What can consumers expect from conversations with real estate professionals about their services and compensation, and how should consumers navigate this process to ensure the agreement meets their needs? Negotiating written buyer agreements can be a daunting first step for consumers. So, NAR has created a dedicated resource to educate buyers on this process. Download and share directly with prospective clients.

Organizations often fear failure, but understanding failures can offer learning opportunities and minimize future mistakes, David Brock writes. "We don't want to purposefully fail, but we must recognize failure is an option," Brock argues, adding that "we can acknowledge it, learn from it, change, adapt and succeed."

Effective leadership is characterized by ten key qualities, including communication, goal setting and uncovering potential of team members, writes Anthony Iannarino, sales expert. "A highly effective leader will engage each person and identify hidden talents to help them grow, providing them opportunities for development," Iannarino writes.

Albert Thompson, managing director at Walton Isaacson, points to the importance of attention metrics in digital marketing, saying the industry should pivot from traditional metrics like clicks and viewability to focus on genuine consumer engagement. Thompson critiques made-for-advertising sites and blames the overreliance on algorithms for poor media quality.

Johnson, a South Carolina real estate pro, is a life-long mentor who helps kids envision a bigger and brighter life. Who is your favorite of the 10 Good Neighbor Awards finalists? Your votes throughout September will help the top three vote-getters earn bonus grant money for their cause. Vote for your Web Choice Favorite by Oct. 2.

Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council, said that inflation is moving closer to normal and suggested that lower interest rates may help the housing market. "We actually need more homes, ultimately, to get to greater affordability," Brainard said. "That will be more possible in an environment that is more supportive in terms of the market interest rates."

Katherine Malkin is the listing agent for NBA great Michael Jordan's Chicago-area mansion, a $14.85 million property that has been on the market for an extended period. The home, custom-built in the 1990s, is reportedly in closing.

Apple's updates to iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and tvOS 18 operating systems improve home automation and inter-device connectivity, marking Apple's likely move to develop additional smart-home technologies.

Home insurance coverage in the U.S. is declining, with about 1 in 8 homeowners now lacking protection, according to new Census Bureau data. The problem is most severe in the South, where 15.7% of homeowners are uninsured or underinsured. "Not having insurance at all is just the worst-case scenario, especially if you still have a mortgage," said Bankrate insurance analyst Shannon Martin.

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, believes the U.S. economy justifies a modest quarter-point interest-rate cut by the Federal Reserve, ideally balancing the interests of creditors and debtors. "Whether it's 25 or 50 basis points, 25 basis points would be the right thing to do if you look at the whole picture," Dalio said. "If you look at the mortgage situation, which is worse and that affects more people, then it's probably 50 basis points."