As Professionals in the Real Estate Industry we try and do everything to stay on top of our game. We attend classes to further our education and knowledge, we try out the latest and greatest Social Networking Platform to find out about new Techie stuff, but what about what the clients are looking for?
It is a job in itself to stay on top of what the Local Inventory is to know what may be suitable match for our clients. Although Real Estate is local, it’s pretty safe to say that for several years, MOST large Metropolitan areas have been experiencing the Sprawl of the Suburbs, the desire for Material items, and the need to be bigger and have more. However, just of the past 3 months I have experienced this Dynamic shift in the approach that people are taking in the features they want in homes.
In the title I mention Organic Gardens, Solar and Public Transportation. These are the Top 3 items on my clients and potential clients wish list over the past 45 days. Not a single buyer has mentioned the desire for Granite Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances or even a McMansion. It’s minimal footprint on both the land, environment and lifestyle.
What is it that Real Estate Professionals can do to keep up with this enormous shift in thinking from the Homebuying population? If Solar Panels and Rain Water Capture Systems are getting to be the new Sexy, who can keep up?
Many of the people that are looking for Organic Gardens are tired of hearing about all of the Crud that is stuffed in our food. Food Dye and Preservatives have been linked to Behavioral Disorders in children as well as Cancer, Depression and even Skin disorders in Adults. Those that are looking for Solar and proximity to Public Transportation are looking to reduce Gas and Electric bills, or maybe even to give a subtle Finger to the Gas and Electric Companies.
Who would have thought that the Health Care and Energy Crises could have such an impact on the decisions that people make when they purchase a home and where they are willing to put their money.
Is the Real Estate Industry ready for that? Green Builders and other Green Professionals are still put off sometimes as ‘crazed treehuggers’ but are they really? IMO, we are experiencing a massive shift in the industry not just with technology but a whirl wind of change from consumers that is not necessarily for the Green Movement but one that demands a higher quality, healthier and more energy efficient home.
With Consumer demand and Green Building Mandates that have and will be put in to place around the Nation rising, it’s time for the Real Estate Industry to catch up. Offer more classes so we don’t have to look out of state, offer more search options for both the Professionals and the Consumer and make an effort to understand that many Consumers want the change because it IS a BENEFIT to them.
I am requesting a field for Distance to public transportation, kind of insulation and R Value in both the walls and ceiling, Rain Water capabilities, kind of Green Certification and items that make for healthier indoor air quality. Are people trying to search for it? Yes. Why do we need it when we have a Property Description field you may ask? My answer is because the Property Description field is about the same amount of room that we have on Twitter. That is not near enough.
St. George Townhomes says:
The real estate industry is becoming just like the internet industry. Realtors are having to continue to stay up on all of the new things that buyers, sellers, and home builders are looking for.
The realtors in the new technology will be far more advanced in being able to quickly find homes with parameters in a short period of time.
Great Post!
August 1, 2008 — 9:10 am