The Role of PropTech in Boosting Reach for Real Estate

Scott Bond, UAE Country Manager at Property Finder explores how technology is playing a huge role in boosting reach and scale for the property market

Back in the 2000s, the market demand for real estate was ripe and UAE was venturing into a wide range of new policies. The stage was being set for a unique revolution. One that would change the face of property searches and create a valuable ecosystem connecting renters and buyers with landlords, sellers and real estate brokers, disrupting traditional classifieds to reveal the scope for comprehensive online marketplaces. That’s when Property Finder was born as a revolutionary proptech solution with a purpose to empower home seekers with all the tools and features they need for a seamless home search journey. 

Today, PropTech is no longer just a revolution, it's an industry that’s here to stay - making real estate better, one listing at a time. Although that's not all, digitally powered real estate platforms are increasingly enhancing their product offerings for homeseekers, as well as partners and real estate professionals. In more ways than one, technology is playing a huge role in boosting reach and scale for the property market, carving a thriving role for itself within the nation’s wider economy and ambition. 

Enabling trust across home searches
AI integration has been top of the radar for several industries and ours is no different. Through AI-enabled features, real estate professionals are now able to showcase their trusted services and connect in an authentic environment, without the ambiguities usually associated with online marketplaces. However, with the growth of AI, it has become extremely important to ensure trust and transparency at all times. At Property Finder, we offer unique solutions such as ‘Verified Listings’ and ‘SuperAgent’ to ensure quality assessments are undertaken on listings and agents to advocate for their authenticity. Verified Listings help homeseekers by ensuring the listings they are viewing are authentic and available, making for a faster and easier home-seeking experience whereas a SuperAgent guarantees quicker assistance and responses from quality checked real estate agents that can be trusted for their authenticity. 

Enhancing talent within the industry
With 360 access to different ends of the real estate industry, companies like Property Finder are in a unique position to shape the industry’s future by bridging meaningful connections among industry stakeholders and emerging talent. Using the right training and technology, real estate professionals can further empower better home searches for homeseekers. Recently, we at Property Finder launched She for She to promote gender equality in the industry through a dedicated mentorship programme for women in real estate. The bespoke, one-of-a-kind program opened up possibilities for a more gender-balanced real estate sector in the region by boosting women’s representation in leadership positions. More initiatives like these are surely in our pipeline, as we believe these can go a long way in securing the future of our dynamic industry. 

Opening up a world of possibilities
The pandemic unveiled new ways to find a home and thanks to advanced digital transformation we were able to see an era of virtual viewings, 360 degree home tours, live chats and the best homes accessible anywhere at the click of a button. While convenience may have led to deeper advancements in technology, it also unleashed a need for useful regulations and verification processes. For example, as our recent data continues to reveal a rise in listings and a wave of evolving consumers increasingly seeking smoother customer experiences, we see a pressing need for solutions that make real estate better and support this era of rapid growth.

As a part of our on-going efforts to make real estate better, we are excited to reveal Data Guru - our integrated 360 degree research resource within the Property Finder website and app that serves as a one-stop solution for all the information home seekers are typically looking for. The feature allows access to property prices, community and residential insights, new projects and a comprehensive rent vs buy calculator. 

Providing a platform for added returns
In today’s times, as the property landscape continues to evolve, there’s also a massive need to remain competitive not just regionally but also globally. With the rise in ownership and foreign direct investments, platforms like Property Finder allow homeseekers from around the world to find all the information they need in one place to get living the life they deserve and empower them in one of life’s most important decision; where to live. 

Well before they land into the country, interested homeseekers are able to get familiar with neighborhood insights, price trends and nearby communities. Furthermore, by enabling a comprehensive marketplace, proptech companies are well placed to deliver upon business goals for real estate professionals to suit this dynamic scenario. Offering dedicated advertising products and spaces, these platforms allow real estate insiders to reach customers at the right place and time. 

At Property Finder, we look forward to continuing to pave the way for a meaningful home search journey that is backed by data, transparency, and powered by the best in class technology. We are keen on bolstering the new era of growth for our consumers and partners, by giving them access to a host of tools that can help them connect better with homeseekers. Through more ways than one, we believe PropTech is here to thrive, getting bigger, brighter and better along the way.

About the Author:Scott Bond is the UAE Country Manager at Property Finder