A Real Estate Trends Report Like No Other.

Read More about the New 2009 Trends Report.


The Swanepoel Trends Report is the undisputed #1 publication tracking real estate trends. Stefan has been tracking and writing about trends since his groundbreaking book in 1997 that he co-authored titled, Real Estate Confronts Reality.  Now 11 years later, the Swanepoel Trends Report is an annual 170 page Report providing a detailed synopsis of the current state of the real estate industry as well as an analysis of the top 10 real estate trends that are expected to impact Brokers, Agents, Realtor® Associations and other real estate professionals over the next few years. Each trend section has an overview containing 6-8 pages of detailed discussion and a “Take Away.”

Here is what industry leaders have to say about the Swanepoel Trends Report:

         “… industry’s premier report …”
         Lennox Scott, CEO John L Scott Real Estate

        “… truly understands the vast ecosystem of residential real estate ...”
         Stephen Roney, CEO MarketLinx

        “… primary external source document for our strategic planning …”
        John Beardon, CEO GMAC Real Estate

        “… best single-source reference available …”
        Mark Palmero L'Boe, CEO, Compass Realty Systems

        “… your insight into the market is legendary and well deserved …”
        Paul J. Wells, Broker Owner, RE/MAX Northern Illinois

More Testimonials

2008 Real Estate Trends Report

The 2008 Swanepoel Trends Report is even more extensive and comprehensive than the best-selling 2007 edition. Stefan’s no-nonsense and cut-to-the-point writing style create a report that is clear, concise, objective and very comprehensive.

The Report carefully monitors shifts in thinking, evaluates innovation and tracks existing real estate trends that, according to our analysis, show a strong tendency towards change, longer term growth and the possible structural impact on the residential real estate brokerage industry.

It seems that every decade or so a year comes by that really defines a period in our industry – only history will or will not view 2007 as such a year.  However, as we stand here at the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008, it seems we are in a period of time that is destined to be landmark years.

To capture 2007 in a bottle, the 2008 Swanepoel TRENDS Report forever eulogizes in the history of 2007 the Trendsetters, Newsmakers and Events that made a difference in 2007. But it’s not the companies, people or activities during the year that this report is all about.  It’s rather about what occurred that may, going forward – especially in the coming years (2008/09) – have a significant impact on our industry.

As you read through the Top 10 Real Estate Trends selected for 2008 you will notice several trends that have taken significant turns during the last 12 to 18 months and have, like a winding river, carved out a new direction. Real estate continues to be dynamic and during this “Changing of the Guard” period (1995-2015) things are occurring that surprise us every day.

Click here to see the Index of the 2008 Report

A “Trend” is generic term used to describe any consistent pattern or change in the general direction of a stock, a market, or an industry that over the course of time causes a statistically noticeable change. A real estate trend is generally not a product and service, nor companies that deliver these products and services. A trend is rather a concept, belief or philosophy, prevalent ideology or fundamental reason that causes a market to change direction.

Many real estate trends do not make it into the Swanepoel Trends Report as it is sometimes hard to distinguish between a “Fad” and a “Trend” - between those events that will maintain longevity and substance compared to those that will fizzle out and fade away over a very short period of time. Identifying a meaningful real estate trend is not an exact science, rather an art form based on facts, patterns, change and time. The following factors are taken into consideration when evaluating each respective trend: The Origin of the Concept or Trend, the Driving Force behind the Trend, the Lifecycle and Maturity of the Trend, the Industry Demand or the Need for the Result, and the Growth Pattern and Potential Impact the Trend will have in the Industry.