By: Sabrina Lapointe, Senior Communications Coordinator
I still remember waiting for my parents to hang up the phone so I could hop onto the internet and see that AOL homepage (let’s not forget the awful noise that came along with it). Considering where we are today, we’ve come a long way since the days of AIM and Myspace. It seems every day we are turning to more and more tech-based approaches in our daily lives. Here are some tech trends in a real estate you can expect to see on the rise in 2020.
The cloud refers to software that allows your data to live on the internet rather than locally on your computer. Cloud property management software is emerging as one of the key technology trends in real estate. Cloud-based systems make it simple for property owners, tenants, clients, etc. to login and view any financial or property information. This type of technology eliminates the hassle of communication via phone call or email and allows both parties immediate access to information.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
Virtual Reality is a computer-generated simulation that allows users to feel as if they are interacting with the environment in a physical way. It is changing the landscape of real estate as it allows prospective buyers and clients the ability to tour a property any time and any place. This takes the headache out of setting up tours and open houses and allows more flexibility for people who may not be currently living in the area they are looking to buy in.
Augmented reality is a technology that enhances objects by giving the user a compositive view. AR has also been used to enhance the home buying and selling experience. Say goodbye to unfinished spaces and empty rooms and say hello to 3D visualization. AR gives clients the ability to see what the end-product might look like. Brokers and builders have the ability to dress up their space all from the convenience of their laptop or smartphone.
Internet of Things is a system of digital devices designed to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human interaction. IoT applications are simplifying the way we run our homes. We can now adjust the temperature, dim the lights, among other things all from our smart phones. According to an article on tech blog ReadWrite,“predictive technology not only increases homeowners’ awareness of household functionalities but it also increases home market values.” More and more homes are incorporating these features making buying and selling even easier.
So much of the software you use now comes in the form of an app. CRMs and property management software are now more accessible than ever. With a quick touch of a button, Realtors® can now access everything in their CRM on their phones. The days of digging for information are long gone as all your data is now at your fingertips.
Turning to automation is a good way to free up some of your valuable time. Everyday tasks such as sending emails, posting to social media, online chatting, invoice processing, etc. are small tasks that often add up. Automation features have made it much easier to schedule Facebook posts and email campaigns in advance.