Presidents' Message - Winter 2026
Presidents' Message: John Blom, 2025 President & Ryan Beckett, 2026 President
As I reflect on 2025 and the year I’ve had to serve as President of this incredibly special organization, I can’t help but think back to the 2022 Fall Conference. It was at that conference that I ran for First Vice President – the start of the “Presidential Path.”
One of the most common questions I received as I campaigned was, “What are the goals or objectives you have for ‘your year’?” It’s a fair question – we should have leaders with vision, but at a time when we faced challenges of uncertainty in the market, an increasingly unfriendly legislature in Olympia, and with major changes in the industry on the horizon, it seemed impossible to know how to respond to those questions.
In hindsight, I now know how I could have answered that question, even in uncertain times. My goals were to be ready to face these challenges and be the leader that Washington REALTORS® needs in 2025.
I’ll let you make your own opinion on whether I’ve achieved that, but I am proud of the year we have had as an organization. One of the things I believe our members needed this year was thoughtful communication about the industry and the association’s role within that.
The Road Show provided Ryan, Nathan, and me the opportunity to get around the state and meet members where they are, hear their feedback, and share our thoughts. The re-imagined fall conference provided a fresh and new value proposition for attendees. And we continue to look at the value Washington REALTORS® can provide and work to improve that.
It has been an honor to serve this year. I know the association is in great hands going into 2026 and beyond. I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of our members in whatever capacity is needed in the years ahead.
John Blom, 2025 WR President
Throughout my career, real estate news headlines have driven me crazy. Designed for clicks and attention, they usually only tell part of the story. We, as REALTORS®, are the key to filling in the missing information for our clients and communities. It’s one of the many reasons our clients trust us enough to hire us.
I remember when buyer agency law was implemented, and the robust industry discussions and education that followed about how to best represent our clients.
I’ve watched the progression of the MLS from a book that was printed twice a month to a real-time live resource for our industry. And, like you, I have followed the conversations about MLS policy along the way.
Here we are, so many years later, still having discussions about buyer agency, safeguarding our clients, and promoting our listings through the MLS.
The more things change… The more they stay the same.
What hasn’t changed is the commitment of Washington REALTORS® to be the premier resource for real estate practitioners in the state of Washington. No organization does a better job of facilitating the conversation about real estate matters than we do. And we can only do that because of the involvement of so many REALTORS® around our state who lend their expertise to the discussions that shape policy.
So, as we kick off a fresh new year, I invite you to join us — Lend your voice. You are the key to the success of this organization and to our industry. Let’s get to work!
Ryan Beckett, 2026 WR President
RE Magazine Winter 2026 Issue
Quick Links to Articles
- Presidents' Message
- Market Statistics — Changes in Insurance Premiums Affecting Housing
- WASHINGTON REALTOR® Profile: Steve Chung
- Why Hill Day Matters — A Conversation with James Fisher
- 2026 Washington State Legislative Session
- REALTORS® + Housing Program Expanding in 2026
- RPAC Did That For Homebuyers & Sellers!
- The Last Print Edition of RE Magazine
- Enhancing the Value of Your Membership