Stop using proptech to solve problems that don’t exist and copy Amazon, public tell agents
Survey of consumer attitudes to agent tech reveals a desire to see the same functionality offered by Amazon and Uber used by agent, including sales progress tracking.
Estate agents are too often embracing proptech that offers solutions for problems that don’t’ exist, it has been claimed, and the industry should instead import the best ideas from existing tech outside the industry rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.
Babek Ismayil, who is founder and CEO of industry tech platform OneDome, says proptech platforms should look more closely at online services outside property for inspiration.
His company interviewed 1,000 recent home movers online between the ages of 25 and 64 who were asked which of the retail, leisure and transport websites they used regularly had the best widgets that agents should adopt, and 84% said it was Amazon.
“Our report looks at the type of technology that people are using in other areas of their lives and applying them to property,” says Babek.
Those canvassed liked the way the process of buying via Amazon used progress tracking throughout a purchase, and that the ‘you may like’ suggestions that pop up on most pages were useful and should be adopted by agents.
The next most admired online service was taxi booking platform Uber, whose live updates were another feature that agents should embrace, those canvassed said.
“We live in a time when people are used to being kept informed, and the ability to log on and view the progress of their transaction in real time makes people feel at ease,” says Babek (pictured, left).
OneDome earlier this week launched an online platform for conveyancers that enables vendors to instruct a solicitor digitally and then track the progress of the sale online, in addition to existing suite of online services for estate agents.