Inman is interviewing industry thought leaders to find out what’s next in 2016. Here’s Michael Wurzer, president and CEO of FBS.
What are your technology predictions for 2016?
2016 will see continued competition for API adoption with many companies vying to become the AWS for real estate with a set of APIs that power the transaction from beginning (pre-marketing) to end (closing). These API wars won’t be won in 2016 but the many competing options will show the need for cooperation on industry standards through organizations like RESO.
What big tech trends are you watching?
- API adoption
- Mobile applications
- Transaction, forms and document management systems
What is more important: mobile or the cloud?
Mobile is more important to the agent in the field but the cloud (APIs) presents more potential for a significant long-term paradigm shift for the industry.
Will the tech bubble burst?
We’ll see microbursts for overvalued companies as agent sales become more difficult but no broad “tech bubble” bursts.
What is next for Zillow?
API wars (see above).
What is next for realtor.com?
Continued significant increases in marketing spend to catch Zillow for consumer awareness.
Will the Broker Public Portal be launched in 2016?
Yes, by the time of the NAR convention November 2016.
Will Upstream be launched in 2016?
No, but beta tests will have begun.
How will predictive search change homebuying?
It won’t.
Will on-demand showings go mainstream?
No.
Will the automated offer become reality in 2016?
No.
How will machine learning change real estate?
Machine learning will improve the quality of listing data and, consequently, search options.
