Real Estate confronts the e-Consumer (2000)
 The
years 1999 and 2000 introduced an overwhelming number of new
technology vendors, products and services. By then it had
become apparent that there was no turning back and that the
Internet had started the to move the entire industry into
a new direction. But the real estate industry was confused
what services to incorporate and with who to partner with.
As the third publication in the series, “e-Consumer”
attempted to bring some clarification to confusing times.
Some 750 companies offering real estate “e-services”
were researched and evaluated. The final result was a 300-page
guide that detailed the top 75 “e-services” companies
and services as well as the leading software products available
to the industry.
Reviews
Extract of a book review by Eric Antonow. Eric a Top 50
Reviewer for Amazon.com and is also President of Chicago based
Katabat. The review was published on Amazon.com December 2000.
This is probably the single best overview of the intersection
of real estate and technology from an industry perspective.
The bulk of the book is two page overviews of 75 leading firms,
comprising a broad competitive landscape. Though there is
good data on these companies and some analysis of their functionality/proposition,
this does not have the teeth of an analysts report nor provides
deep insight into their business models or viability (FYI,
that would be a lot to ask). Nonetheless, for anybody seriously
trying to make sense of the changes going on, this is a very
good start. For those involved in the business, it is pretty
much essential if for no other reason than to keep straight
the myriad of offerings containing the word 'home'.
The other essays are interesting, some informative because
they are written by insiders and influentials, but I found
more of the value in the company profiles (cheaper than a
pass to Real Connect). Lastly, because of changes in the industry,
this is a perishable good. I'd recommend buying it sooner
rather than later. For a good overview of the last period
of real estate and technology, the author's previous title
(Real Estate Confronts Reality) provides good context.
Extract of a book review by Dr. Kenneth W. Edwards. Ken
is a Book and Video Review Editor, real estate educator and
author of Your Successful Real Estate Career. Published in
the Real Estate Professional March/April 2001.
If you are a real estate professional, particularly a managing
broker, this is definitely a "must have" book. It
is written specifically for those who want an in-depth look
at the current state of the professional and the resources
available to help them adapt to the incredible speed of light
challenges that face the.
The amount of work that must have gone into this project
has to have been staggering. For example, in coming up with
the TOPe75, over 500 companies in the real estate space were
identified and included in the project. Months later, the
top 75 were selected. Each is exhaustively described in the
book. The same approach resulted in the best analysis of available
real estate software that I've seen.
Another extremely interesting portion of the book discusses
real estate top consumer trends, technology trends, demographic
trends and Internet trends as identified through a survey
of hundreds of the profession's top people. I thought you
would be interested in their choice for the number one Internet
trend for 2000-2003. The internet will drive less productive
agents and offices out of business because of the cost to
manage, control and react in new ways."
Comments by Industry Leaders
"Swanepoel's crystal ball is always clear, very vivid
and often frightening."
John M. Peckham
lll
Executive Director, Real Estate CyberSpace Society
"Swanepoel is one of the best minds in the real estate
business. He understands where the industry is now, and more
importantly, where it is going."
Dr. John Tuccillo
Former Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors
"An excellent body of thought."
Jim Sherry
Co-author from Click to Close
"In today's real estate world, 'e' stands for electronic,
but in Swanepoel's new world it stands for excited, energized
and empowered."
Jeremy J. Conaway
President RECON Intelligence Services
"Another reality check from the master - accurate, comprehensive,
exhilarating - embrace it or start creating your exit plan
today."
Dr. Dennis Landesman
Top selling Realtor and Co-Chairman of the 1984 U.S. Olympic
Committee
"Swanepoel's books will help you embrace the technological
and attitude changes. In his previous book, Swanepoel shared
his views and very accurately predicted the overall challenges
lying ahead. In his latest book, Swanepoel again brings his
valuable insight, this time specifically as to how the new
world of e-commerce will affect the real estate industry."
Walt Backwoski
Executive VP, New Jersey Assn. of Realtors
"Incredible insight - a book that matches the times
- fast and compelling."
Doug Dayhoff
President and CEO, iProperty.com
"Hang onto your hats if you want to keep building your
company! Swanepoel provides valuable insights to help in the
re-invention process."
Laurie Moore-Moore
Co-Editor REALTrends
"With the incredible rate of adoption the consumer has
for the Internet, the real estate industry needs to prepare
now to deal with the consequences of a predictable head-on
collision. In many ways, the industry still has its eyes wide
shut."
Ken Jenny
CEO tranCen.com
Former SVP Prudential Real Estate Affiliates
"The Berlin Wall of Industry fragmentation is about
to fall."
Ronald Cooper
President and CEO, Improvenet.com
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