After much build up, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) 2026-2028 Strategic Plan was unsurprisingly approved unanimously by all 64 members of NAR’s Executive Committee during a meeting on Sunday at NAR’s 2025 NXT conference in Houston.  The plan, which incorporates 75 projects that fall underneath 24 initiatives, will be implemented on January 1, 2026. However, NAR leaders have...

Although some may be uncertain about how things will shake out for the real estate industry in 2026, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) chief economist Lawrence Yun is one person airing on the side of optimism.  In 2026, Yun said he is expecting existing home sales to rise 14% year-over-year, which he is attributing to easing mortgage rates, continued job gains and improving market...

At the trade-only High Point Market in North Carolina, the biggest buzz often surrounds new and returning collaborations between leading designers and home furnishing brands. That was certainly true at the fall 2025 market, held Oct. 25-29, where fresh partnerships debuted with fanfare across...

If you’ve decided it’s time to transform your yard into the landscape of your dreams, you’re likely eager to get started. But what if your vision comes with a higher price tag than you expected? We spoke with eight landscape design and building pros to learn how to create an outdoor...

For many Realtors, the legal maelstrom that engulfed the industry over the past two years, served as a wake up call of sorts, forcing them to look for ways to mitigate and manage risks. Given this environment, it is no surprise that risk management was a popular topic at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2025 NXT conference.  During a session with the Risk Management Committee on Friday...

Nestled into a hillside in Seattle’s Mount Baker neighborhood, this 1924 home had a yard with a steep slope, lots of shade and very little usable space. Craving a landscape that would inspire them to spend more time outdoors, the homeowners hired Terrain Studio to enhance the yard. A small...

What with cleaning, shopping, table setting and all those dishes to cook, pulling off Thanksgiving dinner is a major accomplishment. If you’re planning to host the big meal this year, whether it’s your first time or your 20th, chances are you’d love to make it a bit easier — which is where this...

Earlier this month, title and real estate services company Stewart Information Services Corp., owned by SISCO Holdings, agreed to acquire the mortgage services of property preservation provider Mortgage Contracting Services (MCS) for $330 million. The transaction, which expands Stewart’s suite of services in the property preservation arena, supports default servicing while providing MCS with...

After a year of easing mortgage rates and slightly improved affordability, the U.S. housing market heads into 2026 with expectations for steady, if uneven, progress. First American deputy chief economist Odeta Kushi said a broader reset remains gradual. “There are no quick fixes — recoveries take time,” she said. “The trends of 2025 will continue into 2026 as the market slowly marches toward...

Figure Technology Solutions reached $2.5 billion in consumer loan marketplace volume in the third quarter of 2025 — a 70% year-over-year increase, the company reported Thursday in its first earnings release since going public. Most of Figure’s volume continues to come from home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). New product categories — including crypto-backed loans, small and medium business loans,...