The Green App Store

Sustainability, Retail, and Technology - three semi-unconnected topics that all impact real estate!

UTA ERB

Sustainability - Defined as the ability to endure, sustainability is a rapidly emerging trend in all aspects of real estate.  From residential to commercial, construction to operations, green features are rapidly becoming the norm as expectations of energy efficiency and conservation become mainstream.  City building codes are incorporating green features and Federal buildings are now required to have LEED certification.  While they are not the only certification available, the USGBC LEED certification has become the benchmark for green buildings providing a credible and consistent standard to evaluate sustainability.  An example of this close to home is the new UTA Engineering Research Building.  Originally seeking Silver, the ERB has upgraded to a likely Gold level LEED Certification.  The sustainable features include rainwater harvesting, green roofs, the use of recycled materials, water saving fixtures and lighting sensors.  While the ERB is the first UTA building to receive LEED certification of any kind, with this emerging trend gaining momentum it is unlikely to be the last.



neighborhood store

 Retail - The economic challenges of the past several years have significantly impacted real estate markets and the retail arena is no exception.  The decline of several big box retail has led to the addition of more small, easily accessible stores as even retailers like WalMart seek out neighborhood store fronts.  The other trend impacting the size and location of retail space is the rise of online marketing known as e-tailing.  While online shopping can be done at home, there is a trend to stores offering online shopping within a storefront to minimize the need for large onsite warehousing.

QR code

Technology - The impact of technology on the real estate market has been phenomenal and the smart phone app may be leading the way!  Growing mobility had led to the desire to have access to information available everywhere.  Enter the phone app!  From house listings to neighborhood information to how far to the nearest ice cream shop, buyers have a wealth of information literally at their fingertips.  Another addition to the technology world is the QR, quick response, code.  This code can be scanned with a smart phone ad will redirect the user to a flier, website, or video allowing for a dynamic transfer of information with the click of a button.  It offers real estate professionals a quick easy and in most cases free way to market themselves of their properties.  Another recent technology development is cloud computing, a document and information drop box.  This allows the user to access information from a variety of mobile access devices such a tablets, netbooks, even smart phones as well as the more traditional computer.

Both technology and the sustainability initiative are here to stay - that means they are a consideration in the world of real estate.  These two considerations impact location, design, and construction of real estate as well as the ongoing operations of homes and businesses.  Combining the growing concerns for our environment and technological advances with the world of retail and there may be some interesting and innovative entrepreneurial opportunities!