The popular social media app, which many real estate pros use to drive business, will officially be banned in the U.S. on Sunday. Find out how practitioners are adapting.

High-quality visuals in AI-generated ads are the most important factor for getting attention say Generation Z (50%) and millennials (45%), per a from IAB and Sonata Insights. The survey also found that 80% of advertisers view the use of generative AI in ads positively, although 32% of Gen Z and 23% of millennials would trust a brand less for creating AI-generated ads.

Transformational leaders are those who identify how they want to show up for others and develop the habits and practices they need, writes Chris Schembra, an author and founder of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™, who identifies four archetypes that can improve a leader's skills in listening, connecting, empathy and becoming more insightful. "[T]hese archetypes—Reflective Listener, Insight Seeker, Connector, and Strategic Empath—can help you build trust, unlock innovation, and create lasting change," Schembra writes.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the National Association of REALTORS® is hosting its first advocacy week, which combines four signature events in a four-day political conference, to coincide with the presidential inauguration and new session of Congress.

Scott McFarland with LandVest/Christie's International Real Estate is the listing agent for this historic seven-bedroom home in Winter Harbor, Maine, asking $2.75 million. The home, designed by architect Wilson Eyre, was built in 1890 and was an inn until 1987.

Voice control is becoming a key feature in smart home systems, driven by advancements in AI and natural language processing. Companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google and Nice are developing more sophisticated voice assistants, with Nice's Mylo focusing on user experience without collecting data. These advancements allow users to create custom automations easily, enhancing the overall smart home experience.

It is easy to power through a workday and neglect taking breaks, but that is counterproductive to mental health, says licensed clinical social worker Kiana Shelton. It's also important to commit to self-care even if it isn't a big chunk of time, as "[p]ouring into yourself regularly will ensure that you can show up for others," says Shelton.

The Getting Home Street Outreach Program in North Carolina, a partnership between the Wilmington Police Department and New Hanover County social workers to decrease homelessness, has been converted into a permanent program. Corporal Melanie Medlock says the partnership has led to people getting homes again, being reunited with family members and finding jobs.

Some members of the Senate banking committee said they are developing legislation that might revamp the National Flood Insurance Program and assist victims of various natural catastrophes. The initiative is led by Sens. John Kennedy, R-La., and Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Kennedy said it might seek to expand the NFIP without relying on taxpayer subsidies. Kennedy added that one consideration is possibly creating a "new and different" program to cover "wind, hail, fire, flood" and provide "long-term certainty to homeowners ... and other stakeholders."