Atlanta Business Chronicle Atlanta Business Chronicle Features Lisa Harris on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

Lisa Harris was prominently featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on August 24, 2026 in a story by staff reporter Janelle Ward. The article, headlined "Atlanta real estate agent calls new federal housing bill 'just the beginning' of affordability fix," explores the impact of the newly enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on metro Atlanta's housing market.

In the feature, Lisa calls the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act a good step forward for the housing industry. "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 Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Background on the Law

Congress's sweeping bipartisan housing bill, which became law on July 11, 2026, represents one of the most significant federal housing initiatives in decades. The legislation caps large-scale investor homeownership at 350 homes with some exceptions. It 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. Effects may take up to several years to reach state and municipal levels.

Why It Matters Locally

Atlanta-area 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.

Lisa serves buyers and sellers across Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, and Forsyth counties. "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, Lisa offered a measured and hopeful perspective. "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."

The bottom line: Lisa Harris is the local expert for buyers and sellers navigating today's complex market. Whether you are a first-time buyer trying to pencil out a purchase or a seller preparing to list, having an agent who understands the intersection of federal policy, local market conditions, and buyer psychology makes all the difference.

The full article is available on the Atlanta Business Chronicle website. Staff reporter Janelle Ward covers the intersection of real estate, policy, and affordability in metro Atlanta.