News Roundup: 31 January, 2025

In this episode, Edmund Keith and Simon Baker engage with Toby Chapman from OC&C Strategy to discuss the dynamics of real estate marketplaces. They explore the role of OC&C in the industry, the challenges faced by property portals, and the implications of the REA and Rightmove deal. The conversation delves into vendor paid advertising, the sustainability of traditional business models, and the impact of CoStar on the market. Additionally, they compare the US and UK real estate markets and debate centralized versus decentralized strategies in marketplace operations.

Simon and Ed are joined by Ricardo Frechou, CEO of 360 Latam, who discusses the challenges and transformations within the Latin American real estate market.They discuss the recent revenue drop at 360 Latam and the strategic shift towards a new business model centered around the Iris platform. Ricardo elaborates on the importance of adapting to market conditions, the potential for scalability, and the future aspirations for an IPO. The discussion also touches on shareholder concerns and the overall valuation of 360 Latam in the context of its parent company, Frontier Digital Ventures.

In this episode of the PPW Pod, hosts Edmund Keith, Harvey Hancock, and Simon Baker discuss significant developments in the real estate marketplace and prop tech sectors. The conversation covers CoStar's bid for Domain, the competitive landscape in the rental market between Zillow and CoStar, PropertyGuru's restructuring efforts, and highlights from the ongoing financial reporting season. The episode concludes with insights on CEO changes in the industry and the strategic considerations for selecting new leadership.

Simon Baker and Malcolm McCallion discuss the transformative impact of AI agentic search on the real estate industry.They explore the differences between generative AI and agentic AI, emphasizing the purpose-driven nature of the latter. The conversation delves into how agentic search democratizes property searches, the implications for traditional real estate portals, and the future of search technology, including voice interaction and personalization. They also consider the potential for AI to disrupt existing business models in real estate, leading to a post-aggregator world where consumer experiences are tailored and efficient.

In this episode of the PPW pod, host Edmund Keith and Simon Baker interview Theo Mseka, CEO of Private Property, discussing his extensive career in real estate portals, the challenges of building an Automated Valuation Model (AVM) in South Africa, and the competitive landscape of the real estate market. They explore the impact of regulatory changes, the importance of understanding local markets, and the future plans for Private Property, emphasizing the human element in real estate transactions.

Summary In this conversation, Edmund Keith and Simon Baker engage with Christophe de Rassenfosse, discussing the evolution of real estate portals from traditional search engines to engagement platforms. They explore the shift in user behavior towards mobile apps, the importance of consumer engagement, and the concept of a searchless experience. The discussion highlights the need for real estate portals to adapt their business models to prioritize consumer needs and preferences, moving away from outdated practices that focus on maximizing impressions and leads.

Edmund, Simon and Harvey get together to discuss recent goings on in the industry, including financial results for Square Yards, what market leadership in France looks like, listings volume as a metric, and the futility of iBuying. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the PPW Pod 00:29 - Square Yards Achieves Profitability Ahead of IPO 03:00 - Idealista Sees Decrease in Listings in Q4 05:51 - Bien'Ici and France 08:12 - Bright MLS and the Challenge of Competing with Zillow 19:06 - Innovative AI Image Search by Jitty 25:12 - Immobiliare Launches Renovation Tool 31:40 - Scout24's Data Acquisition and Partnership with PropTexx 35:41 - Aviv Group's Investments 38:19 - Rize in Saudi Arabia 40:56 - Tiko's Bankruptcy and the Decline of iBuyers 46:00 - Conclusion and Upcoming Interviews

In this episode of the PPW pod, host Edmund Keith and Simon Baker talk with Michael Kenner, the co-founder of FazWaz and now MD of Lifull Connect. Mike discusses the ambitious acquisition of Lifull's overseas business and explores the integration of tech-enabled brokerage with real estate portals, the challenges of managing a complex business structure, and the future of vertical search in the real estate market. Michael shares insights on the importance of focusing on core business models, the lessons learned from building a transaction-based business, and the strategic vision for growth and acquisitions in various markets.

Tanuj Shori, the CEO & co-founder of Indian PropTech giant Square Yards, joins Ed and Simon. They discuss his company's innovative approach in the PropTech sector, focusing on the full stack model that integrates various aspects of the real estate journey. He elaborates on the diverse revenue streams, the significant growth trajectory, and the lessons learned from building a complex business in an emerging market like India. Tanuj emphasizes the importance of ambition, market dynamics, and the role of technology, including AI, in enhancing the customer experience. He also shares insights on preparing for an IPO and the challenges faced in the competitive real estate landscape.

Ed, Harvey and Simon are back for a new series after a winter break. In this episode, they discuss significant developments in the real estate marketplace, including leadership changes at Property Guru, KE Holdings' strategic land acquisition, legal disputes in the sector, the rise of pre-market and off-market listings, and the current state of AI search in real estate portals. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of PropTech and the challenges faced by industry players.