Jessica Lautz

Conducting and overseeing research on demographics and behavioral insights in housing for the National Association of REALTORS®, including managing 200-plus surveys and 30 focus groups annually, Jessia Lautz spent the majority of 2022 drawing her attention to timely issues like student loan debt and how it holds back potential homebuyers.

She created The Impact of Student Loan Debt report and provided a briefing to the White House National Economic Council on the role student debt plays in homeownership, as well as shining light on housing affordability. Other issues, such as competing with multiple offers, saving for a down payment and disparities in race and homeownership, were covered in many of Lautz’s 2022 reports.

“The real estate market, housing affordability, low inventory, rising mortgage interest rates and changing demographics have challenged REALTORS® and homebuyers in incredible ways,” says Lautz. “Helping REALTORS® navigate the rapidly changing market to provide the best service to their clients is incredibly rewarding.”