Abbott Names Three to Texas Real Estate Commission Amidst Soaring Housing Costs

Texas’s housing market pulses with opportunity and pressure. Soaring home prices and a shortage of affordable rentals define the state’s landscape. On May 6, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Kristi Davis and James B. Goodwin to the Texas Real Estate Commission and named Mark Woodroof as chair. These leaders step into a role that shapes how brokers and agents serve the public, a task made urgent by a market where many struggle to find affordable homes.

The commission licenses real estate professionals, sets training standards, and enforces rules to ensure fair dealings. Its influence reaches deep in a state where 91% of extremely low-income renters spend more than half their income on housing. As new appointees prepare to guide the agency, their decisions will affect buyers, renters, and the industry navigating rapid change.

Kristi Davis, based in Carrollton, is a seasoned broker and vice president at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Texas. She leads sales and agent development and serves as president of the North Texas Real Estate Information Services board. Her work with the Texas Real Estate Research Center and national realtor organizations shows a commitment to education. A journalism graduate from the University of North Texas, Davis brings clear communication to her role.

James B. Goodwin, an Austin broker, owns JBGoodwin REALTORS. His past leadership as chairman of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs offered insight into housing policy. Active in national and state realtor groups, he emphasizes professional standards. With a finance degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Goodwin’s expertise will inform his contributions.

Mark Woodroof, the Houston-based chair, heads Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene. His leadership in realtor organizations at local, state, and national levels, combined with degrees in accounting and an MBA, equips him to lead the commission through regulatory complexities. Pending Senate confirmation, these brokers will serve terms ending in 2031.

The commission exists to build confidence in real estate transactions. It ensures brokers act ethically, using transparent contracts and fair practices. In 2024, a National Association of Realtors settlement changed how agents negotiate fees, requiring direct client agreements. Texas responded with updated contract forms and mold disclosure rules starting January 2025, alongside plans for an online licensing portal to simplify processes later this year.

Some stakeholders question the weight of these rules. Those favoring lighter regulations argue that licensing requirements restrict new agents and raise costs, potentially deepening the affordability crisis. Nationally, 70% of households cannot afford a $400,000 home, and Texas lacks over 665,000 affordable rentals. Conversely, advocates for renters push for stronger federal housing investments or protections against steep rent hikes. The commission must address these tensions while prioritizing fairness.

Technology complicates the picture. Tools like AI valuations and blockchain for title records speed up transactions but demand new oversight for data privacy and compliance. The commission’s new leaders, with their industry experience, face the challenge of adapting rules to innovation while ensuring consumers remain protected.

Real estate oversight has long balanced industry expertise with public interest. Since the 1949 creation of the Texas Real Estate Commission, its nine members—six brokers and three public representatives—have licensed professionals and investigated violations. This mix aims to prevent industry insiders from dominating policy, a concern raised since the 1960s when states began adding public members to licensing boards.

Texas’s housing challenges heighten the commission’s role. A 40% price surge from 2019 to 2023, driven by population growth and limited construction, has locked many out of homeownership. Federal laws, from the 1974 Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act to the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, have strengthened lending oversight, but local rules remain vital. Debates persist over whether deregulation or increased housing funding better serves the public.

Davis, Goodwin, and Woodroof take on a commission at the heart of Texas’s housing struggles. Their expertise positions them to address licensing, enforcement, and innovation, but their success hinges on balancing industry needs with consumer protections. Their work will influence how Texas confronts its affordability crisis.

The stakes are high for a state where housing costs shape daily life. By fostering trust and adapting to change, these leaders can help ensure the real estate market works for all Texans, from first-time buyers to renters facing tight budgets.