The National Association of REALTORS® announced Sunday that startup NEO—which aims to transform the new construction space online—won the $15,000 grand prize. SingleKey, a tenant-screening and rent-guarantee platform, was the Pitch Battle's Crowd Favorite award winner. The seventh annual Pitch Battle was presented by NAR's Tech & Innovation group and sponsored by Second Century Ventures.

Monica Neubauer, ABR, CRS, the award-winning host of the National Association of REALTORS®' Center for REALTOR® Development podcast, walked NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience attendees through 10 steps essential for business owners who want to keep and grow more of what they earn.

Tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law this summer, make this a good time to consider real estate investment—including investment in affordable housing, said panelists at an NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience regulatory forum.

Today's real estate teams are smaller, smarter and more specialized—and they expect more from their brokerages than ever before. At NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, industry leaders shared what brokers must provide to attract and support high-performing teams.

Co-ownership is becoming a popular solution for millennials and Gen Zers facing the least affordable housing market since 1984. Nearly 15% of Americans have purchased homes with non-romantic co-buyers to manage high home prices and mortgage rates, according to a report by JW Surety Bonds. This trend, likened to "carpooling for homes," helps buyers share financial burdens but also presents challenges such as potential interpersonal conflicts and legal complications.

Floating vanities, while visually striking and modern, present notable functional drawbacks according to designer Anastasia Casey. They often have limited storage space compared to traditional vanities and require precise installation to ensure stability. Weight restrictions may also limit your choice of countertop materials. Casey recommends opting for vanities with legs, which preserve a light appearance but offer more durability and timelessness.

The New York Department of State has issued a warning about the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create real estate listing images, raising concerns about false advertising and consumer trust. Secretary of State Walter Mosley emphasizes the need for vigilance, as AI-generated images can misrepresent properties. Brokers and agents are reminded that they must comply with laws against deceptive advertising, and misuse of AI could result in disciplinary action.