Sharon Brier uses knowledge gained from LPI conference
Sharon Brier of Greenwood King Properties, a real estate agent since 1980, just returned from the Luxury Portfolio International (LPI) Real Estate Conference.
The conference, by invitation only, is geared to real estate agents marketing to luxury home buyers. LPI is the luxury face of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a global network of locally branded companies, which Greenwood King is a member.
“The information from this conference was very informative in learning about upcoming buyers. For example, the number one item 8,000 buyers surveyed had on their home list was smart home technology. Last year it was panic rooms,” Brier said.
Dwell Magazine’s Michael Abrams’ research shows that the most affluent Americans are design conscious in all aspects of life.
They are excited by innovations and custom features, are environmentally conscious and stay informed.
The kitchen is the epicenter of the home according to 45 percent of a survey of 7,800 people. Social status has been replaced with social consciousness, the ability to make a difference.
“Also, it was noted that in 2016, millennials overtook baby boomers in population, and as they are inheriting their parents’ — the Baby Boomers’ — wealth, it is propelling them in becoming the largest US emerging class. Millennials are also one of the top groups as new home buyers. However, foreign buyers are still a major force as property buyers as well,” Brier said.
By 2020 the new middle class in Asia will be larger than the combined middle class of the US and Europe, creating new buying power.
They are also looking outside of Asia, with the U.S. as one of their main focuses.
Dr. Marci Rossell, well known economist, mentioned at the conference that although the volume of global trade is slowing down, there are emerging markets and Houston is one of the top 10 places to buy property. Markets like India and China continue to look to the U.S. to purchase property.
China continues to be the number one foreign buyer of property in the U.S. Buyers from India spent an average of $450,000 on a U.S. home whereas the Chinese spend $939,000.
“With all this information, when boiled down, means real estate agents need to be experienced, understand and be knowledgeable about these different groups, their cultures, expectations, and goals in home buying,” Brier said.
And with almost four decades of experience in real estate, Brier continues to work with not only these emerging groups but many others from various, diverse groups.
“One thing I have learned in real estate is that being sincere, truly caring about your clients, and taking the time to understand their needs and wants, plus the universal positive sign of a smile, can be the beginning of a successful transaction,” Brier said.