The 2024 market was one of the slowest in decades, experts say, but changes are on the horizon this year. Pay attention to these trends so you can start 2025 with a business blueprint in mind.

Communication within a brokerage starts at the top. Set your agents and your office up for success by modeling open, frequent communication.

The aspiration economy is redefining consumer behavior by shifting focus from basic needs to aspirational identities, driven by technology and social media, writes S. Z. Khan, vice president for marketing and strategy at Hyperzod. Marketers are using this by selling narratives and lifestyles rather than just products, raising concerns about the ethical implications and psychological impact of mimetic behavior, Khan writes.

Initial facial impressions shape how people perceive others' mental states, according to a study in Nature Human Behavior that used computational models to assess how facial traits affect inferences about emotions in different situations. Results showed that these impressions are consistent worldwide, suggesting a universal bias in interpreting others' feelings based on appearance.

Tom and Kate Chappell, founders of Tom's of Maine, have finalized the sale of their historic Kennebunk, Maine, home for $1.7 million to a family from Michigan who plans to open a bed-and-breakfast. Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty handled the sale of the 1799-built, 20-room home.

Apartment rent growth was measured at 1% on a year-over-year basis at the end of the year, according to Apartment List. Rents declined 0.4% compared with the prior quarter. The fourth quarter of 2024 saw absorption of 113,200 units and supply additions of 133,300 units. Among the top 50 markets, Detroit led with the strongest annual asking rent growth at 3.2%.

In an increasingly competitive market, real estate pros are seeking new ways to stand out, showcase their unique value and grow their business. Transformative solutions like artificial intelligence are emerging as a key vector that could separate resourceful agents from the rest of the pack. Read more at NAR's Emerging Technology blog.

Home sellers are increasingly concerned about privacy issues related to online listings, says real estate adviser Mark Ruane, who notes that images uploaded to MLS can quickly spread. Security analyst Dan Linskey advises downloading listing photos for records and ensuring interior images are removed from public sites after a sale.

Theologian Douglas Sharp highlights the role of religious advocacy in responding to affordable housing challenges, emphasizing that it is not just a social and economic issue but also a moral and spiritual one. Sharp notes that various religious traditions can inspire systemic change and support for vulnerable populations.

Mobile home park residents in Oregon face significant rent increases and stricter management rules as corporate ownership becomes more common. State Rep. Pam Marsh has introduced House Bill 3054 to address these issues, aiming to limit rent hikes to the inflation rate, restrict increases when units are sold and prevent unnecessary aesthetic demands from park owners.