Arizona REALTORS® Voices

In this episode of Arizona REALTORS® Voices, we sit down with Tom Farley, the Arizona REALTORS® longtime contract lobbyist, former CEO of the Arizona Association of REALTORS®, and managing partner at Cornerstone Public Affairs, to break down what happened at the Arizona Capitol during the 2026 legislative session.More than 2,000 bills were introduced this session, with 264 enacted into law. We discuss the key issues affecting REALTORS®, including rent control, short-term rentals, deed fraud, anti-squatter legislation, and water. Tom draws on his 30 years of experience at the Capitol to explain what passed, what didn’t, and what REALTORS® should be watching as we head into the 2027 legislative session. Let’s Connect:Have a question? Visit the Arizona Association of REALTORS® at aaronline.com. Join the community for further support and updates on industry changes by following Arizona REALTORS® on social media.Read the weekly newsletter, The Voice, for timely housing insights delivered to your inbox.The Arizona REALTORS® Voices podcast provides general information and community guidance but is not a substitute for independent legal counsel or professional business brokerage strategies.

In this episode of Arizona REALTORS® Voices, we sit down with 30-year title and escrow expert Tiffannie Hobgood to pull back the curtain on what happens between contract and closing. Tiffannie has served as president of both the Arizona State Escrow Association and the American Escrow Association, and she's spent her career explaining exactly the kind of details that make or break a smooth transaction. They cover the real difference between title and escrow, the biggest misconceptions agents have about what escrow officers do all day, the most common reasons deals get delayed right before closing, and the Arizona-specific quirks — community property, disclaimer deeds, table closings — that trip up out-of-state buyers and even seasoned agents. She also shares the single strangest title issue of her career, and where she thinks AI actually fits into the future of title and escrow work. Let’s Connect:Have a question? Visit the Arizona Association of REALTORS® at aaronline.com. Join the community for further support and updates on industry changes by following Arizona REALTORS® on social media.Read the weekly newsletter, The Voice, for timely housing insights delivered to your inbox.The Arizona REALTORS® Voices podcast provides general information and community guidance but is not a substitute for independent legal counsel or professional business brokerage strategies.

In this episode of Arizona Realtors Voices, we sit down with Todd Menard, Chief Operating Officer at West USA Realty and a licensed Arizona real estate broker since 1995, to unpack what's really driving the state's residential market in mid-2026. Todd has tracked Arizona market statistics since 2008 and brings that long lens to a conversation covering inventory, affordability, buyer and seller behavior, interest rate psychology, and what agents need to do differently now that they're contractually obligated to buyers.Whether you're working directly with clients or just want sharper market fluency, this episode breaks down the data — and the mindset — behind a healthy real estate business in Arizona.Let’s Connect:Have a question? Visit the Arizona Association of Realtors at aaronline.com. Join the community for further support and updates on industry changes by following Arizona REALTORS® on social media.Read the weekly newsletter, The Voice, for timely housing insights delivered to your inbox.The Arizona Realtors Voices podcast provides general information and community guidance but is not a substitute for independent legal counsel or professional business brokerage strategies.

In this episode, we discuss the real drivers behind the state's affordability crisis with Glenn Farley, Director of Policy and Research for the Arizona chapter of the Common Sense Institute (CSI). With deep experience analyzing public data and state-level economics, Glenn shares insights and stories that resonate with realtors facing the daily complexities of real estate dynamics. They explore the findings of CSI's recent report, Booked or Blamed?, the psychological and financial toll of regulatory uncertainty on the housing market, and the emerging trends in local permitting that are shaping the industry. These shared experiences not only reflect individual professional struggles but also highlight broader patterns in the Arizona real estate market, showing that evidence-based support is a relatable and necessary tool for success.Whether you're a REALTOR®, policymaker, or simply interested in Arizona's housing market, this episode offers a data-driven look at one of the industry's most debated topics. Tune in to separate fact from fiction, gain valuable insights into the state's housing challenges, and discover why evidence-based research is essential for shaping informed conversations and effective housing policy. Let’s Connect: Have a question? Visit the Arizona Association of Realtors at aaronline.com. Join the community for further support and updates on industry changes by following Arizona REALTORS® on social media.Read the weekly newsletter, The Voice, for timely housing insights delivered to your inbox.The Arizona Realtors Voices podcast provides general information and community guidance but is not a substitute for independent legal counsel or professional business brokerage strategies.

In this episode, we discuss the profound impact of community involvement with guest Kim Clifton, co-founder of Tierra Antigua Realty and the Tierra Antigua Hope Foundation. As a recipient of the National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Good Neighbor Award, Kim shares insights and stories that resonate with REALTORS® balancing daily business with a passion for giving back. Find out how the foundation lowers foster care placement rates by keeping families together, the psychological rewards of hands-on volunteering, and how prospecting daily naturally intersects with supporting a worthy cause.Inspired by leaders like Kim Clifton and the work of the Tierra Antigua Hope Foundation, REALTOR® Volunteer Days (May 30 – June 7) are a reminder that even small acts of service can create lasting impact. Whether you organize a project, donate essential items, or volunteer your time, this is an opportunity for REALTORS® across Arizona to come together, strengthen their communities, and show what it truly means to be a Good Neighbor. Let’s Connect:Read the weekly newsletter, The Voice, for timely updates and market reports delivered to your inbox.To learn more about Kim's charity, donate, or see how you can get involved, visit https://tierraantiguahopefoundation.org/ To see how you can get involved with NAR Volunteer Days (May 30th – June 7th), visit https://www.nar.realtor/realtors-are-good-neighbors/2026-realtor-volunteer-daysThe Arizona Realtors Voices podcast provides general information and community guidance but is not a substitute for independent legal counsel or professional business brokerage strategies.

It's hard to keep track of the shifting real estate landscape. This episode breaks down two key areas: Fair Housing advocacy and the tangible Member Benefits provided by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to help agents thrive in a complex 2026 market.Alexia Smokler, Director of Fair Housing Policy and Programs at NAR, joins us to discuss:The 2026 Landscape: The impact of significant staffing cuts at HUD and the Department of Justice, and how NAR is "carrying the flag" in their absence.Educational Flagships: Insights into Fairhaven, an online simulation used by nearly 60,000 REALTORS® in 2025, and Bias Override, a course dedicated to identifying implicit bias.2026 NAR Fair Housing priorities including Heirs Property & "Tangled Title": How NAR is working to prevent the loss of generational wealth.Rhonny Barragan, VP of Strategic Alliances at NAR, highlights:How to maximize your membership ROI by treating NAR as your first stop for business purchases.Deep Tech Discounts: Exclusive savings on hardware from partners like Dell (up to 10% off) and HP (up to 40% off public pricing).Essential Tools: High-usage benefits including DocuSign and the REALTOR® Health Insurance solutions.🔗 National Association of REALTORS® Fair Housing 🔗 Arizona REALTORS® F.A.I.R. Certification🔗 National Association of REALTORS® Member Benefits

On this episode of Arizona REALTORS® Voices Tim Beaubien, Arizona REALTORS® Senior Director of Government Affairs, joins us for an in-depth preview of the 2026 legislative session. He breaks down the association's top priorities at the Capitol, ranging from inventory shortages and private property rights to the critical nuances of water policy and construction defect laws. This conversation highlights how the Arizona REALTORS® acts as the primary voice protecting the interests of both real estate professionals and the clients they serve.In this episode we learn:Why the current "slim majority" of the Republican-led legislature and a Democratic governor results in a small percentage of introduced bills actually being signed into law.The strategy behind addressing housing supply shortages by streamlining zoning and permitting processes to allow for third-party reviews and faster construction.The push to increase deed fraud penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony to better disincentivize sophisticated criminals.A compromise for short-term rentals that includes occupancy caps and a more functional "strike" system to rein in bad actors without infringing on property rights.How the rising cost of homeowners insurance is impacting monthly payments and the effort to provide more oversight on modeling organizations that set pricing.The role of the RAPAC trustees in interviewing candidates to determine who the REALTOR® Party Champions are for the upcoming 2026 elections.Let’s Connect:Visit aaronline.com and search "VOICE at the Capitol" for more details on legislative efforts.Register for the 2026 Arizona REALTORS® Spring Conference (April 15-16) at Gila River Resort - Wild Horse Pass for real-life REALTOR® connection and a legislative update from Tim Beaubien: https://arizonaar.swoogo.com/springconf26/

The relationship between real-time data and a REALTOR®'s success is essential for navigating today’s nuanced housing market. Many professionals struggle with the noise of national headlines, which often fails to capture the unique, pocket-to-pocket shifts happening right here in Arizona. From the impact of seasonality on luxury sales to the surge of new construction incentives in the West Valley, understanding local trends is a common factor in staying competitive. Despite the pressure of a changing market, agents have the right to access clear, daily-updated insights to protect their business and better advise their clients.In this episode, Scott Drucker discusses the current state of Arizona real estate with Tina Tambour, Senior Housing Analyst at the Cromford Report. With over 30 years of industry experience, Tina shares insights on why "real estate is local" and how to identify the subtle transition from a buyer’s market toward more balanced territory. They explore the reality of "market share" versus property value drops and the emerging trends in affordability that are shaping the industry for 2026. These shared experiences not only reflect individual professional struggles but also highlight broader patterns in the Arizona market, showing that accurate data is a relatable and necessary tool for success.Let’s Connect:Sign up for daily residential market insights at cromfordreport.comAccess monthly reports by congressional district and the RPR platform at aaronline.comRegister for the 2026 Arizona REALTORS® Spring Conference (April 15-16) at Gila River Resort - Wild Horse Pass for real-life REALTOR® connection and market updates: https://arizonaar.swoogo.com/springconf26/

The relationship between real estate professionals and legal guidance is essential for navigating today’s complex and fast-paced market. Many brokers struggle with the pressure of real-time transactions, often reflecting on how quickly industry changes and contract nuances can create significant hurdles. Shifting market trends, such as changes in seller compensation and new Commissioner Rules, are common factors that play a role in complicating these professional dynamics. Despite these challenges, brokers have the right to access expert advice to protect their business and clients. The stress of potential litigation is compounded by the need for immediate answers, leaving many professionals seeking a reliable resource to guide them through difficult situations.In this episode, CEO Scott Drucker discusses the invaluable benefits of the Arizona REALTORS® Legal Hotline with lead attorney Rick Mack. With over 23 years of experience on the hotline, Rick shares insights and stories that resonate with REALTORS® facing the daily complexities of real estate law. They explore the most common legal questions received, the psychological and financial toll of staying compliant, and the emerging trends that are shaping the industry. These shared experiences not only reflect individual professional struggles but also highlight broader patterns in the Arizona real estate market, showing that legal support is a relatable and necessary tool for success.Let’s Connect:Read the weekly newsletter, The Voice, for timely Hotline Q&As delivered to your inbox.Not receiving The Voice? Email [email protected] Arizona REALTORS® Voices podcast and Legal Hotline provide general information and real-time guidance but are not a substitute for independent legal counsel and do not create an attorney-client relationship.Mixing, editing, and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast.

Join us for the final Arizona REALTORS® Voices Podcast of the year as we recap 2025 with Past President Sindy Ready and look ahead to 2026 with President Lisa Paffrath. Together, they reflect on key moments from the past year, share insights from members, highlight advocacy successes, and discuss what’s next for Arizona REALTORS®.