Carving a Niche Out of Housing Trends

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With the real estate market as uncertain as ever on a national level and in many local sectors, there are still many agents doing just as well as before – and some may even be doing better than they were in a good economy when home prices where at their top levels.

Being able to be successful as an agent in any market requires adaptability. The more you can stay on top of trends for what sellers and buyers want, the more likely you will be able to attract and retain customers, even if they aren’t lining up at the door to make offers.

Carving out a niche of different types of housing available can be a great way to get ahead in a sluggish or uncertain market. There are certain different things that will always be in demand, and other things that will become more in demand as people shift and change their spending habits. Below are some ideas of different niches that you may have some success with – now and in the future.

Handicap Accessible Housing: More and more Americans are seeking ways to stay in their own homes instead of paying high nursing home prices. Whether you decide to specialize in senior living communities or finding homes that offer adaptations for physical limitations, this is a niche that will only continue to grow with the aging population. Being familiar with different products such as residential elevators, walk-in baths, stair lifts, single level living homes, and other construction aspects that offer greater independence and mobility can be a huge advantage in working with clients. Being familiar with construction isn’t the only place you’ll want to study – HUD and other organizations offer many different loan options and programs for those with physical disabilities to make home ownership a reality.

First Time Home Buyers: The first time home buyers niche is always a strong one, no matter what the economy is telling you. With tax credits and different financing programs, the American dream of owning a home never dissipates.

Foreclosures: Whether you work directly with banks or individuals facing foreclosures, this is another niche that if you’re interested in and haven’t tapped into yet still presents plenty of opportunity as foreclosures continue to be a mounting problem.

Economical Building: While home builders who have decided to scale back and make smaller and more economical new construction homes haven’t determined it to be a success yet, there is still a lot of potential to specialize in more economical housing solutions. Whether you’re selling modular housing or appealing to potential buyers and sellers looking to save money in any which way possible, as people continue to trim their spending habits there very likely could be a lot of potential in this niche as well.

Environmentally Friendly Building: As more and more people realize how our dependence on oil and other natural resources has impacted the economy and the housing market, many are looking for more eco friendly homes. Whether they want a house that offers low or non existent utility bills or just want to know they’re doing their part in being environmentally responsible, there are many people in every market looking for ways to incorporate more environmentally friendly practices into their housing needs.

Better Health: As more people struggle with health care costs and insurance and medical bills, many people are becoming more conscious about their health and well being, which means they are being more proactive to ensure they are less likely to become sick. Now could be the time to specialize in communities that offer gym memberships, swimming pools, walking trails, and promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

This is just a small and short list of the different housing trends out there and the niches that present themselves. Getting started in any of these niches would be relatively easy to do – simply by getting involved in your community, listening to what buyers and sellers really want, and addressing their individual needs can all be a way of making sure you have clients no matter what the market may be.

Do you have any ideas for a niche that could be a wealth of untapped buyers and sellers based on current housing trends? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.