NRBA Video News Replay -February 11 , 2026

The NRBA Video News meeting focused on market trends and upcoming opportunities in real estate, with Michael and Jason discussing the upcoming conference scheduled for April 22-25. The meeting highlighted concerning economic indicators, including rising delinquency rates and household debt, while noting that the current market conditions favor short sale professionals. Jason reported that approximately 120 members have registered for the conference, including client attendance is expected to reach around 200. The discussion covered various attorney relationships and networking strategies, with Carolyn sharing her experience working with bankruptcy trustees. The conversation ended with Michael emphasizing that the current market conditions would be favorable for the organization’s members despite broader economic challenges.

The meeting began with Michael welcoming everyone and discussing technical issues with Zoom. Michael expressed appreciation for the team’s efforts and announced that the meeting would now switch to recording mode. He introduced this week’s host, Jason Greenleaf, and commented on Jason’s appearance. Michael then previewed the content of the upcoming NRBA Video News, emphasizing the positive outlook for their team amidst challenging times in the real estate industry.

The team discussed the upcoming NRBA conference scheduled for April 22-25, noting that the room block is full for Friday and Saturday, and members should book rooms for Wednesday/Thursday to and then contact member services to secure extended stays. Michael shared insights about the current real estate market, highlighting a 19% fallout rate in Vegas and overall buyer skittishness due to poor consumer sentiment. He also clarified that the Certified Short Sail Expert course’s NRBA discount code can be used for staff members, though it expires after 6 months, and the directory access will be free only for the first 1,000 users before becoming a paid service. Sarah inquired about video embedding in profiles, which can be done.

Michael discussed the launch of a short sale directory and training program for brokers, emphasizing its hyperlocal focus and potential for significant success. He explained that the program covers setting up a short sale department, hiring and training staff, and marketing strategies. Michael also addressed questions about House Karma, a consumer-related real estate initiative, noting that its launch is delayed due to pending legislation and unfavorable market conditions. He highlighted a significant pent-up demand for home purchases among younger buyers, despite current economic challenges. Michael expressed confidence in the project’s long-term prospects and mentioned that even NAR is not currently promoting home buying as they did in 2007.

Michael discussed the issue of spam calls and asked if any programs, such as “Cloaked,” were effective in reducing them. Sarah shared her experience with “Cloaked,” noting that it had not significantly reduced spam calls despite her using it for six months. Michael mentioned that the National Real Estate Brokers directory limits search capabilities to prevent bots from targeting members with spam. He also highlighted a job posting by Fannie Mae for a mortgage fraud investigator, indicating an anticipated increase in mortgage and short sale fraud as the economy and housing market decline. Michael emphasized the role of real estate professionals in creating new homeownership opportunities and encouraged attendees to view their work positively, despite the negative implications of economic downturns.

Michael discussed the current state of household debt and delinquency rates, explaining that while the percentage of delinquent loans is lower than during the 2008 crisis, the actual volume of delinquent debt is higher due to increased total debt levels. He highlighted that delinquencies are particularly rising among low-income and younger borrowers, contributing to an increasingly bifurcated economy, with opposite trends for wealthy and lower-income individuals. Michael also noted that student loan delinquencies reached their highest level since 2004, with over 16% of student loan debt becoming delinquent in the fourth quarter, driven by higher defaults among college graduates, who are typically a large percentage of first-time homebuyers.

Michael discussed the housing market’s potential for a surge due to pent-up demand and lower mortgage rates, contrasting predictions from NAR Economist and JP Morgan. He highlighted the impact of inflation-adjusted capital gains tax changes on seniors’ willingness to sell their homes, which could increase market inventory. Michael also warned about rising debt and defaults, urging listeners to prepare by organizing their affairs. Lastly, he mentioned the House’s new affordability bill, which passed with bipartisan support and aims to streamline zoning laws, improve financing options, and increase the use of manufactured homes.

The meeting discussed a new housing bill aimed at streamlining permitting processes and increasing funding for California. The bill offers grant money to cities that simplify zoning and building regulations, though actual construction would still take 2-3 years. Michael noted that Warren Buffett, through Berkshire Hathaway, previously owned manufactured housing plants, suggesting a potential conflict of interest in promoting manufactured housing. The bill, sponsored by French Hill and Maxine Waters, includes measures to increase FHA loan limits for multifamily units and create a pilot program for smaller dollar mortgages for properties under $100,000, which could benefit certain properties. Additionally, the bill allocates more funding for HUD housing counselors and non-profits to promote their services.

Jason discussed the upcoming conference, noting that 130 individuals from multiple clients have been invited so far. He emphasized the importance of follow-up on invitations and requested team members’ help in reaching out to clients who have been invited. Jason also highlighted the challenge of managing multiple attendees from the same company due to limited room blocks. He shared a personal anecdote about a client’s reliance on the NRBA website, emphasizing the organization’s strong position in the industry.

The meeting focused on the current state of the real estate market and strategies for success in the industry. Michael shared insights from a Fox news segment about the housing crisis, highlighting the imbalance between the number of agents and homes available, and emphasized the importance of positioning oneself as a top 1% broker. He discussed the use of data and tools like RE Trans to identify potential short sales and delinquent borrowers, stressing the need for accurate interpretation of such information. The group also touched on upcoming conferences, networking strategies, and the importance of maintaining strong client relationships. Michael encouraged members to leverage their position in the market and emphasized the need for continued education and adaptation to the changing economic landscape.