3 Real Estate Trends Coming in 2018
LOUISIANA REALTORS • November 15, 2017
This is the time of the year when experts take a look in their crystal ball to see what the future may hold. Whether its major changes, new developments, or simply a continuation of things from the current year, having an idea of what is around the corner can help you plan for success and avoid unexpected challenges. Here are a few things that you should expect in 2018.
Smart Home Automation
Just as smartphones have replaced cell phones, smart automation in homes is taking priority. A typical security system is no longer a differentiator. Offering platforms that can keep a homeowner connected and in control everywhere is going to be high on a buyer’s
list. Shading, light, and A/C automation to control costs, along with surveillance and cloud access can all be vital in garnering consideration.
Generation Z
As the calendar turns another year, we get closer to a new generation entering the home buying market. This year that will start to become Generation Z. Anyone born between 1995 and 2014 falls into this category, meaning the original Gen Zer’s will be turning 23, graduating from college, and beginning the home buying process. In the coming years this will be a bigger part of the shopping market.
Focus on Specialization
For real estate agents
it is becoming more difficult, and more important to differentiate yourself. Fortunately there are more tools than ever before to help you carve out your own niche. Social media, web presence, and networking can all help you attract the types of clients that you want. These platforms can also help you be found by buyers and sellers
that are looking for a certain type of service level.
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While these are only a few of the expected trends coming in 2018, they offer you a good place to start and get prepared for what should be a great year.

Want Your Teen to Own a Home Someday? Start Talking Money Now Teens may not be thinking about mortgage rates or down payments just yet, but the money habits they’re building now can follow them for years. And 88% of teens surveyed by Fannie Mae and Junior Achievement said they want to own a home someday. This week’s Consumer Guide: Talk to Your Teens About Money and Homeownership makes those conversations a little easier, covering everything from credit scores and budgeting to debt, renting versus owning and saving for that eventual down payment. So yes, you may have to interrupt the doomscrolling. But helping teens get smarter about money today could put them in a much better position to get the keys to a home of their own down the road. Download all of NAR’s Consumer Guides in English or Spanish at facts.realtor. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Teen Financial Literacy Fraud Red Flags Helping Family Members Become Homeowners Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season Condominium Insurance Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. The next Consumer Guide, scheduled for publication on Oct. 21, will cover winter cold and storm preparedness.

After months of gathering recipes from across our Louisiana REALTORS® family, the cookbook is ready! This 200+ page collection is filled with Louisiana flavor, REALTOR® heart and recipes contributed by our members. We launched sales of the cookbook at the Fall Governance Meetings. You can now purchase your copy for $30 directly from the printer and shipped to you! Additionally, we will have copies available at the RRF booth at NXT . After NXT, we will carry a limited stock at the LR office for you to purchase through the LR Merch Shop and pick-up from the office or at an LR event, as stock is available. Even better, $15 from every cookbook sold will be donated to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to help provide housing-related assistance to REALTORS® and their families following disasters. Pick up a copy for yourself, grab one as a gift and enjoy a taste of Louisiana while supporting a great cause!



