Accreditation That Strengthens Public Trust

Every real estate license issued in this country rests on a passing exam score. We treat that score as a settled fact which makes a candidate eligible for licensure. But a score is only as meaningful as the exam behind it, and the exam is only as defensible as the analysis of the job it claims to measure.

That chain is easy to take for granted, right up until it is challenged. When a candidate is denied licensure and contests it, the state has to demonstrate something specific: ...

Legislative Update: What Happened to the Bills We Have Been Tracking?

Throughout the first half of 2026, Boundaries highlighted several legislative proposals addressing deed fraud, licensing structures, and real estate regulation. As legislative sessions have either concluded, or are coming to an end, across much of the country, many of those measures have now reached a final outcome. While some were enacted, others were significantly revised or failed to advance, illustrating the variety of approaches states are taking to address emerging regulatory ...

Arizona Enacts Law to Reduce Development Permit Delays

Legislation Establishes Timelines And Accountability Measures For Local Permitting Decisions. 

Arizona lawmakers have approved new legislation aimed at reducing delays in the local development permitting process, reflecting growing concerns about housing supply, project costs, and government efficiency. The law establishes new requirements for municipalities reviewing development applications and is intended to provide greater predictability for ...

New Maryland Law Broadens Mortgage Licensing Framework

HB 38 Expands Eligible Sponsors and Removes Exclusive Relationships 

Maryland has enacted legislation that significantly changes the licensing framework for a specialized category of mortgage professionals known as affiliated insurance producer–mortgage loan originators. House Bill 38, signed by Governor Wes Moore on May 12, 2026, expands sponsorship opportunities and provides greater flexibility in how these individuals conduct mortgage origination ...

New York Enacts Tax on High-Value Non-Primary Residences

New Law Raises Questions About Ownership Transparency, Valuation, And Enforcement.

As part of its Fiscal Year 2027 budget, New York has enacted a new annual tax on certain high-value residential properties in New York City that are not used as the owner's primary residence. Commonly referred to as the "Pied-à-Terre Tax," the measure takes effect July 1, 2026, and is expected to generate additional revenue from luxury second homes and investment properties ...