The Future of Housing: Trends in the Property Sector
From Building Information Modelling and virtual tours to smart homes and energy efficiency — the developments shaping the industry.
The property sector is changing faster than ever before. Technological innovations, changing working environments and the push for greater sustainability are shaping the way we will plan, build and live in the future. In our view, four developments will define the coming years — and all four have long since taken hold in Vienna.
Building Information Modelling
Networked, three-dimensional building design optimises construction processes, identifies errors at an early stage and boosts productivity. Instead of separate plans from the architect, structural engineer and building services engineer, a single shared model is created in which every change is visible everywhere. Building Information Modelling is evolving from a ‘nice-to-have’ to an industry standard — it is now a prerequisite for large-scale projects, and for buyers it means fewer surprises on site.
Virtual tours
Ever since the pandemic, at the very latest, 360-degree virtual tours and 3D visualisations have become part of everyday life. They save on travel, make scheduling appointments easier and make properties accessible worldwide — a prospective buyer in Zurich or Dubai can view a flat in Vienna on their tablet in the evening before booking their flight. AKKADIA offers virtual tours for all properties, and we’ve found that only those who are genuinely interested end up coming to view the property in person.
Flexible floor plans and smart homes
Living and working spaces must evolve alongside the family, new ways of working and the need for storage space. The home office, which was a luxury just a few years ago, is now a standard requirement; rooms that can be divided or joined together are becoming increasingly valuable. Smart home technology makes living both more comfortable and more efficient: heating, shading and lighting respond to occupancy and the weather, rather than running on a fixed timetable.
Energy efficiency
In the face of volatile energy prices, reducing consumption is becoming a key issue — through modern insulation, renewable energy and efficient planning right from the initial design stage. Today, buyers scrutinise the energy performance certificate just as closely as they do the floor plan, and banks and funding bodies take this into account. A building that uses little energy is not only cheaper to run, but also easier to sell and let.
Sustainability is becoming a requirement
What was once merely a recommendation is now becoming a requirement: European regulations demand more energy-efficient buildings; banks take energy efficiency ratings into account when providing finance; and grants are tied to energy efficiency criteria. For owners, this means that the condition of the building envelope is becoming a factor in its value — and that a house where renovation work has been completed sells more easily than one where work is still needed.
The role of the estate agent
The more digital the sector becomes, the more important the human element in the middle becomes. Virtual tours and models show a property, but they do not assess it, do not negotiate on its behalf and do not know the neighbours. Our role is shifting from that of a ‘door-opener’ to that of a consultant: we analyse the data for our clients, put it into context and explain what it means for their decision-making.
What this means for Vienna
Vienna is built on a historic housing stock, and this is precisely where the trends converge: older buildings are being fitted with heat pumps and district heating, whilst new builds feature flexible floor plans and digital planning, and both can be viewed virtually before anyone even gets their hands on the keys. We don’t just observe these developments; we put them into practice — so that our customers can benefit from the future of living today.
