Abbott's Wise Appointments Ensure Texas Housing Stays Affordable and Free

Governor Greg Abbott has taken a decisive step to secure Texas’s housing market. His recent appointments of Kristi Davis and James B. Goodwin to the Texas Real Estate Commission, with Mark Woodroof as chair, place experienced real estate professionals at the helm. These individuals, deeply rooted in the industry, understand the stakes of buying, selling, and developing property in a state where land represents both heritage and opportunity.

The Commission’s mission is clear: protect Texans in their dealings with brokers and salespersons. It ensures transparency and fairness without burying the market in excessive rules. With housing affordability plummeting nationwide, Texas is positioning itself as a leader by prioritizing property rights and consumer empowerment over bureaucratic control.

Property ownership drives economic prosperity. It enables families to build wealth, businesses to create jobs, and communities to thrive. Abbott’s choices reflect a commitment to keeping that engine running smoothly, free from the regulatory chokeholds that often plague other states.

Federal policies, by contrast, frequently hinder progress. Laws like the Dodd-Frank Act impose rigid lending standards that squeeze out first-time buyers and small developers. Texas, under Abbott’s guidance, trusts its own people to shape a market that works for them.

The new appointees bring unmatched expertise. Kristi Davis, a Carrollton broker, has led organizations like the North Texas Real Estate Information Services and the Texas Real Estate Teachers Association. She trains agents to prioritize clients, ensuring deals are fair and transparent. James B. Goodwin, an Austin broker, previously chaired the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, navigating complex housing challenges. Mark Woodroof, the Houston-based chair, leverages his leadership in national and state realtor groups to guide the Commission with precision.

These professionals have built careers in Texas’s dynamic real estate market. They understand its pressures, from the 40 percent rise in median home prices between 2019 and 2023 to the shortage of affordable rentals. The Commission sets licensing standards, updates contracts, and enforces rules, and these leaders are equipped to keep the market accessible while maintaining accountability.

Some advocate for sweeping national reforms, like the National Association of Realtors’ recent commission changes. These shifts, meant to empower consumers, often complicate transactions and raise costs in competitive markets. Texas’s Commission, grounded in local expertise, can craft practical solutions that avoid such pitfalls.

Abbott’s appointments underscore a core principle: local control drives better outcomes. Property rights, upheld since the 1922 Supreme Court decision in Pennsylvania Coal v. Mahon, are foundational to economic freedom. Yet federal policies, from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s lending restrictions to proposed tax increases, often erode those rights, favoring centralized power over individual owners.

Texas takes a different path. The Commission’s new leaders will address critical issues, like the 665,000-unit deficit in affordable rentals, by streamlining licensing and reducing barriers for new agents. States with fewer regulations, like Texas, consistently lead in housing construction and affordability, proving that local solutions outperform federal mandates.

Advocates for federal intervention argue that only large-scale programs can solve housing shortages. Proposals like the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act promise new units but often inflate deficits and sideline growing suburban areas like Frisco. Such plans also undermine local zoning, stripping communities of their authority to shape their future.

The Commission’s role is vital in a state where 91 percent of low-income renters struggle with housing costs. New rules, including mold disclosures and updated contracts effective January 2025, enhance transparency. Unlike federal regulators, who often impose costly requirements, Texas’s industry-led Commission balances protection with affordability.

Technology is reshaping real estate, from AI valuations to blockchain title systems. These innovations streamline transactions but raise concerns about privacy and compliance. With leaders who understand the industry, the Commission can adapt regulations to embrace progress while guarding against risks, unlike the rigid federal rules of the 1970s or today’s lending restrictions.

Texas faces a housing crisis, with 70 percent of U.S. households unable to afford a $400,000 home. Abbott’s Commission appointees offer a path forward, rooted in experience and a commitment to property rights. They’ll face pressure from those who favor centralized control, claiming it’s the only way to protect consumers. Yet history, from 1930s zoning laws to post-2008 reforms, shows that top-down approaches often create more problems than they solve.

By empowering industry leaders, Abbott ensures Texas protects its people without stifling opportunity. This approach, focused on local expertise and market freedom, sets a standard for the nation. It proves that Texans can build a stronger, more prosperous future on their own terms.