Michigan Realtors Convention 2025: 6 Takeaways Grand Rapids Pros Loved

Michigan Realtors brought the Michigan Realtors Convention 2025 back to West Michigan at the right moment. As one of the essential Michigan real estate events 2025, the event gave agents a chance to reset, map out the next year, and work with confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Michigan Realtors Convention 2025 focused on post-settlement operations, with clear steps for Buyer Agency Agreements, compliant language, and documented fee conversations.

• Grand Rapids agents highlighted fair housing in action, using daily practices that reduce bias, share accurate local facts, and support more housing choices.

• Legislative updates matter for West Michigan deals, including post-closing occupancy terms, expanded MSHDA loan options, more land splits, and a uniform septic code.

• Continuing Education (CE) Marketplace sessions and the Expo delivered practical tools, from documentation-ready CRMs to broker risk management systems, helping agents meet CE and improve workflows.

• The Grand Rapids venue boosted impact, pairing statewide connections with local market insights on inventory pressure, pricing, and development trends.

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Hosted at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids for the Realtors Convention dates of October 8 to 10, 2025, the Michigan Realtors Convention 2025 schedule focused on an industry reshaped by national settlements, new client expectations, and policy shifts, providing key MARCON 2025 details. For GRAR members and nearby markets, the agenda paired professional development sessions with time to meet peers, align on best practices, and tighten business systems for the year ahead. For those planning ahead, the Grand Rapids convention center events included advance ticket purchasing incentives, a clear registration fee structure, and an early bird registration deadline in 2025 to encourage participation. Hospitality accommodations and convention options were plentiful at the Amway Grand Plaza, and hospitality suites' contact information was available for groups.

• Michigan Realtors:https://mirealtors.com
• CE Marketplace:https://www.cemarketplace.net
• GRAR (Greater Regional Alliance of REALTORS):https://www.grar.com
• Amway Grand Plaza:https://www.amwaygrand.com
• DeVos Place:https://devosplace.org

1. Why Grand Rapids Was the Right Stage

Grand Rapids proved to be a sharp choice for a statewide event. The area is active, diverse, and growing, which makes it a useful reference point for other markets. For local Realtors, the location worked like home turf. They built statewide connections, then brought fresh ideas back to their clients, teams, and offices.

Networking moved past quick introductions, offering strong Realtor networking opportunities in 2025. Agents compared real numbers and on-the-ground trends, including housing market trends in Michigan in 2025. They swapped insights on tight inventory, higher prices in places like East Grand Rapids and Ada, and how major developments affect housing demand. These exchanges helped shape better standards and shared systems that fit West Michigan’s needs.

WMLAR also helped boost local participation in past years with a $100 member rebate, which kept turnout strong.

• City of Grand Rapids data:https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov
• East Grand Rapids:https://www.eastgr.org
• Ada Township:https://www.adatwp.org
• West Michigan Lakeshore Association of REALTORS (WMLAR):https://wmlar.com

2. Doing Business After the Settlement

A top priority in 2025 was turning new compensation rules into daily practice, as outlined in the Michigan Association of Realtors schedule. Guidance released early in the year urged agents to clean up language, fix risky habits, and raise standards fast through Michigan real estate ethics training. Breakout rooms at DeVos Place gave clear direction and hands-on tools to help rebuild trust and stay compliant with the real estate licensing requirements update.

Many attendees used a four-part review to tune up their operations:

• Search: Audit every practice
  Teams reviewed client emails, listing decks, intake forms, and internal policies. They flagged language that might confuse clients or create legal risk. Legal-led sessions, including guidance from Rebecca Berke, Esq., showed what to update, from agency disclosures to how fees are explained.

• Assessment: Adopt the new standards
  Buyer Agency Agreements took center stage. In a fast, multi-offer market like Grand Rapids, agents signed these agreements before showings. They covered scope, timing, and compensation. Workshops walked through how to present and negotiate these documents with clarity.

• Removal: Retire high-risk habits
  Attendees removed any lines that suggested compensation was automatic or guaranteed. They replaced old scripts with clear, client-first explanations. Sample workflows and plain-language talking points were shared for immediate use. In a referral-heavy area, this kind of clarity protected reputations.

• Documentation: Record every step
  Agents kept clean records of fee conversations, client decisions, and policy updates. Good files provided protection later. The Expo and classroom sessions showcased tools and checklists that made documentation simple without slowing down the day.

• NAR settlement overview:https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom
• Michigan Realtors Legal Resources:https://mirealtors.com/Legal-Resources
• Michigan Agency Relationships:https://www.michigan.gov/mshda/homeownership/homebuyer-education/agency-resources

3. Fuel for the Work: Ryan Campbell’s Message

Mindset mattered. Speakers lineup announcements highlighted Ryan Campbell, a record-setting pilot and one of the featured keynote speakers 2025 Realtors conference, who spoke about focus and grit in tough seasons.

His journey, from becoming one of the youngest to fly solo around the world to recovering from a serious crash, echoed how many agents felt. Rates were higher, the market shifted, and business models changed. His takeaway was simple. Know your purpose, adjust when needed, and keep moving.

For Grand Rapids agents, the theme fit well. Rediscover Your Why was not just a tagline. It helped many push through the paperwork and policy updates with a steady outlook. When the reason was clear, the work felt lighter.

• Ryan Campbell:https://www.ryancampbell.co

4. Fair Housing, Put Into Practice, with Leah Rothstein

Leah Rothstein, co-author of Just Action, outlined how to address segregation and move from statements to real change. The topic landed close to home for West Michigan, with professional development sessions emphasizing fair housing training.

The region still faces barriers to fair access, long-term impacts of redlining, and the need for more homes in high-opportunity areas. Rothstein pushed for more than compliance. She urged daily steps that build open, welcoming neighborhoods.



Local agents took action:

• Confronted bias
  They used training to spot bias and reduce it in conversations, showings, and advice.

• Backed more housing choices
  They worked with local leaders to support projects that add options across price points, with a focus on areas with strong schools and job access.

• Led with facts
  They shared accurate information on schools, services, and the real costs of segregation for families and communities.

Michigan Realtors also recognized members who serve their communities and engage in policy, highlighting association membership benefits. The awards were a reminder that this work shapes where we live.

• Just Action:https://justactionbook.org
• Fair Housing Act overview (HUD): https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview
• Michigan Department of Civil Rights:https://www.michigan.gov/mdcr

5. Legislative Updates: Michigan Real Estate Shaping Local Deals

Michigan Realtors briefed members on recent wins and current priorities in Lansing for legislative updates in Michigan real estate. Grand Rapids agents reviewed how these updates affect daily work in Kent and Ottawa counties, informing the 2025 industry outlook in Michigan.

Highlights, including insights useful for commercial real estate seminars in Michigan:

• Post-Closing Occupancy Agreements, House Bills 5384 to 5386
  These bills clarified how sellers can stay after closing. In a quick market, that flexibility helped families transition to their next home. Training covered the right terms and ways to reduce risk.

• MSHDA Loan Eligibility, House Bills 5030 to 5032
  Higher purchase price caps and stronger bonding authority opened more doors for first-time and moderate-income buyers. Since prices in the Grand Rapids metro often sit above the state average, updated MSHDA options mattered. Agents who know the programs helped more clients qualify.

• Land Division Act Splits and Statewide Septic Code, SB 480 and SB 299 to 300
  More allowable splits created new buildable sites. A uniform septic code brought consistency for rural and township properties. In the Grand Rapids area, this mix nudged inventory higher, protected values, and made due diligence simpler.

• Michigan Legislature bill search:https://www.legislature.mi.gov
• MSHDA Homeownership Programs:https://www.michigan.gov/mshda/homeownership
• Kent County:https://www.accesskent.com
• Ottawa County:https://www.miottawa.org

6. How Pros Used the Continuing Education (CE) Marketplace and Expo

The Convention served as home to the MAR annual meeting, where education remained the heart. Over three days, CE Marketplace Certified Knowledge Sessions helped agents meet state requirements and build stronger systems, earning real estate continuing education credits along the way.

High-impact topics included:

• Digital marketing and AI
  Practical ways to use modern tools for leads, market insights, and steady client updates, featured in a technology in real estate workshop.

• Market forecasting
  Fresh data on Michigan’s economy, rates, and inventory trends, so guidance stayed sharp and current, with real estate continuing education credits available.

• Brokerage risk management
  Concrete steps to reduce liability and build in-house compliance that holds up, as one of the focus areas for broker-owner track sessions, offering real estate continuing education credits.

The Expo functioned like a hands-on lab, with exhibitor booth availability for various vendors. Many attendees came with a plan, and left with tools ready to plug into their workflow:

• CRM and documentation
  Software to track fee conversations and buyer agreements without added friction, including local MLS system integration news.

• Legal and compliance
  Advisors and forms aligned with current rules and risk points.

• PropTech
  Tools that made showings, offers, and closings faster, while improving the client experience, such as conventional mobile app features.

• CE Marketplace:https://www.cemarketplace.net
• NAR technology resources:https://www.nar.realtor/technology

Frequently Asked Questions About the Michigan Realtors Convention 2025

What were the biggest changes agents took home after the NAR settlement?

Agents tightened language, used Buyer Agency Agreements before showings, and documented every fee conversation. Teams removed scripts that implied automatic compensation. They updated disclosures and policies, then trained staff to present terms clearly and consistently. The result was simpler files, stronger trust, and fewer compliance risks.

How should Buyer Agency Agreements be used in Michigan in 2025?

Sign them early, ideally before any showings. Define scope, timing, and compensation in plain language. Walk clients through what you do, how you are paid, and how offers will handle buyer broker fees. Keep a signed copy in your file and record any updates in writing. This protects both the client and the agent.

Which legislative updates affect West Michigan buyers and sellers right now?

House Bills 5384 to 5386 clarified post-closing occupancy, which helps with smoother move-outs. House Bills 5030 to 5032 expanded MSHDA loan access, a boost in the Grand Rapids metro, where prices run higher. Senate Bills 480 and 299 to 300 adjusted land splits and created a statewide septic code, which supports new build sites and more consistent due diligence, especially in rural and township areas.

What practical fair housing steps did speakers recommend?

Spot and remove bias in language, showings, and advice. Share accurate facts on schools and services, avoid steering, and use consistent standards for every client. Support more housing choices in high-opportunity areas through local advocacy. These small, daily actions build trust and widen access.

How did the CE Marketplace and Expo help agents improve their systems?

CE sessions delivered credits and hands-on training in digital marketing, forecasting, and brokerage risk management. The Expo offered tools for CRM-based documentation, compliant forms, and faster offers and closings. Many agents left with ready-to-use checklists and software that made compliance and client updates easier.

A Platform That Raised Standards

The Michigan Realtors 2025 Convention arrived at the right time for real estate professionals in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who want to serve with clarity and care. With local insight, legal updates, fair housing action steps, and a strong keynote, attendees returned to work on October 11, ready to deliver at a higher level, having gained real estate continuing education credits from the Realtors Convention dates of October 8 to 10, 2025. The path forward is simple. Be clear, be honest, and be steady. Agents who commit to transparency, advocacy, and smart systems are left better prepared for what comes next in West Michigan, equipped with access to post-convention resources and key details from the Michigan Association of Realtors schedule.