Ed, Simon and Harvey discuss the restructuring of SeLoger in France, the potential sale of Yad2 by Aviv Group, the cancellation of Dubizzle Group's IPO, and financial highlights from major marketplaces like Scout24. The conversation also highlights emerging trends in product innovation, particularly the rise of AI search functionalities in real estate portals.
Ed, Simon and Harvey discuss CoStar Group's recent Q3 results, legal challenges with Zillow, and the growth of Homes.com. They explore the implications of AI integration in real estate, the competitive landscape, and the ongoing acquisition strategies of CoStar. The conversation highlights the contrasting business models of CoStar and Zillow, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the rental market.
Ed, Simon and Harvey got together in a networking break at PropTech & Portal Watch Madrid 2025 to discuss the conference, the trends speakers are bringing up and how to frame narratives as a speaker.
Ed and Simon Baker engage with Joost Dop, CEO of Funda, to explore the dynamics of the Dutch real estate market, emphasizing the importance of engagement metrics over traffic volume. They discuss the challenges of housing shortages, Funda's role in addressing these issues, and the unique ownership structure that fosters strong relationships with brokers. The conversation also delves into pricing strategies, the development of tools for brokers, and the impact of AI on the real estate industry, highlighting the need for continuous adaptation and learning from global market trends.
Edmund and Simon are joined by Stefan Gunnarsson, CEO of PropTexx. They explore the competitive landscape of AI in real estate, the importance of user experience, and how PropTexx bridges the gap between real estate and retail. The conversation delves into customer segments, implementation challenges, and the evolving role of agents in this new ecosystem, while also addressing data privacy concerns and technical considerations.
Ed, Harvey and Simon preview the upcoming PropTech & Portal Watch conference in Madrid.
They discuss what attendees can expect from this year's speakers, who'll be at the event and how the narratives around the industry have shifted since last year's conference.
Ed and Simon are joined by SearchSmartly CEO, Taha Dar to discuss the Portal Standards Report 2025. They explore the current state of real estate portals, the importance of data and technology adoption, and the need for features like commute time search. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by portals in integrating new technologies, the role of AI in property search, and the cultural attitudes within real estate companies. Taha shares insights on how SearchSmartly can assist portals in their innovation journey, emphasising the importance of user-centric features.Read the report here: https://mailchi.mp/onlinemarketplaces/portal-standards-2025
Ed, Harvey and Simon discuss significant developments in the real estate marketplace sector, including Scout24's acquisition of Fotocasa and Habitaclia, the changing ownership landscape of Idealista, and the management shakeup at Opendoor. They also cover Zoopla's financial performance, the public listing of Swiss Marketplace Group, and ongoing legal troubles faced by Zillow. The conversation highlights the competitive dynamics and challenges within the real estate industry.
Harvey and Simon are joined by Remy Fabre, CEO of Zefir - a rapidly growing real estate marketplace in France. The conversation delves into Zefir's innovative use of AI to streamline the home buying and selling process, the company's business model, and the challenges faced in establishing a new category in the real estate market. Remy shares insights on recent developments, future goals, and the role of AI in transforming real estate transactions. The discussion also touches on the competitive landscape and the potential for Zefir to become a leading platform in the industry.
Ed, Simon, and Harvey discuss the latest trends and challenges in the real estate marketplace. They explore the implications of AI on property portals, the significance of virtual staging, and the success of companies like Scout24. The conversation also touches on the verticalization of marketplaces and the introduction of new tiers for real estate agents. The hosts emphasize the importance of brand trust and the evolving landscape of real estate technology.
Ed, Harvey and Simon discuss the recent $525 million investment in Property Finder, the leadership shakeup at REA Group, and the strategic discussions between News Corp and OpenAI. The conversation also touches on Hemnet's pricing challenges in Sweden and Zillow's ongoing copyright issues.
Ed and Simon interview József Keleti, the leader of Ingatlan, a prominent real estate portal in Hungary. They discuss the unique characteristics of the Hungarian real estate market, the services offered by Ingatlan, and the challenges faced by real estate portals globally. The conversation delves into the auction model used for property listings, user behavior in searching for properties, and the competitive landscape. József shares insights on the acquisition of a car portal, the synergies between real estate and mortgage businesses, and the potential applications of AI in enhancing user experience. The episode concludes with reflections on learning from global real estate portals and the importance of adapting to changing user preferences.
Harvey and Simon engage with Fouad Bekkar, CEO of Coraly, to discuss the transformative role of AI in the real estate industry. They explore Coraly's innovative approach to listing creation, lead management, and the challenges of integrating AI into existing systems. Fouad shares insights on funding strategies, market entry, and the importance of maintaining focus amidst numerous opportunities. The conversation also touches on the significance of measuring ROI in AI investments and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Ed, Harvey and Simon discuss...
- CoStar Group's acquisition of Domain- Rumors of Swiss Marketplace Group's potential IPO- Opendoor's financial struggles and leadership changes- A financial misappropriation incident at Frontier Digital Ventures. The conversation delves into market dynamics, investor sentiment, and the challenges faced by companies in the PropTech sector.00:00 Introduction and Context01:00 CoStar Group's Acquisition of Domain06:47 Swiss Marketplace Group's IPO Plans13:48 Open Door's Financial Struggles and CEO Resignation28:27 Frontier Digital Ventures' Financial Misappropriation
Harvey and Ed welcome Mike Bird, CEO of Apartments.com.au. They discuss Mike's background, the importance of AI in real estate, and the innovative Conversion Assist service that enhances lead conversion. The conversation also covers the business model of Aartments.com.au, the significance of trust and transparency in the market, and the role of editorial content in building consumer confidence. Mike shares insights on challenges faced in the industry, lessons learned, and the competitive landscape with major players like REA Group and Domain. The episode concludes with thoughts on personal branding and the future of real estate technology.
Ed, Simon, and Harvey discuss news in the real estate portal industry, including the appointment of a new CEO at REA Group, the challenges he faces, the complexities of going public for real estate companies, and the recent allegations against KE Holdings in China for inflating their financial numbers. The conversation also touches on the importance of integrating new home developments into real estate portals.
Edmund Keith, Simon Baker, and Harvey Hancock discuss the latest news and trends in the real estate marketplace and PropTech sector. They delve into Zillow's recent financial performance, including its revenue and ongoing legal challenges, as well as REA Group's financial year results and strategic investments in innovative companies like Jitty. The conversation also touches on the consolidation of real estate portals in Ireland, highlighting the implications for the market and competition.
Ed talks to Marcos Leite, GM of OLX Brasil, discussing the dynamics of the Brazilian real estate market, the impact of AI, and the company's growth strategies.
Marcos shares insights on market competition, the challenges of the rental market, and the importance of customer service and broker education. He emphasizes the need for innovation and adaptation in a rapidly changing market, while also highlighting the significance of global market insights for local strategies.
Hosts Edmund Keith, Harvey Hancock, and Simon Baker discuss the latest developments in the real estate marketplace and prop tech sectors. They delve into...
- The ongoing CEO search at REA Group
- Recent mergers and acquisitions
- The legal battle between Zillow and Compass
- The financial performance of major real estate portals.
The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on the industry and the future of real estate portals.
The excellent Inman article mentioned in the show can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/6yt3849p
And our loyal listeners can get a discount on tickets for PPW here --> https://tinyurl.com/5n7kyfmc
Harvey and Simon engage with Christian Printzell Halvorsen, CEO of Vend, discussing the evolution of Vend from Schibsted Marketplaces, its strategic focus on verticalization, and the importance of adapting to user needs in the real estate sector.
They explore the brand portfolio, the role of acquisitions in growth, and the impact of AI on the marketplace. The conversation also touches on monetization strategies, vendor-paid advertising, and the potential of subscription models in the rental market, concluding with insights on industry trends and future directions.