Trends in the real estate industry in 2025
The influence of technological transformations and trends has long since found its way into previously traditional industries such as the real estate sector. Various factors such as demographic and urban developments, as well as sustainability and digitalization, are influencing trends in the sector and, with them, the demands and requirements placed on properties and the environment in which they are built. This leads to the continuous emergence of trends, which are presented below.
Neighborhood development
Designing and developing new and existing urban spaces in a way that makes them liveable not only influences urban planners and architects, but also real estate and construction companies. In order to create living spaces in which people can work, live and relax sustainably, the interplay between the physical design of buildings, including parking areas, the surrounding infrastructure, squares and green spaces within the neighborhood is crucial. This creates an appealing environment that promotes social interaction and contributes to improving the quality of life. As neighborhoods develop, there is a growing need for efficient mobility hubs that connect neighborhoods with each other as well as with city centers.
Mixed-Use Real Estate
Mixed-use properties are more in demand than ever, especially in cities, as they combine commercial and private use of a property under one roof. They make efficient use of limited space in urban areas and, by combining residential and office space as well as services and leisure facilities in one place, they shorten distances and offer residents and users a high degree of convenience. For real estate companies, mixed-use properties are attractive primarily due to economic factors, as they avoid vacancies, for example, and are more resilient to market changes due to their variable use options. The possibility of flexible use means that they meet the growing needs of neighborhood development and are therefore an indispensable component in urban areas.
Sustainable real estate design
The aspect of sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in the design and implementation of real estate. Existing buildings are also being revitalized and adapted to changing economic or ecological conditions - the integration of charging options for e-mobility and integrated solar systems are becoming increasingly common or even mandatory by law. For real estate and construction companies, energy-efficient and resource-conserving buildings not only result in economic benefits due to increased efficiency, but also increase the market value of the property. Efficient processes thanks to digitalization in the area of parking space management not only reduce the necessary infrastructure, but also wear parts of barrier systems, whose regular replacement is completely eliminated.
Digitization
The real estate sector was considered a conservative industry for a long time. The integration and use of digital technologies and system solutions in various areas of the real estate life cycle - from planning and development to sales, letting and management through to the use of properties - has only picked up speed in recent years. Potential tenants and buyers use digital solutions to search for suitable properties on online platforms, for example, or use smart home devices in their own homes. Property management companies, on the other hand, benefit from optimized processes and efficient use of resources and the resulting economic advantages when using digital technologies such as smart parking solutions.
Digital parking management: how it creates added value for real estate
Both private and large real estate management companies are increasingly relying on digital solutions to manage their buildings. These make it easier to manage complex tasks and reduce workloads. For example, processes can be optimized and costs reduced through automation. The digitalization of areas such as the management and control of parking spaces, which are not part of the core competence of property managers, holds enormous potential. Not only can efficiency and profitability be increased, but also the value of the properties.
Digital parking management in residential and office buildings
Property managers of residential and office buildings benefit from many advantages when using digital parking management systems on their parking areas. Managing parking areas via a central dashboard simplifies internal processes and reduces administrative effort, while different user groups and their conditions can be managed easily and without administrative effort if required. In addition, property managers receive detailed data on the utilization of their parking spaces, which they can use to optimize them. Economic advantages result from the elimination of cost-intensive barrier systems. Implementing a digital parking solution based on license plate recognition not only enhances the image of a property, but can also increase its value in the long term.
Digital parking management in retail
The use of digital parking solutions in retail parking areas such as supermarkets or DIY stores makes it easier to control these parking areas. Parking spaces provided by retailers are available free of charge for customers to make their purchases. Illegal parkers often occupy the parking spaces intended for customers, which are free of charge for a limited period of time. If these spaces are occupied by parking offenders, this means lower turnover for retailers and more staff to control the spaces. Digital parking solutions, such as those from Peter Park, use automatic license plate recognition to automatically determine the maximum parking time. If this is exceeded, automated tracking takes place. Retail employees can thus devote themselves to their actual tasks in the business and the availability of parking spaces for retail customers is ensured. Free available spaces and a pleasant parking experience thus support visitor frequency and sales figures.
In the case of shopping centers that accommodate both retail and other businesses, such as doctors' surgeries, fitness centers or cinemas, the management of different conditions for different user groups plays an important role. A digital parking management system reduces the administrative effort involved in managing the different conditions to a minimum - saving administrative resources and minimizing customer inquiries. A barrier-free system based on license plate recognition not only significantly reduces acquisition and maintenance costs, but also offers visitors seamless entry and exit without stopping at the barrier, which prevents tailbacks, especially at peak times. The option of paying for digital parking both in cash at the machine and by NFC, card or app contributes to customer satisfaction and rounds off a user-friendly parking experience.
The online store for long-term parkers
The more versatile real estate is used, the more complex the management of the associated permanent parking spaces becomes: Property managers have to issue and collect keys, chips or parking cards that open barriers when tenants move in or out, new employees start or companies leave. They have to keep lists in order to maintain an overview at all times. It is never entirely certain that each authorized person only parks the number of vehicles for which they are entitled to a parking space.
Peter Park offers a simple solution to this challenge - for both parkers and administrations: an online store where interested parties can purchase their parking permits themselves - for a specific period (e.g. one month) or a fixed number of parking sessions (e.g. 50 parking sessions). Peter Park activates the online store either for the general public or only for a specific group of people.
In this way, property managers can ensure that only tenants and employees of companies based in a mixed-use property buy tickets online. Property management companies can offer different tariffs to different groups of people. Residential tenants whose parking space rent is already included in the apartment rent, for example, receive their parking authorization without having to pay via the online store. They simply deposit their license plate number. Other parkers have to buy and pay for their ticket in the same online store.
If parking spaces in underground garages are empty, owners can easily offer them to other interested parties via the online store. Parking spaces in an office building that employees do not need at weekends and at night are available to residents during these periods, improving overall utilization and increasing the parking space owner's turnover.
The advantages of the online store:
- Automated and targeted ticket allocation: Even complex tariff structures in which different groups of people should benefit from different parking conditions can be easily managed by providers with just a few clicks.
- Data protection-compliant processes: Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is guaranteed and all user data is processed securely and in compliance with the law.
- Increased efficiency: providers simply provide parkers with the link to the online store. The entire administration of long-term parkers and their license plates is done digitally. There is no need to hand over parking cards in person - the license plate becomes a long-term parking ticket.
Conclusion: The real estate industry benefits from digitization in the long term
Ongoing digitalization and innovative trends are having a major impact on the real estate sector and its administrations. Outdated processes often hinder efficiency and profitability. Factors such as demographic or urban development are influencing the sector and the emergence of trends such as the development of neighbourhoods, mixed-use properties and the implementation of digitalized technologies and system solutions. If these are used in real estate to simplify processes and reduce both administrative and economic expenses, not only will efficiency increase, but also the market value and attractiveness for tenants and buyers. Vacancies in parking spaces can be reduced with digital parking management systems and utilization can be improved in the long term.
Digital parking management holds enormous potential and represents an attractive solution approach to increase the efficiency and thus the profitability of real estate by automating processes.
