Payson Short-Term Rental Market Report
CAAR President Dennis Riccio joins more than 300 REALTORS® in Phoenix to discuss the 2026 legislative agenda and housing priorities affecting communities across Arizona.
REALTOR® Day is an annual advocacy event hosted by Arizona REALTORS® that brings members from across the state to meet with lawmakers and discuss housing issues affecting Arizona communities.
More than 300 REALTORS® from across Arizona gathered at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix for Arizona REALTORS® REALTOR® Day at the Capitol.
As CAAR President, I was proud to attend this year’s Arizona REALTORS® REALTOR® Day at the Capitol at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix. Events like this highlight one of the most important roles our association plays for members and for the public: advocacy.
REALTOR® Day gives our members the opportunity to meet directly with state legislators, learn about policy issues affecting housing and property rights, and ensure that the voice of REALTORS® is heard clearly at the Capitol. With more than 300 REALTORS® attending from across Arizona, the event demonstrated the strength and unity of our industry.
The program featured updates from Arizona REALTORS® leadership on the organization’s 2026 legislative agenda, as well as remarks from key policymakers shaping housing policy in our state.
Arizona REALTORS® Senior Director of Government Affairs Tim Beaubien outlines the 2026 legislative agenda and key housing policy priorities.
Arizona REALTORS® Senior Director of Government Affairs Tim Beaubien opened the program with a detailed overview of the current legislative session and the association’s policy priorities.
Beaubien noted that early in the 2026 session, Arizona REALTORS® had already successfully defeated multiple proposals that could have negatively affected private property rights. Some of the proposals included statewide rent control policies, expanded tenant mandates, “just cause” eviction requirements, and mandatory mediation before eviction proceedings.
While some of these ideas may appear appealing in theory, Beaubien explained that experience from other states shows they can discourage housing construction, reduce housing supply, and erode private property rights.
Arizona, he said, remains fortunate to have a political climate that generally supports housing development and private property rights.
A major focus of the legislative agenda this year is increasing housing supply, particularly in rural communities.
Several bills supported by Arizona REALTORS® aim to encourage development and reduce barriers to building, including:
Beaubien emphasized that long permitting timelines and excessive development fees can often make projects financially impossible, preventing new housing from reaching the market.
Another key issue discussed was short-term rentals. Arizona REALTORS® continues to support property owners’ rights to use their homes as short-term rentals, while also recognizing concerns from communities about irresponsible operators.
Arizona REALTORS® supports HB 2429 (Rep. Bliss) in its amended form, which helps municipalities address problematic operators while still protecting homeowners’ rights. The legislation expands the time window for enforcement actions and establishes reasonable occupancy limits designed to prevent the misuse of residential homes as large party venues.
The legislative agenda also addresses rising insurance costs and Arizona’s long-term water supply.
HB 2174 (Rep. Livingston, LD 28) would increase transparency in how insurance companies determine premiums by requiring greater disclosure of the modeling and data organizations used in rate calculations.
Water policy remains a critical issue as Arizona prepares for negotiations over the Colorado River Basin agreement, which expires in 2026.
Legislation including HB 2026 and HB 2029 (Rep. Griffin, LD 19) clarifies aspects of the assured water supply certification process required for new subdivisions. Another bill, HB 2116, provides funding to support Arizona’s legal position in future Colorado River negotiations.
Beaubien also highlighted legislation designed to help homeowners move more freely within the housing market.
SB 1633 would allow Arizona taxpayers to offset capital gains taxes from selling a primary residence against state income taxes. The proposal addresses concerns that long-time homeowners may delay selling their homes due to significant capital gains exposure, which can reduce available housing inventory.
Protecting homeowners from deed fraud has also become a priority for Arizona REALTORS®. Two Senate bills are aimed at strengthening protections.
These measures aim to deter criminals who attempt to fraudulently transfer property ownership.
Additional policy priorities discussed included construction defect reform to encourage entry-level condominium development and exploring opportunities to build housing on appropriate public land through public-private partnerships.
Arizona Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope speaks to REALTORS® about increasing housing supply and protecting property rights.
The event’s keynote speaker, Arizona Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope, reinforced many of the same themes, focusing on the importance of housing opportunity and the role REALTORS® play in helping families achieve homeownership.
Shope shared his own experience purchasing a home in Coolidge in 2008 and praised the professionalism REALTORS® bring to the homebuying process.
“You help families achieve the American dream, and that is something extremely special.”
“Arizona is not California. When a property sells here, the taxable value does not reset to the purchase price.”
— Gila County Assessor Sherra J. Kissee
He also acknowledged that the dream of homeownership has become more difficult for many Americans, noting that the average age of first-time homebuyers has risen significantly.
One of the primary challenges, he said, is limited housing supply.
Shope pointed to efforts in the legislature to remove unnecessary barriers to construction and referenced legislation addressing development restrictions in fast-growing areas such as Pinal County.
“We need to increase supply, make it easier to build, and make it easier for families to enter the housing market,” he said.
Shope also delivered a strong message in support of private property rights while recognizing the need for targeted protections such as legislation combating deed fraud.
One of Shope’s most important messages to attendees was the importance of building ongoing relationships with lawmakers.
He reminded REALTORS® that legislators rely on professionals in the field to serve as subject matter experts on housing issues. REALTOR® Day at the Capitol provides an opportunity to begin those conversations and build long-term relationships that can help shape future policy decisions.
“Become that expert in the field for your legislators,” Shope encouraged. “Those relationships begin at events like this.”
This year’s REALTOR® Day at the Capitol demonstrated the critical role REALTORS® play in shaping housing policy in Arizona. From housing supply and water policy to insurance costs and consumer protection, the issues discussed have direct impacts on homeowners and communities throughout the state.
For those of us at CAAR, the event was an important reminder that REALTORS® do more than facilitate real estate transactions. We are advocates for property rights, housing opportunity, and the long-term health of our communities.
Fellow CAAR REALTORS® Joan Legibot, Jacque Lozano, and Andrea Christnson at REALTOR® Day at the Capitol.
CAAR REALTORS® at the Capitol
Pictured at REALTOR® Day:
These members joined REALTORS® from across the state to advocate for property rights and housing opportunity.
I want to thank the many REALTORS® who take the time to participate in advocacy efforts like REALTOR® Day at the Capitol. The policies being discussed in Phoenix affect every community in Arizona, including right here in our Rim Country market.
When REALTORS® engage with lawmakers and share real-world experiences from our local markets, it helps ensure that housing policy reflects the needs of the people we serve.
Together, we can continue to protect property rights, expand housing opportunities, and strengthen the communities we call home.
Dennis R. Riccio
President, Central Arizona Association of REALTORS®
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