The real estate industry has long relied on IRL interactions, from physical home inspections to in-person tours. But the advent of property technology (or proptech) in the 1980s transformed the way that developers, realtors, and buyers could interact. Property tech apps have simplified transactions and provided market insights, while virtual tours and smart home integrations have enhanced the process of finding and furnishing a home. And today, AI and other new technologies are continuing to reshape the real estate landscape. Here are some of the top kinds of proptech (and how they’re changing the real estate game):
Property Tech Apps
Apps like Zillow and Redfin paved the way for change by letting users filter listings to match specific preferences, calculate monthly mortgages, and estimate property values. New real estate apps like Real Messenger are taking those capabilities to another level by connecting realtors in markets across the globe. Functioning like a social networking app with real-time messaging designed to drive real estate transactions, Real Messenger uses an AI virtual assistant and GPT tech to optimize the home search process. Curb Hero gives agents touchless QR code open house sign-in forms, capture leads with built-in verification, and marketing tools that make it easier to follow up with leads.
Immersive Tours
During Covid-19, virtual tours (powered by 3D modeling and VR technologies) offered potential buyers an immersive way to see a new property without leaving home. Long after social distancing orders ended, virtual tours remain a popular way for both buyers and agents to save time and travel expenses. Developers and realtors can use Matterport to create 3D virtual tours of their properties, complete with precise measurements and detailed layouts. Staging apps like Room Planner and Homestyler provide additional value by allowing users to virtually stage the interiors of a home.
Smart Home Integrations
Integrated home automation systems allow users to operate multiple devices through a single platform, which leads to even greater convenience and customization. For example, home automation systems like Google Nest allow homeowners to build a smarter home by providing an entire line of products, including smart doorbells, cameras, locks, and more. Smart thermostats like Ecobee optimize energy usage and reduce utility bills by adjusting temperatures automatically when users leave home and restoring them once they come back. As the homes of tomorrow become even more connected, proptech will remain an important way to find and furnish a forever home.