Senate committee favorably recommends J. B. Goodwin for Texas Real Estate Commission

J. B. Goodwin, the founder and chief executive of JB Goodwin Realtors, was favorably recommended by the Texas Senate Committee on Nominations for confirmation to the Texas Real Estate Commission after a nomination hearing and roll call vote.

The committee voted to send the nominees on its agenda to the full Senate; the clerk recorded the committee’s motion to favorably report the nominees, moved by Vice Chair Hagenboo, and the committee concluded with a favorable recommendation to the full Senate.

The hearing combined Goodwin’s introduction and questioning with a larger discussion of the commission’s oversight role and recent reviews. Senator Birdwell introduced Goodwin on behalf of Senator Eckhart, noting Goodwin’s long tenure in the real estate business and civic involvement. Goodwin told the committee he founded JB Goodwin Realtors in 1972 and said the firm now employs “over 850 agents across 8 offices between Austin and San Antonio.”

Committee members pressed Goodwin about the Texas Real Estate Commission’s Sunset review and its status as a semi‑independent state agency (SDSI). Senator Birdwell and other members asked whether Goodwin had reviewed the Sunset report and what steps he would take to maintain legislative trust given past criticisms that SDSI agencies can lose a customer‑service focus. Goodwin said he had reviewed the report and told members that, “as an outsider looking in…those [problems] have all been solved. I have not heard out of the 850 real estate agents and the 45 staff members we have, I have not heard a complaint…in the last 5 years.”

Members also questioned Goodwin about housing affordability and the growing role of institutional investors that buy single‑family homes. Goodwin described large institutional buyers as a “relatively new phenomenon” and said some firms have negatively affected neighborhood upkeep; he added that some institutional owners have exited the strategy after disappointing returns. When asked whether cash purchases by investment firms were pricing out first‑time buyers, Goodwin answered, “No, ma’am. I don’t.” He emphasized, however, that maintenance and neighborhood care can decline under some institutional ownership.

Committee members raised related concerns about rising insurance costs and property tax increases that affect homeownership. Goodwin recounted client examples of steep premium increases and said those changes can push households into financial distress. He suggested advising buyers to obtain homeowners insurance quotes before completing costly inspections or appraisals.

Members also asked about disclosure forms and a prior Sunset‑sparked effort to revise seller disclosure forms. Goodwin said he believed required disclosures should include obligations such as private‑road maintenance and that he would follow up with members’ offices on specific disclosure questions.

The hearing included discussion of the 2020–2023 national court case commonly reported as Burnett v. National Association of Realtors; members asked whether the decision had changed local practice. Goodwin responded that fee transparency was already standard practice in Texas and that Texas agents typically discuss compensation and fiduciary duties with clients at initial consultations.

With public testimony closed and no requests to sever nominees, the committee clerk called the roll and the committee issued a favorable recommendation to the full Senate for confirmation of the nominees on the agenda.

The nomination now moves to the full Senate for consideration.