FUTURE OF HOUSING: TRENDS IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

Remote work as a permanent state

Originally intended as a temporary solution during the pandemic, remote work has become firmly established. Companies are responding by reducing office spaces and implementing hybrid work models. Hybrid office concepts and shared workspaces are becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, the demand for larger and more flexibly usable living spaces is rising. The importance of working from home will continue to increase in the future.

Flexibility in the use of spaces

The demand for flexible usable spaces in residential and work areas is increasing in order to respond to changing requirements, whether for family growth, new work models, or additional storage space. This flexibility offers advantages for both private individuals and companies that need to react quickly to changing needs. Although this trend is slowly establishing itself on the supplier side, it opens up opportunities for innovative construction companies and real estate developers to differentiate themselves from the competition.

Breakthrough of Smart Homes

Smart homes are gaining importance as integrated computer systems make living more comfortable and efficient by automating various functions such as food monitoring, heating control, and security. The variety of offerings allows for customized integration, which should ideally be considered during the planning of a property. Nevertheless, retrofitting existing properties with smart home technologies is also a popular trend to take advantage of the benefits.

Energy efficiency as a central trend

Energy efficiency has become a key trend in the real estate industry due to unstable energy prices. This involves the drastic reduction of energy consumption through modern insulation materials and the use of renewable energies. Heating systems are particularly in focus, as many apartments are still heated with fossil fuels. Moreover, efficient planning already plays a crucial role in the design process to minimize energy needs. In light of the current energy crisis and the increasing demand for efficiency, intensified activity from regulatory authorities, construction companies, and real estate buyers is expected in the coming years to reduce energy consumption and transform the industry.

Growing demand for self-storage

Due to rising housing costs and limited space in urban areas, city dwellers are seeking alternative solutions to create space. Self-storage facilities provide a way to store personal items short- or long-term without having to dispose of them. This trend is particularly evident in cities, where the demand for self-storage is increasing along with micro-storage spaces and is expected to continue gaining importance.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Building Information Modeling (BIM) describes a working method for the interconnected planning, construction, and management of buildings and other structures using software. These programs assist in creating three-dimensional models, generating reports, planning maintenance work, and avoiding deficiencies. BIM is becoming increasingly important in the real estate sector as it helps to optimize workflows, identify problems early, and increase productivity. In the future, BIM will undoubtedly be among the leading trends in the real estate industry.

Virtual tours as standard.

The pandemic has greatly affected traditional property viewing options, highlighting the potential for alternative solutions such as virtual tours. Although the technology behind it was already available, it has only gained significance in recent years as hardware and software have improved and become more affordable. Virtual tours offer numerous advantages to both sellers and landlords as well as potential buyers and tenants, such as saving travel time and facilitating scheduling. However, the use of virtual reality extends not only to the real estate industry but also to other sectors like furniture stores, enabling customers to view and even furnish apartments virtually. Although virtual tours of residential properties still constitute a small part, this trend is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. AKKADIA also offers virtual tours for all properties.

Urban gardening for self-sufficiency

In reaction to energy and resource scarcity as well as the dependence on global supply chains in food supply, urban gardening is gaining importance as a trend in the real estate sector. This development is evident in the increasing efforts of many people to meet at least part of their food needs through their own cultivation. Especially in urban areas, this requires creative solutions like rooftop gardens to strengthen local supply and reduce the CO2 footprint. Urban agriculture offers various advantages over conventional field farming, including local food production, which saves transport energy and CO2 emissions, as well as a lower risk of spoilage due to shorter transport distances. Local production could be advantageous in the future, as climate change and resource scarcity could affect food production and distribution. Furthermore, it allows for easier verification of social standards and requires less fertilizer and water, thereby minimizing soil leaching.

Although urban gardening currently leads a niche existence, it is expected that this trend will continue to gain popularity in the coming years, given the ongoing energy and raw material shortages, as well as rising uncertainties in global supply chains.

Artificial Intelligence in the Real Estate Industry

In the coming years, the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the real estate industry is expected to continue to grow. AI increases efficiency by implementing automated processes and handling routine tasks automatically. The use of AI allows real estate companies to save time and resources and work more quickly and effectively by collecting and analyzing data, evaluating properties, and conducting market analyses. Furthermore, AI is expected to be increasingly used for creating personalized digital customer services, for example, to quickly and efficiently respond to inquiries through intelligent chatbots. Companies that effectively leverage this technology gain a competitive advantage over their competitors. The use of AI systems enhances the efficiency of companies and improves customer satisfaction through personalized services.

The trends clearly indicate an increased focus on sustainability, efficiency, and flexibility in the real estate sector, driven by technological innovations and societal changes.

As a leading real estate agency, AKKADIA places great importance on staying current. That's why we focus on innovative trends such as virtual tours and artificial intelligence to continuously improve our service. With modern approaches, we aim to make the real estate market more efficient and accessible. Trust in our experience and benefit from contemporary solutions for your real estate concerns.

Source: Planradar