Real Estate Technology
Article | July 12, 2022
There’s no escaping the importance of sustainability in any investment sector. Globally, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing is worth $30 trillion in assets under management each year, around a quarter of all professionally-managed assets. It is more relevant than ever as the ‘high impact, low probability’ shock imposed by Covid-19 has strengthened the case for prioritising people and planet alongside profits, and illustrated the power of collective action to tackle global problems.
Many investors are unaware how significant this trend will be. If you are an investor, you need to consider why sustainability will be important, what sustainable property investing actually means, and what the major issues and opportunities are, as these will affect your risks and returns.
Why is sustainability so important for investors?
The UK’s legally-binding commitment to achieve net carbon zero by 2050 means that sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’. Our legal obligation is showing up in the form of new rules, regulations and best practices affecting all sectors that contribute to emissions.
40 per cent of UK emissions come from households, which makes the chance of more regulations and policies around the environmental performance of property more likely than not. These regulations will not only affect your ability to operate in a way that is compliant, but fundamentally change the value, performance and risk associated with your investments.
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Real Estate Investment, Asset Management
Article | May 5, 2023
Early in 2020, the market was extremely liquid for real estate investors and operating companies. Interest rates were relatively low, asset values were high, unemployment was low, and there was little inflation—overall, the market was performing well. And then the lending market began to change in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of defensive draws by companies to preserve their liquidity has been unprecedented, and the number of loans has drastically increased. Other forms of capital have slowed due to the inability to forecast risk. It’s a challenging time for real estate companies to stay abreast of market trends, as well as quantify the current and anticipated business impacts in this dynamic environment. With data constantly changing, how are real estate companies navigating this seemingly open-ended period of uncertainty? On April 17, EisnerAmper hosted a “Real Estate Principals Virtual Roundtable” with the Bay Area Council, Kennedy Wilson, and Wells Fargo. This online event provided a forum for industry leaders to share their experiences regarding the current lending market and to hear first-hand from their peers regarding how they’re navigating the current environment. Here are some key takeaways from that discussion.
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Real Estate Technology
Article | July 21, 2022
Learning the latest trends and strategies in digital real estate asset management will help enhance business. Leveraging digital tools, benefits, and techniques transforms asset management approach.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Five Latest Trends in Digital Real Estate Asset Management
2.1. Cloud-based Real Estate Asset Management
2.2. Blockchain Integration
2.3. Growth of Smart Buildings
2.4. Adoption of Virtual and Augmented Reality
2.5. Expansion of Proptech Ecosystem
3. Why should Businesses Implement Digital Asset Management Trends?
3.1. Improved Customer Experience
3.2. Future-Proofing
3.3. Better Brand Management
3.4. Improved Collaboration
3.5. Cost Savings
4. Conclusion
1. Introduction
Keeping abreast with emerging trends and technologies is crucial for success in the ever-changing and dynamic real estate industry. With the proliferation of real estate assets, there is a growing demand for improved organization, storage, and management of digital assets. Digital asset management assists real estate professionals in optimizing workflow, collaboration and improving decision-making abilities while reducing costs and ensuring asset security. Additionally, organizations adopting digital asset management can future-proof their strategies and gain market advantage. The article highlights the significance of digital asset management in real estate and the most recent developments in this field.
2. Five Latest Trends in Digital Real Estate Asset Management
Digital Real Estate Asset Management has emerged as a critical component in the management of real estate portfolios. As a result of technological advancements, businesses have access to new tools, platforms, and applications that facilitate automation and streamline asset management activities. With the increasing demand for transparency and efficiency, adopting digital technologies in asset management has become necessary.
2.1. Cloud-based Real Estate Asset Management
The real estate industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with more and more businesses moving towards cloud-based platforms for asset management. This shift is driven by the need for increased scalability, flexibility, and accessibility in managing real estate assets. With cloud-based platforms, real estate asset management professionals can now work on properties from anywhere and anytime without being confined to their offices. Cloud-based platforms have simplified asset management by leveraging cloud computing technology to streamline processes and enhance productivity. In addition, leveraging the technology businesses can also provide their clients with better digital asset management solution and faster services, which can help increase customer satisfaction and retention rates.
2.2. Blockchain Integration
Blockchain is a secure, decentralized, and transparent ledger system that enables the transfer of assets and data without intermediaries. Integrating blockchain technology into real estate asset management is a trend businesses must follow for digital asset management. However, the siloed nature of digital real estate business networks causes friction and opacity. With blockchain integration, real estate businesses get solutions to tokenize assets, increase process efficiency, reduce costs, and offer global asset distribution, ownership fractionalization, secondary market opportunities, and data accessibility. The integration further benefits in making better investment decisions, portfolio management and improve business position to compete in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
2.3. Growth of Smart Buildings
The growth of smart buildings is a prominent trend in digital real estate asset management. Smart buildings utilize IoT devices and sensors to collect data and automate tasks, resulting in improved energy efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced tenant experiences. In addition, it leads to improved occupancy rates and brings in ROI for real estate asset managers. With the potential for greater sustainability and improved tenant satisfaction, implementing smart building technology is rapidly gaining traction among real estate professionals. Furthermore, smart buildings provide real estate asset managers with valuable insights into building performance and tenant needs, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and improve operational efficiency. As a result, the trend toward smart buildings is expected to continue, with real estate asset managers increasingly adopting technologies to stay competitive and maximize overall returns.
2.4. Adoption of Virtual and Augmented Reality
The growing demand for augmented and virtual reality in the real estate industry can be attributed to the rapid adoption of advanced technology that has significantly enhanced user experiences, thereby streamlined the buying and selling process. These technologies have created a new reality for architects, builders, sellers, and buyers, ensuring cost-effectiveness, global reach, mobility, visualization of changes, construction management, and profits. Additionally, VR and AR technology facilitate remote property inspections and maintenance, thus reducing costs and saving time. However, implementing VR and AR technology comes with many challenges, including the need for specialized hardware and software and the cost of development and maintenance. Nevertheless, their potential benefits in real estate asset management make it a trend that businesses should consider implementing to remain competitive.
2.5. Expansion of Proptech Ecosystem
The rapid advancements and widespread adoption of technology have fundamentally changed people's lives and work habits, influencing their expectations for living and workspaces. As a sector that touches every aspect of daily life, the real estate industry is well-positioned to engage in cross-industry integration with sectors such as finance, medicine, education, and healthcare. The concept of prop-tech explored in this report encompasses two dimensions. The first dimension is digitalizing the real estate ecosystem, which includes digitizing business activities from land acquisition and development to real estate transactions and property asset management services. The trends in user space requirements need flexible space selection, user-experience-tailored space, cutting-edge information practices, innovative exposure, and customized solutions that are closely connected to people.
3.Why should Businesses Implement Digital Asset Management Trends?
As technology revolutionizes every industry, staying up-to-date with the latest trends is crucial to achieve success. Similarly, implementing digital asset management trends is about staying relevant, competitive, innovative and meeting the demands of a modern and tech-savvy customer segment.
3.1. Improved Customer Experience
Adopting digital asset management trends in real estate can significantly improve customer experience. Businesses must offer fast and easy access to their assets, resulting in faster decision-making and increased satisfaction. Enhanced search capabilities make it easier for customers to find what they need, while personalized content based on their preferences and past interactions leads to better engagement and satisfaction. A user-centric approach helps businesses tailor their digital assets to meet customers' unique needs and expectations, improving customer loyalty and increasing revenue.
3.2. Future-Proofing
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, it is critical for companies in the real estate industry to remain agile and adaptable to stay relevant and competitive. By implementing digital asset management trends, businesses can future-proof their operations and ensure their longevity in the market. It means staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and continuously adapting to meet changing consumer demands. In addition, digital asset management allows for greater flexibility and scalability in business operations, providing a strong foundation for growth and expansion.
3.3. Better Brand Management
Digital asset management can considerably improve brand management in the real estate industry. By providing a central repository of brand assets such as logos, images, and marketing materials, businesses can maintain consistency across different platforms and avoid inconsistencies in branding. In addition, with easy access to the latest version of assets, all organization members can ensure that the correct branding materials are being used. It further helps businesses maintain a strong brand identity and avoid confusion or misrepresentation of their brand.
3.4. Improved Collaboration
With a central location for teams to access and share files, digital asset management trends help streamline the process, workflows and facilitate collaboration within teams. In addition, collaborative tools like version control and commenting features allow team members to work together more efficiently and effectively while ensuring accessibility to real-time information. With digital asset management, businesses can enhance team collaboration, improve project outcomes, increase innovation, and better business results.
3.5. Cost Savings
Businesses in a highly competitive market continually look for ways to improve efficiency and cost cutting. Therefore, adopting digital asset management trends can be highly beneficial, as it provides a more effective and economical means of managing and disseminating digital assets. In addition, business processes can be streamlined, identical tasks are eliminated, and unnecessary third-party solutions can be avoided with the help of a centralized digital asset management system. Moreover, digital asset management can improve security by providing controlled access to assets and reducing the risk of unauthorized use or distribution.
4. Conclusion
Digital real estate asset management trends help occupy better physical asset value through digital transformations, data analytics, and operational efficiencies. Traditional real estate companies are challenged to think like digital or technology-based asset management companies that help link service delivery and value to revenue. With the potential growth of digital asset management for real estate businesses, it is time for companies to shift from just space providers to service partners and tenant providers.
Adopting software solutions and new trends in real estate asset management offers many benefits, including improved customer experience, future-proofing, digital transformation, better brand management, collaboration, and cost savings. In addition, integrating technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain can further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of digital asset management.
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Real Estate Technology
Article | December 23, 2020
Florida’s real estate market is on the up amidst a COVID-driven boom. But, as homebuyers flock to the Sunshine State, they are bringing with them a checklist that consists of more than just sun, shores and southern fun.
In recent months, there has been an average of 1,000 people moving to Florida each day, resulting in more than a 50% increase in home sales in some parts of the state.
Alistair Brown, CEO of Alistair Brown International Real Estate (ABIRE), an international real estate sales and marketing company that has particular expertise in the Florida market, explains the cause of the boom.
“The pandemic has shifted behaviors and ways of life in more ways than one and, as a result, our living arrangements have had to adapt.
“For example, the rise in remote working, restrictions on leisure activities and social distancing guidelines have all caused a spike in demand for homes that are outside of crowded cities, have more space and COVID-safe amenities on offer. Many of Florida’s high-end houses provide just that.”
The migration has been particularly popular among families who, pre-COVID, resided in densely populated cites. But, with virus risks significantly higher in these areas and a threat of future outbreaks still looming, a rural escape seems to make perfect sense.
But, while some favor a permanent move to the state, a vacation home is an attractive investment opportunity for others – whether that is for domestic getaways, as travel restrictions remain in place, or a sense of home comfort, as you enjoy an extended stay with self-isolation periods.
However, no matter what the reason may be, the root motivating factor is an interesting one, and one that Alistair believes has inspired a new list of requirements among home buyers.
“The pandemic has caused people to re-evaluate the way they were living. We all have visions and desires for how we want our lives to play out and at no point have these been more magnified than during the virus outbreak.
“While the threat to our health and livelihoods has been worrying, the thought of a life with unfulfilled aspirations, confinement and heightened risk has become another significant concern.
“Many have accepted that the virus is not going away any time soon and the chances of returning to what we knew as normalcy are slim. So, rather than living a life of regret, it is time to adapt and fulfil those wishes while we still can, as well as inspire new ones in the wake of our current reality.”
But what exactly do these new desires entail? Well, Alistair explains they have a lot to do with the architectural design of homes.
Space
“For those who experienced lockdown restrictions in confined living spaces, particularly in populated cities, the need for a home with room will be stronger than ever.
“Home buyers will be looking at the size and space available in specific areas of the house. For example, kitchens will need to have ample room to cater for an increase in cooking at home, as well as a dining area that is fit for the whole family.
“Outside space will also become a priority. Whether that is a private backyard, decking area or a communal garden, families will be looking for homes with outdoor living spaces in which they can enjoy the Sunshine State to its fullest, no matter what COVID-restrictions are in force.”
Purpose-built rooms
“One of the biggest enabling factors of the migration trend is the rise in working from home. While this was a requirement during the peak of the pandemic, many companies and employees will choose to make the switch permanent.
“Consequently, home buyers will be seeking properties with purpose-built home office spaces. These will also need to be spacious rooms that can accommodate everything from desks, filing cabinets and high-speed connectivity.
“Home offices need to be areas that can be closed off from the rest of the house. Not only does this provide privacy and minimize distractions when working, it also allows people to properly switch off after a long day.
“Balancing both home and work life can become incredibly difficult, especially when both are contained by the same four walls, so homes that allow for the separation of the two will be favored much more.”
Sustainable living
“An incidental effect of the pandemic has been the reduced environmental impact of our restricted movement and new, minimalist lifestyles. Having recognized this, many will be seeking ways to continue going about their lives with greater awareness of their actions.
“At home, this will include things, such as efficient energy usage or growing their own food. Of course, this will require homes to have modern heating, plumbing and electricity systems in place, as well as gardens in which fruit and vegetables can be grown.”
Cleanliness
“While it would be wrong to assume people were living in unclean conditions prior to the pandemic, the threat of the virus’ long-lasting existence on surfaces has only heightened people’s hygiene concerns.
“Therefore, homes that can be easily cleaned, or better, self-cleaned, will be more sought after than those in which risk prevails. Take for example, voice activated technology that can turn lights on and off or stop-start electrical appliances, without the need for manual intervention. And, while air conditioning units are a common feature of Floridian properties, they can be updated with smart technology solutions, such as those provided by RespirTech.
“As well as cooling the home, the new system will be constantly cleaning the air and surfaces using photocatalytic technology, which emits small parts of hydrogen peroxide. Such equipment will be increasingly at the forefront of consumer’s minds, as they seek to minimise physical interaction with products and systems.”
Entertainment
“With risks and restrictions remaining in place at many entertainment venues, leisure facilities at home are becoming a must. This may include bar areas, private swimming pools and home gyms to name but a few.
“While community amenities are still important in fulfilling our innate need for social contact, buyers are seeking properties which have more on offer at home than out.
“As well as protecting them against any of the risks associated with shared facilities, more home entertainment options will ensure any quarantine periods or future lockdowns cause little disruption to people’s daily routines.
“Ultimately, post-COVID living will focus more on maximizing comfort while minimizing the potential impact of any future chaos. And, like most things in life, that starts at home.”
Ends
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Notes to editors
About Alistair Brown International Real Estate
Alistair Brown International Real Estate (ABIRE) is a boutique real estate consultancy and creative agency that brings together the most distinguished properties from around the globe. Offering a diverse portfolio focused exclusively on the world’s most desirable locations, its specialist team is committed to providing nothing but the very best in high-end property.
Under the direction of founder Alistair Brown – who has more than thirty years’ worth of experience in the sector – the firm has attracted some of the finest real estate professionals in the business today.
Laying a primary focus on Florida and the Caribbean, ABIRE has acquired an in-depth knowledge of the real estate market in each of these areas. Successfully navigating the complexities of premium real estate through creative thinking, worldwide networking and a distinct marketing approach, ABIRE’s longevity in the industry is a direct result of its ability to exceed the expectations of its clientele.
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