Members of the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS® (GBAR) recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 2026 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings. During the critical Capitol Hill visits, local real estate professionals met directly with members of Congress and their staff to champion the largest federal housing package in decades, advocating for policies to unlock inventory, lower development barriers, and support independent contractors.

High-Stakes Meetings on Capitol Hill

GBAR members brought frontline market insights directly to the legislative teams of several Massachusetts congressional leaders, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, as well as Representatives Katherine Clark, Seth Moulton, and Ayanna Pressley.

With America currently facing a shortage of more than 4 million homes, GBAR leadership emphasized that the solution requires urgent, bipartisan policy. Advocates pushed for immediate action on major housing legislation, aiming to secure passage before Congress shifts focus to campaign season ahead of the upcoming August recess.

Deep Dive into Key Legislative Priorities

With support from NAR, GBAR urged lawmakers to support a specific suite of federal bills and investments designed to address the nationwide affordability crisis:

Eliminating the "Home Equity Tax" (More Homes on the Market Act – HR 1340)
This critical piece of legislation aims to double the capital gains tax exclusion on the sale of a primary residence to $500,000 for single filers and $1 million for married couples. GBAR advocates reframed this outdated tax limit as a "stay-put penalty" or a direct tax on middle-class home equity that actively discourages long-term owners from selling.
Commercial-to-Residential Conversions (Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act – HR 2410)
To combat the inventory shortage, this bill offers a 20% tax credit to developers who convert underutilized or vacant commercial office spaces into housing, provided they keep 20% of the units affordable. GBAR representatives used local examples of vacant commercial buildings to illustrate how this bill could revitalize Massachusetts communities and create new pathways to homeownership and rental housing.
Broad Housing Production (21st Century ROAD to Housing Act)
This comprehensive package focuses on increasing overall housing production, streamlining cumbersome environmental reviews, improving affordability, and implementing low-dollar mortgages through the FHA. It also expands crucial federal support for manufactured and modular housing.
Protecting Affordable Healthcare for REALTORS® (Association Health Plans Act – HR 2508)
Following the 2024 rescission that cut off access to Association Health Plans (AHPs), GBAR advocated for this act to restore the ability of independent contractors and self-employed professionals to secure reliable, affordable health insurance through their trade associations. GBAR shared personal stories to illustrate the necessity of these plans for real estate professionals.
Defending Critical HUD Programs
GBAR strongly advocated for fully funding essential HUD initiatives—including the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, the Fair Housing Assistance Program, and Housing Counseling Services—in the face of proposed federal budget cuts. Safeguarding these programs is vital for expanding housing opportunities, protecting consumers, and helping renters build generational wealth.

Persistence Through the Legislative Finish Line

The Capitol Hill visits were organized by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in coordination with state and local associations. Because REALTORS® see firsthand how the inventory shortage impacts local families, congressional offices were highly receptive to these real-world perspectives.

With narrow majorities in both chambers, GBAR and NAR remain committed to persistent, bipartisan advocacy to push these vital economic and housing measures across the finish line.