Lower Columbia Association of Realtors

09/12/2026

Are you up to date on your rent, phone bills, and utilities but afraid your credit score isn’t high enough to buy a home? A new credit score model that takes into account things like rent, phone bills and utilities was just approved to be used in mortgage underwriting. This could be a game change for a lot of potential buyers who were unfairly excluded from homeownership under the old models. If this sounds like you reach out to a REALTOR, homeownership might be closer than you realize.

https://www.nar.realtor/news/washington-report/fannie-and-freddie-officially-adopt-new-credit-score

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) officially released guidance and pricing grids for all lenders to use VantageScore 4.0.

09/11/2026

Special thanks to those from REMAX Premier Group and all others in our community who helped with the United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties Day of Caring. When REALTORS show up, we make a difference!

09/11/2026

Don’t Miss It: Broker Power Hour 9/23

Register for the next Broker Power Hour on September 23 at noon CT. EVP and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn will share insights on topics ranging from landmark housing legislation to the 2026 midterm elections.

https://links.nar.realtor/s/c/0Jl-AGwTgkB8vDu3k1mqpJvF5-3j5HkZkYcakR9nyRCAw98N56XHb5SZfhdlOT4z8Erv6djY6dbOapNfYSHBCZCYkmlcgSnRwgsgF0z02an5cpxZ0ckhwEgbWKwOJLEO6EiY2IL4lDA9bGjXh0DWBw8DZpuTCWNuxgToRuLyXZ3oGfxWQa6ApGd1SPpJXypX6j15WvRfrd23Z_YQ5vFKCIEVhiQogOhVkE_aifswyx-84U6k3ZIdB-iFTZELZs5sMeDsKmen515Ta5hbiITuOa8qmGU02KMC858ey9ISAZZHVhpcbq41oh7kQPwjJ26Q4Pw7oIebKwMZRAve9DInmznmuX1Y7Yl6bo5th_qadP-vYeNlTkuSD2qPPgUf3KRqh_7O-p1oq67s44yrr6MeHo19oqDFfEvpTaZdm_21RepA3BSCahM3GCKRNpQoY5Z4eJjk_B3xfm2RjuFSG6xa0tPwAor3kHR_N5jexaA-5Ird8QzTp6VlGhtLrQ_hrUMB98zYOJU4dzWUqFsjPd2YcKgZT9HssmwBaL2lHufCkA8kdN_QGA/3oiPgtRleOi2Tw0iVZ80XpWZ9mbHVGZw/24

09/11/2026

Thank you Stewart Title Longview for hosting this class. Join us Thursday, September 17 at Stewart Title in Longview Washington for their latest class. Details in the flyer below. Please RSVP as they will be serving Chipotle lunch.

Join us Thursday, September 17 at Stewart Title in Longview Washington for our latest class. Details in the flyer below. Please RSVP as we will be serving Chipotle lunch. We look forward to seeing you there.

09/09/2026

Is There a ‘Data-Center Effect’ on Real Estate?

The impact of data centers on housing can vary significantly depending on the local market, according to a new report from NAR.

"Overall, real estate pros report the top concerns expressed among their clients from nearby data centers were due to:

Energy costs: 61%
Water use of the data center: 56%
Perceived environmental contamination: 43%
Impact on the immediate landscape: 32%"

The National Association of REALTORS®, which maintains no official policy position on data centers, is taking a closer look at the growth in its newly released report, “2026 Data Center Impact,” which measures data centers up against county-level performance in home values, employment, electric...

09/09/2026

To inspire REALTORS® and REALTOR® Associations to keep safety top of mind and implemented into daily business protocols, the National Association of REALTORS® encourages associations and our members to make a pledge to REALTOR® Safety.

09/08/2026

Data Centers...everyone is talking about them. Are your clients asking how it may impact their real estate decisions? Will Data Centers impact pricing?
Register now for September 15, 2026, at 11 a.m. for the NAR Research Summit: Data Centers and Real Estate. Hear from Dr. Lawrence Yun, Dr. Terry Clower, Nadia Evangelou and Matt Christopherson as they explore the economic and housing impacts of data-center growth, where development is happening, how data centers are affecting property values and local communities, and what REALTOR® members are seeing in their markets.

Join NAR's Sept. 15, 2026 virtual economic summit on data centers and real estate opportunities, trends, and market insights.