As Real Estate Economists and Community Strategists, we have often said that 80% of what we do is translating real estate and market conditions into policies and programs, and 20% is offering guidance (and sometimes therapy). Markets are people and real estate should reflect the needs and desires of people and their communities. Achieving the integral connection between what the market wants and what the real estate delivery system is willing to provide, largely depends on consistency in community policies, plans, regulations, and resources. If you want retail development, you need housing, and ideally, a daytime employment base. If you want your residents to age in place, you can’t have density limits. If you want your educated youth to return, you must protect and enhance your most valued community assets.

 

Therefore, whether you are planning for the market you have, or the market you want to have, it is essential that you view your vision through a market lens, that your policies and regulations advance your desired outcomes, and that your expenditures reflect your intentions. For these reasons, this presentation will be geared not only toward public and private sector planners, but city managers, finance directors, elected and appointed officials, lenders, neighborhood representatives and anyone else who truly wants to understand the market and fiscal implications of key land use decisions.