Despite subdued pending home sales numbers, the housing market is showing resilience. National Association of REALTORS®' PHS Index remained unchanged from August and was down just 0.9% annually yet matched the second-strongest pace of the year, says Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. Meanwhile, mortgage applications for home purchases were 20% higher than a year ago in mid-October, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Do your clients understand how contract contingencies work? Equip them with NAR's new one-page consumer guide: It covers a range of contingencies and contract clauses that buyers and sellers may encounter and helps them understand what happens if the terms aren't fulfilled.

Selling a home with a spooky reputation can be challenging due to buyer perceptions, but it doesn't always hurt value. Disclosure laws vary by state, with some requiring details of deaths or crimes on the property, while others leave it to the seller's discretion. Sellers should be honest, focus on the home's strengths, and work with knowledgeable agents to navigate sensitive topics.

Check out REALTOR® Magazine's annual list of the worst home trends of the year—the design choices that can haunt you and your clients.

Home builders such as D.R. Horton are struggling despite lower home prices and mortgage rates because potential buyers are worried about the economy and job security. D.R. Horton reported a 3% decline in the average closing price of net sales orders in the fiscal fourth quarter, the lowest since the same period in 2021. Despite attempts to stimulate demand with lower prices and more incentives, sales remain sluggish as broader market weakness persists.

The ongoing government shutdown is creating certain challenges for commercial real estate, with around 900,000 people furloughed and the release of key market data delayed, observers say. "Development and financing that requires federal permits will be delayed," notes Wei Luo of CBRE. "Overall, there is good momentum for transaction volumes of US real estate coming out of the third quarter, which should continue into the fourth."

Southridge Cooperative Section 1 in Queens is set to install a solar system covering 30% of its energy needs, translating to $80,000 in annual savings. The $1.15 million project is funded by an $800,000 loan from NYCEEC, with additional support from NY-Sun rebates. The initiative aligns with Local Law 97 compliance, reducing future carbon emission penalties. Despite challenges with existing mortgages, the co-op opted for solar due to its financial viability and technical feasibility.

The Federal Reserve has lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75% to 4%, marking the second cut this year amid signs of a weakening labor market. The decision comes as inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, driven partly by tariff-related price increases. The move follows a similar rate cut in September.