NAR is reminding MLSs and brokerages (with a residential transaction volume of more than $2 billion in 2022) that the deadline to opt into the proposed settlement agreement is TODAY, Tuesday, June 18. The proposed agreement would resolve claims made by home sellers related to broker commissions. Go to facts.realtor to find the appendices and instructions, and watch this NAR Window to the Law video for more details.

Yes, Articles 2 and 12 of NAR's Code of Ethics apply equally to brokers working with sellers. The listing broker should explain to her client the benefits and costs of the various types of marketing that can be done for a listing, and how potential buyers might respond to such marketing—including any buyer costs that the listing broker or seller may offer to pay.

A listing broker should inform the seller about costs the buyer will incur, how the buyer might react to those costs and how the seller can market a house considering the buyer's costs. But a listing broker must not tell a seller that a broker will steer buyers based on the amount that broker is compensated. Get more facts about NAR's proposed settlement agreement at facts.realtor.

Juneteenth is a celebration of Black history, resilience and the ongoing fight for justice and equality, but brands should go beyond recognizing the day for the Black community, writes PRSA's Black Voices Affinity Group. Brands should support the Black community by embracing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in marketing and employment and engaging employees, particularly those from marginalized groups.

Real estate professionals often demonstrate community stewardship through volunteering and supporting charitable causes. But their everyday job to help people buy and sell homes has, perhaps, the greatest impact on the neighborhoods agents and brokers serve. Some pros are keenly aware that their business has the power to affect change. Tune into "Drive With NAR" at magazine.realtor/drive or wherever you get your podcasts.

Real estate agents have embraced new technologies when it comes to showing and staging a house, including videos, 3D Walk-Thru technology and drones to capture the essence of a property. But now, agents are featuring cute dogs in listings to generate more interest, with some potential buyers even wanting to meet the dogs. This method contrasts with the traditional neutral staging approach, but agents say dog photos add warmth to listings.

In a wide-ranging interview, Federal Realty Investment Trust CEO Don Wood discusses what it takes to attract consumers, his thoughts on organizational leadership, his work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the state of the real estate market. "When I look at open-air shopping, I'm extremely bullish over the next five years," Wood says.

May was one of the slowest months of the past decade in terms of home sales, according to Redfin, with mortgage rates and home prices affecting demand and supply. The number of homes for sale is about one-quarter lower than before the pandemic, Redfin says.

Increase your team's engagement and productivity by working on your confidence in communication, decision-making and risk-taking, allowing them to see you not be deterred from achieving your goals, writes executive coach and author Joel Garfinkle. "If you can get comfortable with 'try, fail, learn, repeat,' you'll inspire others to persist in their own goals," Garfinkle notes.

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. fell 3.5 points in June from the previous month, hitting the lowest level in seven months, according to the University of Michigan gauge. Consumers' annual inflation expectations remained unchanged at 3.3%, while five-year inflation expectations increased from 3.0% in May to 3.1% in June.

Regional banks, which hold a relatively large proportion of commercial real estate loans, are facing challenges in soothing investors' concerns that the current CRE malaise could turn into a crisis. Nonperforming loans and net charge-offs have been rising, but the ultimate impact likely will vary widely among lenders and locations. Next month's second-quarter reports from banks with large CRE portfolios might prove crucial in their efforts to maintain investor calm.