There are numerous reasons why real estate investment is always an investment worthy of interest to investors. This is in view of the fact that the need of having a home is one need that is common in every country, state, or city, county and local territory. Although there are instances where the need may be extreme in certain parts as a result of the surrounding circumstances, that does not remove the fact that housing is always needed. This can be better explained by the fact that shelter is a basic human necessity that is needed for survival. To this end, real estate investment becomes one investment that always comes to mind as an investment that will always stand out at all times. To further fortify the foregoing views, it is important to observe certain legal recognitions that the international organization, countries, states and the likes, have given to housing that may have indirectly affected real estate investments. These have been made possible through conventions, laws and proposed bills.

In the light of the fact that real estate encompasses land and any form of man-made structure, such as houses and other buildings, one can safely say real estate has some human right bearing. This is more so as the Universal Declaration of Human Right (UDHR) provides to the effect that housing is one of the items that is regarded as a human right. Article 25 of the UDHR provides that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including … housing…” The U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, a committee that administers the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), noted that there are seven elements that made housing to be recognized as a human right, they are: security of tenure; availability of services, materials, and infrastructure; affordability; accessibility; habitability; location; and cultural adequacy. From the foregoing, housing was given an important place in the international space. Despite the foregoing, it will be correct to say that there are billions of people, who are not adequately housed, and some who have no home at all.

In the United States of America, there are several legislations that tend to promote the importance of housing. For example, the Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) provides protection for people from discrimination during renting, buying, financing, advertising other housing-related activities. Also, there is the United States Housing Act of 1996, that is geared towards providing an improved living condition for low income earners. The goals of the legislation are to: provide housing, renew existing living areas, decrease density and the construction of sustainable communities.

Meanwhile, one of the most striking moves in the United States relating to housing, was the move that was taken in California which was geared towards making housing a human right. The move makes California the first state to propose an amendment of the Constitution to reflect housing as a human right. In his “Second Bill of Right” speech, President Franklin Roosevelt made the proposal for the first time when he was addressing the Great Depression. He reiterated the proposal at a time when Covid waves were all over the place. The giant step towards bringing the proposal has indeed been taken resulting from the actions of Moms 4 Housing in Oakland who raised the alarm towards ensuring that the call for human right for housing is given serious attention. The outcry was supported by so many people. For example, Carroll Fife, who is the director of the Oakland office for Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment and doubles as a representative of Moms 4 Housing noted: “there are over 150,000 people in this state experiencing homelessness, and it is unjust, inhumane, and cruel for the government to continue to fail to provide real solutions”. The foregoing assertions show that housing is a fundamental aspect of human existence and as such giving great potential for real estate investment. We shall therefore consider some relevant trends in the real estate industry with a view to highlighting significant development in the sector.

One of the trending developments is the issue of digitalization of the mode of operation in the real estate sector. This is a result of the fact that major real estate transactions are completed without stepping outside your home. This development was somehow instigated as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  For instance, many bought homes without stepping out. People relied the internet in searching for suitable homes to purchase. Furthermore, most transactions were done via video conferencing in view of the restriction that was placed on movement of people. After Covid-19 pandemic subsided, it is observed that most people became used to the system and were more comfortable with the approach. To this end, real estate investors have to consider this aspect of digitalizing real estate investment in a bid to making more gains.