Stefan Swanepoel Does It Again With His 2008 Top 10 Real Estate Trends - A Must Read

This morning, UPS delivered to my door, arguably the most influential annual publication in the Real Estate Industry.  Stefan Swanepoel had sent me 2008’s look at the Top 10 Real Estate Trends, hot off the press.

Since 1997, Swanepoel has been producing this intriguing report, mapping out what real estate professionals need to be recognizing as major factors that shape the industry in which they aim to strive.

The 2008 report illustrates the maturation of last years ground breaking trends such as blogging, social networking, and online communities.  But just as interesting, he brings light to the fact that there has been a mostly national shift in the market, and just what needs to be considered to ride on with this change:

[Those in the industry] “will have to readjust their DNA and understand that transformation has become mandatory if they wish to be part of the winning side of the industry's constant evolution.”

We’re happy to say that we made his list of preferred blogs to read, along with some of the usual suspects and a couple of gems you may not be familiar with:

1000 Watt Blog
360Digest
BloodhoundBlog
Calculated Risk
Curbed
Future of Real Estate Marketing
Houseblogger
HousingPanic
Real Estate Blog Lab
HousingWire
Lenderama
Matrix
3 Oceans Real Estate Blog
Patrick.net
RainCityGuide
Real Estate Competition and the Law
RealEstateTomato
Sellsius
Transparent Real Estate
UrbanDigs
RealBlogging

The reason I take the time to mention this report is that it is actually an enjoyable read for anyone in the Real Estate Industry.  I’m not joking.  I remember last year, getting the report and thinking: boring.  But then I flipped through it, looking for what Stefan had to say about the emergence of real estate blogging, and found myself unable to put it down. I read the whole thing in one sitting.  This year has that same feeling; it needs to be consumed.

Tags: Stefan+Swanepoel, Real+Estate+Trends+Report, Real+Estate+2008

Comments

[Greg]

Have you heard of real estate swapping. The concept of "I buy yours if you buy mine"? I know www.pad4pad.com is coming in March of 2008. I have heard this site is going to help desperate home sellers like me. What are your thoughts on swapping?

[Derek Burress, Di.IN, BS]

I think swapping would be pretty good for small families like those living in military areas (or work for the same huge company, etc) and can find someone who are transferring from base to base and they can match the valuation between the two homes, etc.

[Doug]

Jim - Congrats. Considering the future of house swapping it sounds interesting. Sounds more like a FSBO trend. I'd have reservations about swapping an immaculate home for one that is falling apart, disclosure, insuring clear title for liens, etc. The concept sounds good, the liabilities could be a nightmare for some.

[UrbanDigs]

nice. Congrats Jim! Ill buy you dinner with your credit card any day!

[Elizabeth Weintraub]

I used to handle two-way exchanges in the late '70s / early '80s. I'd look through my client portfolios until I found suitable homes and then determined which of those would like my first client's home. It worked well primarily because financing was tight. They shared the same moving van.

[Teresa Boardman]

congratulations Jim!

[dean guadagni]

Jim,

Fine job and congratulations on making this impressive list of industry powerhouses. Hats off to my buddy Pat Kitano making the list as well.

I love your passion for the business and the information you make available to agents and industry followers is vital to success.

Continued success in 2008

dean guadagni

[dean guadagni]

Jim,

Fine job and congratulations on making this impressive list of industry powerhouses. Hats off to my buddy Pat Kitano making the list as well.

I love your passion for the business and the information you make available to agents and industry followers is vital to success.

Continued success in 2008

dean guadagni

[Roberta Murphy]

Hats off to you Jim, Jason, Chris et al! The recognition is well-deserved.

Now to read the report. I browsed Pat Kitano's copy when we met last week.

Was real estate exchanging mentioned?

[Brian Requarth]

Jim,

Congrats! You have always been a thought leader even back in the days of Z. Your mention is well deserved. Keep up the great work on the Tomato!