NAR's 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers offers a mixed picture of who’s succeeding and struggling in the housing market.

AI-generated avatars are becoming vital in marketing, with companies like D-ID leading the charge by creating realistic personas for brands such as Pepsi and Warner Bros. These avatars enhance personalized video content and consumer interaction, and are transitioning from support roles to being central figures in marketing strategies."It's like they've gone from being in the kitchen to front-of-house," says Todd Alchin, partner and chief marketing officer of Noble People.

Brand historians are becoming pivotal in companies like Levi Strauss and Ford Motor by using their archival expertise to enhance marketing, product design and social media strategies. Bridget Reddick, content and creative vice president at archive company Heritage Werks, says that consumer demand for authenticity has prompted more brands to explore their history.

Even in a mostly seller-driven market, few homeowners are completing a “for sale by owner” transaction. Instead, they’re turning to real estate agents for guidance.

Black, chocolate brown or deep slate exterior colors offer a sharp contrast in neighborhoods with rows of white, gray or beige homes.

The Washington, D.C., house where Frederick Douglass married Helen Pitts in 1884 is on the market for $1.8 million. The home was owned by Francis Grimke during the wedding and has been extensively renovated while retaining original features.

Texas may lead the US in terms of installed utility-scale solar capacity, but Nevada, California and Utah get a larger share of their power from solar than any other state, according to this chart based on a Cleanview analysis of Energy Information Administration data. Nevada leads the pack with 29% of its power coming from utility-scale solar in 2024. North Dakota and New Hampshire lag at the bottom of the list, but are both expected to scale deployment in the coming years.

Poshmark CEO Manish Chandra issued a public apology after a pricing change that shifted fees from sellers to buyers resulted in customer backlash and a decrease in sales. Chandra announced a return to the original fee structure and outlined steps to compensate sellers, earning praise for his transparency and responsiveness, leadership strategist Talia Fox says. An effective apology should follow a formula of timing, culture and track record, Fox adds.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas has distributed $78.9 million in grants through its Affordable Housing Program to support 41 projects across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. The funding, awarded through 22 member institutions, will aid in the construction or rehabilitation of thousands of units, including owner-occupied, rental and transitional housing.

The US economy remains robust despite a weaker-than-expected October jobs report, which was affected by a Boeing strike and hurricanes. The economy added only 12,000 jobs in October, but GDP grew at a 2.8% annual rate in Q3, and S&P 500 earnings increased by 8.4% year-over-year. Consumer confidence also reached its highest level since March 2021.