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Trends are neither destiny nor gospel. They are guideposts identified from the collective experience of many professionals within an industry. In the resort, recreation, and tourism industry, numerous trends identified through experience and expectations are emerging to influence how and where people will buy and use resort real estate. Society is changing fast, and the economic conditions of the past two years have created much uncertainly. But what is discernible is that current trends are focused on valuedriven buyers, downsized purchases for personal use, and scalability.

Today’s land-lease communities are nothing like the mobile home parks of the past. Given the unique characteristics and capabilities of the business model, these communities continue to enjoy a near-universal sellers’ market, even in the current recession. In today’s market, no other investment realty opportunity offers as many self-help measures by which one can increase cash flow and value.

This month’s ULI Barometer is laced with fluctuations in both directions, but even the most positive gains are still very weak when compared to historical trends. August data from the housing sector remains bleak and commercial property prices fell, but REIT sectors returns were positive, and property sales volumes continued to rise. Read a summary of more than 60 key indicators of the economy, real estate capital markets, housing, and commercial/multifamily investment property.

Given the level of new system plans underway with Measure R, a greater level of transit-oriented development advance planning in Los Angeles is both necessary and likely until proposals for development around stations correspond with market opportunities and project plans can become real business transactions. How are local officials partnering with ULI to find ways to realize the potential of the region’s light-rail system?

Anti-sprawl measures are tough for politicians to sell to constituents, so metro area leaders need to better explain to residents the benefits of transit-oriented development and policies that link transportation to housing. This was among the key points at a panel discussion October 4 on Capitol Hill titled “Suburban Solutions to Traffic Congestion,” moderated by ULI’s Maureen McAvey and sponsored by Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.).

Metropolitan Washington, D.C., is a leading example of walkable urbanism, in which most daily needs can be met within walking or rail-transit distance of one’s home. Ten years ago, horsey suburban D.C. neighborhoods boasted housing prices 25 to 50 percent higher than those of walkable urban neighborhoods. But now, the situation has reversed, with home prices 50 to 70 percent higher per square foot in walkable urban neighborhoods than in high-end suburban neighborhoods.

For years before the clock ticked down on the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), policy makers and advocates have grappled with what should replace it. A major reform effort may be unlikely for the next few years, or longer. Where does a new bill stand, and what is happening in the meantime?

Because bus rapid transit (BRT) seems to play out differently in every community, different types of bus infrastructure and service may all be called BRT. Both the public and private sectors need to share the specifics of what is being planned and developed. Only then will it be clear whether there are opportunities to turn your community’s BRT into bus rapid transit-oriented development (BRTOD).

The real estate market faces an uncertain recovery, said ULI Chairman Jeremy Newsum in a recent video interview, because it follows the world economy, which itself remains fragile. Newsum added that he sees an end to the “old abnormal” behaviors which made real estate the puppet of finance. Find out which countries he sees as bright spots in the global economy, and how smart firms should be adapting themselves to changing market needs.

“The broader Australian economy is strong,” explains Roy Sheargold, Chairman of the Sheargold Group, a property development company in Sydney, Australia and a ULI Foundation Trustee. “As a result, confidence in commercial real estate is re-emerging and vacancy rates are falling.” Read what is fueling the economy in Australia, what development is underway and what experts think the market holds.