MNR President Wendy Uzelac followed with a call to action. "Showing up matters," she said, "if we want to advance the dream of homeownership and uphold real property rights in Minnesota." As volunteer leaders and working real estate professionals, members bring unique expertise to policy: firsthand experience from the communities where housing challenges are felt every single day across the state. When Realtors® speak with a united voice, legislators listen—and this day was built to make that happen.
Setting the Tone: Supply Shortage & Bipartisan Solutions
Rep. Michael Howard (DFL), Co-Chair of the House Housing Finance & Policy Committee, stopped by, offering welcoming remarks to a crowd of about one hundred Realtors®. Even in a polarized political environment, he noted, Minnesota's House Housing Committee has remained an environment of frequent collaboration marked by mutual respect.
Rep. Howard went on to discuss what he feels is Minnesota’s key housing challenge: We are short about 100,000 homes according to some research, and that mismatch between supply and demand is showing up everywhere—in rising prices, in homeowners staying put longer because they can't find a move-up or downsizing option they can afford, and in first-time buyers getting squeezed out entirely. "We need to stop admiring the problem," he said, "and do more in terms of direct legislative action to address our housing shortage."
To that end, Rep. Howard has been a driving force behind the Minnesota Starter Homes Act—backed by legislators from both parties, and co-authored by House Housing Committee Co-Chair, Rep. Spencer Igo (R)—which would modify local zoning authority and approval of residential development, provides a menu of options for cities to select from to increase housing density, streamline permitting, and limit costly mandates that slow development and inflate prices.
Rep. Howard also recognized MNR's role as a trusted partner in this work, crediting the association's housing market data and the firsthand knowledge Realtors® bring from their communities as some of the most compelling information available to legislators. The challenges, and solutions, he said are “not a blue issue, not a red issue.” Rep. Howard thanked members for helping carry that message and showing up for Minnesotans.
2026 Election Preview: What's Coming and Why It Matters
Next, Todd Rapp (CEO and President of Rapp Strategies) took members inside the 2026 political landscape and coming mid-term elections with his trademark candor. A seasoned political analyst with deep roots in Minnesota campaigns and elections history, Rapp walked attendees through the dynamics driving voter sentiment across the political spectrum—from fraud and grocery prices to affordability and healthcare—and what those trends might mean for the upcoming legislative and statewide elections.
One key takeaway for Realtors®: elections have consequences for real estate, agents and consumers alike. After all, the housing market is downstream from the laws and policy decisions made by elected officials. And as noted above, no one understands what home buyers and sellers are struggling with better than the agents working with them every day. That expertise is an asset in the Capitol, at the polls, and in every conversation with a legislator. Understanding the political environment, and how your elected representatives and candidates on an upcoming ballot approach to the root cause of housing issues should be considered.
Property Insurance: A Growing Challenge for Homeowners
Rep. Steve Elkins (DFL), Chair of the Legislative Task Force on Homeowners and Commercial Property Insurance, discussed one of the fastest-growing cost pressures in Minnesota real estate: homeowners insurance. Minnesota's insurance rates are rising faster than most other states. According to Rep. Elkins, the rate increase is driven by the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, like wind and hailstorms. The impact is real: as MNR Director of Research David Arbit's showed how our modeling indicates insurance premiums are up more than 71% since 2020. This is a contributing factor to affordability challenges and the rising age of first-time buyers.
Rep. Elkins is championing an appropriation for the Strengthen Minnesota Homes program, which would invest $35 million in helping homeowners upgrade or replace their roofs—meet higher construction standards—and by doing so qualify for premium insurance discounts. Elkins also pressed for greater transparency in home listings, listing energy efficiency and roofing standards as examples, so that buyers can see the full picture of what a home will actually cost to own. "It used to be that the mortgage payment was the major source of monthly payments," Elkins said. "Now it's a combination of...the mortgage [but also] the property taxes, insurance, and the energy [costs]. [Homebuyers] are looking at the total cost of ownership."
Housing Market Update: The Data Behind the Story
During a market update, David Arbit brought up numbers that underscored Rep. Howard’s comments and make a strong legislative case: we need more inventory. Minnesota's housing stock remains deeply undersupplied. Our state has roughly two and a half months of inventory against a backdrop of sustained demand; that’s a market favoring sellers. A balanced market is between four to six months’ supply. Sellers are still receiving about 97% of their asking price statewide. Meanwhile, the cumulative cost squeeze on buyers is stark: home prices are up 30% since the pandemic baseline, but total payments have risen 77%—a product of higher rates on already higher-priced homes. This data doesn't just tell a story. It makes the argument for why policy action on increasing supply is urgent.
Meet Your State Leaders
The final hour of the day brought more direct, informal access to some of the most influential figures in Minnesota government, who gave statements and took questions. Attendees had the opportunity to visit with House Speaker Rep. Lisa Demuth (R), Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Senator Eric Lucero (R), and House DFL Caucus Leader Rep. Zack Stephenson—lawmakers who are each engaged with important housing and affordability issues in different ways.
Speaker Demuth emphasized reducing mandates and opposing new taxes as a path to improved affordability. Rep. Stephenson spoke about the importance of removing barriers to homebuying, and Sen. Lucero, himself a Realtor® member, underscored the need for fiscally responsible approaches that make housing accessible without governmental overreach. Different approaches but a shared urgency—and each legislator willing to speak candidly with Realtors®.
Paul Eger provided context throughout the afternoon, connecting each presentation to pending legislation and reinforcing why MNR's connections and advocacy work matter. The timing was not lost on anyone: that same afternoon, the Minnesota Senate was in session in the chamber directly above the Vault Room. MNR's members were, quite literally, making their presence known right where decisions get made.
Invest in MN-RPAC: The Purple Party
Access like this doesn't happen by accident — it's built through years of consistent, credible engagement. And it's sustained by the Minnesota Realtors® Political Action Committee (MN-RPAC).
MN-RPAC is proudly purple (leaning neither red nor blue) because it supports candidates from both sides of the aisle who champion homeownership, property rights, and a strong housing market. The lawmakers we heard from at RDAC represent exactly that spirit: leaders from different parties finding common ground on housing.
This year, MNR President Wendy Uzelac and member Deanna Wiener were recognized for achieving NAR RPAC Hall of Fame status, each reaching the $25,000 lifetime contribution milestone. They will be inducted at the 2026 NAR Realtor® Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C. this June. It's a well-earned honor — and an inspiring example of the difference long-term advocacy investment makes.
Get Involved — Your Advocacy Resources
Realtor® Day at the Capitol is one afternoon, but advocacy is year-round! There are many ways to stay engaged and make your voice heard:
Thank you to those who joined us at the Capitol this year. You are not just observers of housing policy: you are actors in it. You see the market. You know the challenges buyers and sellers face. You understand what's working and what's getting in the way of homeownership. When you show up, share your story, and speak in alignment with MNR's member-driven Legislative Session Priorities, you make our advocacy stronger for everyone.
This is what your membership makes possible. Stay tuned for more information on our Legislative Session Recap & Data Dive webinar coming in May 2026.