Ready or not, we’ve officially crossed the halfway point of 2026. If the first half of the year left you wanting more for your real estate career, you’re in luck—we’ve got just under 6 months to go and no shortage of opportunities. Pause, take stock of what’s in your pipeline, and double down on what’s working. With a bit of focus, the second half of this year can be the best of your career.

When NAR CEO Nykia Wright walked into the organization, it wasn’t in great condition. But Nykia is no stranger to significant business turnarounds—and she’s on track to stage the biggest one in real estate history. Under her leadership, NAR is expanding its advocacy efforts in DC to push for policy reform and affordable housing measures, supporting home ownership over rentership, and helping Realtors create true communities. Tap to hear more about Nykia’s plans for restoring NAR’s reputation and the future she’s helping build for agents nationwide in this interview on Glennda’s Guru.

According to a recent Redfin analysis, there are now only five major U.S. metros where the typical luxury home still sells for less than $1 million, down from eight a year ago. As the data shows, homes on the higher end of pricing have appreciated faster than mid-priced and lower-priced homes, further expanding the gap between normal homes and “luxury” properties. 

By the numbers:

📖 Price surge. An at-a-glance map of metros with the highest projected home price increases.

👀 Stale sale. See the stunning Napa Valley estate Ryan Seacrest can’t seem to sell.  

👀 Privacy buffer. Chuck Noris’ former estate comes with an adjacent 1.6 acres to keep the paparazzi at bay.

💡 College landlords. Between university classes, some students are taking a crash course in landlording.

💡 Rental incomes starts with one. Why rental income takes less hustle than most people think.

The most remarkable properties in the country require the honed design expertise of some of the most talented architects in the world. One of them is Dan Brunn, founder of DBA, one of LA’s leading architectural firms, focused on unique modern residential and commercial properties. 

In the first episode of Estate Media’s new series, A Day in the Life, Dan takes you behind the scenes as he walks construction sites, reveals the thought behind his intentional design decisions, compares materials and colors, and shows what it really takes to create indoor-outdoor spaces that bring natural beauty into the interiors of complex spaces.

It’s easy to focus on the profit potential of homes, but land can be a strong investment too—especially when it’s bought at auction or sourced from owners who are behind on taxes or payments. The catch is that land requires more homework than many buyers expect, since zoning, utilities, access, and local rules can make a major difference in what a parcel is actually worth. 

In the latest edition of The Playbook, Mark Podolsky shares his experience flipping raw land and what investors should watch for before jumping in. Tap here to read his story and check out his raw land database.

Inman Luxury Connect | San Diego, CA | July 27 - 28, 2026
The industry’s premier event for elite agents and brokers in the luxury space hosts immersive discussions, interactive workshops, top-tier networking events, and a roster of speakers including James Harris, Jason Oppenheim, and Jade Mills.

Tom Ferry’s Success Summit | Anaheim, CA | August 3 - 5, 2026
Among all the real estate conferences 2026 has to offer, none match the scale, energy, or impact of Tom Ferry Summit 2026 — where the industry's most driven agents, team leaders, and brokers converge for three days of cutting-edge strategy and inspiration that turn ambition into action.

Sotheby's International Realty Global Networking Event | San Francisco, CA | October 5 - 8, 2026
The Global Networking Event (GNE) is the brand’s signature event designed for sales associates, managers, and broker/owners. GNE brings the Sotheby’s International Realty community together, giving agents and our network the opportunity to build connections, fuel referrals, and tap into a powerful channel of inspiration and motivation.

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