Growth, Accountability, and the Power of Doing Better

Real estate is always changing, and this year’s NAR conference proved just how important it is to stay sharp, stay informed, and stay connected. The event was packed with insight, accountability, and forward-thinking conversations, mainly AI related of course, that left me inspired and ready to elevate the way we serve our clients at Kent McCown Group.

In this blog, I will cover…

What NAR actually is
What they do for REALTORS® and consumers
My biggest takeaway from this year’s conference
Why the Bias Override class meant so much to me
How it impacts the way we serve clients here in Auburn–Opelika

What Is NAR?

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is the largest professional trade association in the United States, representing over 1.5 million real estate professionals across residential and commercial fields.

To call yourself a REALTOR®, you have to be a member of NAR, which means you agree to a strict Code of Ethics and ongoing professionalism standards. This is a big distinguishing factor from simply being a licensed agent. Not everyone is a REALTOR® and it’s important for consumers to know the difference.

What NAR Does:

Sets ethical and professional standards
Advocates for homeowners, property rights, and fair housing
Provides education, certifications, and resources
Conducts research on housing trends and the national market
Hosts training and conferences (like the one I just attended)
Supports fair-housing efforts and works to correct past industry harms

NAR has a complicated history, including its role in discriminatory practices like redlining and steering, but the organization is making intentional efforts toward accountability, change, and education.

And that leads me to the class that had the deepest impact on me this year.

This year, the standout class for me was Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing, one of NAR’s flagship trainings designed to help REALTORS®:

Identify implicit bias
Interrupt stereotypical thinking
Ensure all clients receive equal and fair professional service
Understand the historical context of discrimination in housing
Build stronger, more inclusive communication habits
Better protect the public we serve

As someone who cares deeply about the people behind the transactions, and who has personally walked through trauma, rebuilding, and advocacy, this class hit home.

Real estate has not always been fair. Our profession, at one time, played a main role in exclusion, segregation, and unequal access to opportunity. While today’s REALTORS® didn’t create those policies, we do have a responsibility to understand them, and to do everything we can to ensure we never repeat them. This class didn’t shy away from the hard history. And honestly? I appreciated that. I loved that instead of pretending “it wasn’t us,” NAR encouraged us to acknowledge the realities of redlining and discrimination and then challenged us to push forward with a deeper level of awareness and integrity.

It isn’t about guilt.
It is about growth.

What the Class Taught Me:

Bias exists in every industry, including real estate
Intent isn’t enough — impact is what matters
Fair housing is not a checkbox; it’s a posture
REALTORS® have the power to create change through daily interactions
We must speak up for the public, not just serve them
Inclusion is built through conscious, consistent choices

And most importantly…

Better service comes from better understanding.

At KMG, our commitment goes beyond contracts and closings, it’s about providing ethical, respectful, client-centered service to every person we meet. This class reinforced practices we already value deeply.

Sitting in that Bias Override session, I felt a powerful mix of humility and hope. Humility, because this industry has made mistakes.
Hope, because we are learning, growing, and correcting the path forward.

As someone who has fought hard for safety, fairness, and a voice in my own life, the message resonated deeply. Doing better doesn’t erase the past but it builds a better future. And that’s exactly what I want Kent McCown Group to be known for.

I’m proud to be a REALTOR®.
I’m proud to serve Auburn–Opelika and surrounding areas.

And I’m proud to keep learning how to do it better.

If you ever want to talk about fair housing, the history behind our profession, or what we learned at NAR, I would love that conversation. Especially if it’s over coffee!

And if you’re dreaming about your next move? We’re here when you’re ready.

— Corrie
Kent McCown Group
Coldwell Banker Kennon & Parker Alliance