2018 in Review
What a year! In 2018, I published a massive amount of insightful, data-driven analysis of the global real estate tech landscape, and started as a scholar-in-residence at the University of Colorado Boulder. I'll cover the highlights below, but first a look ahead.
Themes for 2019
Next year, my work will focus on three main areas:
Big real estate portals aggressively launching new revenue streams in adjacent businesses, moving from search engine to service engine.
New models continuing to gain traction, with accelerated expansion in mature markets and start-ups launching everywhere else.
Traditional real estate incumbents around the world taking note and reacting -- some better than others.
2018 Highlights
Three huge reports
I released three reports: the 2018 Emerging Models in Real Estate Report (33k views), the 2018 Global Real Estate Portal Report, and the Future of Real Estate Portals.
Zillow and iBuyers
I conducted a deep analysis of Zillow's strategic shift, how Zillow and Opendoor are controlling the consumer journey, and the billion dollar seller lead opportunity.
Disruptive new models
Looking broader, I asked if Compass really is a tech company, and
analyzed online agent consolidation in the U.K. and how psychology is holding back real estate tech.
Strategy consulting
I've worked exclusively with the world's leading and most promising real estate tech companies and portals (you know who you are, and thank you), conducting strategy reviews and ongoing advisory work.
Keynote presentations
From San Francisco to Oslo, Dubai to Berlin, I've delivered top-notch insights in person to the biggest companies and leaders in the field. Read some testimonials.
University course
I started teaching real estate tech at CU Boulder, with amazing industry guest speakers from companies like Trulia, Opendoor, UDR, Open Listings, ATTOM Data, and more.
Investments in real estate tech
During the course of 2018, it's been my pleasure to join world class investors like Axel Springer, Kleiner Perkins, Stereo Capital, Lightspeed Ventures, Breyer Capital, and Schibsted Media as a personal investor in or advisor to real estate tech companies Zumper, Fastfox, Kodit.io, Tall Poppy, and AirDNA.
An exciting year ahead
I'm looking forward to exploring new opportunities and applying my expertise to new challenges in the year ahead. I'll drive myself to continue to be -- in the words of one of my readers -- "the most reliable source for data-driven, strategic insights in the industry."