PARTNERS

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