The Federal Reserve's move to raise its benchmark rate by three-quarters of a percentage point, the largest increase since 1994, could put more upward pressure on near-6% mortgage rates and sideline more home buyers, says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

Decorating homes with plants is becoming popular as more millennials pick up indoor gardening as a hobby to alleviate stress. "The rooms we design the most built-in [plant] pieces for would be the primary bathroom and living room," says interior designer Ariana Lovato.

Loretta Thompson, a partner on the real estate team at the Withers law firm, writes that communication between parties is key for construction projects that go awry. "The method and means of communication are equally important, and with the now widespread use of video conferencing and collaborative software modules, there is no reason for a total breakdown of communications," Thompson writes.

CEOs of associations nationwide predict the highs and lows the real estate industry will face over the next year.

The housing inventory shortage has touched nearly every area of the country. Now with interest rates rising, real estate professionals are contemplating how these trends will influence buyers and sellers down the road.

There's no denying that the curved sofa trend is having a moment. But why are curved couches and chairs suddenly all the rage? And how do you best style them for the biggest impact?

The dream of affordable homes in small towns is evaporating as housing inventory has plunge in rural areas, due in part to baby boomers buying retirement properties away from big cities, says Marquette University economics professor David Clark. A rise in remote work has also led to more people purchasing homes in rural and suburban areas.

Real estate startups have raised $12.4 billion so far this year for innovations in areas such as construction technology and real estate financing, according to Crunchbase. "If you look at real estate as an asset class, it's a trillion-dollar industry," says Kunal Lunawat, managing partner of Agya Ventures. "There's a lot of room for real estate tech to grow."

Houston has moved more than 25,000 homeless people into housing over the past decade through a housing-first approach and collaboration with groups like SEARCH and the Houston Housing Authority. Mayor Sylvester Turner has announced a $100 million plan to cut homelessness in Harris County in half by 2025.

New York Mayor Eric Adams has announced a multiyear plan geared toward answering the city's housing crisis. Measures will include new developer incentives and subsidies to support homeownership.