As a member, you have exclusive access to world-class business resources and tools, education and real estate data that aren't available to nonmembers. How do you leverage these benefits in a way that demonstrates your preparedness to work with clients in any transaction? Listen to the "Drive With NAR" podcast to hear how two members are explaining to consumers the advantages of working with an agent who is a REALTOR®.

Personalized service and transparent communication go a long way in making a customer happy.

AI is poised to revolutionize marketing by enhancing customer engagement and team collaboration, writes Rapp's Ed Freed. To take advantage of it, marketers can improve their processes and remove silos across teams and channels by, for example, mapping workflows to remove overlaps, start with a pilot project rather than a complete overhaul and use AI to handle mundane tasks to "liberate your best minds," Freed writes.

Help your team improve their productivity by teaching them how to use AI to streamline tasks and providing them the autonomy they need to feel empowered to make their own decisions, writes Christina Daly, head of people experience at Zoom. "This cultural transformation ensures that employees can contribute effectively, innovate consistently, and adapt to changing workplace dynamics," Daly notes.

The 2025 Colors of the Year may offer inspiration for enhancing a home's exterior, from touches of bold jewel tones to soft neutrals and rich, earthy hues.

The common belief that open home floor plans are more aesthetically pleasing and desirable may be losing favor, according to some real-estate agents. Buyers are turning to more segmented homes that provide sound protection, clearer boundaries for activities and privacy.

Absorption in the U.S. multifamily market reached 183,600 units during the fourth quarter, the strongest on record for the period, according to CBRE. The vacancy rate declined to 4.9%, and average monthly rents increased 0.5% from the prior year.

L.A. Property Management Group CEO David Crown emphasizes the importance of future-proofing rental properties by integrating smart-home technology and advanced management systems and staying ahead of regulatory changes. Crown highlights the benefits of smart locks, app-controlled security, air quality monitors and digital rent payment systems to reduce maintenance issues, enhance tenant satisfaction and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Austin, Texas, a $6.7 million grant through the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program to fund affordable housing initiatives over six years. The grant will support an affordable housing development, new zoning tools and updates to the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint.

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, the core PCE price index, showed a modest 0.2% increase in December, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This brings the annual rate of price increases to 2.8%, potentially supporting the case for further interest rate cuts.