The current federal tax code is steadily and quietly distorting the housing market, locking in older homeowners, and strangling inventory just when America needs it most. Find out how the bipartisan More Homes on the Market Act will help.

As real estate shifts from a strong sellers' market to a more balanced one, real estate leaders say it's time for agents to rebuild foundational skills. At the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings last week, a RISMedia panel of top brokers talked about the sales strategies and training needed, particularly for newer agents.

Understanding the brain can enhance leadership by improving decision-making, motivation, creativity and connections, author Amy Brann writes. The five lessons Brann highlights: Choose prioritization over multitasking; allow free time to feed creativity; ask great questions to unlock your team's potential; avoid evaluation tools that increase pressure on employees; and create safe environments to foster high performance.

What's trending in high-end kitchens today could very well become a selling point for you tomorrow. According to The National Kitchen & Bath Association's 2025 Kitchen Trends Report, homeowners today are looking for ways to make their kitchens stand out from the monochromatic crowd.

Cordless lamps have become a favorite among Southern designers for their versatility and style, with Katie Gutierrez of Errez Design noting their ability to transform room lighting. Designer Lauren Conner suggests choosing lamps with sculptural silhouettes and using them to create a layered lighting scheme. Designers also highlight cordless lamps' usefulness in outdoor spaces, bathrooms and as colorful decor pieces.

A pair of Detroit homes that were featured on the HGTV show "Bargain Block" are on the market, each asking $144,900. The homes were renovated in 2023 for the show and currently operate as short-term rentals. "Whether you're a first-time buyer looking for a stylish home or an investor seeking a revenue-ready property, these are exceptional opportunities," listing agent Andre Abney says.

Designer Joe Doucet has created a thermochromic paint that changes color based on temperature, turning dark gray below 77 degrees Fahrenheit and lighter as it gets warmer. The goal of the paint is to reduce energy consumption by maintaining optimal indoor temperatures, potentially saving households between 15% and 30% on energy costs. Doucet hopes to partner with a paint or chemical company to bring the product to market within five to 10 years.

The housing affordability crisis is a significant challenge across the US, with costs outpacing incomes and impacting stability and opportunity. Jonathan Curtis of Cedar Street Partners advocates for state-led reforms to outdated urban policies, highlighting the potential of modular construction. Meanwhile, Matt Forssman of GMF Group emphasizes the role of manufactured housing communities as a market-driven solution.

Community HousingWorks has purchased the 126-unit Novo Apartments in Rowland Heights, Calif., for $38.3 million with plans to convert the property into affordable housing. The acquisition was facilitated by a $24.9 million loan from Northmarq, which has converted 1,200 units to affordable housing.

Americans' inflation expectations dropped in the short, medium and long term in May, while perceptions about job prospects and personal finances showed modest improvement, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Year-ahead inflation expectations were measured at 3.2%, down from 3.6% in April.

In the June 9 edition of Navigate with NAR, the summary titled "Outdated tax rules are freezing the housing market" included an outdated link. The correct link, also featured in today's top story, is https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/outdated-tax-rules-are-freezing-the-housing-market-and-its-about-to-get-way-worse. NAR and SmartBrief regret the error.