The real estate industry is evolving rapidly nationwide, and associations need to evolve with it.
Consolidation among large brokerages is accelerating — think Compass’ $1.6 billion acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate, Rocket’s $1.75 billion deal with Redfin, Real Brokerage’s $880 million purchase of REMAX and the eXp Realty-NextHome deal — and firms are building full-service ecosystems that provide their agents with everything from marketing and technology to training and operational support.
The shift raises an important question: Where do Realtor associations fit in, and how do they stay essential?
How agents see NAR
According to research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), members continue to value the services provided by their local associations — particularly education, networking and advocacy. That’s a strong foundation, but it’s not enough on its own.
The expectations of today’s brokers and agents continue to shift, with more demands for greater innovation, efficiency and support. Fragmented, smaller associations will find it increasingly difficult to keep pace with the level of service and scale required to remain meaningful partners.
Thoughtful consolidation offers a path forward
By joining forces, associations can pool resources, eliminate duplication and invest in higher-quality services that truly support both agents and brokerages. Larger, more unified associations are better positioned to deliver sophisticated tools, stronger education platforms and more responsive member services.
At the same time, smaller associations provide the local insight and personalized support that real estate professionals value and trust. This is not just about efficiency. It’s about relevance.
According to a 2025 NAR report, brokers identified housing affordability (56 percent) as the top challenge facing firms over the next two years, followed by rising costs, technology demands and profitability concerns.
In a separate 2025 survey, NAR also found that only 38 percent of Realtors strongly agree their brokerage provides the technology tools they need to succeed — underscoring the growing need for stronger operational and technology support across the industry.
The numbers speak for themselves. As challenges become more complex, a strong association can provide the tools and support real estate professionals need to serve consumers effectively and succeed in a rapidly evolving market.
There is also a clear opportunity to better define roles. As large brokerages focus on growing their businesses and recruiting talent, associations can take the lead on critical but time-consuming functions that support agents day to day. This includes helping track continuing education requirements, ensuring compliance with Codes of Ethics and providing timely guidance on licensing and regulatory obligations.
Associations can serve as a reliable backstop, keeping agents informed, compliant and supported so brokerages don’t have to divert resources to those areas.
In addition, associations play an essential role in delivering up-to-date legal, regulatory and risk management information. In a complex and constantly shifting environment, such guidance is not just helpful, it’s necessary.
Speaking with one voice
Perhaps most importantly, consolidation strengthens the industry’s collective voice. A more unified association structure brings together a larger base of members, creating greater influence in advocacy efforts. Whether at the local, state or national level, a strong, coordinated voice is critical to protecting the interests of the industry and the businesses within it, large and small alike.
We are already seeing examples of forward-thinking associations taking this step. The consolidation involving Miami Realtors and Palm Beach/Broward Realtors demonstrates a willingness to look beyond traditional boundaries and build organizations with the scale and capacity to meet the future head-on.
These are not organizations afraid to take a position. They recognize where the industry is going and are acting accordingly.
There will always be concerns about identity and local control, and those should be respected. But the reality is the industry is already consolidating around us. Associations have a choice: Evolve proactively and help shape the future, or risk falling behind.
Consolidation isn’t about losing what makes associations valuable. It’s about strengthening it so that Realtor associations can continue to serve their members in a meaningful, impactful way for years to come.
