According to a new report from the National Association of REALTORS®, 64 percent of REALTORS® say that the flexible hours are the most attractive part of being a real estate agent, followed by interest in the industry (at 64 percent) and working with people (at 54 percent). The report also asked REALTORS® what skills are necessary to succeed in residential real estate; they named people skills, self-motivation and negotiation skills as the top three most important traits and talents. Story Springboard: Review NAR's 2017 Choosing a Career in Real Estate report for more information on current trends in the real estate profession. Speak to someone considering a career in real estate about what draws them to the profession. Talk to REALTORS® in your area about what they consider the best part of their job.

Homeowners are constantly on the lookout for clever hacks to make managing and cleaning a home easier, but some of these tricks may be costing them money in the long run. Many people believe that putting lemons in the garbage disposal will help keep it clean and smelling fresh. In reality, the citric acid from the lemon juice can corrode the metal in the disposal, and the peel can damage the grinding components and clog the pipes. Another cleaning myth is using bleach to treat mold. In fact, not only does bleach not work to kill the mold, diluted bleach can actually feed future mold growth, so a commercial anti-fungal product is a better option. Story Springboard: Check out HouseLogic's “Home Myths Busted!” spotlight for more information on common myths surrounding homeownership. Speak with a repair person about DIY attempts he or she is frequently brought in to fix. Talk with REALTORS® about the home maintenance advice they give to their clients who are first-time homeowners.

A new survey from the National Association of REALTORS® shows that the student loan debt carried by millennials has major implications for the U.S. economy. The typical millennial student loan debt load is $41,200, which is greater than their average annual income, $38,800. This has delayed several major financial and personal milestones, including: •    83% of millennials surveyed say they have had to delay buying a home •    86%  have made career sacrifices •    41%  delayed marriage •    55%  postponed having children •    61% are not adequately saving for retirement Story Springboard Read NAR and American Student Assistance’s report “Student Loan Debt and Housing Report 2017.” Speak with some millennials in your area about how student loan debt has affected their purchasing habits and their ability to save for major life events. Talk with REALTORS® about the number of millennial homebuyers they have worked with and if they have noticed student debt affecting their ability to buy or had an impact on the type of home they purchased.

According to a new report from the National Association of REALTORS®, homeowners that complete a remodeling project are more satisfied with their home. Seventy-five percent of owners who finished a project claim to have a greater desire to be in their home, and 65 percent say they have increased enjoyment in their home. Remodeling projects also bring homeowners a sense of achievement, with 77 percent of owners saying they felt a major sense of accomplishment when thinking of their completed project and 56 percent saying they feel happy when they see their projects. Story Springboard Review NAR’s 2017 Remodeling Impact Report for more information on the emotional and financial benefits of home remodeling projects. Speak with homeowners who recently completed a remodeling project about their experience and how they feel about the outcome. Talk to a REALTOR® about which remodeling projects owners should undertake if they are hoping to recoup the costs at resale.

Autumn’s arrival means sweater weather, pumpkin flavored everything and getting the house ready for winter. Smart homeowners know that the perfect time to start preparing for cold weather is before the weather arrives. Come October, homeowners should be switching the direction of their ceiling fans; a fan spinning clockwise will help suck up warm air and distribute heat. And no one wants to be outside once the temperature drops significantly, so autumn is the perfect time to deep clean windows. It will be worth it when the sun shines in on even the darkest days of winter. Homeowners should also schedule a checkup for their heating unit. Maintenance technicians get busy come winter, so it is important to make an appointment early! Story Springboard Check out HouseLogic’s “More Safe, Less Sorry” spotlight for more information on preparing a home for winter. Speak with repairpersons in your area about the most common and avoidable home problems they see come winter. Talk with REALTORS® in your community about the advice they give to new homeowners on dealing with temperature changes.

In addition to the anxiety everyone experiences when moving to a new home, home buyers and sellers with children face a unique set of difficulties and stressors during the moving process. According to a new report from the National Association of Realtors®, the biggest concern for sellers with children is that their home is sold within a specified timeframe. Twenty-six percent of sellers with children described their need to sell their home as very urgent, compared to 14 percent of sellers without children. Fortunately, for these families, houses are selling incredibly fast. According to NAR data, in recent months listings are going under contract in less than a month. Homeowners may, however, have difficulty finding a home to move to as housing inventory has declined on an annual basis for 26 straight months. Story Springboard Check out NAR’s 2017 Moving With Kids Report for more information on the unique experience of moving with children. Interview recent home buyers or sellers, both with and without children at home, about their recent experiences. Speak with REALTORS® in your area who has worked with families with children about advice they give on selling a home quickly.