2025 Impact ReportFINAL

Advancing the profession and improving communities

2025 IMPACT REPORT

1

“Many factors have contributed to Canopy’s success, especially our commitment to innovation and investing in the future of housing.”

anne marie decatsYE, esq.

CEO, Canopy Realtor® Association/Canopy MLS

As a valued member of Canopy Realtor® Association and/or

College, Johnson C. Smith University, and Haywood Community

subscriber to Canopy MLS, I am pleased to share this report

College impressed us with forward-thinking ideas, leading to

highlighting the tangible benefits and resources Canopy delivered in

$10,000 in scholarships and a Realtors® Choice Award.

2025 and plan to expand in 2026. These data-backed achievements are made possible by committed staff and volunteer leaders serving on the Board of Directors.

Canopy MLS also became the first MLS in NC to allow subscribers who are not Realtors®, while expanding platform choice for subscribers with the addition of Paragon Connect. These efforts

Throughout this report, we have highlighted Realtor® member

were complemented by several strategic partnerships and

benefits and resources to help grow your business and navigate

investments, including the launch of Rayse—an innovative platform

industry challenges. Your Realtor® membership provides three

that provides real-time visibility into agent activity throughout

levels of benefits at the local, state, and national levels. As your local

the transaction lifecycle, strengthening transparency, trust, and

professional trade association, we consider it a priority to remind

communication between agents and consumers. Rental Beast, an

and encourage members to take full advantage of these benefits.

all-in-one rental platform, was expanded to include an “apply now”

The Association and its Real Estate Institute strive to support your education and professional development, including the pursuit

online application feature in OneHome. We also introduced Ardi, an AI-powered assistant, designed to enhance subscriber support.

of designations and certifications. The Association’s government

Additionally, Canopy MLS was at the forefront of a collaborative

affairs through REBIC (Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition)

venture with Broker Public Portal to create Cribio, a national home

coordinates advocacy efforts that protect the real estate industry,

search experience that connects consumers directly with the agent

Realtors®, and consumers.

who best knows the home in which they are interested. This smarter

This report tells the story of how diversity and inclusion have been cornerstone attributes of Canopy for more than 20 years. Our

and faster way to search homes is front and center on our publicfacing website Carolinahome.com.

initiatives will continue to grow as we see our membership and

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your professional trade

communities become more diverse. Canopy is more than local; it is

association and your MLS provider—we’re grateful for your trust and

now on the global stage after successfully launching Canopy Global,

look forward to supporting your continued growth as you serve your

providing our members with expanded opportunities to serve

clients.

consumers around the world.

Many factors have contributed to Canopy’s success, especially our commitment to innovation and investing in the future of housing.

Just two short years ago, Canopy Housing Foundation launched the Canopy Innovation Award, challenging college and university students to develop creative solutions to housing affordability. Last year, students from UNC Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community

Anne Marie DeCatsye, Esq. CEO Canopy Realtor® Association/Canopy MLS

Here Are the Many Ways Canopy ® Realtor Association Served You in 2025 Canopy Realtor® Association focused on strengthening professionalism, protecting the industry, and elevating Realtor® value. Through responsive member services, ethical oversight, advocacy, leadership development, education, and consumerfacing campaigns, the Association delivered meaningful support to more than 14,000 Realtor® members, helping them operate confidently, competitively and in compliance in a rapidly evolving market.

MEMBER SERVICES

The Front Door to the Association

Member Services served as the front

Improvements to orientation timelines,

door to the Association in 2025,

billing communications, and real-time

delivering faster onboarding, clearer

alerts helped members stay focused on

communication, and responsive support.

their business.

KEY OUTCOMES •

Accelerated new member orientation from 90 days to 30 days

•

24-hour response standard for calls and inquiries

•

Streamlined billing and account communications

•

Prominent placement of RAMCO dashboard to make payments

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Expanded use of text alerts for time-sensitive notices

•

Promoted awareness of AutoPay and increased adoption

2025 Member Services by the numbers canopyrealtors.com

14,100 “Efficient service allows members to focus less on administration and more on serving clients.”

Carla Gaydos Member Services Manager

Realtor®members

345

Affiliate members

1,204

new Realtor® members

41,076 If you need information about Canopy Realtor® Association member benefits, please reach out to membership@ canopyrealtors.com.

If you need information about Canopy MLS member benefits and subscriber tools, please contact support@canopyrealtors.com.

calls answered

36,201

emails responded to

Professional Standards and Ethics Canopy’s Grievance and Professional Standards Committees upheld the REALTOR® Code of Ethics through fair, consistent, and transparent processes. By managing ethics complaints, hearings, and MLS compliance matters, the Association reinforced professionalism while protecting both consumers and members.

2025 activity

“Strong ethical standards protect both the profession and the public.”

PROTECTING INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISM

41 ethics complaints reviewed 16 ethics hearings conducted

Michele McCaskill General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer

5 MLS appeal hearings held 2 citations issued

2025 sales snapshot 1,688

lockboxes sold

TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR BUSINESS

3,112

Working with Real Estate Agents® pamphlets

16,687

total items sold

REALTORSTORE.NET

THE REALTOR® STORE

The Realtor® Store expanded its product offerings to support member branding, marketing, and professional development needs. Member-priced materials, new signage options, and expanded open house products helped agents present themselves professionally while supporting ongoing education and compliance.

What was added •

New sign riders (Down Payment Assistance, In-Law Suite, 55+ Community)

•

Branded business accessories and portfolios

•

Expanded open house signage and display products

Advocacy AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Additional NAR housing and consumer wins •

VA Home Loan Reform Act: Signed in July, the act requires the VA to establish a permanent policy ensuring veterans can directly pay their real estate agents.

•

Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act: Signed into law on September 5, 2025, this bipartisan bill bans “mortgage credit trigger leads,” preventing lenders from purchasing consumer data to make unsolicited calls during the mortgage process.

•

Affordable Housing & Supply:

Protecting property rights and

Through coordinated advocacy efforts, Canopy protected property rights, advanced housing solutions, and amplified Realtor® voices at the local and state levels. Legislative wins, infrastructure investment, land-use reforms, and voter engagement efforts demonstrated the tangible impact of Realtor® advocacy in 2025.

PROTECTING PROPERTY RIGHTS AND ADVANCING HOUSING SOLUTIONS

National Advocacy Delivered Results for Realtors® and Property Owners

•

•

Secured permanent improvements to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to boost affordable housing development.

•

Advanced the ROAD to Housing Act, which aims to cut red tape for housing projects and improve the home appraisal process.

Flood Insurance: Reauthorized the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30, 2026, ensuring continued access to coverage for homeowners.

In 2025, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) secured several major legislative victories, primarily through the passage of the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

Key tax reform victories The Working Families Tax Cut Act included all five of NAR's top federal priorities: •

SALT Deduction Cap Increase: Temporarily quadrupled the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000 for a five-year period.

•

Business Income Deduction: Permanently extended the Section 199A Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction at an enhanced 23% rate, benefiting independent contractors and small business owners.

•

Mortgage Interest Deduction: Secured a permanent extension of this deduction to support long-term homeownership incentives.

•

Investment Protections: Protected 1031 like-kind exchanges and business SALT deductions, which are critical for property investment and economic growth.

•

Individual Tax Rates: Permanently extended lower individual tax rates originally established in 2017.

NC REALTORS® (NCR)

NCR Government Affairs department lobbies for real estate interests, private property rights, and tracks legislation at the state and local levels.

key achievements •

Secured successful amendments to legislation modifying licensing procedures (NC SB 690) to benefit all members, protect individuals studying for an appraiser license, and support property managers.

•

Achieved passage of a bill to expedite the Removal of Unauthorized Persons from private property (NC SB 55).

Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (REBIC) REBIC serves as the government affairs arm of Canopy Realtor® Association. Its mission is to drive positive outcomes for those working to build a healthy real estate market in the Charlotte region by using our voice to advocate, educate, connect, and advise.

key achievements •

Facilitated passage of the Mecklenburg County Transportation Referendum, generating $19 billion in long-term infrastructure funding.

•

Partnered with the City of Charlotte to allow for more flexibility for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development, resulting in more than 250 new ADU permits.

•

Secured policy wins supporting housing supply, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and adaptive reuse.

•

•

Engaged advocacy staff to represent the Western Region/ Haywood County.

Conducted focus groups and survey research in Iredell and Mecklenburg County yielding new insights into voter perspectives on growth.

•

•

Defeated a proposed code change for Waynesville Short Term Rentals that would have significantly limited property owners’ rights.

Placed real estate industry professionals on key advisory boards, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission and the UDO Advisory Committee.

•

Hosted the Sixth Annual UNC Charlotte’s Children Klein Center for Real Estate Housing Summit, highlighting Charlotte’s growing housing market using data provided by Canopy MLS.

•

Distributed Voter Guides for both the Primary Election and General Election within Mecklenburg, Iredell, Cabarrus, Gaston, and Union Counties.

•

Eliminated an increased road depth requirement in Statesville, reducing unnecessary cost and making housing more attainable.

•

Advanced policy changes for better development outcomes in Mooresville through changes to the land use plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

•

Strengthened community relations around initiatives focused on water, sewer, and Inter Basin Transfer.

•

Secured a $135,000 grant from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance to engage with upstream Catawba River communities in an effort to build a broad coalition for future water initiatives.

“Advocacy creates the conditions that allow real estate and communities to thrive.”

NC REALTORS® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RPAC)

All of these advocacy wins would not be possible without elected officials who understand the importance of our industry and the significant role it plays in a thriving region. The NC REALTORS® RPAC supports candidates who support federal and state legislation and local ordinances, and policies that promote home ownership, attainable housing, and positive economic growth for our region. NC REALTORS® RPAC investments from Canopy Realtor® Association members last year totaled nearly $200,000.

Rob Nanfelt Executive Director, Real Estate & Building Industry Coalition

Leadership AcadeMY

Developing the next generation of leaders

Since 1999, the Canopy Leadership Academy has developed, informed, engaged, and prepared service-oriented Realtors® to lead within the Association, MLS, Foundation, and broader community. Graduates continue to strengthen the profession and expand Canopy’s impact through meaningful leadership and service.

program impact •

294 graduates since inception, including 8 graduates in 2025

•

55% serve on committees

•

24.5% have served on Canopy Realtor® Association, Canopy MLS, and Canopy Housing Foundation Boards of Directors

•

5.2% have served on the Executive Committee

•

2 have served as NC REALTORS® presidents

Education and Engagement

BROKER-IN-CHARGE BRIEFINGS Preparing members to navigate change

Canopy delivered timely, relevant education through Realtor® Hot Topics, Broker-in-Charge Briefings, and the annual Canopy EXPO. These programs equipped members with practical knowledge on compliance, risk management, market conditions, and emerging industry trends.

•

“Elevate Agent Value and Transparency” presented by Rayse.

•

“Do You Have it in Writing?” Creating a firm policy manual that boosts firm productivity and increases professionalism while minimizing risk,” led

by Jo Mangum.

•

“Beyond Compliance: Proactive Risk Strategies for Real Estate Firms” with Janet Thoren, Legal Counsel and Director of the Regulatory Affairs Division of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.

•

“Market Data and Analytical Tools: Find It! Learn! Use It!” presented by Canopy’s Broker Relations team (also offered to agents).

2025 highlights •

1,700+ members attended sessions.

•

Topics ranged from NAR settlement impacts and NC forms changes to economic development and firm risk management.

•

•

•

Market data training delivered directly by Canopy staff.

“Northern Region: Iredell County Economic Development” with Jenn Bosser, President & CEO of Iredell County Economic Development Corporation. ”Mortgage Lending After the NAR Settlement,” co-hosted with the Charlotte Regional Mortgage Lenders Association (CRMLA).

•

“Northern Region: Empowering Realtors® - Championing Your Client's Homeownership and Property Rights“ with Rob Nanfelt of REBIC, Sallie Myrick, and Allen Dargins, NC REALTORS® Region 8 RPAC Trustees.

•

“The Power of Down Payment Assistance: Tools and Insights for Realtors® and Lenders” hosted with the Charlotte Regional Mortgage Lenders Association.

•

“Northern Region: How the Proposed 2055 Transportation Plan Impacts the Northern Region + Candidate Forum” with Mayor Christopher Carney, Town of Mooresville; Mayor Russell Knox, Jr., Town of Davidson, and Allen Dargins, Chair, Canopy Realtor® Association Government Affairs Committee and 2026 Association President-Elect.

•

“Why should I be a Realtor®? What does NAR do for me?” presented by Joe Harris, Vice President of Government Advocacy with NAR.

•

“Safety Camp at Canopy Realtor® Association” featured presentations on MLS safety tools, community preparedness tactics, a keynote from “Tracey, the Safety Lady" Hawkins, and CPR training.

•

WESTERN REGION/ Haywood County

“North Carolina 2025 Forms Changes” featuring panelists Steve Barnes, NC REALTORS® Forms Committee, 2025-2026 Chair; Amy Baker, NC REALTORS® Forms Committee, 2025-2026 Immediate Past Chair, and John Wait, NC REALTORS® Legal Counsel, Martin & Gifford, PLLC.

•

Canopy Realtor® Association held two meetings to provide members updates from local officials.

•

Zeb Smathers, Mayor, City of Canton, and Bryant Morehead, County Manager, Haywood County were featured speakers.

CANOPY EXPO Brought nationally recognized speakers and regional

NATIONAL VOICES. LOCAL RELEVANCE.

economic leaders together to address the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate industry.

Featured sessions •

RENOVATED™ with Dr. Jennifer Keitt

•

Content strategy with Katie Lance

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Regional economic outlook panel with Charlotte, Asheville, and York County CEOs and economic development leaders

FAIR HOUSING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION “Diversity and Inclusion Alliance E3 Summit: Educating, Engaging and Empowering Realtors®” featured: •

presented by Felicia Hall Allen,

•

fostering education, engagement, and community partnerships. Through training, advisory groups, service projects, and

STREnGTHENING COMMUNITIES AND THE PROFESSION

•

Engaged more than 1,300+ members in educational and networking events hosted

Expanded multicultural partnerships by participating in and hosting events, including:

Expanding Your Business”

•

Charlotte Pride Festival

•

5th Annual Latin American Festival

•

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

•

Charlotte’s Brooklyn: Examining its History

presented by John Ham, Vice President, Center for Strategic

and Future

Partnerships at National

•

•

communities responsibly.

and LGBTQ Advisory Group.

Building Your Enterprise and

Development

their ability to serve diverse clients and

Advisory Group, Latin American Advisory Group, Asian American Advisory Group,

“Game Plan for Growth:

Institute of Minority Economic

signature events, members strengthened

by the Diversity and Inclusion Alliance and its Advisory Groups: African American

Felicia Hall Allen & Associates •

reinforced fair housing principles while

2025 impact

“How to Stay in the Game When You are Down on Points”

Canopy’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives

•

Hosted Fair Housing Month in April, offering members the opportunity to participate in

“Elevate Your Game Beyond

numerous events and trainings to increase their

the Sale: Exploring Real Estate

knowledge and strengthen their commitment to

Niches” panel discussion

fair housing, including:

“A Winning Playbook: The Do’s

•

Stand Up for Housing Equity Challenge, helping

and Don’ts of Serving Clients

members confront and address biases to honor

with Special Needs” (This

the Fair Housing Act

session satisfied NAR’s Fair

•

Housing requirement.)

NAR’s Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to

Fair Housing training •

NAR’s Fairhaven: A Fair Housing Simulation

Training and the At Home With Diversity® course •

Annual Fair Housing Celebration featuring

Incognito, a one-man autobiographical play by author, actor, and thought-leader Michael Fosberg •

Supported community service initiatives through Realtors® Care Day, the Strides for Shelter 5K, and the Pearl Street Park Stream Clean-Up.

canopy global

Expanding opportunities beyond borders.

Canopy Global expanded opportunities for members interested in international real estate by delivering education, research, and global connections.

Programming, surveys, and recognition positioned members to better understand and participate in cross-border transactions and global investment trends.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

•

Conducted the International Residential Transactions survey in partnership

with NAR. •

Launched Canopy Global web resources.

•

Produced two Inside the Canopy Files podcasts focused on global business.

•

Hosted a virtual Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute, where 33 students completed all five courses and four completed individual courses.

•

Delivered global education and networking events, including: •

“Intro to Global Success: Expand Your Real Estate Horizons!” where speakers from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, NAR Global, and NC REALTORS® Global shared data and insights on international business activity in the region, including foreign direct investment (FDI) trends.

•

“Insights and Strategies for the Global Real Estate Professional”, a half-day event featuring presentations from NAR, NC REALTORS® Global, Realtor.com International, ListHub Global, City of Charlotte, and legal strategies for working with international buyers presented by Soto Law Firm. Canopy members who earned the CIPS designation were recognized.

National recognition Canopy was presented the Platinum-level NAR Global Achievement Award in recognition of providing members with the highest level of global service and support.

The Front

Marketing, Media, and Realtor® Value Canopy’s marketing and media efforts equipped members with tools to explain the market, demonstrate their value, and engage consumers. Data-driven resources, consumer education campaigns, and consistent media presence positioned Realtors® and Association

Positioning Realtors® as trusted experts

leadership as trusted market experts.

Brokerrelations.canopyrealtor. com posted reliable content from Canopy Realtor® Association, REALTORS®, and NAR including: •

Training

•

Education and professional development

•

Compliance education

•

Updates on the latest technology tools

•

Data licensing

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Help the b get the b uyer est property the best at price.

See all 247 Reas Realtors ons Real Valu® Add e.

“BIC Briefs” kept brokers informed and the first-to-know about: •

October housing market and regional recap

•

Canopy’s expansion of sponsorship opportunities for firms

•

September housing market and regional recap

•

Cryptocurrency and other scams targeting real estate professionals

•

Future governance updates, policy reminders, and BIC workshop

“Across every Canopy entity, our communications strategy centers on one goal — strengthening the visibility, credibility, and value of the Realtor® brand and the power of the MLS for agents and their clients.”

Need a to work reason a Realto with r®?

Canopy MLS, NC REALTORS®, SC

Kim McMillan, VP of Marketing & Communications

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2025 outcomes

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9/5/24 11:01 AM

•

247 Reasons Realtors® Add Real Value was downloaded 42,250+ times.

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RealtorValue.com reached a total of 36,000+ users, of which 34,000 also visited the Spanish-language pages.

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Generated over 12,500 Grab-and-Grow downloads.

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Produced 6,602,914 mobile views and 6,522,793 billboard impressions through consumer education campaigns.

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Issued 48 regional press releases using Canopy MLS data.

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Secured 20+ media interviews positioning Canopy leadership as market experts.

FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING The Finance and Accounting Department analyzes fiscal performance to carry out the organization’s financial strategy through risk management, forecasting cash flows and investment strategies.

The Association maintained a strong financial position in 2025, delivering disciplined expense management while continuing to invest in technology, advocacy and member programs. We ended the year with a positive operating result and reserves that provide stability and strategic flexibility.

“Having financial responsibility for Canopy involves careful stewardship of revenue and expenditures to ensure future stability.

Establishing accountability across all monetary avenues is essential to the economic and fiscal health of our organization and allows us to maintain the highest standards of fiscal oversight”.

Copies of the Association’s tax return and budget can be accessed on the Canopy Realtors® Association website under Association Overview/Finance.

Undesignated Reserves

EQUITY

33%

Equity in Property

50%

Undesignated Reserves

Designated Reserves

17%

Michelle McCool, Chief Financial Officer Canopy Realtor® Association and Canopy MLS

REvenue 2%

Assets

Other assets

50% Local Dues

3%

Investment Income

30% Property

47%

Non-Dues Revenue

48% MLS

20%

Cash and Investments

How CREI Advanced Education, Compliance, and Career Readiness in 2025 Canopy Real Estate Institute (CREI) strengthened the real estate profession by delivering the education required to legally practice, while expanding professional development opportunities that support long-term career success. Through exceptional instructors, strategic partnerships, high examperformance outcomes, and innovative programs, CREI ensured students and brokers were prepared to work in our rapidly changing industry.

Professional development and continuing education

Beyond licensing, CREI expanded access to continuing education and firm-level training.

New educational offerings reflected changing market conditions, technology, and consumer expectations.

•

Certified International Property Specialists (CIPS) Institute

•

Liars, Cheaters, and Thieves: Averting Client Catastrophe v1.0 (self-paced)

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Millennials: Challenging the Traditional Real Estate Model v1.0 (self-paced)

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Repurposing Property: Friend, Foe, or the American Dream v1.0 (self-paced)

engagement

•

Understanding 1031 Tax-Free Exchanges v4.0 (self-paced)

Why it mattered

•

Fair Housing Principles, Ethics, and Pathways to Professionalism

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Investors Assemble!

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Cons, Scams and Hacks

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Let’s Talk About MOHO’s – Manufactured and Modular Homes

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Real Life Real Estate: Refresher for Contract Red Flags and Home Inspection Issues

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The AI Advantage

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Avoid Disaster: Master the NC Home Inspector Standards of Practice

What CREI delivered •

Expanded CE and on-demand learning options through national partners

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Customized CE for residential and commercial firms

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Broker-in-Charge–focused training reinforcing compliance and supervision

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Collaborative workshops with Broker Relations to improve firm

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Supported compliance without disrupting business operations

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Increased utilization of Canopy education resources

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Strengthened firm-level professionalism

Relevant and timely curriculum CREI offered courses addressing today’s most pressing topics, including: •

Fair Housing and Ethics

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Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity

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Navigating the Transaction Minefield

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New Construction and Inspections

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CRE Property Types – Commercial

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Investors, Commercial, and 1031 Exchanges

•

•

NC Forms and Transaction Risk

CRE Transaction Lifecycle: The Basic Competencies – Commercial

•

New Home Construction and Buyer Representation Certificate

Building the talent pipeline CREI expanded awareness of real

CREI maintained its reputation for instructional excellence by collaborating with leading educators and continuously elevating teaching standards.

Highlights •

Strengthened partnerships with the Real Estate Educators Association (REEA)

•

Earned national recognition for CREI

estate careers by engaging students,

instructors, including:

educators, and future professionals

•

across the region.

Outreach through

•

Award •

Became a founding member of the B.E.A.T.S. Alliance (Bringing Educators and Associations

Schools (CMS) career fairs

Together for Success),

and events

advancing best practices,

Participation in CMS Career

accountability, and innovation

and Technical Education

in education. The Alliance held

(CTE) Pathways •

2025 Larry A. Outlaw Excellence in Education

Charlotte-Mecklenburg

•

Gold Star Instructor designation

key focus areas •

Exceptional instruction and industry leadership

its inaugural conference in

Real-world exposure

April in Oklahoma City.

to real estate careers, entrepreneurship, and compliance •

Academic partnerships with UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate

Why it mattered •

Strengthened workforce readiness

•

Why it mattered •

Ensured curriculum quality and consistency

•

Reinforced trust with regulators and industry partners

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Positioned CREI as a leader in real estate education

CREI prioritized measurable outcomes and student success.

•

100% pass rate on NC Broker Prelicensing exams in Q2

Introduced students to

•

Perfect synchronous exam performance in Q2 and Q3

regulated, professional

•

Continued success through #CanopyPrepped and national exam-prep partnerships

career pathways •

Built long-term awareness of real estate as a viable profession

Learning platform impact •

Expansion of Canopy Campus as a centralized learning hub

•

4,585 new user accounts created in 2025

•

7,750 new course enrollments

•

41,790 total course enrollments to date

workforce housing and community impact

C.A.R.E.—Certified in Affordable Resources and

CREI relaunched its Workforce Housing Certificate program as

commitment to serving workforce and affordable housing

the Workforce Housing C.A.R.E. Program.

needs in the community.

Education—reflects the program’s expanded scope and mission, with graduates earning the Canopy Realtor® Association designation of Workforce Housing C.A.R.E. Specialist, recognizing their advanced training and

Program enhancements •

Broader curriculum including fair housing, financing, and affordability

•

New Workforce Housing C.A.R.E. Specialist designation

•

Launched community partner initiative with Charlotte Mecklenburg School (CMS) teachers to provide homeownership eduation

•

Increased collaboration with Canopy Housing Foundation

•

Expanded sponsor and community engagement

Why it mattered •

Prepared Realtors® to serve workforce and publicservice professionals

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Strengthened affordable housing education and outreach

•

Connected education directly to community impact

Innovation through collaboration CREI partnered with the Canopy Housing Foundation to support the next generation of housing leaders through the Innovation Awards Bootcamp. This innovation-focused challenge for area college and university students seeks to develop creative and pioneering solutions to affordable and attainable housing, with scholarships awarded by the Foundation to winning teams.

Designed to prepare student teams competing for the Canopy Innovation Award, the Bootcamp provided: •

Guidance on distilling ideas into focused solutions

•

Mentor-guided project development

•

Pitch preparation and refinement

“Professional growth fuels industry progress and education is the pathway to success for any real estate agent. CREI is committed to both” LaToya Simms Executive Director, CREI

How Realtors Served, Invested in, and Strengthened Our Communities in 2025 ®

Canopy Housing Foundation serves as the community-facing arm of the Realtor® profession, channeling volunteerism, funding, and innovation into affordable housing and community improvement initiatives. Through grants, service days, scholarships, and signature fundraising events, Realtors® directly invested in neighborhoods and organizations across the region—demonstrating a shared commitment to housing stability and community well-being.

volunteerism with purposE

2025 highlights Realtors® made a measurable difference through hands-on service projects that addressed housing insecurity and community needs.

•

350+ Realtor® volunteers participated at 16 Realtors® Care Day sites across Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Haywood Counties.

•

125+ Realtors® volunteered through Project REACH (Realtors® Engaging and Creating Hope), supporting five local nonprofits, with each nonprofit receiving $500 from the Foundation, for a total of $2,500.

Long-term impact •

Since 2009, Realtors® Care Day has generated more than $1.2 million in economic impact, benefiting 347 families and organizations.

Grants supporting housing and stability

The Foundation invested directly in housing-related nonprofits and initiatives through targeted Community Grants and Habitat Support Grants.

2025 Grant Activity

EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

•

18 Community Grants awarded

•

6 Habitat Support Grants awarded

Cumulative impact

Why it mattered

•

Community Grants distributed since 2009: $690,499.70

•

Supported local housing providers and nonprofits

•

Habitat Support Grants distributed since

•

Strengthened partnerships focused on housing access and stability

inception: $374,000

The Foundation continued to support educational access and future leadership through scholarships.

Western Region scholarships •

Awarded three $2,000 scholarships to high school and early college students

•

Invested $15,000 in Haywood County students since 2020

Why it mattered •

Reduced barriers to education

•

Reinforced the Foundation’s commitment to long-term community investment

STRIDES FOR SHELTER 5K The annual Strides for Shelter 5K continued to serve as a cornerstone fundraising event, partnering with the public in an annual 5K run/ walk supporting organizations whose missions include assisting individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity.

2025 beneficiary Project Outpour received $30,048 to retire debt on a truck to transport the mobile shower unit, expanding access to hygiene services for those experiencing homelessness.

tion Founda Housing Canopy

N

R 5K RU O F S E D I R T S TERWALK

SHEL

Supporting Project Outpour 10-18-25 | Charlotte, NC stridesforshelter5k.com

Since 2016, more than $242,000 raised to support organizations actively assisting housing-insecure individuals and families.

Honoring service and leadership Humanitarian Award •

Highest honor bestowed by the Foundation

•

Includes a $5,000 donation to a nonprofit selected by the recipient

•

2025 recipient: Jamilah Espinosa, Esq., for her work supporting immigrant communities

•

$66,250 invested through the award since its inception

“Through the Foundation, Realtors® go beyond transactions — investing in and improving communities for generations to come.”

Terri Marshall Executive Director, Canopy Housing Foundation

Youth Excellence in Service (Y.E.S.) Award •

Recognizes youth ages 10–18 for community service

•

2025 recipient: Alexander Riley

•

$3,500 invested in the community through the program to date

The Foundation recognized individuals and youth making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Innovation and the future of housing The Canopy Innovation Award challenged area college and university students to think creatively about affordable and attainable housing solutions.

2025 competition •

Participating institutions included: UNC Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College, Johnson C. Smith University, and Haywood Community College

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Awarded $10,000 in scholarships in 2025

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Awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarships over the last two years.

Impact •

Encouraged fresh thinking around housing challenges

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Engaged the next generation in housing innovation

How Canopy MLS Supported Your Business and Ability to Serve Clients As the first MLS in NC to allow subscribers who are not Realtors®, Canopy MLS expanded choice, transparency, and gave subscribers the flexibility to work across multiple MLS platforms.

From platform enhancements and AI-powered assistance to national data-sharing initiatives and consumer-facing transparency tools, every investment was guided by a singular goal: helping subscribers work smarter, demonstrate their value more clearly, and deliver a better experience for buyers and sellers in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Technology enhancements and platform innovation

Canopy MLS delivered continuous improvements across its technology ecosystem.

Major enhancements •

Upgraded the Matrix homepage and CMA functionality.

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Introduced ICE Paragon Connect as an additional platform to conduct business.

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Aligned with a trusted industry leader, Realtor.com to be the first MLS to offer Realtor.com+, a game-changing client collaboration work space across all platforms.

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Expanded listing fields to reflect evolving housing trends.

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Implemented multi-factor authentication and enhanced account security.

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Released an all new Canopy MLS Dashboard.

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Launched the OneHome mobile app.

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Updated rental listing application links through Rental Beast and added the “Apply Now” online application to OneHome.

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Expanded access to listings nationwide by adding two new data share partners – Pikes Peak MLS in Colorado and State Wide MLS of Rhode Island

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Launched RAYSE, a client-facing transparency tool that maps the real estate journey in real time.

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Introduced Ardi, an AI-powered virtual assistant, to extend support beyond traditional business hours.

For support or questions about Canopy MLS technology tools and resources, contact support@canopyrealtors.com.

“Our focus is on building an MLS ecosystem that gives subscribers flexibility, transparency, and powerful tools—without compromising data integrity or professionalism. Every technology decision we make is driven by how it helps agents serve their clients more effectively and communicate their value with confidence.”

Steve Byrd Chief Technology Officer Canopy MLS

New Options and Updates to Matrix •

Updated the Canopy MLS Listing Transfer Form to require approval from both the releasing office and the receiving office, helping prevent confusion or misunderstandings when agents and their listings transfer between firms.

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Added four additional custom fields to the Matrix CMA wizard, giving agents greater flexibility to include the information they want in their CMA reports.

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Enhanced the map-view pop-up display to include a direct link to the listing’s “History” report for easier access.

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Added an indicator within the map pop-up to identify when multiple parcels are included in a single listing. Extended the Public Remarks field to 4000 characters and the Syndication Remarks field to 4100 characters.

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Added a new “Lower Level Description” field allowing agents to specify whether a property’s lower level is above- or belowgrade.

Canopy MLS also advanced national innovation through a collaborative venture with Broker Public Portal to develop Cribio, a next-generation consumer home search experience that connects home searchers directly with the agent who best knows the property. By blending MLS listings with public records and parcel data into one seamless platform, Cribio delivers a faster, smarter, and more complete view of properties and neighborhoods.

Consumers can access the portal at www.carolinahome.com

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New fields and options have been added to Matrix, including: •

New field: Private Pool on Property YN

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New Field: CO Issued YN (available for all New Construction listings)

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New selection: Community Features - Pickleball

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New selection: Architectural Style - Barndominium

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New selection: Exterior Features - In-Ground Hot Tub/Spa

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New selection: Exterior Features - Above Ground Hot Tub/ Spa

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New selection: Pool Features - Plunge Pool

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New selection: Proposed Financing - Private Lending Source

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New selection: Sold Terms - Private Lending Source

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Updated selection: AdditionalSubType - Duplex changed to Duplex/Duet

41 ethics complaints reviewed 5 MLS appeal hearings held 16 ethics hearings conducted issued Training2incitations Action:

TRAINING AND BROKER RELATIONS

Equipping Subscribers for Success

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Conducted trainings for: •

Canopy’s Young Professionals Network

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Training reach •

162 firm-level classes delivered

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2,060 agents trained virtually

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Ongoing one-on-one coaching

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Monthly and quarterly vendor-led training sessions

Most requested topics •

Paragon Connect

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RAYSE

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Down Payment Resource

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RPR advanced tools

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Canopy Real Estate Institute

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Canopy’s Safety Camp

Designed the Find It! Learn It! Use

It! Training presentation for MLS and Association Board of Directors, and Canopy MLS subscriber base.

Canopy MLS prioritized education to ensure subscribers fully utilized available tools.

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Conducted training for lenders and agents on the usage of Down Payment Resource (DPR).

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Partnered with technology vendors to provide monthly and quarterly training on ShowingTime, Rental Beast, Tenant Screening, Remine, Paragon, RAYSE, and Forewarn.

For information or to schedule a training session, please contact brokerrelations@canopyrealtors.com.

Canopy MLS Ranked Among the BEST MLSs in WAV Group’s Customer Experience Index

Canopy MLS was named a BEST MLS in the following categories:

WAV Group’s Customer Experience Index (CXI) serves as the

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BEST MLS Overall

zations to benchmark against their peers and gain actionable

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BEST MLS Customer Service

insights to enhance member satisfaction.

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BEST MLS Training

Why it mattered

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BEST MLS Technology

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BEST MLS Data Quality

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BEST MLS Responsiveness

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BEST MLS Business Generation

leading standard for measuring MLS success, enabling organi-

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Assisted in demonstrating excellence in service delivery and technology effectiveness

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Strengthened adherence to industry benchmarks for MLS performance

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Enhanced data-driven decisions to increase MLS value to subscribers

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Created a roadmap for continuous improvement and long-term success

2025 activity

21,000+ subscribers 14,837 support tickets closed 17,060 support calls answered

4,587 compliance tickets

resolved 6,638 Data Checker notices issued

Subscriber usage and system performance Canopy MLS systems supported high-volume, daily business activity.

Support, compliance and data integrity Canopy MLS maintained strong operational support and compliance oversight.

Why it mattered •

Protected data accuracy

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Maintained professionalism

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Reduced risk for brokers and agents

“BIC Briefs” kept brokers informed and the first-to-know about: •

MLS market data tools webinar

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NC forms, advocacy updates, and why the MLS matters

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Canopy MLS service and key fees increases

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Rayse platform and benefits webinar

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Canopy MLS partnership announcement with Rayse platform

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Beyond Compliance: Protective risk strategies for real estate firms

CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS •

Provided information about the value of working with a real estate professional with access to Canopy MLS

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Canopy continued to be a national model in promoting access to down payment assistance

2025 Usage •

5.8 million total MLS logins

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6,941 unique MLS Touch users

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86,173 MLS Touch sessions

Thank you

Dedicated to Charisma Southerland who served as president in 2024 and 2025.

Thank you for your vision and commitment to Canopy Realtor® Association, Canopy MLS, Canopy Housing Foundation and for positively impacting members and subscribers, the industry, and the community.

canopyrealtors.com canopyreinstitute.com canopyhousingfoundation.org

canopymls.com