Consumers often believe that real estate pros just put up an ad to market a listing and wait for the buyers to come. NAR's latest Consumer Guide describes the various considerations agents make when marketing a property comprehensively and in its best light. Get all the guides, which are also available in Spanish, at facts.realtor.

A carefully considered business plan is a road map that provides structure and clarity to help align the team toward a shared vision with detailed, strategic steps. This plan will help leadership identify potential financial, operational or market risks and challenges before they become major issues, enabling proactive solutions, writes Melissa Houston, founder of She Means Profit.

Forty-one percent of consumers prefer AI-generated search results over traditional paid search ads, per the Consumer Adoption of AI Report. That report also indicates that 27% of consumers use AI at least half the time, with younger demographics using AI more often.

Taking time to draft your leadership statement can not only help you clarify your values and goals, it can help to create trust with your team which can make them more motivated and engaged, writes leadership coach Elisabeth Hayes. Craft your statement by clarifying what matters most to you as a leader, think of the qualities you admire in other leaders, as well as the cautionary tales you've encountered, then choose a framework to make your statement short and memorable, Hayes advises.

The real estate cycle doesn't always follow typical patterns, and it's unclear whether the upcoming spring homebuying season will be busy or a bust. Are you prepared for whatever comes? Watch or listen to the "Drive With NAR" podcast to hear how REALTORS® Kat Barry and Lateefah Neal, who appeared on NAR's docuseries "First-Time Buyer," discuss how they stick to their individual formula for success.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, home prices experienced a slight decline of 4% after adjusting for inflation. The decrease was observed across various metros, with an average 8% drop in areas such as Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Buffalo, N.Y. Despite these reductions, the advantage for buyers was mitigated by rising mortgage rates during the same period.

A 24-acre property in Vinalhaven, Maine, featuring the only stone house on the island, is up for sale for the first time in more than 170 years. The property, asking $1.7 million listed is on the National Register of Historic Places. Kristine Davidson of Davidson Realty is the listing agent.

Virtual and augmented reality are allowing commercial real estate buyers to tour properties remotely, while AI-powered data analytics provide insights into property values and market trends. Blockchain enhances security and transparency.

The Trump administration has reduced the requirements of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing mandate, which originally state jurisdictions receiving federal funds had to actively address housing discrimination. The new rule simplifies compliance, requiring only a general commitment to promote fair housing, rather than detailed plans to overcome barriers. Critics argue this change weakens the ability to combat housing segregation and discrimination.

Economists surveyed by Wolters Kluwer predict that U.S. tariffs will drive inflation to 2.6% this year, surpassing the Federal Reserve's target, and slow economic growth to 2%. Despite persistent inflation, around 40% of economists expect the Fed to cut interest rates in June, with around 50% expecting the next rate cut will come after June. The likelihood of a recession also increased from the previous quarter, according to the economists surveyed.