The real estate industry has not only recovered from recession, but has expanded, with new developments and opportunities in housing and retail shopping. Combined with an influx of foreign capital and historically low energy costs, these developments are spurring commercial and residential development.

In 2015, foreign investment in US real estate reached new heights. The first half of 2016 has seen a continuation of that trend and the volume of foreign investment is expected to increase as the year progresses.

The US remains a safe haven for real property investment, reflecting confidence in the dollar and relative stability of the US market. Economic and political uncertainty throughout the rest of the world add to the attractiveness of US assets.

While focus has been directed at trophy assets in primary markets, there is considerable capital flowing into secondary markets and gateway cities as well. Unlike historical foreign investment, these foreign investors are demanding a more active role in managing their US investments.

For more information on foreign investment and real estate joint ventures, see:

New types of multifamily housing options are on the rise, such as micro-houses and micro-apartments. Units ranging from 200-400 square feet are not only being built in major cities from New York to Los Angeles, but are popping up in suburban and rural areas as well.

Urban micro-apartments appeal to owners and renters looking to cut housing costs while maintaining the convenience of living in prime neighborhoods. From a developer's prospective, these units generally require special zoning ordinances and variances from the minimum unit size and maximum number of units per building.

For useful information on buying and selling residential properties, see these resources from Practical Law Real Estate:

Retail stores, from upscale department stores to discount stores, are seeing a dramatic decline in physical foot traffic. Retailers took a big hit in 2015, with several major malls declaring bankruptcy. The change in consumer behavior is largely due to the prevalence of online shopping.

Retail shopping center spaces are trying to reinvent themselves to attract more customers by including attractions or uses other than shopping, such as art galleries, amusement parks and medical centers. Other retailers, such as Target, are using excess square footage as "mini warehouses" to fulfill online orders.

For guidance in navigating retail deals, see:

2015 also saw a dramatic drop in oil prices, from $110 per barrel to under $50 per barrel. Sustained low oil and energy rates lead to lower operating costs, which in turn lead to:

For resources on hotel sales and development and construction, see: