Niche neighborhoods and economic diversity are driving forces behind the strong showing of this year’s top ten U.S. cities, according to Emerging Trends in Real Estate® 2017, recently released by PwC US and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Austin, Texas wins “Top City,” thanks to its authentic, niche neighborhoods and depth of economic diversity, from manufacturing to education, health care and technology. Construction labor shortages and the rapid spread of digitization throughout the industry are also playing key roles in fueling 2017 real estate trends, along with “Optionality,” the multi-purposing of in-demand spaces.
The outlook includes interviews and survey responses from more than 1,800 leading real estate experts, including investors, fund managers, developers, property companies, lenders, brokers, advisers and consultants.
Top trends for 2017:
- Niche Neighborhoods & Economic Diversity: Market characteristics such as authentic, niche neighborhoods with strong economic diversity are driving growth outside of gateway markets. The attractiveness to both workers and employers alike is supporting real estate growth.
- Labor Shortages: Construction labor shortages are driving up construction costs and stretching out project timelines, directly impacting availability of affordable real estate across all residential sectors.
- “Optionality” – A new driving force landlords can use to protect revenue potential by allowing multiple uses of the same space at different times, and permitting tenants to use only the space they need when they need it. For example, an office by day and a party/event venue by night.
- Digitization & Transparency: The digitization of real estate is revolutionizing the industry by improving accuracy, transaction speed and transparency, which in turn is fueling an “auto-correcting” real estate cycle. Rising property prices slowing transaction volumes while new supply remains under control is holding off the traditional “boom/bust” of previous cycles.
Top cities for 2017:
- Austin, TX
- Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
- Portland, OR
- Seattle, WA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Nashville, TN
- Raleigh/Durham, NC
- Orange County, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- San Francisco, CA
Atlanta and Denver both dropped out of the top 10 market ranking for 2017 but are both still in the top 20.
2017’s top 5 markets to watch and why:
- Columbus – A major university town, Columbus is seeing a surge in entrepreneurial activity.
- Richmond – The “hip factor” of downtown Richmond is on the rise.
- Pittsburgh – Emerging tech and other startups are flocking to Pittsburgh because of the access to talent from nearby universities and a 4% lower-than-the-national-average cost of doing business.
- Charleston – The Charleston economy is hitting on all cylinders with strong demographic growth and expanding technology, manufacturing and transportation industries.
- Salt Lake City – Salt Lake City is benefitting from a unique synergy between financial services and technology firm
Related Stories
Self-Storage Facilities | Jan 5, 2024
The state of self-storage in early 2024
As the housing market cools down, storage facilities suffer from lower occupancy and falling rates, according to the December 2023 Yardi Matrix National Self Storage Report.
Urban Planning | Dec 18, 2023
The impacts of affordability, remote work, and personal safety on urban life
Data from Gensler's City Pulse Survey shows that although people are satisfied with their city's experience, it may not be enough.
MFPRO+ News | Dec 11, 2023
U.S. poorly prepared to house growing number of older adults
The U.S. is ill-prepared to provide adequate housing for the growing ranks of older people, according to a report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Over the next decade, the U.S. population older than 75 will increase by 45%, growing from 17 million to nearly 25 million, with many expected to struggle financially.
Industry Research | Dec 9, 2023
Two new reports provide guidance for choosing healthier building products
The authors, Perkins&Will and the Healthy Building Network, home in on drywall, flooring, and insulation.The authors, Perkins&Will and the Healthy Building Network, home in on drywall, flooring, and insulation.
Student Housing | Dec 5, 2023
October had fastest start ever for student housing preleasing
The student housing market for the upcoming 2024-2025 leasing season has started sooner and faster than ever.
Industry Research | Nov 28, 2023
Migration trends find top 10 states Americans are moving to
In the StorageCafe analysis of the latest migration trends, each U.S. state was looked at to see the moving patterns of people in the last few years. These are the top 10 states that people are moving to.
Market Data | Nov 27, 2023
Number of employees returning to the office varies significantly by city
While the return-to-the-office trend is felt across the country, the percentage of employees moving back to their offices varies significantly according to geography, according to Eptura’s Q3 Workplace Index.
MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023
Renters value amenities that support a mobile, connected lifestyle
Multifamily renters prioritize features and amenities that reflect a mobile, connected lifestyle, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and Grace Hill 2024 Renter Preferences Survey.
Industry Research | Nov 17, 2023
Air conditioning amenity sees largest growth in Pacific Northwest region
The 2024 Renter Preferences Survey Report sheds light on the demographics, lifestyle, connectivity needs, and more for the renters of today. At the top of this list—the feature that respondents are “interested in” or “won't rent without”—is air conditioning.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 9, 2023
Multifamily project completions forecast to slow starting 2026
Yardi Matrix has released its Q4 2023 Multifamily Supply Forecast, emphasizing a short-term spike and plateau of new construction.
