With the likelihood of interest rates falling and inventory climbing later this year and into 2025, now is the time to build relationships with lenders and be ready to serve an influx of buyers.

Competition from Instagram Reels, churn that is keeping U.S. user numbers stagnant and Universal Music Group's decision to pull its songs from videos present significant obstacles for TikTok even without the threat of a legislative ban. Many users have also reacted badly to TikTok's new Shop feature, saying that it clutters up the app.

Listing agent Ann Laskowski with Coldwell Banker Realty was able to attract offers well above asking for this New Jersey home with views of New York City. "I knew it was going to get a visceral response from the market. But if I priced it too high, I could've alienated a lot of people. I had to get people in the door," Laskowski said.

Home builders are more optimistic about their business prospects than at any time since July, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Improved sales conditions, future expectations and buyer traffic drove the rebound despite elevated mortgage rates. NAHB Chairman Carl Harris said buyer demand is strong, but challenges remain, including labor shortages and rising building costs.

With more companies working to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, demand for green buildings is expected to intensify in the next couple years, according to JLL. "For real estate tenants, this growing need to show progress against carbon commitments will lead to price friction and a race for low carbon buildings," says JLL's Guy Grainger.

Smart-home features are intended to make homeownership a more streamlined, innovative experience. AI is leveling up the capabilities.

Professional and personal issues that divide individuals have essentially disappeared, requiring leaders to "actively address issues head-on—not by taking a side ... but by communicating to employees in a way that brings empathy and humanity into the workplace" and lets them "know that people care about them," writes David Grossman, APR, Fellow PRSA, The Grossman Group founder. Grossman Group research offers lessons for communications executives, such as "saying nothing says everything" and "missed communications are a missed opportunity."

Haven for Hope in San Antonio is seeing record numbers access its services, especially its shelter services for families. The nonprofit offers drug counseling, job training, and mental health support alongside transitional housing.

A Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey found around one-third of respondents saying they think they would be unsuccessful in an application for mortgage refinancing, while a similar proportion said the same for auto loans. Meanwhile, a Bankrate survey found half of respondents saying they have had an application for credit rejected, particularly for higher limits or new credit cards, since the Fed began raising rates two years ago.