Smart homes can offer a wealth of conveniences and customized experiences for your clients. However, smart home devices also can serve as an entry point for cyber criminals to access your clients' sensitive data. Two real estate pros in the smart home market discuss how to highlight the benefits of smart homes while mitigating the potential risks.

Patterns on YouTube are shifting from passive consumption to creativity, leading brands such as McDonalds and Coca-Cola to relate differently to fans and encourage them to showcase brands in their own unique ways, said Maddy Buxton, YouTube's culture and trends manager for the U.S. and Canada, at ANA Masters of Marketing 2024. "Identify the fandom you're looking to reach, and use video to position yourself where those fans are," Buxton advised brands.

Google is emphasizing quality content, attempting to safeguard consumer trust and enforcing ethical use of AI as it revises policies to deal with spam content, writes Karla Jo Helms, founder and CEO at JOTO PR Disruptors. Diversified brand content is one key, in addition to strengthening trust by involving experts and emphasizing ethics by carefully reviewing content created by AI, Helms writes.

Professional stagers are looking to create curated designs for a growing number of households with a single income and no children.

Jim DeRentis and Derek Simpson of Residential Properties were the co-listing agents for this colonial home in Warwick, R.I., recently sold for $1.25 million. The 2,700-square-foot home, built in 1957, features two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a remodeled kitchen.

Continued enthusiasm for AI is helping drive demand for data centers, according to Antony Slumbers, a proptech expert, who participated in a recent webinar. Slumbers also highlighted AI's potential to aid in converting office space to housing or mixed-use purposes. It's important for the real estate sector to stay flexible, Slumbers said. "You've always got to be thinking in terms of decades within the real estate industry," Slumbers said.

Influence is a critical leadership trait that distinguishes exceptional leaders, writes Bernard Coleman. Leaders can build trust and credibility by fulfilling small commitments, being helpful and using effective communication, Coleman writes.

Dr. Anthony Kellum of Kellum Mortgage emphasizes the potential impact of a 1% increase in Black homeownership, noting it could add 170,000 homeowners, generate wealth and stimulate local economies. Kellum calls for policy reforms, financial education and public-private partnerships to achieve this goal, highlighting the importance of legacy building and economic empowerment.

Economists warn that inflation could rise again depending on the outcome of the presidential election. Former President Donald Trump's proposals, such as across-the-board tariffs and deporting workers, are seen as potentially more inflationary than Vice President Kamala Harris' plans to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, though both have raised concerns.