Operations management and strong systems make the difference when making your dreams of owning your own company a reality.

The guidance, support and wisdom of mentors can shape and accelerate an individual's trajectory toward success in the highly competitive world of real estate.

Hear how two real estate trainers help agents at their companies work self-care into their annual business "roadmap." Listen to "Drive With NAR."

Turning comments off on social platforms could hurt your ability to mine consumer insights and creative ideas, acquire social proof and "is the equivalent of burying your head in the sand," writes Pollyanna Ward, Flight Story strategy director. "Turning the comments on might be insignificant in silo, but altogether as part of your consumer's journey, wouldn't you want to make sure you had done everything possible to drive brand and sales?"

Marketing adviser Steve McKee looks back at lessons from a 1913 book on advertising to examine its relevance today and finds several hits—such as the importance of branding and the fact that consumers don't always have sound judgement—and a few misses. One piece of guidance that hasn't aged well is the idea that "selling is serious"—and therefore humor has no place in advertising.

Homebuilders are providing options buyers can't find in the existing-home sales market.

As mortgage rates remain near the highest they've been in over two decades, buyers are increasingly opting for adjustable-rate mortgages. However, the overall mortgage demand is declining, with purchase applications at their lowest since 1995.

A condo belonging to performer Elton John has sold for $7.225 million, a significant premium over the asking price. "We had a ton of interest right out of the gate," said listing agent Chase Mizell of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty.

The Federal Reserve's vote to revise the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 aims to require banks to increase mortgage lending in lower-income areas to curtail the racial disparity in home ownership. Consumer Bankers Association President and CEO Lindsey Johnson noted that the CRA update has valid intentions but said some provisions "could unintentionally impact the consumers we aim to assist."

The Federal Reserve opted to leave interest rates unchanged at the conclusion of a two-day policy meeting while remaining open to the possibility of further action in the future. "The good news is we're making progress," said Fed Chair Jerome Powell. "The progress is going to come in lumps and be bumpy, but we are making progress."