So, Halloween is upon us. Today we are getting ready for our trick or treating with the kids. We live on a farm track so plenty of cows and sheep to scare along the way. But still; should be great fun.

Before I start perhaps I could ask a favour. LendInvest have launched a PropTech influencer vote. If anyone would like to put me forward it would be appreciated (click here) - only takes a minute

It has been a particularly interesting week and two quick posts to share before the main event:

I asked for opinions last week about MIPIM - well here are the results (60% thought the event was average or lame but an equal number loved the Hackathon.....)

If you liked the Hackathon, Jonny Britton, of Land Insight, is running another one in early December to produce innovation from planning applications datasets - read more here

You will note a theme this week about Artificial Intelligence. It's because I hosted an event for RICS about AI which you can read about here. Including the presentations to digest

Before I get on with the news, for any of you that run any events - Technology or PropTech, please be aware that you can now feature your events on my Conference calendar at any time. Just go to this page and "Create" your own event.

Without further ado, lets get on with the news.

1. The most socially shared article of the week

This weeks most shared piece is all about a commercial real estate property portal that is helping corporate landlords communicate directly with its tenants over a wide range of products - essentially looking to reinforce why their building is worth staying in. They have just raised between $10-20 million.

2. Which? state only 43% of people find their homes through portals

So where do the rest of us find our homes? An interesting bit of research put forward by Which? this week which we should all absorb. Whilst most on this distribution list are Tech lovers, we need to understand the industry dynamic at the minute (while we look to the future)

This runs in nicely to a LinkedIn post this week put forward by Ed Mead, one of the stalwarts of the industry, and now running Viewber. One critical quote from the article which I think defines what he is trying to say:

"I asked 20 non-estate agents what they thought estate agents did.

Twelve gave their top answer as “showing houses” while the same question put to estate agents yielded 75% of them replying “getting deals through”

Staying with the "viewing" element of estate agency - where I truly believe we have some severe inefficiency - it is interesting to hear this week that Emoov have signed an agreement with new VR start up, Keypla, which means vendors will be able to show their houses in virtual reality free of charge. Interesting and positive move forward....

3. The latest update to the PropTech Infographic; now over 230 companies

We have added about 30 more companies to the infographic, moved some around and updated some logos. Hoping this is of interest to you all. No doubt we will need to change some more so please, with your eagle eyes, send me a message with who is missing still, what logos are wrong and who needs to be moved.

Equally, please feel free to use the infographic on your own sites (there is some embed code at the bottom of the post)

4. The new Lego headquarters

It seems that Lego and technology are inexplicably linked - it's a bit like how augmented reality firms seem to have a fascination with dinosaurs - anyhow. I couldn't resist a bit of old school love for Lego and the design of their new headquarters.

5. The fight for the top PropTech Mortgage Broker; Habito Vs. Trussle

This is a really interesting insight into the two mentalities and practices of arguably the top two digital mortgage brokers. Well worth a read through to get a better understanding on what is on offer at the minute.

What would you rather;

" Habito says it can get you a mortgage seven times quicker than a human broker. Trussle says it can get you a quote in three minutes instead of an hour, on average"

My Article of the week

6. Blockchain is mentioned 15 times in the last earnings call to investors by IBM.....

........which is the reason I am having to include some Blockchain articles this week. I mentioned in my hosting at RICS that I believe some technologies will be the

" Silent Unicorns of PropTech; AI being one and Blockchain being another"

We will not really hear much about them and most will not understand them but they will just silently get to work and influence our entire sector and have a few companies pulling the strings.

There have been several articles this week which could be of interest to those following this movement. Firstly there was an article a few weeks back regarding Cook County in the US trailing Blockchain for its Property Title transfer.

There are also a whole host of other interrelated articles I have compiled this week but I will not bore you all with them so please just go to No. 7 on this list to see all articles this week - there is about 8 articles in there this week all related to Blockchain.

7. All my interesting articles from the week

As usual, I end with all the articles I have put together from the week - genuinely one of the harder weeks to pull together given the raft of great articles out there.

Other than that, I wish you well. I am off to pinch some of the kids halloween treats and no doubt catch up through the week.

If you ever want to call me, please do. Just give me a buzz on 07775 797 286

Happy Halloween,

James







