Real estate trends

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A real estate trend is any consistent pattern or change in the general direction of the

mortgage
rates, consumer speculations, or other fundamental and non-fundamental reasons.

Buyer agency growth

At one time, all

buyer agency became popular, allowing a buyer to retain an agent who would represent the best interests of the buyer alone. The first national company to provide this service was The Buyer's Agent, Inc. A 2008 study by Consumer Reports indicates that prior to this development, a Realtor was presumed by state law to be working for the seller. The same study shows that buyers using buyer agents obtained a savings of $5000 in the price of the home as compared to prices paid by unrepresented buyers.[1]
It remains true that an unrepresented real estate buyer can still call the sellers agent to arrange a showing of the property. In such cases, the buyer should be advised by Agency Disclosure Laws (a state law in every state in the U.S.) that any information obtained, as well as all conversations and negotiations undertaken, will be for the benefit of the seller.

Lower commission rates

Historical rates are presented in a report by the Government Accountability Office, Congress's investigative arm. A 2005 study[2] of real estate commission rates, reported that realtors tended to charge, "about 5 percent to 7 percent of a property's selling price...". More recently, CBS News, "60 Minutes" television news magazine reported in 2007 that competitive pressure resulting from a record number of licensed agents has driven down the average sales commission rates paid by sellers.[3] A new breed of marketplaces that enable agents to compete for sellers further add pressure to the commission rate structure.

In some states, companies such as Redfin still advertise a commission, but provide a rebate to sellers based on the quality of their surveys reflected in post-close surveys. This is also fraught with difficulties.[4]

Another trend is the emergence of alternatives to the commission model, including flat-fee, hourly home selling, and for sale by owner tools.

Marketing trends

The

SEO
, advertising, and social media.

Websites like

UK
) became in the 21st century the main sources for both buyers and sellers. Rapid changes in the market environment forced some countries to introduce new laws regulating real property market on the web.

Even with the introduction of the internet, traditional media and methods of generating leads were still an important part of Real Estate trend:

Though the internet was the most popular source, buyers also cited information from real-estate agents (85%), yard signs (62%), open houses (48%), and print or newspaper ads (47%). Fewer buyers relied on home books or magazines, home builders, television, billboards, and relocation companies.[6]

Mobile applications are also changing the way real estate agents conduct business.[7] Apps like Zillow, Trulia, Zumper, and Rentberry are primarily accessed via mobile devices and have become very popular sources for listing properties for sale or rent. These applications function similarly to websites like Craigslist in that they allow agents or private sellers to list a property like they would in a classified ad albeit with a more dynamic display as well as mechanisms for users browsing a listing to contact the seller directly from the app. These platforms allow buyers to view homes in their desired area from anywhere.[8] Mobile applications are particularly prominent with millennial real estate customers.

US government involvement

The

Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for as little as a few hundred dollars."[10] The Justice Department updated their information in a new website in 2016.[11]

Renting

Renting has recently been gaining popularity in the United States. This has become a more popular residential choice for younger generations due to student loan debt and more convenient locations. Some other pros for renting are amenities, flexibility, and credit building opportunities. The demand for rental units is increasing as there become more perks to renting.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Consumer Reports Magazine". Consumerreports.org. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  2. ^ GAO Report, August 2005, "Real Estate Brokerage, Factors That May Affect Price Competition", Gao.gov
  3. ^ "Chipping Away At Realtors' Six Percent". Cbsnews.com. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  4. ^ Real-Time, Redfin (13 June 2013). "Redfin Ends Commission Savings for Oregon Homebuyers". Redfin.com. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Real Estate in a Digital Age". National Association of Realtors. September 2021.
  6. ^ "Internet, Agents, First Stops for Home Buyers". Marketingcharts.com. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  7. ^ "10 Best Apps For Real Estate Agents And Brokers". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  8. ^ Thompson, Jeremy (2014-01-27). "How the Internet Has Changed the Real Estate Industry". Homes.com. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  9. ^ "Antitrust Division Launches Web Site on Competition in the Real Estate Brokerage Industry". Justice.gov. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Antitrust division launches website on competition in the real estate brokerage industry". Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
  11. ^ "Competition and Real Estate". Justice.gov. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  12. ISSN 0190-8286
    . Retrieved 2021-11-04.

External links