Coastal Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Attends National GAD Institute to Advance Housing Advocacy

BERLIN, MD — Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) Government Affairs Director Hunter Isaac joined more than 250 state and local Government Affairs Directors (GADs) from across the country at the 2026 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Government Affairs Directors Institute, held July 21–23, 2026, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Columbus, Ohio.

The annual GAD Institute is NAR's premier professional development conference for advocacy professionals, bringing together association staff responsible for advancing public policy and protecting property rights at the local, state, and federal levels. The three-day program equips attendees with the latest legislative updates, advocacy strategies, communications tools, and policy resources to better serve REALTORS® and their communities.

"Attending the GAD Institute ensures Coastal Association of REALTORS® remains at the forefront of the issues shaping homeownership and the real estate industry," said Isaac. "The knowledge and connections gained during this conference help strengthen our advocacy efforts on behalf of REALTORS® and the consumers they serve across Maryland's Eastern Shore. Many of our colleagues in different Associations across the United States experience the same or similar issues we do here on the Lower Shore, and it is tremendously valuable to learn what works and what doesn't work when addressing these issues."

Key Policy Trends from the 2026 GAD Institute

This year's Institute focused on the rapidly evolving public policy landscape and preparing local associations to address housing challenges facing communities nationwide. Major topics included:

• Expanding Housing Supply through zoning reform, land-use modernization, and policies that encourage attainable housing development.
• Property Rights Protection, with discussions on legislation affecting homeowners, landowners, and real estate transactions.
• Insurance Affordability and Availability, particularly in coastal and disaster-prone communities where rising premiums continue to impact housing affordability.
• Infrastructure and Community Development, including transportation investments and utility improvements that support housing growth.
• Tax Policy and Homeownership Incentives, including updates on federal tax priorities and preserving incentives that make homeownership more attainable.
• Artificial Intelligence and Advocacy Communications, highlighting emerging tools that can improve legislative outreach, member engagement, and public education while maintaining transparency and trust.
• Grassroots Advocacy Strategies, emphasizing stronger relationships with elected officials and expanding REALTOR® participation in Calls for Action.

Attendees also participated in peer networking sessions, collaborative workshops, and discussions on best practices for communicating complex policy issues to members and elected officials.

Looking Ahead: NAR Advocacy Priorities

The Institute reinforced NAR's continued focus on advocating for policies that:

• Increase housing inventory and affordability.
• Protect private property rights.
• Support fair housing and equal access to homeownership.
• Modernize permitting and development processes.
• Preserve favorable tax treatment for homeowners and real estate investment.
• Address insurance availability and affordability challenges.
• Strengthen REALTOR® engagement in local, state, and federal advocacy efforts.

In the coming months, NAR is expected to continue engaging state and local associations through advocacy webinars, federal policy briefings, Calls for Action, and legislative updates as Congress considers housing-related legislation and tax policy proposals.

Coastal Association of REALTORS® encourages its members to stay informed and participate in upcoming advocacy opportunities, including NAR Calls for Action, Maryland REALTORS® legislative updates, and local government affairs initiatives that directly impact homeownership and the real estate profession.

"Advocacy is one of the most valuable benefits of REALTOR® membership," Isaac added. "The work happening at every level—from local planning meetings to Congress—has a direct impact on our members' businesses and on the ability of families to achieve the dream of homeownership."

Photo Caption

Coastal Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Hunter Isaac (oins fellow Government Affairs Directors from across the state and country during the 2026 National Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Directors Institute, held July 21–23 in Columbus, Ohio. More than 250 state and local advocacy professionals attended the conference to discuss emerging housing policy trends, legislative priorities, and strategies to strengthen REALTOR® advocacy nationwide. (l-r: Susie Hayward-BAAR, Hunter Isaac-CAR, Irene Kang-GCAAR, Cross Richie-GCBOR, Christa McGee-MR, Zac Tropp-GCAAR and Dwayne Mingo-PGCAR) 

About Coastal Association of REALTORS®

The Coastal Association of REALTORS® represents more than 1,000 real estate professionals serving Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The Association advocates for private property rights, promotes professionalism through education, and works to protect and expand opportunities for homeownership while supporting vibrant local communities.

Media Contact:
Bernie Flax, CEO
Coastal Association of REALTORS®
410-641-4409
bernie@coastalrealtors.org