I’m a professional civil engineer with years of experience in construction and entrepreneurship.

It also gave me the chance to experiment with short-term rentals before transitioning to a long-term hold, reinforcing my strategy for growing a real estate portfolio.

Here are some trends that could play out, or further develop in 2025.Leasing & Tenant Experience AI-Powered Leasing: Chatbots and AI tools will streamline leasing processes, from answering tenant inquiries to scheduling tours.Virtual Tours & Digital Leasing: These will become even more standard, making it easier for tenants to rent remotely.TechnologySmart Property Management: IoT devices (smart locks, thermostats, etc.) will become more common, improving efficiency and tenant satisfaction.Property Management Software: Platforms will integrate more AI for predictive maintenance, rent collection, and financial reporting.SustainabilityGreen building practices and energy-efficient upgrades will be a major focus, driven by tenant demand and potential incentives.AI & AutomationAI will play a bigger role in tenant screening, rent pricing optimization, and even predicting market trends.Automation will handle repetitive tasks like maintenance requests and lease renewals, freeing up PMs for higher-level activities.I'm sure there are plenty more shifting trends that I haven't mentioned and that are sure to evolve over the next year. 

@Tru Verret Fleming What was your experience? 

I'm just new to this world and wonder what someone with some experience would do.

Curious about your experiences with the market, occupancy rates, and overall returns.

Hey Derrick, I have a lot of experience in Detroit.

In my experience in MO, land bank properties are very low priced (these are generally properties/parcels that weren't sold at the tax auction), but they often have significant tax liens on them that must be cleared in addition to the "sale price" AND they require a significant amount of rehab in order for the properties to be inhabitable. 

I have no doubt that I would learn any new avenues quickly considering my current experience, but I would still be taking a step backwards for the time being.

You will learn the most from first-hand experience.