Going Niche to Compete with Giants in Australia with Mike Bird, CEO of Apartments.com.au

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/6yt3849pAnd 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.