NAR's economic analysis shows that income and debt levels differ among homeowners based on their education levels. While higher education often leads to higher future income, it can also delay homeownership, according to NAR's 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. See the stats in your metro area.

Designers and home stagers are taking a more dynamic approach that blends different types of lighting to make rooms more functional and aesthetically balanced. Layered lighting can create depth, mood and purpose in a room.

Fred Ende, director of curriculum and instructional Services for Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., shares leadership insights from a visit to Disney World, highlighting the value of patience, living in the moment, trying new things and knowing when to move on. He notes that waiting can lead to better decision-making and emphasizes the importance of balancing future planning with present awareness.

Real estate experts have identified midcentury modern, Craftsman, Queen Anne and neoclassical homes as the most valuable architectural styles in the U.S. Midcentury modern homes are popular for their geometric lines and indoor-outdoor living, especially in Florida. Craftsman homes are sought after for their wood-paneled design, with high demand in Colorado and Washington. Queen Anne homes, known for ornate exteriors, are valued in historic neighborhoods such as Inman Park in Atlanta, while neoclassical homes are prized for their grand architectural features and large size, particularly in Charleston, S.C.

Steven Bodner with RE/MAX Centre Realty is the listing agent for this five-bedroom home in State College, Pa., that is on the market for $1.275 million. The property is part of the College Heights Historic District.

The market for law firm real estate is characterized by a "flight to quality," according to a report from JLL's Law Firm Group. Premium buildings have shown positive net absorption since 2020, heightening competition for space among firms. Annual office leasing by law firms has grown since 2020, reaching 19.4 million square feet in 2024.

World Property Ventures is advancing digital transformation in real estate through a multidivision strategy that includes World Property Bank, World Property Studios and World Property Labs. The company aims to modernize property discovery, financing and trading using AI, blockchain and digital marketplaces, with a particular focus on tokenized real estate assets.

Placer County, Calif., has seen overwhelming demand for its First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program, which offers six figures in down payment assistance. The program, funded from federal and state sources, has moved to an interest list since applications have surpassed available resources.

The planning board in Auburn, N.Y., has given its approval to Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services' site plan for a $24 million, 50-unit affordable housing project at a long-vacant site. The project includes one-bedroom and two-bedroom units for residents earning up to $56,000 a year.

Madison, Wis., Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and several alders have proposed policy changes to residential zoning to expand housing options. The Housing Forward package aims to allow more duplexes, build in large backyards and simplify permits for smaller developments downtown.