Technology is continually reinventing the real estate sector, streamlining lengthy traditional property dealings, helping sellers and buyers alike. Property technology or ‘PropTech’ is changing the way people interact with their properties, whether for construction, management, or home services—PropTech makes it all more convenient. Here are the top technologies dring real estate.
Digital Transactions
Traditional real-estate transactions have always been notorious for being time-consuming and full of complicated paperwork. Plus, real estate agents typically meet with clients every time there’s a document that needs to be signed, which is very inconvenient for those involved. However, thanks to technology, several companies have to bring the entire process online. Whether a client is looking to refinance the mortgage for their home, you can now do almost anything online.
Big Data
The real estate industry is best positioned to benefit from big data. Through big data, real estate companies can compile and collect data on buying and selling trends in a particular area, traffic, demographics, consumer surveys, and other data can provide better insights on property pricing, home-value trends, and potential selling values in each neighborhood.
Meanwhile, for owners and property managers, big data can help them gather real-time and historical information about different types of building systems, ranging from electrical to telecommunications—and translating all these into proactive maintenance. Big data can even alert property managers to an equipment failure before it can happen, allowing them to do repairs or replacements quickly.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help the real estate industry make the data they’re already collecting more actionable. For instance, currently, property search sites rely on references like the properties’ location and size. However, in the future, AI may enable these websites to recommend properties based on a homebuyer’s preferences, values, and personality. Additionally, AI can also help predict pricing trends more accurately, looking into historical trends in the real estate market for a specific area, alongside other factors like crime rates, number of schools, and transportation. Incorporating AI into operations can also make the buying experience quicker and more convenient—with today’s startups creating different ways to digitize the whole home buying experience.
Virtual Reality
According to surveys, nearly half of potential homebuyers look for properties on the internet first, with more people becoming accustomed to online operations. Virtual reality (VR) can make the entire experience more immersive and accessible. Realtors can make virtual reality tours of homes that clients can see and explore from their current homes’ comfort.
Meanwhile, for property managers, they can create VR tours to help new tenants become more acquainted with the property. Instead of traditional written instructions for using thermostats and other appliances, VR tours can walk a tenant through the process with ease.
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) pertains to gadgets and appliances that can connect via cloud computing, allowing these smart devices to continually send and receive information digitally. Because of IoT, homebuyers can download detailed history of a home and its maintenance and upkeep through gadgets connected to the home’s electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. You don’t need to do guesswork or pay for expensive inspections to understand a home’s condition.
5G
The promises of 5G networks is the key to most of these technological transformations, providing more bandwidth that allows more gadgets and sensors to connect to the internet. A significant way 5G can affect the real estate industry is through home security. 5G will make it easier and more affordable to connect sensors and cameras throughout a property. As technology advances, so does the way industries operate. The real estate sector isn’t far behind—and the technologies mentioned are revamping the niche, making shopping for and selling homes and properties seamless and convenient.
