Whether you’re refining your business model, mastering new technology, or finding a strategy to take advantage of the next market boom, Inman Connect New York prepares you to take a bold step. The next chapter is about to begin. Please join us. Join us and thousands of other real estate leaders from January 22-24, 2025.
There’s no denying that real estate is a technology-driven industry.
According to a recent report from NAR, 95% of homebuyers use digital tools at some stage in the home search process.
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Zillow’s launch in 2006 undoubtedly revolutionized the industry, and similar websites and rating tools maintain a strong foothold among consumers to this day.
In 2024, both buyers and sellers will leverage technology to streamline the home buying experience at every step of the process, from the initial property search to the sales transaction itself.
As proptech advances and demographics change as Gen Z enters the home buying market, the role of technology in residential real estate is only expected to expand.
AI tools with machine learning capabilities are getting better every day, and smart brokerages are already integrating AI-assisted technology into their operations.
As technology plays an ever-increasing role in our careers, it’s natural to ask, “Is the role of the agent losing its value?” Will agents become obsolete?
In short, no
Real estate has always been, and will continue to be, a business based on human relationships.
Trust, integrity, and relationships are as important today as they were before the dark ages of real estate.
Indeed, today’s homebuyers have more information than ever before. You can research neighborhoods, school districts, and commute times online. You can virtually tour your dream home without leaving your pajamas on.
But when it comes to the most important purchases of their lives, the majority of consumers want a tactile experience, including face-to-face interaction and support from a real, expert person.
In a 2019 Homes.com study, 9 out of 10 Gen Z consumers surveyed said they intended to use an agent for their first home purchase, rather than a purely technology-assisted purchase. .
Reasons cited in the survey included the agent’s experience, knowledge of the local market, and negotiation skills. But the biggest reason cited was the ability of experienced agents to understand the needs and desires of Gen Z customers.
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Our advantage over AI has always been our ability to analyze, interpret, intuit, and empathize with our clients to truly understand their values and priorities.
A good agent is like a matchmaker. We know that a perfect match on paper may not really be what’s best for the client.
Nurturing relationships and building trust will continue to be an agent’s greatest asset into the future. But modern agents will also need to leverage technology to move forward in the real estate space of 2025.
Proptech can and should be leveraged towards the end goal of enhancing these IRL relationships and interactions. That means leveraging technology to attract leads and improve online communication with new and existing clients through automated processes. Systems that track customer search phrases can help agents anticipate customer needs and desires, making the home buying process more efficient, for example.
With proptech seemingly moving at such a breakneck pace, it can feel difficult to stay on top of the latest technology trends. Inman Connect makes it easy.
Join us in January at Inman Connect New York to learn how integrating technology trends will improve your real estate business in the future. Our expert-led sessions are easy to understand, highly effective, and packed with practical points that are easy to implement.
Sign up today to step into the future of real estate, where cutting-edge technology and human connection combine to drive growth.
Also, check out all upcoming 2025 events here.
