Real estate professionals often demonstrate community stewardship through volunteering. But your everyday job to help people buy and sell homes has, perhaps, the greatest impact on the neighborhoods you serve. Listen to "Drive With NAR" to hear how two pros create homeownership opportunities for underserved consumers.

Yes, it is a matter of local discretion, which may depend on an MLS's technological capabilities and what an MLS deems to be in the interests of its market. Get more facts about NAR's proposed settlement agreement at facts.realtor.

In a field where bold and creative designs are make-or-break factors in closings, shouldn't your website reflect your unique aesthetic?

Small companies can work toward their goals despite economic challenges by following certain strategies, write Stephanie Martin and Chris Hudach of Bank of America. Set the foundation with a SWOT analysis, reviewing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Also, use digital tools to monitor cash flow, and do more to interact with loyal customers and get involved with community events.

The national median existing home price reached $419,300 last month, a 5.8% increase from a year earlier and the highest figure in data stretching back to 1999, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Prices have risen as a result of low supply amid elevated mortgage rates. It's "somewhat of a strange phenomenon, where we have low home sales activity yet prices are hitting record highs," said NAR's Lawrence Yun.

Some Wall Street banks are starting to sell commercial real estate loans as they move away from the "extend and pretend" strategy. Right now, the market is seeing one-off sales, but activity is accelerating as "banks are looking to shrink exposures," said Nathan Stovall of S&P Global Market Intelligence. Still, commercial real estate loan delinquencies remain far below the rate seen in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

AI advancements are transforming the real estate industry by automating routine tasks and providing deeper market insights. AI-powered predictive analytics forecast market trends and property values, image generator technology enhances property photos and chatbots can manage inquiries and scheduling 24/7.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen introduced a number of financing initiatives to facilitate the development of affordable housing in the U.S., including the formation of a $100 million fund to support affordable housing over the next three years and a call for Federal Home Loan Banks to boost their spending on housing programs. Yellen also said she "will urge Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit" and encourage state and local officials to "remove excessive legal barriers to housing development."

In a recent report, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency highlighted potential risks to the federal banking system tied to the office sector as well as certain multifamily properties. The OCC noted that multifamily property owners are facing higher operating costs as a result of interest rates, insurance costs and other factors.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee cited certain warning signs in the economy and noted that positive inflation reports could kick-start the conversation about whether policy needs to be as restrictive as it is. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly suggested that an inflection point could be approaching in the labor market.