To explore pockets of affordability, National Association of REALTORS® Research Analyst Jesse Priddy looked at 215 metropolitan statistical areas, comparing the median monthly mortgage payment with fair market rents determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Check out the analysis for your area on the interactive map.

The months of December through February are typically slower in real estate due to the holidays and—in some areas—the chilly weather. But you can help sellers capitalize on certain seasonal advantages: For one, winter buyers are often motivated. Also, because fewer homes go on the market at this time, sellers can benefit from less competition when negotiating offers. Share these tips to help winter sellers minimize time on market and net more from the sale. Get all the guides, also available in Spanish, at facts.realtor.

When listings are scarce, the agents who rethink their approach and show up differently are the ones who get hired. At 2025 NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, top producer Mark Choey shared the visibility tactics, niche strategies and presentation techniques agents can use to win more listings in a slow market. If your pipeline needs a boost, these ideas will help you stand out.

Inheriting a home often comes with significant hidden costs that can turn it into a burden. Financial obligations heirs may encounter include outstanding mortgages, escalating property taxes, probate fees and state-specific inheritance taxes. Additionally, heirs must navigate capital gains taxes, real estate commissions and potential family conflicts. To make informed decisions, heirs must understand these realities.

Hilary Billings, co-founder and CEO of Attentioneers, grew her social media following from zero to 400,000 in just 40 days by embracing authenticity and connection. Too often, agents mimic what's already out there. Don't copy other people's style, she says. "The content you create should be a window into what it's like to work with you."

Economic uncertainty, shifting population trends and continued technological innovation will bring opportunity for those who know how to read and respond to the changes. The Counselors of Real Estate, a global organization of property advisers and an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®, unveiled their 2026 "Top 10 Issues" Sunday at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience.

Steady job creation and interest rates trending down will set the stage for a better 2026, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said during NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in November. But for too many consumers, the benefits of homeownership remain difficult to attain.

At last month's NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience in Houston, the National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors and Delegate Body approved a change to the Code of Ethics that clarifies disclosure requirements when REALTORS® are compensated by more than one party. Directors also reviewed the newly approved 2026–2028 strategic plan, saw highlights of the budget, and honored individuals for their steadfast service.

The Executive Committee of the National Association of REALTORS® approved 18 changes to the association's Multiple Listing Policy Handbook last month. The changes, which take effect in January, remove outdated MLS enforcement practices, modernize administrative operations and enforcement rules, and reinforce matters of local discretion.

NAR Immediate Past President Kevin Sears painted a stark portrait of the housing market during testimony Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee. He urged Congress to act quickly in partnership with NAR members, builders, planners and local leaders to close the nationwide gap in affordable housing. Read more about his testimony and the reforms NAR is lobbying for.