2020 Real Estate Tech Trends Every Agent Should Know About

Real estate technology is moving at breakneck speeds. It seems every day there’s a new tool, app, or platform for the industry, and for many busy agents, it can be hard to keep up.

Want to make sure you’re up to date on the latest tech trends going into 2020? Here’s what should be on your radar as we head into the new year:

Virtual staging and furnishing apps

Want to stage a home but don’t have the budget? Virtual staging apps like roOomy and Padstyler can help. Use the tools to place furniture throughout the home virtually, and post the “staged” photos on your listing. 

You can also encourage your clients to do their own virtual decorating. Are they eyeing a property? Have them download the IKEA Room Planner app to place furniture, decor, and more in the space. They can even shop for those items right on the app.

Chatbots

Can’t afford an assistant? Call in a chatbot instead. These can answer questions, respond to buyer inquiries, and even handle lead generation and scheduling tasks for you. You can add them to your website, your social accounts, and even your listings. Think of it as a way to delegate some of your more menial tasks and ensure a more efficient business operation.

Digital notaries

No more cramped closings in conference rooms or expensive mobile notaries for far-off clients. Thanks to the growing number of title companies that work with digital notaries, finalizing your transactions is now easier than ever. All your clients need is a WiFi connection and a comfortable chair to sit in. One of the top digital notary solutions to watch is Notarize. There’s even a Notarize Academy if you want to learn more about the process.

Tech to stop wire fraud

As you probably know, wire fraud is a growing problem in our industry. In fact, according to the FBI, there were more than 11,000 victims of real estate fraud in 2018, equating to a whopping $150 million in loss across the entire year.

Fortunately, tech is emerging to put a stop to this trend — or at least slow it down. Some examples include secure wire transfer tools like CertifID and ClosingLock, as well as blockchain technologies. 

Stay Relevant in 2020

Want to stay in tune with the latest real estate trends (tech and otherwise)? Visit the Embrace Home Loans blog — we post new content for agents and real estate pros (and your customers) weekly.