Can Real Estate be Uberized?

The best aspect of the latest technology is that it makes life easier for us. All through the ages different technological discoveries and innovations, albeit disruptive, have propelled mankind towards development. Technology such as the computer, the internet, mobile technology and currently “smart” technology and devices, have totally changed how we do things. Their effect is widespread and has managed to touch every aspect of human life. One such technological development today is the concept of Uberization!

Basically coined after the concept of the Uber, which is a very common mode of transport today, Uberization is using apps and the internet for “on-demand” services. If we take the Uber as an example, before the prevalence of this concept, we had to look for and find taxis. People had to first deal with middle-man to hire the services of a taxi, or they had to go in search of one. But with the introduction of mobile technology, smart devices and apps, the founders of Uber took advantage of the capability of the latest technology to bridge the gap between users and taxi service providers.

Basically, how Uber works is when the customer has a requirement, he/she uses the app to make a request. The nearest service providers, in turn, are provided with the information, which they subsequently can act on in case they are interested. When the service provider accepts the request, the customer and the provider can automatically connect with each other through the app or any other means that are made available.

This way, customers only have to worry about the requirement when the need arises, and when there is a requirement, they have a tool that helps them connect directly with interested service providers. Thus, this is basically what Uberization of anything means – interested service providers responding to customer’s demands over an app.

The best way in which Uberization can be used for the advantage of customers in Real Estate is to help them get in touch with agents and view interesting properties. The basic job of an agent is to understand the requirement of clients and show them properties that are suitable to their tastes and requirements. Currently, when the need arises customers are going and contacting reputed agents. With the introduction of Uberization of Real Estate the reverse will happen; clients will place a request on the app and interested agents will have the capability to respond to the request and subsequently connect with the client. In fact, Uberization of Real Estate is already underway with companies like Naked Apartments providing On-Demand Services.

One of the many facets of Uberization of real estate, On-demand real estate showings was first introduced by Naked Apartments and is now being used by a number of popular real estate services, especially in big cities. This tool allows renters to book a specific date and time for their showings. Then a nearby real estate agent can accept the request which is notified to the renters. Finally, the agent meets the renter on the property, and the showing commences as usual. This totally simplifies the aspect of finding an agent, finding the right property you wish to view, fixing the date and the time for property showing, etc., thus making the process less time-taking.