Hopeful first-time buyers are arguably experiencing the crunch of increasing housing costs more than anyone else. Your clients may not realize there are numerous solutions to alleviate some of the financial pressure. Here are some viable options to explore with your buyers.

Yes, all MLS policies will continue to be in effect and subject to enforcement by local MLSs. Get more facts about NAR's proposed settlement agreement at facts.realtor.

It takes time to learn, but there are benefits to developing a specialty in probate matters, the term used for the legal process that takes place when settling an estate—the accumulated assets, property and debts of a person who has passed away.

Sales leaders can help teams succeed by playing to strengths, building trust, boosting resilience, maintaining optimism, fostering relationships and providing motivation, advises sales coach and author Anna Glynn. "It's not just about short-term hitting targets but cultivating a culture of engagement, wellbeing and resilience," Glynn writes.

Experts say storytelling is among the key traits of successful salespeople, along with other skills such as adaptability, curiosity and responsiveness. "To develop this skill, coaching reps on how to tell stories is crucial, particularly in the use of case studies, research, and other evidence that adds to the story's credibility," says business executive Craig Focht.

This spring's color trends highlight a mix of bold and grounding hues. Hot pink and radiant red are popular for their vibrant impact, while earthy browns, butter yellow, terracotta and rich greens offer a more natural and comforting aesthetic.

The famous "Home Alone" house in Winnetka, Ill., has been listed for sale at $5.25 million; Katie Moor of the Dawn McKenna Group is the listing agent. The 9,126-square-foot home, renovated and expanded in 2018, features five bedrooms, six bathrooms and an indoor basketball court and is described as "one of the most iconic movie residences in American pop culture."

AR has been used for some time now—think Instagram, TikTok, the Snapchat dog filter and Pokemon GO. But what's new about AR are the innovative ways it can be used in multiple business domains, including real estate—powered by the incredible potential of artificial intelligence. Read more at NAR's Emerging Technology blog.

Beverly Kaye, author of "Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay," recommends creating a work environment where associates feel valued. That's done using five core principles—listening, empowering, appreciating, developing and engaging—to unlock associates' potential.

Legislation that took effect in California two years ago eliminated zoning laws that required neighborhoods to include only single-family homes. However, fewer than 500 property owners have tried to take advantage of the opportunity to subdivide their land, according to state data. Some cities have imposed requirements to make it more difficult to use the law, including limitations on height and square footage, according to Muhammad Alameldin of the University of California, Berkeley.

Consumer sentiment dimmed in May, but less than previous estimates, according to the University of Michigan's index. The final May reading was 69.1, up from the earlier 67.4 estimate but still a sharp decline from the previous month and the lowest since November. Inflation expectations for the next year increased slightly to 3.3% from 3.2%, marking the highest reading since November.