Gone are the days when searching for a home meant browsing the ads in the local paper. In 2020, homebuyers are much savvier than in years past and know that the online space is where you go to find a home.
Searching for digital listings is the first port of call for anyone looking to buy a new home, with SEO and online presence becoming more important than ever for realtors. Over time, real estate technology trends have changed, but in 2020, there are a few clear trends that are changing the way the real estate market works.
What are the current trends in real estate tech, and how can real estate agents use them to increase sales and profits? To learn more, keep reading for ten real estate tech trends that are changing the way agents sell homes.
1. One of the Top Real Estate Technology Trends Is 3D Tours
When it comes to engaging helpful real estate tech, many real estate agents are turning to 3D tours. 3D real estate tours allow potential buyers to walk through an open house, from anywhere in the world—all they need is an internet connection.
Agents love 3D tours as they allow their property listings reach a wider market. You’re no longer limited to local customers who can attend your open house—instead, you can cast a much wider net, helping your home sell for a higher price, and hopefully faster.
You can even go one step further and create virtual reality tours, which really immerse the viewer in the home, feeling as if they are there in real-life.
2. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to machine learning—technology and machines learn, over time, how to make decisions and act intelligently, as a human would.
How does this impact the real estate market in 2020?
Agents can use AI to learn which sort of homes a buyer is looking for. Then, you can recommend homes to them that they are most likely to be interested in, helping tailor their home search to their needs.
AI can also be used for all sorts of things, such as making recommendations on your website, managing marketing, social media advertising, and even for property management. It can save you time, as plenty of tasks that used to be done by a staff member can now be automated.
3. Chatbots
Chatbots are one of the tech trends in real estate that we are seeing more and more of, allowing agencies to better serve their customers.
What is a chatbot? They are a digital communication tool that operates via an app or website, acting as a virtual customer service representative.
Currently, visitors to your website can only get support during business hours, but what if there was a way to provide 24/7 support, with no wait times? Chatbots can do this.
Using machine learning, they can answer questions asked via text or online, such as opening hours or open home times. Your clients will get an instant answer, which helps them get answers fast.
Try installing chatbots on your website or social media and see what a difference they make. They are much cheaper than hiring staff and are easy to use, and they are able to use natural language programming to converse with customers the way a real person would.
4. Apps
Does your real estate company have an app? If not, your customers are missing out on the convenience that apps can bring.
We are spending more and more time on our smartphones this year, so apps make it easy for clients to search for properties. Real estate apps put millions of home listings at the fingertips of clients, and seeing the app while browsing their phone often encourages them to open it up and see what’s new in the local market.
If you don’t have an app, you should at least ensure that your website is mobile-optimized, so that it looks great on any sized tablet or phone.
If you’re looking for more ways to learn about how you can optimize sales with technology, we have plenty of free real estate agent resources to help.
5. Virtual Staging
Virtual Staging is another real estate technology trend to notice. Virtual staging allows buyers to imagine themselves in a new home like never before.
Realtors can use it to turn an empty home into a fully-furnished one, without needing to bring in a staging company. This can instantly make a home more attractive to buyers.
6. Drone Photos
Drones are being used more and more to capture homes for sale from new angles. You can use drones to take aerial photos, better indicate the home’s location, or to highlight the home’s garden or features from above.
There are plenty of drone photographers who specialize in real estate, but if you’re looking to get into it yourself, you’ll want a drone that offers stability and that can take high-resolution photos and video.
Some of the best drones for real estate marketing include the DJI Inspire 2 or the Mavic Pro.
Drone imagery is one of the most impressive marketing tools, as it allows potential buyers to see sweeping views of the property from above, providing a birds-eye view of the pool, yard, roof, and surrounding areas. It helps them paint a bigger picture as to the look and feel of the property.
7. Smart Homes
Another technology trend that is taking off in residential homes is smart home technology. Smart homes are those that are controlled remotely, by your smartphone or a hub, such as Amazon Alexa.
Buyers are increasingly looking for homes that are already set up with smart systems, including lighting, kitchen appliances, and home security measures. New homeowners love the convenience and efficiency they offer.
If buyers are hoping to help their homes sell faster, they may want to consider installing smart home tech, a major selling point. Smart home tech can add value to a home as well.
8. Predictive Analytics
Predictive analysis is another effective way for agents to help their customers find the right home. Predictive analysis is a way of making predictions using data mining, past search history, and modeling.
Together, agents can work out what a client is looking for in a property and show homes that fit within their parameters—even if they aren’t exactly sure what they’re looking for.
If it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, it is! But it works and is an effective marketing tool used by many industries, including real estate.
9. Push Notifications
We are all used to push notifications on our phones, indicating that our food delivery is on the way, we’ve received a new email, or that someone has commented on our social media post.
However, you can also use push notifications in the real estate industry. When a new home is listed and matches what your clients are looking for, you can set up an auto notification to alter them on this listing.
It’s an effective and simple way to ensure new listings are noticed by the right people. Clients need to consent to receive the notifications, but many people are happy to receive them, especially if they’re eager to find the right home as soon as possible.
10. 360-Degree Videos
Another neat trend in real estate technology is 360-degree videos. These immersive videos let views control the direction they move and are popular with real estate agents when creating virtual walk-throughs.
They let clients feel like they’re standing in the home, helpful for imagining its size and shape.
In 2020, photos aren’t enough to help your listings get noticed—take advantage of all the marketing help that videos can provide.
Contact Us for All of Your Real Estate Technology Needs
It’s no surprise that tech is constantly evolving, so watch out for these real estate technology trends during 2020. Technology is at our disposal more than ever before, and as it becomes more accessible, more and more realtors are using it to change the way clients buy homes.
If you’re ready to sell your listings faster with the help of technology, Hommati can help. We offer a full range of real estate tech services with a national real estate website designed to help agents list their homes, with dedicated pages for 3D tours.
Contact us with any questions about real estate technology or to set up a new listing, as our friendly team is glad to help. We look forward to working with you and helping you find the ideal buyers for your property listings.
With the right technology on your side, agents can sell home quicker, find the right buyers, and increase profits, so get started today.