The real estate sector has in recent years had a rapid exponential growth across different states, which has, in turn, contributed to the gross domestic product over time.
This growth is credited to the following factors:
- Infrastructural developments like the development of roads, social amenities connections like water and electricity, and airports development.
- Stable GDP growth spark growth in real estates
- Demographics trends, with an increasing number in populations, there has been a high demand for real estate properties among the middle-class populations. many countries have experienced a high rate of urban migration as compared to the past years.
The above factors have contributed significantly to the current trends observed in the real estate sector. Let’s see the new trends that is taking shape in the real estate sector.
Commercial properties
- a) Office
The demand for office spaces has risen in the recent past, this is accredited to the general growth of GDP as the expansion of companies both regionally and internationally is growing.
Consumer preference has shifted from the old-school to the modern world-class spaces. With efforts to quench the demand, developers have shifted their focus to modern designs that are serviced and guarantees the safety of employees.
With the outbreak of COVID 19, office occupancy has skyrocketed because most employees have shifted to working from home rendering the properties redundant. As long as the virus is still existing, then this trend is expected to continue.
- b) Retail
The retail sector has experienced major changes due to the development of malls. There have been developments of malls in the outskirts of major cities which has led to the entry of international brands into the local market.
Residential properties
With the increasing population, demand for affordable houses has increased in the recent past.
The demand for single and duplex properties in the suburb areas has risen in the recent past especially with the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Land developers are developing plots for sale in major cities, with the intent to sell the plots to the middle-class population.
Hospitality
The hospitality industry depends largely on the performance of tourism which has in recent months collapsed. Most property owners have started rebranding their hotels to meet the short-term rental requirements.
They have converted them to serviced apartments and hotels, others have totally collapsed. Many companies have shifted to listing their properties on Airbnb as a way of generating short-term gains.
Land
The development of infrastructure and continuous growth of the human population has led to the high demand for land. Many people have speculated that the prices will go up in near future, thus purchased the land for speculation.
Some bank on the land as they wait for the prices to appreciate. Other property developers buy large parcels of land, develop and then subdivide, and then sell the plots to potential buyers.
In conclusion, the real estate sector is still expected to grow in the long term due to the continuous growth of GDP across different nations.
