Why a Digital-First Strategy is Non-Negotiable for Real Estate Agents

The real estate industry is undergoing a transformation, and it's becoming increasingly clear that a digital-first strategy is essential for real estate agents looking to sell to younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Z. These younger generations have grown up with technology at their fingertips and expect seamless, intuitive digital experiences in all aspects of their lives, including real estate transactions. In this article, we explore the importance of a digital-first strategy for real estate agents and how it can benefit their business.

According to Healy Hynes, CEO of beagel.io, a proptech startup that streamlines real estate transactions with digital offer management, a digital-first strategy is key for real estate agents to succeed in today's market. "Digital offers play a critical role in a digital-first real estate strategy," says Hynes. "In the past, the offer process was very manual, time-consuming, and often fraught with errors. With digital offer management, the entire process is streamlined, and all parties involved have real-time visibility into the offer status and negotiations. This not only saves time, but it also reduces errors and increases transparency, which is particularly important for younger buyers who expect efficiency and openness in all aspects of their lives."

It's not just about offering digital options, though. It's also about creating a seamless, integrated experience for buyers and sellers. "A digital-first strategy should include tools that allow buyers and sellers to communicate and track the status of their transaction in real-time," says Hynes. "For example, our digital offer management platform allows buyers and sellers to communicate and negotiate offers in a secure, centralized location. This not only makes the process more efficient, but it also creates a better experience for all parties involved."

In addition to providing a better experience for buyers and sellers, a digital-first strategy can also lead to increased revenue and profitability for real estate agents. "By streamlining the offer process and reducing errors, real estate agents can close deals faster and with greater accuracy. This not only saves time, but it also reduces the risk of deals falling through due to errors or delays. Additionally, a digital-first strategy can attract younger buyers and sellers who are more likely to have higher budgets and more complex transactions."

Hynes notes that a digital-first strategy is not just a trend - it's the future of the real estate industry. "As technology continues to evolve, buyers and sellers will expect even more advanced digital options. Real estate agents who don't embrace a digital-first strategy risk becoming irrelevant and losing market share to more tech-savvy competitors. By embracing digital offers and a digital-first strategy, real estate agents can not only meet the expectations of younger buyers and sellers, but also position themselves for success in the long-term."

However, while a digital-first strategy is critical for success in the real estate industry today, it's important to note that it's not a substitute for a well-designed and executed business model that meets the needs of customers and provides them with a high-quality experience. The struggles of online estate agent Purplebricks can be attributed more to a failure of its low-cost model than a mismatch with technology. Purplebricks' initial success was due to its innovative approach of charging a flat rate to market a property, which disrupted the traditional commission-based model of estate agents. However, as the company expanded, it faced significant challenges, such as inconsistent service quality and poor customer reviews, which have been attributed to a lack of investment in training and support for its agents. These issues, along with the high costs of expanding into new markets, have contributed to the company's downturn.

Therefore, while a digital-first strategy is important, it is not a substitute for a well-designed and executed business model that meets the needs of customers and provides them with a high-quality experience.