NC REALTORS® 2025 Convention Recap: Insight, Impact, and REALTOR® Leadership
The 2025 NC REALTORS® Annual Convention brought together REALTOR® professionals from across North Carolina for an energetic and forward-looking weekend of networking, education, and visionary discussion. With the theme of turning insight into action, our members from Longleaf Pine REALTORS® were right in the mix—bringing home new ideas, connections, and renewed determination.
Addressing the Housing Gap: REALTOR® Leadership in Motion
One of the standout conversations at the convention centered on North Carolina’s looming housing shortfall—the state is projected to face a gap of over 760,000 housing units in the coming years. According to the Housing Presidential Advisory Group (PAG) report, addressing supply alone won’t suffice; we must also streamline policy, encourage adaptive reuse, and modernize local toolkits to meet future needs.
For members of Longleaf Pine REALTORS®, this means embracing our role not just as brokers and agents, but as community leaders and advocates who help shape housing outcomes across southeastern North Carolina.
Advocacy That Matters: From Permits to Policy
At the event’s core were sessions focused on how REALTORS® can proactively influence the system. The PAG Report presented several actionable priorities to guide associations and policy leaders statewide, including:
- Streamlining after-the-fact permits to reduce barriers for homeowners and developers.
- Retiring dormant restrictive covenants that hinder development or reinforce outdated language.
- Empowering local associations through customizable advocacy toolkits, enabling grassroots action.
- Promoting adaptive reuse projects, turning vacant or under-used spaces into housing opportunities.
Our Longleaf Pine REALTORS® team left with a clear message: REALTOR® voices matter, and we have the tools to move the needle locally.
Celebrating Local Success: Laurie & Nakia Stand Out
We are thrilled to congratulate Laurie Linder for receiving the Regional Service Award for Region 3 at the NCR Convention—recognition that speaks volumes about her dedication, leadership, and service to our region and community.
Likewise, congratulations to Nakia Nelson on his graduation from the NCR Leadership Academy—a milestone that signifies promise, potential, and a next-generation commitment to REALTOR® leadership. These successes reflect not just individual achievement, but the strength of our collective REALTOR® community.
Collaboration, Innovation & Future-Focus
The convention emphasized that solving housing challenges requires more than individual efforts—it demands collaboration across REALTOR® associations, builders, local government officials, and community development partners. Ideas like land banks, community land trusts, zoning modernization, and strategic public-private partnerships were front and center.
For Longleaf Pine REALTORS®, the takeaway is clear: extending our network, deepening our advocacy reach, and elevating our professional voice all help us shape our communities for the better.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for You
The 2025 NC REALTORS® Convention wasn’t just a gathering—it was a reminder that REALTOR® voices matter. Our ability to influence policy, educate the public, and lead on housing issues defines the impact we make across the state.
- Engage locally: Whether you’re a seasoned broker or a rising agent, your voice matters when it comes to policy, community development, and housing outcomes.
- Tap into resources: The PAG report’s focus areas are more than talk—they’re blueprints for action. We’ll be rolling out local initiatives that align with those statewide goals.
- Celebrate and elevate: Recognizing leaders like Laurie and Nakia reminds us all of what’s possible through involvement, dedication, and service.
- Stay tuned: Longleaf Pine REALTORS® will be sharing workshops, advocacy updates, and collaborative opportunities to turn the convention’s insight into concrete action in our region.
We extend our deep thanks to all members who attended, participated, and brought back the energy and ideas that will help shape our work in the months ahead. Together, we’re not just observing trends—we’re influencing outcomes, fostering opportunity, and strengthening our REALTOR® voice in North Carolina.
