Why Aren’t Real Estate Portals Embracing Search Innovation? With Taha Dar, CEO of SearchSmartly

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