Smart homes can offer a wealth of conveniences and customized experiences, but connected devices also can serve as an entry point for cybercriminals to access your clients' sensitive data. Two real estate pros who sell smart homes highlight the benefits of these properties and how to mitigate the potential risks. Watch or listen to the latest episode of the "Drive With NAR" podcast.

When a couple decides to divorce, the sale of real property the two partners own together cannot be treated as a normal transaction. While some divorces are amicable, the majority are not. The listing agent must rise to the challenge with effective communication to keep everyone on the same page about the sale. That can happen in several different ways, depending on the circumstances.

Effective leadership involves focusing on small, everyday actions rather than just significant accomplishments, leadership coach Scott Cochrane writes. Cochrane suggests leaders should strive every day to solve problems, make progress towards goals, assist others, clarify team direction and reinforce core values.

Achieving professionalism in sales requires a commitment to ongoing education and a deep understanding of the company, product, customer and competition, writes Paul Reilly. True sales professionals stand out by holding themselves to high standards and continuously adapting to industry changes, Reilly writes.

Homeowners who prefer the flexibility to remove screens when they want greater outdoor exposure are turning to this solution.

Through September, 18 closings topped $2.5 million in the Cincinnati area, up from 15 for the same period a year ago.

Housing starts fell to a 1.35 million annualized rate in September, down 0.5%, according to the Commerce Department. Construction of multifamily starts were down 9.4%, although single-family starts rose 2.7%.

The remote work trend is shaping buyer preferences with workspaces and connectivity among prized features. Many buyers are opting for larger homes further from city centers.

Conflicts among team members may be inevitable, but Karin Hurt and David Dye offer eight strategies to quell discord, including staying calm, finding and understanding the root of the dispute, following up with team members afterward and teaching them techniques to handle future disagreements. "The highest-performing teams don't shy away from conflict. They embrace it and understand that every disagreement is an opportunity to build relationships and improve results," they write.

A lawsuit brought by disability advocates is costing Chicago millions and jeopardizing federal support for city housing programs. The litigation, brought by Access Living, contends that Chicago has not set aside the required number of affordable units for people with disabilities.