Austin was named the top market to watch in this year?s Emerging Trends report, in part because of a flurry of new developments and a predicted population boom. | Shutterstock

The Urban Land Institute?s annual look at the year ahead finds some direction within a fog of uncertainty A market as large and dynamic as United States real estate rarely moves quickly. But the most striking narrative running throughout the annual Emerging Trends report from the Urban Land Institute is the sense of static and stasis.
Economic and political uncertainty have made things feel unmoored, but the overall insight conveyed by the authors?Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers researchers personally interviewed 750 industry members, and surveyed 1,450 more to create this report?is that we?re in for a soft landing, not a sudden crash. There may be less sudden moves, but that doesn?t mean some of the trends emerging this year won?t become breakout investments in the near future. Who?s afraid of a recession"
While recession fears have certainly spooked those expecting the current record-setting economic cycle to eventually correct itself, industry sources consulted for the report believe the housing sector is still in great shape. Confidence is ?palpable,? due in large part to the fundamentals. Analysts don?t see the same oversupply or over-leverage issues that caused a panic and set off the Great Recession.
The market has flashed warning signs?the last year has wit...