Latest News
A big thank you to our Community Connections Committee for their dedicated efforts in strengthening the relationship between REALTORS® and the neighborhoods we serve. Recent successes include participating with a booth at the Siouxland Asian Festival, and organizing entries in local parades.
This group consistently builds a positive reputation for our brand. They are currently hard at work preparing for REALTOR® Volunteer Days in June and organizing park cleanups across several of our NWIA communities. We are grateful for their work.
By Chris Delfs, President, Northwest Iowa REALTORS®
Broker, Keller Williams Siouxland & Keller Williams Okoboji
This past month has been full of exciting real estate news:
I had the opportunity to serve on Iowa’s Presidential Advisory Group (PAG) and spent a day in Des Moines collaborating with industry leaders and real estate professionals from across the state. Together, we’re tackling key issues like contract language, agency, broker accountability, and more. Our focus is to address challenges head-on and create meaningful change in how we conduct business and represent our clients. Over the next six months, I’ll continue working alongside state leaders to develop practical, common-sense solutions for our industry.
There’s also been a lot of conversation recently around “Coming Soon” listings. Your MLS Committee and Board of Directors are actively exploring this topic and what it could mean for our MLS. With recent headlines highlighting partnerships with listing portals like Redfin, Zillow, Homes.com, and Realtor.com, this issue has gained national attention. If you have thoughts or feedback on “Coming Soon” listings, please reach out to Denise or me—we want to hear from you. Your input will help guide decisions as we work toward solutions that expand opportunities for our clients while maintaining fairness among REALTORS®. We’re also researching how other MLSs are successfully implementing these strategies to benefit consumers.
Finally, as the temperatures rise, so does the market activity. Lockbox data on the Board’s website shows a 20% increase in showings compared to this time last year. No matter what’s happening in the world, people are still on the move. And as the sun shines, so do we as REALTORS®. As we head into the busy season, I’m excited for the successes ahead—serving our clients, growing professionally, and continuing to lead in our communities.
By Chris Delfs, NWIA President
Broker, Keller Williams Siouxland & Keller Williams Okoboji
Can you believe it’s already March? This year is flying by! Here are some highlights from the past month and a look at what’s ahead:
Capitol Conference & RPAC RPAC training at the Capitol Conference was a standout experience. NAR’s Tommy Choi brought real energy to the topic, sharing his firsthand experience with advocacy and the meaningful impact RPAC has on our industry. Countless REALTOR® wins have been achieved at the legislative level as a result of RPAC investments, and our time at the Capitol made that crystal clear.
We had the opportunity to meet with our legislators and discuss key issues including homeowners insurance, HOAs, industry professionalism, and first-time homebuyer savings accounts. Shortly after the event, I received an email from a legislator letting me know that a bill we asked them to support had passed out of committee — a great reminder that your investment works.
Thank you sincerely to everyone who has chosen to invest in RPAC. Every dollar makes a difference.
New Lockboxes Are on the Way! The Lockbox Committee and Board have approved a plan to transition to the new Supra Inovoy lockboxes. Alongside the new boxes, we will also be launching a new showing service integrated directly into the MLS to replace ShowingTime. Both upgrades represent a significant improvement to your daily workflow, and we think you’re going to love them.
FinCEN Reporting Requirements Now in Effect New FinCEN rules took effect March 1, 2026, introducing reporting requirements for residential real estate transactions involving cash or non-traditional financing. Closing companies carry the primary responsibility for filing, but as REALTORS®, it is important that we communicate to qualifying clients that this is now the law — and that providing requested information promptly will help ensure an on-time closing. If you are a broker handling your own closings, please confirm that you are in compliance. The Iowa REALTORS® have published opens in a new windowadditional guidance to help on this topic.
An Inaugural Ball — What Do You Think? There has been some exciting discussion about hosting an inaugural NWIA REALTOR® Board ball this fall to swear in new officers and celebrate our accomplishments together. Other boards across the state have done this with great success, and members consistently report it as a meaningful and enjoyable event. This is still in the idea phase, and I would love to hear your thoughts — I think it could be a wonderful tradition to kick off! Reach out to me if you have an opinion, either yay or nay.
Until next month — be well, stay safe, and best wishes as the market keeps heating up!
Thank You of the Month: The NWIA MLS Committee
Our thanks to our NWIA MLS Committee for their continued dedication to our membership. This group meets monthly to navigate complex MLS rules, compliance matters, and market needs — often investing several hours in preparation before each meeting. Service on this group requires time, attention to detail, and a desire to work for the common good of the real estate profession.
A special thanks goes out to committee chair Aaron Bircher for keeping this hardworking group organized and moving forward. Please thank Aaron for his time and effort on behalf of the membership as you have an opportunity.
We appreciate all these committee members and thank them for their service this year.
Broker, Keller Williams Siouxland & Keller Williams Okoboji This month we have exciting information to share about upcoming events.
Your Board of Directors has approved upgrading our old lockboxes from the Sentrilock boxes to the new Supra Invoy boxes. We are very excited and know that you will be very pleased with the updates that have been made with these new boxes. We are planning the rollout in the near future and look forward to working to get the old ones out and the new ones issued. Watch for more information coming on that process in the weeks ahead.
Second, the Capitol Conference is this month. Thank you to all the local REALTORS who participate and make an impact by meeting with legislators and sharing the issues that matter to us to gain their support this legislative session. You can find this year’s statewide legislative priorities here. This event is a great way to learn more about our legislative system, see the impact of our RPAC funds, and connect with our state lobbyist Jen Kingland, and Iowa REALTORS Director of Government Affairs Greta Haas. Of course, the opportunity to see our amazing state capitol building is always enjoyable too; it is an architectural wonder.
Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank our REALTOR members who have stepped into leadership roles by joining committees and boards at local, state, and national levels. It is these volunteers who act as servant leaders who are continuing to move our profession forward with their expertise and love of the industry to drive continuous improvement. They are the behind-the-scenes heroes who work hard to make things easier for all of us. Thank you for your time and dedication.
If you feel called to serve our association at any level, please reach out to me or Denise Gutierrez to see what opportunities are available locally. Iowa REALTORS has a number of active statewide committees, which is a nice way to ease into association service. Those applications are open now through May 19. Additional opportunities to serve in a larger role at the state level are listed here. If you are interested in knowing more about volunteer positions within NAR, there is a wealth of information here.
I encourage you to review the many opportunities and get involved. Each of us has something we can contribute to the organization.
By Chris Delfs, NWIA President
Broker, Keller Williams Siouxland & Keller Williams Okoboji
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror and Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the New Year on the horizon, this season naturally inspires reflection on what we’ve accomplished in 2025 and the goals we’re setting for 2026.
Looking ahead, I’m optimistic about our profession’s ability to demonstrate value for clients in the coming year. With anticipated interest rate decreases and stabilizing home prices, the outlook is bright.
I was pleased to see that Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®, is forecasting a 14% nationwide increase in home sales for 2026, following this year’s slower pace. New-home sales are also expected to rise by 5% next year.
2026 looks to bring renewed energy from both buyers and sellers who have been waiting for the right moment to make a move. This shift will create more opportunities for our clients, which is great. Even better, it will yield opportunities for us to demonstrate the value of our services as market experts, and continue to elevate the positive perception of the REALTOR® brand.
I’m also excited to help expand your knowledge and tools next year. We’ve identified a state-approved AI course and instructor, and we’re working to schedule an in-person class for the first quarter of 2026. It’s timely, relevant, and reflects where our industry is heading. Our clients are using AI—and we should be, too. It can do so much more than write your listing descriptions!
I anticipate a successful and exciting 2026, and I hope you do as well.
In this season of gratitude, I’m thankful for all of you and wish you a blessed holiday season and an exceptional year ahead.
If you have thoughts, comments, or suggestions, please reach out. I’d love to hear from you!
By Chris Delfs, NWIA President
Broker, Keller Williams Siouxland & Keller Williams Okoboji
It seems wild to me that I am writing a column for the Board as the President. I am excited about this opportunity to serve the membership, and energized about our year ahead.
After assuming my role on October 1, it’s been a busy month. So far, I have already had an opportunity to jump into leading and learning at the Iowa REALTOR® Leadership Institute. There, I collaborated with other Board Presidents from around the state and heard about issues that other boards are tackling. I also had the opportunity to attend the Premiere Broker Summit in Des Moines, and appreciated the chance to stay abreast of happenings in the industry. One perk of that experience was working alongside other great managing brokers from the Iowa REALTOR® family. Our board was also represented at that event by two other outstanding local leaders: Jeff Carlson (Re/Max Experience) and Lisa Croston (Century 21 ProLink).
As I look ahead to the year of service ahead, I am both grateful and eager to focus on two areas I believe are especially timely and important for our industry: education and professionalism.
One of my goals for this term will be to equip members with additional tools related to Artificial Intelligence. We all use technology in our businesses because we know it is vital and powerful, and AI is the wave of the future. There are already CE credits available for AI, and I’d love to see our area be known for staying abreast of today’s industry technology advances. Our clients are already using AI, shouldn’t we?
My second area of focus for the year ahead is professionalism. My observation as of late is that many of the issues in transactions arise from communication (or lack thereof). I aim to bring an increased aptitude for clear communication, courtesy, and timely responses to the forefront of our daily activities. Doing this will enable our members to truly demonstrate themselves as the skilled professionals that I know you all are.
If you have ideas on how to accomplish this, or if you want to be more involved in making this a reality, please reach out!
I’d love to hear from you.
Changes to the NWIA organizational bylaws were approved at today’s annual membership meeting by a vote of 43-2.
NWIA’s 2025 election for seats on the Board of Directors has concluded. 39% of eligible voters took time to cast a ballot.
Elected to broker seats were:
• Chris Delfs — Keller Williams (3-year term)
• Haley Markle — Coldwell Banker ABR (3-year term)
• Corey Elgersma — ISB Services (2-year term)
Elected to Sales Agent seats were:
• Mallori Hoffert — Century 21 ProLink (3-year term)
• Pam Edwards — Dunes Realty (1-year term)
Newly elected board members will begin their volunteer terms on October 1. We are grateful for their willingness to dedicate time and energy to serving our organization and its membership.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the election.
NWIA’s MLS rules inside Paragon have been updated to reflect the NAR requirement to implement delayed marketing exempt listings (DMEL) (see Section 1.3 Multiple Listing Options for Sellers).
NWIA members are required to use an MLS-approved disclosure form when a client chooses to waive the benefits of immediate public marketing for a delayed marketing exempt listing. The form confirms the seller’s informed consent, outlines the professional relationship between the broker and seller, and affirms the seller’s understanding that they are forfeiting benefits, such as public marketing (for office exclusives) or broad exposure through IDX and syndication, during a specified time period.
Form Requirement: If a seller chooses to proceed with delayed marketing, NWIA members must complete the Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Required Disclosure Form (MLOS) found in Form Simplicity. This document must be submitted to the Board office within 48 hours in accordance with NWIA’s MLS rules.
Time Period: For NWIA MLS purposes, delayed marketing may be implemented for any time period, up to and including the life of the listing. This requirement may vary among MLS providers, as it is a local decision.
Paragon Entry: When the delayed marketing option is used, agents must also mark the new “Delayed Marketing” field located under Listing Information on the Paragon input sheet.
Find more information about delayed marketing on NAR’s website. An FAQ document is also available on the topic.
The Home Inspection Accountability Act (SF460) passed both the Iowa House and Senate on a unanimous bipartisan basis and was signed into law by Governor Reynolds. This legislation establishes comprehensive regulations for home inspections codifying qualifications for home inspectors, standards for inspection reports, and penalties for non-compliance, and is effective July 1, 2025.
Under this legislation, only licensed architects, professional engineers, or members of a national home inspectors association are permitted to issue home inspection reports. Additionally, home inspectors licensed or registered in other states are permitted to perform home inspections in Iowa.
NWIA has several Affiliate members who perform inspections. Those who have indicated compliance with the new laws are identified here on our website.
To help consumers identify other inspectors who may comply with the new law, we have posted more information here.
Additionally, Iowa REALTORS has a helpful FAQ document.
Questions can be directed to our office or Iowa REALTORS.
