Each year this month, EMTAR members join our fellow Tennessee REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) members to promote the myriad benefits of owning a home and recommit to creating opportunities for future homeowners in our area as we mark National Homeownership Month.

As this important month unfolds, even as many of us are busy working with clients during the vibrant, fast-paced summer season, we also take time to pause and reflect on some of the many reasons why we believe in the power of homeownership and in helping new or repeat buyers to achieve the American Dream.

We also pause to focus on ways that our real estate industry is working to address housing supply and affordability constraints and increase homeownership opportunities in America. EMTAR is part of an ongoing effort to advocate at the local and state levels for policies and laws that support private-property rights and foster a path to homeownership for all Tennesseans.

On the national level, NAR has set forth these 2025 legislative priorities:

Support the More Homes on the Market Act (H.R. 1340) to decrease the equity penalty and incentivize more long-term owners to sell their homes

Support the Housing Supply Framework Act (H.R. 2840/ S. 1299) to create a national strategy for boosting housing production and affordability by reducing barriers to new housing development

Support the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act (H.R. 2410) to convert underused commercial properties into residential and mixed-use housing 

Support the Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act (H.R. 3526) to increase the amount that can be withdrawn penalty-free from IRAs for a down payment on a first home

Support the Fair and Equal Housing Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under the Fair Housing Act, codifying the application of the Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County decision to the Fair Housing Act, to help ensure equal housing protections for all Americans

Our voices as REALTORS® are important, at the local, state, and national levels, to champion the value of homeownership and to advocate laws, policies, ordinances, and rules that strengthen property owners and homebuyers, from the those shopping for their first house to the more seasoned in the market to downsize or grandchild-shift where they live.

Here are just a few of the resources available to you as we highlight homeownership this month and beyond:

Webinar: “Opening the Door to Homeownership for All: Research, Resources, and Results” ~ Thursday, June 26 ~ 1:00–2:00 PM Central ~ From NAR, discover actionable strategies to help clients overcome barriers to homeownership. ~ Register here

EMTAR MLS Market Statistics: Explore the latest in our monthly housing-market updates featuring Realtracs sales data for Wilson, Dekalb, and Smith counties.

EMTAR Education Opportunities: Among the many classroom and online courses that we make available are many focused on the power of homeownership and the importance of removing or lowering barriers to entry, such as affordability and fair housing. Visit this page to see our full lineup of upcoming CE and other educational offerings.

Tennessee REALTORS® Member Tools and Resources: Learn about benefits the state Association provides to help you grow and thrive in ways that will equip you to help clients achieve the dream of homeownership.

NAR’s Homeownership Month Toolkit: A collection of graphics designed to help you create awareness of homeownership. You can download and use them on your social channels and in email headers to show your support.

NAR’s First-Time Buyer video episodes: Purchasing a first home isn’t easy, but the determined buyers featured in these NAR programs are up for the challenge. Watch—and get inspired—as real estate rookies discover creative pathways to homeownership by following the lead of an agent who is a REALTOR®.

These are just the beginning, of course. Many other materials and resources are only a click or two away. (You’ll find more of them here and here.)

Happy National Homeownership Month, EMTAR REALTORS®! And thank you that, in your eyes (and in ours), every month is really Homeownership Month, because we know you are fully committed and passionate about helping others celebrate their own closing and those special moments when they cross the threshold into their very own home.

As we celebrate and mark this month, we also celebrate you!

About EMTAR: Chartered in 1969, our Association’s 1,200+ REALTORS^® are a proud part of the 36,000+ members of Tennessee REALTORS^® and of the 1.5 million+ members of NAR, all working to serve the public and protect the rights of America’s property owners. EMTAR members are known not only for their unmatched real estate excellence and high ethical standards, but also for being generous, hospitable, others-focused, loyal, hardworking, and eager to help wherever and whenever help is needed.