By Tami Bonnell, Co-Chair, EXIT Realty Corp. International
I recently had the privilege of attending Buffini’s Bold Predictions Live, and it was an energizing and insightful experience. Beyond the predictions themselves, there was so much value from the conversations and time spent with Brian Buffini, economists, and industry leaders who are deeply immersed in the data and the direction of our business.
What stood out most was this: the predictions being shared aren’t guesswork. Brian Buffini and Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, have worked together for years, and their track record speaks for itself.
One of the reasons people have struggled to trust forecasts in recent years is simple: COVID created an abnormal, artificial market. Interest rates were forced down. Mortgage payments were paused. Consumer behavior was distorted. We didn’t experience traditional cycles. There were no true spring markets, no predictable patterns like we last saw in 2019. Now, the expectation is that we’re returning to a 2019-style market. A normal market. One with opportunity for those who are prepared.
At the same time, NAR is positioning for 20% fewer members. That number may sound alarming, but it’s actually clarifying. Those leaving the business largely fall into two groups: professionals aging out, and individuals who entered during the controlled chaos of COVID but never developed the habits, discipline, or prospecting skills needed to sustain a real business.
Here’s the opportunity: Buffini projects business growth of about 10%, while Yun sees it closer to 14%. When you combine fewer practitioners with increased transaction volume, the math becomes compelling. There is a very real opportunity for agents to grow their business by 30% or more. At EXIT, that’s our goal as a company. Just imagine what that kind of growth could mean for you personally.
The truth is, this business is between your ears. Your growth potential is directly tied to your mindset, habits, and willingness to build intentionally. But growth isn’t just about production, it’s about clarity.
We’re inundated with data, technology, and headlines about massive acquisitions. In the midst of all that noise, it’s never been more important to get back to who we really are. EXIT was built as a company founded on human potential and there has never been a more important time to be human.
Nearly one-quarter of all moves last year were driven by a desire to be closer to family. People move because of circumstances: health issues, financial pressures, aging parents, changing priorities. Data alone doesn’t tell those stories.
Someone may qualify for a larger mortgage on paper than they should realistically take on given their circumstances. Our job is not just to transact, it’s to advise with empathy and integrity. When we meet people where they are, we don’t just do more business, we do more meaningful business.
I feel genuinely optimistic about 2026. I believe it will be a strong year for our industry and for EXIT. We’ve always put people before profits, and that’s a powerful differentiator. We want to attract the people we’re meant to attract and make space for them within our organization.
But as you look ahead, don’t focus only on business goals. Remember your personal life, the small wins and the moments that matter. Not every goal has to be enormous. Sometimes success looks like seeing the world through your child’s eyes, sharing inside jokes that only your family understands, or creating memories that don’t show up on a balance sheet.
Getting back to being human may be the single best thing any of us can do this year.
As I celebrate my 20th year with EXIT, I’m reminded once again why this company—and Tami’s leadership—have shaped not just my business, but my life.
Tami’s clarity about where the market is heading, and more importantly, where we need to be as professionals, is exactly the kind of grounded, human-centered guidance our industry needs right now.
I’ve lived through enough cycles to know that the agents who thrive aren’t the ones chasing noise—they’re the ones who stay rooted in service, discipline, and genuine connection.
The opportunity ahead is real, but so is the responsibility. Mindset, habits, empathy—those are the differentiators. And EXIT has always been the place where human potential is not just talked about, but cultivated.
Thank you, Tami, for continuing to lead with wisdom, optimism, and heart. 2026 feels like a year of alignment, and I’m grateful to be part of this brand—and this mission.