Addressing Kansas City’s 64,000-Unit Housing Gap

July 8, 2026 in Guest Columns

Column by James Toy, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Every homeowner remembers the moment they received the keys to their first home. For some, it represented years of hard work and sacrifice. For others, it meant stability for their family, an opportunity to build wealth or the chance to invest in a community and […]

in Guest Columns

By David Nichols, 2026 KCRAR President The fireworks have faded. The cookouts are over. The flags have been folded and put away for another year. As our nation continues celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, I’ve found myself reflecting on something that extends well beyond Independence Day. Responsibility. When our nation’s founders declared independence, they weren’t simply […]

June 4, 2026 in Guest Columns

By David Nichols, 2026 KCRAR President When you think about Washington, D.C., you probably think about politics. I think about people. REALTORS® like you and me who take time away from their businesses, who step away from their families, who volunteer on committees and boards and who care enough about this profession to invest their […]

May 8, 2026 in Guest Columns

By David Nichols, 2026 KCRAR President As the spring market moves into full swing, many REALTORS® across our region are busier than they’ve been in quite some time. Contracts are flowing. Buyers are competing. Sellers are making decisions. And REALTORS® are working hard every day to help keep transactions moving toward the closing table. In […]

April 23, 2026 in Guest Columns

By James Toy, KCRAR Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Advocacy is one of the greatest strengths of the REALTOR® organization, and that strength comes from members who step forward to lead it. Two roles in particular—the State Political Coordinator (SPC) and the Federal Political Coordinator (FPC)—give REALTORS® in Kansas and Missouri a powerful voice […]

April 3, 2026 in Guest Columns

By David Nichols, 2026 KCRAR President April is Fair Housing Month. If you’ve been in this business for any length of time, you’ve heard the message before: Know the laws. Follow the rules. Treat everyone equally. All of that matters. But Fair Housing isn’t just about compliance, it’s about the standard we choose to carry […]

March 5, 2026 in Guest Columns

By Leslie Karr, Director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Overland Park Talk of housing is all around us. Public and private sector agencies are all working to address housing availability. In 2018, ForwardOP, the City of Overland Park’s community vision, identified housing affordability and choice as priority action items for the […]

February 12, 2026 in Guest Columns

By James Toy, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs The Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® (KCRAR) has achieved a major milestone with the adoption of its inaugural Local Policy Agenda for 2026—marking a decisive step toward shaping a stronger, more resilient housing future across the Kansas City region. Crafted by the Public Policy Committee […]

February 5, 2026 in Guest Columns

By David Nichols, 2026 KCRAR President As I step into my role as 2026 President of the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS®, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on responsibility and what it really means, and who it’s owed to. We’re trusted with guiding people through some of the biggest decisions of their […]