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Real Estate Industry: A Resource Guide

This guide provides a starting point for researching both the residential and commercial real estate industries in the United States. Selected by business specialists at the Library of Congress, resources include both print and online materials.

Introduction

Detroit Publishing Co. Real Estate Exchange from Dime Bank building, Detroit, Mich. c. 1918-1919. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

The purpose of this guide is to assist researchers in identifying a range of information sources on the real estate industry. Given the broad and evolving nature of the subject, it is not possible to include every possible source that may be of interest, but the sources included here should assist those seeking a solid understanding of this field on which to conduct further research. In addition to an overview of the real estate marketplace, information is included on selected books, databases, associations, government resources, maps, and statistical information and reports.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive guide, but rather to provide credible starting points for research on the U.S. real estate industry. This guide is one of several introductory research guides produced by the Business Reference Services focusing on current business and economics topics. If you are looking for information about a particular company, consult the Doing Company Research guide. If you are seeking industry information, in addition to the resources here, refer to Doing Industry Research. For information on Green Building, refer to our Green Business: Sources of Information guide. For COVID-19 resources related to housing and mortgages, please see below.

COVID-19 Resources Related to Housing and Mortgages

As the COVID-19 coronavirus spreads through communities, unemployment has soared to new heights resulting in missed remittances for renters and mortgage payers, as well as businesses small and large. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27, 2020, providing a temporary moratorium on evictions, government mortgage forbearance, and small business relief.  The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Relief Act of 2021 extended the eviction moratorium and made some changes to some mortgages and mortgage insurance.     This guide points to credible information sources on identifying who services your mortgage, mortgage relief legislation, federally backed mortgage relief, mortgage relief scams, and temporary moratorium on evictions. Guidance and resources specifically for small businesses can be found on our Small Business Hub in the COVID-19 Resources and Financial Relief for Small Businesses section.

About the Business Section

Part of the Science & Business Reading Room at the Library of Congress, the Business Section is the starting point for conducting research at the Library of Congress in the subject areas of business and economics. Here, reference specialists in specific subject areas of business assist patrons in formulating search strategies and gaining access to the information and materials contained in the Library's rich collections of business and economics materials.