Roland Kampmeyer is the chief executive officer of KAMPMEYER Immobilien GmbH, a German brokerage firm specializing in the sale and purchase of residential real estate properties. He discusses his predictions for the 2015 global economic state and how that will affect real estate transactions.

Roland Kampmeyer is the chief executive officer of KAMPMEYER Immobilien GmbH, a German brokerage firm specializing in the sale and purchase of residential real estate properties.

Are you optimistic about the economy in 2015? 
Economical development in the USA, and partly in Europe, will keep the markets stable. Impulse from Asia won’t have an impact on medium-sized American and European companies. In 2015, all nations worldwide will face economic challenges in energy, environment and security. European countries will combine individual forces, which ensures they will play a role in the European Union, to strengthen the European structure. Germany already joined in the World Cup, and strong European and international competition will continue to strengthen the biggest player in Europe.
Due to population development in Germany, opposing urban and rural tendencies will be noticeable in the future. German metropolitan areas will furthermore profit from boom and immigration. Although in urban areas investments are required, to keep the continuous growth, rural areas have to fully occupy and maintain existing infrastructures.
The housing market? 
Changing financial markets lead to a steady capital inflow into real estate (worldwide). Germany has benefited from it for years. The country is considered to be an international and promising business location. In the long run, countries such as Spain and Portugal will find their way back to economic success, which will lead to a stabilization of the real estate sector. Investors will profit if they place capital in time. German real estate markets can be relieved by competitive location. Price development can therefore be weakened in strongly requested German residential, commercial and industrial locations.
Your success?
Real estate agents can position themselves perfectly as a flexible and dynamic company. My principal guideline is “I’m local and I’m global.” My company acts as a local real estate expert and global thinking member of leading real estate companies of the world.
What are you worried about?
Political strength is required to promote economic strength. The bases to act economically are framed conditions and practical regulations. It is not only important to make international strength usable, but also to give sufficient freedom for economic action. Frequently, living and commercial areas are to be shaped only if specific decisions are permitted. Moreover, uniform overregulation has to be avoided.
How much do you fret about global events?
National developments in Ukraine, Turkey and Syria lead to global uncertainty. These catastrophic conditions force people to leave their home countries, often leaving behind their whole lives. We have to face these humane challenges internationally. One of the causes is the religious and social ideals, as, for example, constituted by ISIS. They don’t have anything to do with a modern world. Mankind is standing in front of many tasks of ecology, economy and sociology. They can be solved only by a peaceful cooperation and mutual tolerance.
Will mortgage rates go up or down next year?
For the near future, we will still have low interest rates and favorable capital markets. In my opinion, we won’t see a big change in financial politics next year. This development is quite useful and should not be overrun by the wrong decisions in real estate markets. Political interventions might have a negative impact on profitability. The pressure on alternative capital markets might increase by an restrictive interest rate policy.
Will home prices appreciate next year?
We still see climbing prices driven by users and investors, though in Germany they are not not accelerating as quickly as in the past. In total, Europe will react differently, but in all countries, real estate prices will accelerate in large urban areas. The division between rich and poor in society will increase. The richest will posses an ever-increasing part of the total assets. This doesn’t have anything to do with legitimate and justified conditions. The distribution of justice must not lead to still more mischief in society.
Will agents be more productive next year?
We are specialists and bring people together. With the concentration of connection, it’s important for me to specialize and stand for a unique performance. I promote my relations as an expert and therefore create value for others. In real estate productivity is supported by perceptible specialization
Why? Or why not?
Companies live by reputation and image. They have to be lead to success in the real world, but also in the virtual world. More or less, this is valid for all branches of industry, but for the real estate  industry in particular.
Will the portals play a bigger role in real estate next year? 
Yes and no. Normal listings won’t be enough; the business model of that marketplace is dead. Intelligent mobile add-on products will be on demand. The concentration of all marketplaces around the world is to be surveyed. However, we already see some severely counter-developments. In 2015, broker-owned portals will open in Great Britain and Australia. Trends point to a bigger verity also for portals.
More and more, it will depend on net quality. Specific performance and information will redeem globality and big data. High individual benefit embedded in trusting environment will be a new global key to success of services.
What will be the biggest source of real estate leads next year? 
Keep your customers close. Leads have to fit special solutions, and business models can only be successful if they generate leads.
Are you making plans to expand, contract or maintain your business this year? 
Yes, we will expand and build up the consulting business. Qualitative growth comes before quantitative growth. We don’t have to become more, but we have to know more. Thus, economic growth can lead us in the right direction.
What is the biggest challenge for the industry in the coming year? 
Changes in society in the form of global mobility and digitalization of our society. The idea is to reach and understand people. The idea is to develop solutions for them with them. In the future, dynamism and flexibility will be more and more important every day.
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