Home buyers flashing cash are increasingly flexing their muscle in the market as interest rates rise, with Redfin reporting about a third of transactions in April as all-cash, up from about 25% over the past 10 years. "Cash offers used to be an occasional nuisance and now they're becoming disruptive," says Debra Shultz of CrossCountry Mortgage.

Providing communication training to your staff can pay off for the individuals involved as well as your business. Through communication skills, people can become better leaders, build their network of resources, increase their negotiating tactics and improve how they present themselves in public.

Salespeople can build trust with buyers by developing capability, dependability, integrity and intimacy, and Rain Group President Mike Schultz explains how. Once you have that trust, Schultz writes, you'll have direct and indirect access to power, your advice will be valued and difficult conversations are more likely to yield success.

Managers' well-intentioned behaviors—especially in times of stress—sometimes have "growth-limiting outcomes," but recognizing how good intentions can go awry is half the battle, author and leadership consultant Julie Winkle Giulioni writes. Extra-attentive guidance, for example, can seem smothering and make a team member think you don't believe in or trust them, notes Winkle Giulioni.

Borrowing costs are not the most pressing issue for home shoppers.

The median rent on newly signed leases for Manhattan apartments hit a record of $4,395 in May, up almost 10% from the prior year, according to Miller Samuel and Douglas Elliman Real Estate. "It's hard to imagine there won't be records for the next several months," Miller Samuel President Jonathan Miller said.

BYU is participating in the Utah Valley Parade of Homes for the first time with the sustainable and transportable "Triple Dome Home." Designed and built by students as part of the Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon, the 850-square-foot house features interconnected concrete domes, innovative engineering techniques and solar panels and will be showcased during the event before being relocated to California for sale.

A shining example of the spirit this week's REALTOR® Volunteer Days, Cyndi Sweet has rallied volunteers and started a charity to serve more than 200 warm meals a week to the homeless.

The state of California is investing $16 million in grants to bolster homeownership among farm workers. This funding will support the construction or purchase of affordable homes.

Global bond markets have experienced a decline after unexpected interest-rate increases by central banks suggested the fight against inflation was unfinished, leading traders to reassess expectations of rate cuts. The additional tightening of monetary policy raises the possibility of increased volatility in global risk assets and challenges a belief that central banks are near a pause in rate increases.