Virtual World, Modern Industrial, and Affordable Housing

Social Networking & Software  First Facebook (600 million + users) , then Twitter (100 million +), now LinkedIn (41 million +) and FourSquare (5 million +), and that doesn't include YouTube and Blogger and.... You get the idea - social media is having a huge impact on our culture. It has also begun to have an impact on real estate, being used as a way to connect with prospects and clients as well as the broader public.  Some commercial groups are using it to present their development plans directly to concerned citizens, finding that opening the virtual relationship allows them to build support within actual communities.  Determining what role it will play in your real estate business is important, because there is no question that it is here to stay. 
Among the newest form of software are the applications (apps) for smartphones.  These can be anything from a calendar to MLS search engine allowing real estate professionals and clients to have their technology with them at all times.  Software developments have also had a significant impact on how real estate transactions get done.  From zipform online forms to ARGUS, a valuation and cash flow software, new software and programs are prevalent in the world of real estate.

Alliance, TX

Industrial Real Estate  Industrial real estate is primarily properties used for warehouse and distribution and is seeing a surge in activity as logistics and global trade continue to rise.  One master planned, mixed-use community that has incorporated industrial space is the Hillwood development of Alliance, TX.  Alliance is a 17,000 acre development that includes a global logistics hub and industrial office park space.  The access to transportation including air, rail, and highway makes this an exceptional opportunity for companies looking for a southwest location. The Alliance corridor along I-35W just north of Fort Worth also is home to retail, residential, and medical properties.

Low Income Housing  The need for affordable housing is on the rise.  An increasing number of Americans are finding themselves burdened with living expenses well over the 30% of income mark.  Many are paying close to 50% of their monthly income toward rent, leaving little room for error or emergencies.  The challenge comes in that while the demand for affordable housing is increasing, the rental market is seeing a boom due to the large number of 20-somethings and the mounting number of foreclosures and short sales.  This translates into higher rents at a time when fewer people can afford them.  While programs such as Section 8 allow apartments to designate units for low income residents, the requirements do not always address those in the most need.  It is essential that the real estate and business community partner with area government to develop efficient and affordable housing to help meet this growing demand.

Social networking allows "next-door" to be half way around the world and as a result expands our focus to a global perspective.  While cyber-living is intriguing, we must never let is keep us from an awareness of the needs of people in our actual communities.  From the growing need for jobs in the industrial sector to affordable housing options, we must use the strength of the virtual world to help problem solve issues in the real world.  Real estate is, at the end of the day, a local commodity and needs to maintain and understanding of the needs of the local community.