The inventory crunch will continue to chip away at affordability and sideline more buyers unless Congress enacts policies to boost housing production, NAR's chief economist testifies on Capitol Hill.

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.

An active presence on social media, doing your research and good communication are among keys to success for real estate agents. "Setting yourself apart from the crowd requires you to understand your 'big why—in other words, knowing why you committed to a career in real estate. Your 'big why' will pull you through the highs and lows of building a strong business model for yourself," says Tessa Sims, CEO of KW Real Estate Schools.

Buyer's agents are finding deals in the Los Angeles area amid an ongoing market shift as sellers get creative to close deals. Seller financing, mortgage-rate buydowns and repair credits are among the tools agents can tap to attract buyers.

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise its key benchmark rate this coming week. What impact could it have on mortgage rates?

Real estate agents are seeing rapidly changing market conditions bring volatility to valuations and the demand cycle. Leslie Sargent Eskildsen, an agent with RealtyOne Group West, describes the current situation as similar to a game of "leapfrog" between buyers and sellers, noting that "until there are enough transactions to form a significant trend, it is up to each party to search their souls and their bank accounts to see if they will take the leap."

A new payroll tax levied on businesses will fund more than 1,700 affordable housing units under the JumpStart Seattle program. In its first year, this tax brought in $248.1 million.

Manufactured homes are increasingly attracting budget-conscious buyers or those looking to downsize. "What we have seen is that manufactured homes are anywhere from three to five times cheaper than site-built homes," said Mike Bullard of Resident Owned Communities USA.