The real estate industry can be
divided into 2 major groups-residential real estate and
industrial/commercial real estate. Residential real estate
includes houses, multi-family complexes (apartments) and
mobile homes. Industrial/commercial real estate includes
office buildings, and warehouses. There is also a financial
aspect to real estate, such as mortgages and real estate
investment trusts (REITs). There are many sources that
describe the overall real estate market, as well as the
individual markets for cities, states, or regions. The real
estate market is directly related to the economy. Gross
Domestic Product, unemployment figures can have a heavy
impact on the real estate market.
JOURNALS/TRADE MAGAZINES/NEWSLETTERS:
Appraisal Journal -
http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/
- Published by the
Appraisal Institute, this journal gives information on how
to determine value of property.
Commercial Investment Real Estate -
http://www.ccim.com -
Commercial Investment Real Estate provides in-depth analyses
of current industry trends, interviews with successful real
estate professionals, and information on topics such as
taxes, legal issues, market trends, and regional markets.
Multi-Housing News -
http://www.multi-housingnews.com
- This journal publishes the apartment building industry.
Gives general news on activities in the industry and also
publishes special issues that cover the market in select
cities.
National Real Estate Investor -
http://www.nreionline.com
- This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the
real estate industry. Provides information on the office,
industrial, retail, hotel, and multi-family markets.
Realtor Magazine –
http://www.realtormag.com
- monthly journal
published by the National Association of Realtors
TRADE AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
National Apartment Association -
http://www.naahq.org/
- This association provides information on the rental
apartment housing market in the US. NAA members include
apartment owners, management executives, developers,
builders, investors, property managers, leasing consultants,
maintenance personnel, suppliers, and related business.
Publishes the monthly “Rental Housing Market and Economic
Update.”
Also gives information about laws and regulations, lobbying
efforts, etc.
National Multi-Housing Council -
http://www.nmhc.org -
NMHC is an organization that advocates rental housing. This
organization concentrates on public policies that are of
strategic importance to participants in multifamily housing.
They also publish an annual report with information on the
apartment market.
National Association of Home Builders -
http://www.nahb.com -
This organization provides an overview of the Home
Building/Home Construction industry, also discuss economic
climate.
National Association of Realtors -
http://www.nar.realtor.com
- Data Bank section of website gives home sales data,
housing affordability index.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:
United States Department of Housing &
Urban Development (HUD) -
http://www.hud.gov
The Housing & Urban Development site has information on the
US housing market, homelessness, housing conditions, home
ownership, housing finance, and home ownership.
U.S. Census Bureau -
http://www.census.gov/
- The Census publishes
statistics on home ownership, housing affordability, housing
vacancies, market absorption of apartments, residential
segregation, and much more.
Westchester County -
http://business-economy.westchestergov.com/
-The Westchester County site provides demographics, business
information and workshop for the business professional
