Regardless of your locale, the world's most indispensable natural resource has the potential to alter your industry and your life. That's why some real estate professionals are taking an active role in water management, education and conservation in their homes and communities.

We've heard of agents crawling through doggy doors to get inside a home showing and using the bathroom at a property mislabeled as an open house. What crazy story do you have from your time working in real estate? Share your story with REALTOR® Magazine.

Social media remains a go-to source of seller leads for real estate professionals. Roomvu CEO Sam Mehrbod shares tips on getting the most out of Facebook ads, such as avoiding use of the default "boost" option and focusing on clear messaging.

The new Apple TV Plus series explores extraordinary residences, like a tiny apartment that can accommodate any room, a house inside a greenhouse and a 3D-printed home that was built in 24 hours.

With inflation surging to a new high in June, the Federal Reserve will likely take more aggressive action. And that could influence even higher mortgage rates, says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

Mortgage loan sizes are dropping amid a reduction in application volumes, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The average loan size for the week that ended July 8 was $415,000, a reduction of $45,000 since March.

The real estate market in many locations appears to be shifting to favor buyers amid a slowdown in bidding wars and higher inventory. "A couple of months ago, it wasn't unusual for a home to get 10 to 20 offers," said Sarah Drennan of Terrie O'Connor, REALTORS®. "Now, they're still getting a number of offers, but it's less than 10."

Leading brokerage firm Compass is looking to leverage its extensive technology to help the firm come back from losses and layoffs. "Agents are our customers," says Rory Golod, a regional president at Compass, adding that "the tools we're building are being built and have been built for them."

Idaho has passed a law that enables homeowners to nullify racially restrictive provisions in real estate documents for free at their county clerk's office. Such covenants were made illegal by the 1968 Fair Housing Act, but many remain on property deeds.

"This awakening is institutional," said Ryan Davis, NAR's director of engagement, diversity and inclusion. "It is certainly not an awakening for many Black and brown members, who have disproportionately observed or directly experienced discrimination and other forms of mistreatment within and beyond the industry."