Atlanta Real Estate Agent Calls New Federal Housing Bill 'Just the Beginning' of Affordability Fix
Atlanta Business Chronicle · August 24, 2026 · by Janelle Ward
Lisa Harris was prominently featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on August 24, 2026 in a story by staff reporter Janelle Ward. The article explores the impact of the newly enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on the Metro Atlanta housing market.
In the feature, Lisa calls the bipartisan federal legislation a good step forward for housing affordability. "It garners the right amount of excitement to start building the momentum that we need to make some changes and get things rolling," she told the Chronicle.
Lisa Harris interviews about the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Background on the Law
Congress's sweeping bipartisan housing bill, which became law on July 11, 2026, caps large-scale investor homeownership at 350 homes with some exceptions. The legislation also supports streamlined residential development by encouraging looser zoning restrictions, shorter permitting timelines, and expanded financing opportunities for developers through grant programs and loan limit extensions.
While the bill represents a significant federal step toward addressing the nation's housing shortage, its effects may take up to several years to reach state and municipal levels.
Why It Matters Locally
The Atlanta-area housing market is at a critical juncture. Home prices reached all-time highs this summer, deterring many buyers. The median home sales price across greater Atlanta rose to $445,000 last month, the highest since June 2024, according to First Multiple Listing Service data.
Mortgage rates have trended upward since the start of 2026, with the average fixed 30-year rate in the mid- to upper-6% range as of the week ending August 20, per Freddie Mac. Sellers outnumbered buyers in the Atlanta-area market by nearly 90% in July, according to Redfin.
“It starts with the interest rates, and it goes all the way to the cost of insurance that is skyrocketing. When you put all that together, it's hard for first-time buyers to financially pencil out.”
− Lisa Harris, CLHMS, REMAX Center, serving buyers and sellers across Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Forsyth counties
Lisa's perspective, informed by nearly two decades of experience serving buyers and sellers across Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Forsyth counties, points to a convergence of pressures. "It starts with the interest rates, and it goes all the way to the cost of insurance that is skyrocketing," she said. "When you put all that together, it's hard for first-time buyers to financially pencil out."
On the Road Ahead
Looking forward, Lisa remains cautiously optimistic about the bill's potential. "It's just the beginning. I've been telling my clients it's sort of like building a house, we have to start with the foundation," she shared with the Chronicle.
The analogy is fitting for a market navigating high prices, rising rates, and limited inventory. Just as every great home starts with a solid foundation, meaningful housing reform requires time, patience, and continued effort at every level of government and industry.
Lisa Harris, MBA, CLHMS GUILD
Lisa Harris is the local expert for buyers and sellers in Apalachee Farms and across Northeast Metro Atlanta. With nearly 20 years of experience, an engineering degree, and an MBA, she brings analytical precision and luxury marketing expertise to every transaction. Whether you are buying your first home, upgrading to a golf course estate, or selling in today's evolving market, Lisa provides the data-driven guidance you need to make confident decisions.
Ready to Navigate Today's Market?
Whether you are a first-time buyer feeling the pressure of today's rates, a seller wanting to position your home for maximum value, or an investor tracking the effects of the new housing legislation, Lisa Harris has the local expertise and market data to help. Reach out today for a no-obligation conversation.
Story by Janelle Ward, Atlanta Business Chronicle, August 24, 2026. Read more Atlanta business and real estate news at bizjournals.com/atlanta.