It was time for the annual tip to New York City for the Inman Connect Conference. I love attending this event. I really do feel it sets the tone for the year ahead and this year the tone was super positive!
I’m working on my full take aways and will post those separately but here are some highlights from the week.
1) I got to open up Tech Connect by sharing 10 Tech Trends To Watch for in 2020. Inman later published an article on the presentation.
2) I had the opportunity to watch Brad Inman discuss the Newsday investigation with the reporters who were involved. If you haven’t been following this story you should Google it. Do “we” (as in real estate agents) treat some clients differently than others?
The Newsday reporters say yes. Here is an example they shared. A white couple asks to see a property and the real estate agent sets up the appointment for the showing. An African American couple or Asian couple makes the same request and they are told by the agent they need to be pre approved first, before they can be shown a property.
There is a lot to unpack around this topic but it starts with awareness and a commitment to change. I hope real estate organizations across the country start having these conversations.
3) It came up in many sessions that real estate automation does not mean that a buyer wants to buy a house with a push of a button completely online, without human interaction. Today’s consumer wants better communication and an easier transaction, which automation can help with. But they still want the relationship the real estate professional brings.
Lots more to come on takeaways from Inman Connect January 2020! Stay tuned.
Wendy Forsythe 