As a new year begins, it is fun to look forward to what will be popular over the next twelve months. The real estate market is always evolving, but here are a few real estate trends that the industry professionals from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Urban Land Institute have predicted in their most recent report.

1. Life in the suburbs will become more appealing.
Since many millennials are waiting longer to get married and have children, real estate professionals have been concerned that life in the suburbs would become a thing of the past. However, the 2016 report predicts that these individuals will gradually begin making the move to the suburbs as they settle down. But millennials are valuing a new type of suburb, where they can have more space but also have easy access to urban amenities like public transit, restaurants and shopping.

2. The real estate markets in 18-hour cities will get even stronger.
The term “18-hour city” refers to mid-sized areas that combine the best of two worlds – smaller cities that operate on the 9-5 business hours and large cities that bustle all 24 hours of the day. In 2016, it is predicted that the real estate markets in 18-hour cities will continue to become more appealing. Cities like Denver, San Diego and Austin provide urban amenities at more affordable prices.

3. The office sector will evolve and expand.
The job market in the United States has been continually improving, but it is also evolving. With more individuals deciding to become entrepreneurs or freelancers, the office environment is changing as well. Co-working spaces are a popular option for many business professionals, so the real estate market must understand and embrace this growing trend.

4. More urban land will be used to produce food.
Individuals love their urban amenities, but people are also becoming more conscious about what they eat and where it comes from. Hydroponic facilities and rooftop gardens may start popping up in cities throughout the country. To take advantage of this emerging trend in 2016, real estate professionals should be open-minded and educated about the possibilities of producing food in the city.

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