I'm what one might classify as a full-fledged "Echo Boom," "Millenial," or "Gen Yer." As part of this group, I'll admit we can be high-maintenance, poor communicators (in the traditional sense) and demanding at times. So why hire generation Yers? 

Generation Y has a great deal to offer the American workforce in years to come. Here are some characteristics of a generation born roughly between 1976 and 1990:

• Great Expectations-- Generation Y has high expectations for employers. Individuals want to be appreciated and respected by their managers. They expect regular feedback. At the same time, Millenials have high expectations for themselves. Their competitive nature drives them to work faster and harder than more established co-workers.

• Information Junkies-- Generation Y is a group of information junkies. With access to learning via the internet, members of Gen Y have grown up with high-speed information at their fingertips. Don't underestimate the depth of this generation's knowledge. They know the facts, and if they don't, they'll research until they do.

• Tech-Savy-- Many of us grew up on the computer. We understnad the internet, social networking and quick forms of communication. At Real Living's annual convention, Momentum 2008, Stefan Swanepoel explained how different generations access movie listings. Swanepoel's father picks up the newspaper and searches for the movie section. Swanepoel critiques his father for using such an outdated method and proceeds to look up listings on the internet. Swanepoel then looks at his son, a Gen Yer, and realizes that he has already looked up the movie listing and watched the trailer on his iPhone.  

• Competitive-- Millenials may be competitive, but they appreciate the resources they can gain from older and more experienced co-workers. Creative challenges are important to them because they feel like they can solve problems and express their individuality at the same time.

• Making a Difference--Generation Y wants to make a significant impact from day 1. Millenials are very goal-focused. They prefer operating under deadlines and they like taking responsibility for tasks. What they really want is to feel like they're part of a team that's making positive contributions. 

Millenials are an important addition to the real estate workforce. With parents who are willing to put down payments on houses, Generation Yers are buying their first homes 3 years earlier than most Gen Xers did. Agents that can understand and keep up technologically with this generation will soon be in high demand! At Real Living, our buying/selling tools and online listing services are readily accessible to Gen X and Y. We strive to accommodate this clientele because we value their influence, buying power and contribution to the real estate industry! For more information on Generation Y, click here.