For some, the challenges faced by members of the Hispanic community are part of everyday life. For others, those experiences are something they witness from the outside — or choose not to see at all.

This tension is exactly what drew me to the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. As a Hispanic woman working in Washington’s real estate market, I have seen both the challenges and the opportunities firsthand.

My goal in serving as president of the Seattle chapter is simple: bring more unity to an industry that often operates in silos. 

NAHREP chapters exist across the country, yet Washington has only one. At this point, some readers may already be thinking this conversation does not apply to their business. I would challenge that assumption. When we build our industry from the bottom up rather than the top down, everyone benefits.

At NAHREP Seattle, our mission is to equip real estate professionals with education, resources and community connections that help them serve the evolving homebuyer.

The data tells an important story. Organizations such as the National Association of Realtors, NAHREP, and the U.S. Census Bureau consistently show that Latinos have been one of the largest drivers of net homeownership growth in the United States in recent years.

This trend is just as relevant here in Washington.

Latinos represent the second-largest demographic group in the state, and demand for homeownership within this community continues to grow. Many first-generation Latino buyers enter the market younger, often with multiple incomes contributing to a purchase and with a family-centered mindset toward housing decisions.

For real estate professionals, that dynamic often translates into something powerful: loyalty, long-term relationships and strong referral networks.

I am not suggesting that an agent must work with Latino clients to build a successful business. Rather, I am highlighting an opportunity — one that can produce meaningful relationships and long-term growth for professionals who choose to engage with it.

The progress within the Latino community is also evident in wealth data. According to the NAHREP’s Hispanic Wealth Report, the wealth gap between Hispanic households and non-Hispanic White households has narrowed significantly over the past decade. In 2013, for every dollar of wealth held by a Hispanic household, non-Hispanic White households held $8.87. By 2022, that figure had dropped to $4.47.

In response, the Hispanic Wealth Project has set a new ten-year goal: cut that wealth gap in half again.

Although there is still a lot of opportunity to grow, there has been substantial progress thus far. This progress is not always visible in mainstream narratives. When communities succeed despite adversity, the story can sometimes create discomfort or misunderstanding. It is my position as a leader to say success in one community does not diminish opportunity for another.

In fact, the opposite is often true.

When more families achieve homeownership, entire communities become stronger. 

NAHREP Seattle also hopes to see more Latino professionals step into leadership roles within the real estate industry. Representation matters — not only for the communities we serve but also for the future direction of our profession.

Leadership is not always easy to cultivate. Several talented agents I approached about joining our leadership team ultimately declined the opportunity. But challenge is not a signal to step back. It is a reason to continue showing up.

The next decade of real estate will be shaped by professionals who understand emerging buyers and the communities driving housing demand.

NAHREP exists to create spaces where those conversations can happen.

One of those opportunities is happening soon. On April 29, NAHREP Seattle will host Wealth Con Raíces at the Russell Investments Center in Seattle from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will feature a panel of industry leaders discussing how business success, community engagement and cultural understanding intersect in today’s real estate market. Register at NAHREPseattle.org.

If the future of housing — and the clients shaping it — interests you, I hope you’ll join us.

Kat Larson is 2026 president of NAHREP Seattle.