Real estate in Mexico has always had an essential role in the economy, but after the covid-19 pandemic real estate companies, agents, and brokers are facing new challenges as Mexicans change their preferences and needs due to the lockdowns and curfews established in 2020.
To understand the evolution of searching for a house or buying a property, Lamudi, an online real estate marketplace, organized The Hybrid Real Estate Sharks Forum, where national and international real estate experts pointed out some transformations and trends in the real estate industry for the next months of 2021 and highlighted how technology is helping real estate agents and brokers to learn the know-how in leadership and professional development in properties ‘sales.
Tony Hánna, Real Estate Shark, and Daniel Narváez, Marketing VP of Lamudi, introduced the participants of the event to the challenges and opportunities the real estate sector has in the next months of 2021. Also, they stated that in real estate operations demand for rentals has surpassed the demand for sales.
Meanwhile, in “The digital transformation of the real estate´s commercial processes”, Gustavo Ortolá talked about the importance of strategic thinking when selling or promoting a property and how is not only about having a good product, also attracting customers is important.
Likewise, María Vannesa Barahona, President of BADAAC A.C., mentioned that the real estate sector along with the construction sector adds up to 20% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and that is where there is a great opportunity for the generation of jobs. She also expressed her opinion that the lack of uniformity in state legislation regarding the sector leaves customers at a disadvantage. So, according to her, this is an important opportunity area for the sector.
Vicente Naves, General Manager of the real estate platform Artha Capital, shared that there is dynamic and important growth in some of the (industrial) parks. He explained that Bajio and Tijuana have had spectacular performance because of the growth of the e-commerce and logistic industry.
About the mortgage loans, Naves talked about the importance of granting certainty to buyers. Also, Barahona spoke about the importance of democratizing credit among institutions and governments, which should provide more facilities for anyone to purchase a home.
Ismael González, Producer, Consultant, and Developer of Real Estate Businesses, said technology is entering the real estate industry later than in other sectors, but at the same time, there is an opportunity to learn.
“We are all looking for the tool to systematize and automate the real estate business, to improve customer service levels”, he reiterated.
He also stated that the real estate agent will never be replaceable, but he can be empowered by technology to be able to achieve his objectives more quickly and efficiently.
Overall, 2021 seems to be better than 2020 since there are many opportunities on the go for real estate companies, agents, and brokers. Though, knowledge of the trends and challenges in the sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to be critical.