Guide to Real Estate Trends and Forecasts

Examine U.S. real estate trends to maximize your business as an investor or as a real estate agent. Sometimes real estate sales trends in distant areas around the world influence U.S real estate trends.

U.S. real estate trends factor in geographic equations. Every area of the country has different real estate sales trends that manifest due to varying types of real estate.

In an area where a major car manufacturer builds a new manufacturing plant, real estate market research shows that real estate forecasts will improve dramatically since people need to relocate and buy homes for job transfers. The current real estate forecasts and current real estate trends influence the rising prices of homes there. Key factors to consider when evaluating trends include the following:

1. Study government's monetary policies and watch the Federal Reserve Board. Interest rates play a big role in real estate trends and forecasts. Dropping interest rates usually mean a more active real estate market.
2. Know what factors to look for when you do real estate market research. For example, supply and demand influence the trends in the real estate industry.
3. Stay abreast of the market conditions such as rising costs of building materials or a shortage of skilled construction workers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start at the top to learn U.S. real estate trends

Study the White House Economic Report (made available to the public) of the President annually and get information that reflects changes in market conditions.

I recommend: Covering a variety of issues that play a part in real estate sales trends, the Economic Report  can be found online. Download tables on statistics in spreadsheet format that help give a picture of real estate industry trends in relation to the overall economy.

Use the Fed to cultivate current real estate forecasts analysis

Affecting the money that's available for lenders to use for mortgage loans, government agencies play an important part in real estate industry trends.

I recommend: Order a free copy of “The Fed Today” video and learn about financial policies and services. Sign up for a weekly email subscription that’s also helpful in keeping up with real estate trends and forecasts.

Search comparable home values for true real estate market research

Comparing the actual sales price versus the asking price of a home tells a lot about the current real estate trends.

I recommend: Visit RE/MAX.com and click on Compare Home Values. Get the average sales price in specific areas. Keep up with real estate trends and forecasts at HousingIntelligence.com and receive news by registering for a free subscription.  Search Trulia or Zillow for home values down to the neighborhood level.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Get tough in a tough market. Forget "as is" buying when the current real estate trends are showing that it's a buyer's market with an overabundance of homes for sale.

The official source of Real Estate Trends and Forecasts is
the Real Estate Trends and Forecasts page at Business.com