Legal guidance can help ensure a smooth home sale or purchase. NAR's new consumer guide explains when and why a real estate attorney may be needed, what services they provide buyers and sellers, and how to find one. This resource helps clients navigate the legal side of a real estate transaction with confidence. Available in English and Spanish at facts.realtor.

Thought leadership is shifting from traditional corporate narratives to more authentic and unconventional stories, writes Zen Media's Shama Hyder. Leaders with unique backgrounds, such as Keegan Caldwell and Tim Noonan, are gaining influence by sharing real experiences and engaging with audiences on a personal level, and this approach builds trust and credibility, challenging marketers to adapt.

Homeowners are increasingly elevating their exteriors with features such as dramatic uplighting to show off architectural features and soft downlighting that casts flower beds in an inviting glow. "Lighting is one of the easiest ways to completely change the feel of a space, without breaking the bank," says Ginger Wilcox, president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.

Outstanding commercial and multifamily mortgage debt grew by $46.8 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, reaching a total of $4.81 trillion. Multifamily loans accounted for nearly half of the tally. The report notes that commercial banks remain the largest holders of this debt, accounting for 38%.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, a measure of homebuilder sentiment, fell to a reading of 32 in May. Elevated mortgage rates and other factors are weighing on the market.

Interior designer Armando Aguirre has transformed an apartment in the Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood of Williamsburg into a vibrant home that integrates a significant art collection with carefully selected design pieces. The project features a central great room with custom furniture and vintage items, a soothing primary bedroom and a playful room for two girls. Aguirre emphasizes collaboration with clients, balancing his design instincts with their needs.

The waste produced during haymaking, which is typically burned, adds to local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. But this natural resource can instead be used for building, either as a compressed bale or in new, prefabricated “straw-insulating building matrix” panels being developed for residential home construction.

The National Association of REALTORS® opened registration today for NAR NXT, Nov. 14-16 in Houston, NAR's premier annual business conference offering expert education and real estate networking opportunities. Speakers will share proven strategies for building sustainable income and practical skills for negotiation and financial planning. Make your "Mission Possible," armed with key business learnings, fresh marketing solutions and cutting-edge tools and tech.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has settled with three real estate and property management firms for more than $310,000 over allegations of discrimination against tenants using housing vouchers or with criminal records. Maryland Management, Habitat America and American Management II have agreed to pay civil penalties and restitution and implement policy changes and training.

In a letter to FEMA, NAR President Kevin Sears emphasized the importance of the federal government's role in disaster relief and said the agency could do more to help residents recover and communities build resiliency—and to meaningfully reform the National Flood Insurance Program.

In observance of Juneteenth, SmartBrief will be closed Thursday, June 19.