Robots, artificial intelligence, flexible living spaces, machine learning, smart homes, 3D printing, big data, cloud computing, virtual reality, innovative housing construction…

The list of buzzwords is endless, and if you believe the experts at the Zukunftsinstitut or DieImmobilie, all of these technologies, concepts, and ideas will have a profound impact on the real estate industry.

From refrigerators that tell us which meals we can prepare with the remaining ingredients, to property platforms that guide us through a listing via virtual reality, to apartments that adapt their floor plan to suit the needs of their residents — the future will be exciting and fascinating, almost like a science fiction film.

Fair enough, the ideas are there — but now what? The key principle here is: “Technologies are only truly innovative when they noticeably make everyday life easier.”

If you take a closer look at your own daily routine, you will notice that all of these technologies — which read like research notes for a sci-fi novel — have long since become part of our lives.

Starting the radio at home with a voice command, as well as online searches. Recipe suggestions for a healthy meal come from a smartphone app. Naturally, you also control your lighting with your phone. The smart home system manages the heating. Streaming platforms suggest a suitable film based on our viewing habits.

Many innovations that still seem like fiction in the real estate industry have already found their way into other areas of everyday life. All that remains is to wait and see when they continue their triumphant march into property as well.

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Sources:

• Virtual Reality: Property Viewings from Afar (derstandard.at)
• Real Estate 2040 Study (Zukunftsinstitut)
• We Are the Future (DieImmobilie)
• Machine Learning in the Real Estate Industry