Real Estate Trends for the American market in the year 2008 are being influenced by factors such as individual income levels and location from work places. The market is expected to perform moderately well than 2007 or 2006 in activity with several slow downs expected now and then in the course of the year.

Financial institutions are expected to offer attractive home ownership incentives to capitalize on the expected demand for owner-occupier homes in their lending terms such as fixed rate mortgages, low or affordable and stable interest rates, etc.

Existing real estate costs are not expected to change significantly in 2008 in either way, up or down. But prices will vary from place to place putting into consideration other informing relevant factors. Rates for fixed mortgages are expected at around 6.6%.

For new home owners, emphasis is on appearance, quality, convenience, nearness to work places and entertainment centers, etc. The emerging trend is that Americans want more automated or smart homes with the smartest appliances for the home to boot. Preference is for remotely operated consoles and less bulky house items. Large space, more ambience and elegance in decor and furniture is the preference.

The actual real estate trends in terms of distance from work dictate that due to the rising costs of oil and fuel that impact on other costs, the working class would increasingly prefer to live nearer their working places or downtown areas to reduce the commute distances.

Americans have taken the "green environment bug" concern seriously, since many more home owners are demanding for homes that are built with eco-friendly materials. Urban areas are expected to sustain their attractiveness for new real estate but due to higher purchase costs of property and land in these areas, the trend by contractors is to move further away from these established places and construct new homes that are more affordable.

Another interesting real estate trend refers to the large baby boomer generation which is increasingly moving back to the cities. This is after they realize that they don't need as large spaces as before when their children were still living with them. They would rather live in smaller spaces in the cities with more conveniences.

The real estate trend in terms of "property search and find" seems to be going more and more online for both buyers and sellers. Thus the use of brokerage firms and agents is expected to reduce more into the future.