Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

Last week, the National Association of Realtors announced that the index of sales agreements on existing homes rose 10.4% in October. Though this represented a significant increase over previous months this year, signings remain at least 20% below October 2009 levels.

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Title Companies. The following are the predicted Top 3 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

Consumers may have recovered from the shock of paying nearly $4 for a gallon of gasoline back in 2008. But household finances don’t contain a great deal of slack. The new economic reality means people are looking to save money on recurring expenditures such as CPGs and gasoline. At the same time, more nontraditional retailers are trying to break into the gasoline market as a way to expand revenue. Todd Hale, senior vice president, Consumer & Shopper Insights, Nielsen, remarks that “even though gas prices are reasonable relative to recent years, consumers continue to employ money-saving strategies, such as using coupons and gas purchase incentives, as means to deal with gas costs given overall economic concerns.”

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Condominium Builders. The following are the predicted Top 3 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

* More condo communities are using destination or club-like environments to promote the most convenience for residents. Exercise facilities, resident-only lounges, outdoor lounging/pool areas, and concierge services are considered to be in-demand features of desired condo communities.
* Single female buyers were more likely to buy condos (63%) than single-family detached homes. Condos are also a popular purchase among consumers buying second homes (22%).
* Several hotels are adding a residential component to help underwrite costs. These are primarily luxury hotels, and the buyers are affluent and willing to pay the high price affixed to the condos, presenting a challenge to typical condo builders.

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Real Estate Agents/Agencies. The following are the predicted Top 3 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

* Baby Boomers are a key group. Approximately 26% of Baby Boomers plan to move to a new home.
* In 2009, as a result of Internet home search(es), 28% of buyers found the agent used to search for/buy their home. Buyers who used the Internet during their home search were more likely to contact a real estate agent than those who didn’t use the Internet.
* There was a 4% decrease in the number of home buyers who reported using a real estate agent in 2009 compared to 2008.

Ad-ology Research announced today a new how-to website and series of video briefings, both designed to help local marketers understand and take advantage of market research. LocalMarketResearch.com and its companion video briefing Local Marketing Minute feature trends, forecasts and opportunities specific to local business.