Real estate professionals spend more time in their vehicles than virtually anywhere else. Unfortunately, driving can be an added source of stress because of traffic and sitting stationary for long periods. Try these exercises to refocus the time on your mental well-being.

Toronto agent Belinda Lelli advised her client to add paint and updated landscaping to their $1.4 million listing. These moves, along with professional staging, helped garner multiple offers and close the sale above asking price.

Internal podcasts are becoming an increasingly popular tool for businesses to engage a dispersed workforce. Grand Island Express uses podcasts to inform employees about benefits and safety and compliance rules, while Wakefern Food started with a more lighthearted approach by interviewing independent store owners and guests from the food industry as part of its 75th anniversary celebration.

Social media contests and giveaways stretch holiday marketing budgets because they bypass paid advertising, social media specialist Anna Sonnenberg writes. Stick to platform policies with required disclaimers, eligibility rules and other essentials, notes Sonnenberg, who shares 10 campaign ideas.

A nearly $2 million listing in Boca Raton, Fla., designed inside and out in bright hues of pink became the perfect backdrop for Lang Realty broker-associate Erik Nissani to launch a charity drive for breast cancer research.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued guidelines that include measures that local governments can take to avoid litigation and loss of life by addressing wildfire risk in real estate development plans. Recommendations include mandating the use of fire-resistant construction materials, pursuing greater housing density and weighing factors such as an area's fire history.

Bold paint colors, light woods for flooring and moldings are among design elements that offer a traditional look suitable for older homes or new builds seeking a rustic look, says interior designer Jen Dallas.

If you work from home, you could be exposing yourself to viruses and other online dangers that may put your business at risk. Individuals who don't have the support of an IT team may be more vulnerable to scams.

Multiple programs are available to help first-time buyers navigate the process and obtain financing. Leading programs include the Freddie Mac Home Possible mortgage, HomePath Ready Buyer Program and National Homebuyers Fund.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency invited 85 speakers to a meeting last week to discuss the current state and future direction of the Federal Home Loan Bank system. However, large banks including JPMorgan Chase and several major insurers were conspicuous by their absence, despite being among the top 10 users of FHLB funding last year.