Every year, Looped In celebrates by recognizing the best and worst of Houston real estate.In 2020, there was a lot to choose from.The pandemic and the need to socially distance has shaped the way we interact, which has shaped the spaces we interact in. Home sales and renovations boomed, while offices were thrown into uncertainty and hotels and small retailers floundered. Some have closed for good.As Looped In looked back on last year, we asked your thoughts on what stood out. And the people have spoken:Most Controversial Controversy

34 percent: The National Association of Realtor's new social media policy

32 percent: How the attempted Daugherty-Elliman merger panned out

26 percent: Al Hartman's handling of masks in the workplace

8 percent: The proposal to turn Sharpstown into a homeowners' association

Buzziest Buzzword

56 percent: Unprecedented

22 percent: WFH

16 percent: Uncertainty

6 percent: De-densification

Trendiest Development Trend

48 percent: Home office

27 percent: Plexiglass partitions

16 percent: Touchless (fill in the blank)

9 percent: Swimming pools

Saddest Demise

62 percent: Luby's

15 percent: Bernie's Burger Bus

15 percent: Barry's Pizza

4 percent: Morningstar

Write ins: Benjy's, Sweet Tomatoes, Wendy's

Biggest Work-from-Home Perk

43 percent: Less time commuting

28 percent: More time with pets

16 percent: More time with family

13 percent: Kitchen access for lunch and snacks

Brightest Glimmer of Hope (Besides the Vaccine)

49 percent: Low mortgage rates

28 percent: Escapes to nature

11 percent: Empty commercial space repurposed into housing

9 percent: Road trips

Write ins: Vacation homes, freedom

Connect with Rebecca Schuetz and Nancy Sarnoff. 

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