More agents working from home and more independent smaller brokers emerging.  

For me the trend i see is an attack from the likes of Z and RF looking to make real estate into a "order taking" service based on discounts and pay per service. The HOWEVER is there is a giant push back from those consumers that like, want and are demanding full service and by full, i am saying complete from start to finish of a transaction. The more they push, the bigger demand has been for services like mine that are based on service. 

Not just teams but mega-teams are emerging that look like companies all by themselves. It seems to be working for those that like segregation and specialization of duties.

Too many people getting licenses because the market is good and not understanding just how hard and expensive it is to last long term in this business.

Very few agents are in the office all 5 days  M-F ! Many are now successfully working out of their homes , going to the office when necessary . JMO

Most discount brokers getting a small slice of pie. Most salespersons never go to the office other than picking up their cheques.

More renters..because can't afford to purchase a home.

Annette - Based on all of the answers, looks like there is more than 1 trend that is shaping the real estate industry. In my area, I have seen more individual agents becoming brokers and working from home. At the same time, many of the agent that work in an office are working on teams where each agent has a specific task - working with buyers only, sellers only, transaction coordinator, marketing expert, lead generator.

Teams are a huge trend for sure.  Transaction coordinators are part of that as well.  Agents are not part of the transaction from start to finish.  We have a team but we each work with our own clients start to finish, no transaction coordinators and we just help each other as needed.

Internet leads is something that nobody did or wanted to do 10 years ago, now it's huge - not just Z & R buy leads, but lead capture sites, call to action on websites, this blogging platform, social media for example.

Recently we have noticed Buyers not wanting representation.  Back in the last boom we saw a lot of FSBO's and sellers wanting to "go it alone" but this time around it seems like we see more buyers thinking they can do better without an agent even though they don't save money not being represented.  We get calls on our listings on a regular basis with people that tell us they don't want to work with an agent, they'd rather drive around like they are doing (and miss out on all the best opportunities).  It's a strange trend, that I think has more to do with the market than anything that will occur forever. 

-Kasey

Less home ownership more renters.

I don't see anything new developing.

As Kathleen Daniels wrote.

Kathleen Daniels nailed this one!

low inventory high demand sellers market

A very large surplus of unneeded real estate agents.

I think the millenials will shift to a less consultative approach and more to a redfin style of real estate. Its more to their liking and upbringing.

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 - I see more and more teams are flourishing. And yes, many agents are less worried about using Virtual Assistants (from overseas!)

As Debbie Reynolds said - mega teams at nearly every brokerage are not only emerging but, are sustaining...and growing! 

The Team concept will continue to grow, and it is important for the nurturing of new agents who would otherwise wash out quickly.

   Buyers and Sellers are coming in with much more knowledge, thanks to the Internet. 

Every area is different but a leaning towards small and personal

Teams are growing, because it makes sense, and people can have coverage and lead a normal life.  We are also seeing less home ownership opportunites, because of affordability issues in some states.  A

Artificial intelligence and how much impact it will have in the next five years.

Probably outside of your thought process, Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 , but a current trend I am seeing is government trying to make money from the real estate industry. Our state is trying to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and property tax deduction to balance a huge hole in the state budget - on the backs of homeowners. If successful, I can see this trend spreading across the country.

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 Over the years my State Real Estate Board has made it easier for people to pass the real estate test. They did raise the education level to a high school diploma.

Smaller more affordable homes for first time buyers is trying to come back

So many great answers here!  I have to second the ones about the "work from home" model (which I'm doing now), the small independent offices, the mega teams and people selling themselves to the Z-devil.

I see a lot more teams - interesting as they are not offered anything for being on the team - just able to be part of the team and give their team lead part of their commission - go figure

More independent small brokerage or sole proprietor operations forming!

More agents working from there home instead of a office.  You do not make money being in the office.

More agents working independently from home.