This year has given us all quite the challenge of keeping up with the roller coaster that is real estate.  It’s definitely been a challenging year in the world of real estate to say the least!  Naturally, things will always continue to change and with that, here are my own humble predictions for what we’ll be seeing a lot more of when it comes to housing – feel free to make whatever you will from them…

Downsizing Goes Big Time

Plenty of new construction will continue to take place and people will always be building new homes.  But I think the day of the McMansion might be coming to a halt.  People just want a simpler, more practical lifestyle.  For background, consider that housing goes in cycles and history tends to repeat itself.  We’ve downsized before – just look at the tiny ranch homes of the 1940’s and 50’s.  I don’t think we’ll go quite that far this time though!

Thinking About Technology

As people decide to downsize for practical reasons, it’s just as likely that they’ll throw back some of the money they’d otherwise spend on building bigger and better and increased living costs on techy extras instead.  So many of us want to spend more and more time in our homes to escape an otherwise hectic way of life.  I expect home theaters and other in-home technology to become even more commonplace.

Plan on Growing Greener

The little things will add up to be very big in the near future.  Many of us have already made the switch to greener living by switching to compact florescent lighting.  But round two of this movement will be even more efficient and less toxic LED light bulbs (even CFLs contain an amount of mercury).  Also, it’s no big surprise that less toxic paints, carpets, and other supplies are really taking off in popularity.

Emphasizing Energy Efficiency

Beyond the little things getting greener, the major systems of the home have been under suspicion for guzzling energy too.  People are realizing the need to use energy efficient systems instead.  Systems such as ultra efficient geothermal heat and air conditioning as well as tankless on demand water heaters will pass a point of no return and rapidly explode in popularity.

So there you have it – a few of my humble housing related predictions for the very near term future.  What do you think?