“Gen-Y is doing so much more research now, they're looking at homes online before they even get in touch with a Realtor,” says Metzler, who's made Gen-Y his target clientele. “They are super plugged in, so you have to be that on top of it, too. It's a totally different approach to real estate.”

Also key is being able to relate to his clients. Metzler may be a few years outside of Gen-Y, but he gets what they're looking for. And he's learning to work with their parents, who are often helping them out with down payments.

These new tricks of the trade have paid off for Metzler in the midst of the housing slump. His clients—primarily young, unmarried, upwardly mobile professionals—are all looking to invest when the market is slow, and they're just the beginning of what's to come.

“I'm busier now than I've ever been in real estate,” Metzler says. “There are so many good deals, so many great options. And this niche market is totally where it's at.”

Home builders, it would seem, are totally going to have to learn to talk like that.