In a move supported by the National Association of REALTORS®, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced July 8 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin accepting VantageScore 4.0 for mortgage underwriting, either alongside or in place of traditional FICO scores. "This is a major step toward a more accurate and equitable mortgage underwriting process, one that considers timely rent, utility, and telecom payments as indicators of creditworthiness," says NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn.

National Association of REALTORS®' Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz shares advice you can use to help first-time home buyers get a leg up on homeownership. Have more real estate questions? "Ask the Economist" by submitting an email to AskTheEconomist@nar.realtor.

Video isn't just a trendy marketing tactic—it's a powerful relationship builder and an essential tool for establishing trust with your audience. While many agents hesitate to post videos because they feel they need to look or sound "perfect," real estate trainer Heather Haase emphasizes that authenticity resonates far more than perfection.

Multicultural marketing is becoming increasingly important as media consumption fragments, with industry leaders emphasizing the role of streaming, data and AI in reaching diverse audiences. Michael Roca of Omnicom Media Group notes that Generation Z, which is largely multicultural, is driving U.S. growth and is tech-first, while Sebastian Trujillo of Olympusat highlights the ability of technology to target niche audiences and Stephen Paez of Publicis Media discusses how connected TV has become a cultural equalizer by improving measurement of multicultural segments.

Designers Tina Montemayor and Evgenia Ermolaeva share tips on avoiding common front-yard eyesores this summer. Key issues include overgrown lawns, plastic garden decor, dead plants, crooked mailboxes and mismatched planters. Maintaining a consistent lawn care schedule, investing in quality decor and ensuring planters match the home's color scheme can significantly improve curb appeal.

Kerry Raymond of Coldwell Banker Realty is listing this A-frame home in Thornton, N.H. The property, priced at $774,900, features 13 skylights, two bedrooms and two baths.

The real estate industry is becoming more transparent and efficient with the use of blockchain technology, which leverages smart contracts and decentralized ledgers to streamline transactions, lower costs and reduce fraud. Platforms such as Propy and RealT are already facilitating online transactions, and some governments are experimenting with blockchain for land registries.

Ryan Estis, co-founder of ImpactEleven, emphasizes the importance of human-centered change leadership in driving organizational transformation. Estis outlines six principles for effective change leadership: starting with shared purpose, leading with consistent communication, staying flexible, setting the right example, raising the bar with empathy and committing to continuous learning.

Texas law SB 17, which bars Chinese citizens from purchasing property, is facing a federal lawsuit from three Chinese citizens living in Texas who argue the law is unconstitutional and discriminatory. The law, set to take effect Sept. 1, also targets individuals and entities from Russia, Iran and North Korea, as well as any other countries that could be designated as threats to the U.S.