Tom Blefko

Trend 7: The Digital End-To-End Real Estate Transaction Dream

Closer than Ever, But Still Far Away

This is the fourth blog post in a series of ten that covers the trends that will shape the residential real estate industry in 2019 and beyond according to the publication, Swanepoel Trends Report 2019.  The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this post belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer or the publication cited.

The real estate transaction has long been an analog process that has, until recently, been more than adequate. Real estate agents who could manage the plethora of different systems and personalities (i.e. mortgage, inspection, title, insurance, etc.) could excel in the business.

More companies, both inside and outside our industry, are now recognizing that the real estate transaction is broken. Too many unknowns; too many systems; too many parts that don’t talk to each other; too much duplication – – – and none of them create an exceptional customer experience. But that is changing.

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Trend 8: Blockchain + Real Estate

Redesigning the Brokerage Relationships with Agents and Consumers

This is the third blog post in a series of ten that covers the trends that will shape the residential real estate industry in 2019 and beyond according to the publication, Swanepoel Trends Report 2019.  The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this post belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer or the publication cited.

If you’re like me, your eyes glaze over when someone tries to explain what Blockchain is. Most people that write about the topic are techno-geeks who are trying to impress you with their level of knowledge on the topic. Unfortunately, the average person gets lost in the Blockchain jargon about the second sentence into an article and they stop reading.

The average person’s understanding of Blockchain is illustrated perfectly in this comic:

‘Dilbert’ comic courtesy of Scott Adams

Well here’s one of the reasons why you should want to pay attention and try to understand this concept and how it could effect the real estate business: forty of the top financial services companies have already invested over $1 Billion (yes – with a ‘B’) in Blockchain company infrastructure in the hopes of reducing costs in the future.

Let me try to explain Blockchain in simple terms to that you can understand it.

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Trend 9: The Evolving Real Estate Value Proposition

Redesigning the Brokerage Relationships with Agents and Consumers

This is the second blog post in a series of ten that covers the trends that will shape the residential real estate industry in 2019 and beyond according to the publication, Swanepoel Trends Report 2019.  The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this post belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer or the publication cited.

Running a real estate brokerage “ain’t what it used to be.”  That is pretty much an understatement.  Today, brokers walk a tight rope between serving their agents and the consumer.  Tilt to one side too far and a brokerage risks plummeting to irrelevance.

The Swanepoel Trends Report examines the changing relationships between the broker/agent and the broker/consumer and suggests ways in which all sides can win if they embrace certain strategies.

The Broker/Agent Relationship

Brokerages’ compensation models have evolved over time.  From the early days of 50-50 splits to 100% desk fee models to hybrids somewhere in between, the permutations are endless.

Agent’s are now more independent than they have ever been before.  They only want to pay for what they feel they need from their broker and many agents are now accustomed to paying for services from private vendors apart from their brokerage.  As a result, the agent relationship with the broker has eroded.

Other market changes have led to a further deterioration in this relationship.  They include:

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Trend 10: The Residential Real Estate Brokerage Shift – Suddenly Arrived in 2018

This is the first blog post in a series of ten that covers the trends that will shape the residential real estate industry in 2019 and beyond according to the publication, Swanepoel Trends Report 2019.  The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this post belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer or the publication cited.

If there is one constant in the residential real estate industry, its change.  And with change, brings a lot of mixed emotions.  Some individuals and companies seem to thrive in this environment, while others hold onto the past and get swept away in a tsunami.

The Swanepoel Trends Report cites a number of examples of companies that were on the top of their game but then failed to anticipate a shift in the business environment.  Read these two quotes and you’ll get the picture:

“Google is not a real company.  It’s a house of cards.”

Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft (2004)

“Neither Redbox nor Netflix are even on the radar screen in terms of competition.”

Former Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes (2008)

  

So if businesses evolve either up or down, where are we now?

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Lancaster County’s May 2018 Real Estate Market – By the Numbers

May is always a month of transition.  Winter is definitely behind us but summer is not quite here.  Some nights you can sleep with the windows open to breathe in the refreshingly, cool air; some nights it’s downright frigid and the windows are closed.

All across Lancaster, small signs are appearing right before our eyes that point to what lies ahead of us in just a few short weeks – – like the corn sprouting from small seedlings in hundreds of fields across the county.

Is the real estate market sprouting and following suit?  Let’s look at the numbers . . .

(Click on each infographic for a larger version)

2018 05 May Market Stats - Avg Sales Price

Average Sales Price – We cracked the two and a quarter mark for the first time ever.  Up 7% from last May.  This healthy rise is mainly due to extremely low inventory levels which don’t appear to be going up anytime soon. Continue reading →

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Lancaster County’s February 2018 Real Estate Market – By the Numbers

February’s winter winds are behind us and the days are now starting to get longer.  As we head into spring, there is always a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.  Let’s take a look at the latest numbers.

(Click on Infographics for larger size)

2018 02 February Market Stats - Avg Sales Price

  • Average Sales Price – A huge jump of 7% from last year at this time.  As the supply of inventory continues to struggle to keep up with demand, expect prices to continue their healthy upward trend.

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