Higher mortgage rates and affordability pressures have shaped buyer demand. New data from the National Association of Home Builders showed incentives remained elevated for the 14th straight month.

New agents need consistent daily, weekly and monthly habits to build lasting real estate careers, and independent brokerages don't need franchise-level resources to help them get there. Success depends on clear systems, steady accountability and practical training that teaches agents how to prospect, build skills and stay motivated.

A quit-claim deed transfers ownership interest in a property, but it does not remove a borrower from the mortgage loan. That can create problems after divorce if the person later tries to qualify for a new mortgage.