Tech Nest: The Real Estate and Tech Show

I never intended to publish over 200 podcast episodes. I truly thought I'd do 30 or 40—at most—and then move on to something else. However, the constant support I received across the entire industry motivated me to keep going. I love this industry and intend on going nowhere anytime soon. But the time has come to set the podcast aside and focus more energy into something else. I want to continue sharing my work so that others can benefit, but I'm also interested in saying yes to other opportunities such as advising and consulting. I plan on publishing occasionally to my newsletter (Join here: https://technest.beehiiv.com/) and you'll likely see content time to time come from the Tech Nest social channels (until they're rebranded). As a final glimmer of hope, I reserve the right to reverse course. Previously, I'd shutdown the show, only to come back and publish 150 more episodes since then. I don't intend on doing that again, but ya never know. :) Find me on socials:https://Twitter.com/natesmoyerhttps://LinkedIn.com/in/natesmoyer

In this special episode, you'll get to listen in on conversations I had while attending Blueprint Conference, 2024. Here's the list of guests in this Part 4 of my Blueprint Conversations series.Brad Pilgrim, Co-founder and CEO, Parityhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bradpilgrim/ https://www.paritygo.com/ Vikas Gupta, CEO, Azibohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/vikas-a-gupta/ https://azibo.comMatt Ellis, CEO, Measurablhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/measurabl/https://www.measurabl.com/

In this special episode, you'll get to listen in on conversations I had while attending Blueprint Conference, 2024. Here's the list of guests in this Part 3 of my Blueprint Conversations series.Pierre Calzadilla, Co-founder & COO at Upfronthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrecalzadilla https://myupfront.comMukund Venkatakrishnan, Co-founder & CEO at Upfronthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mukund-venkatakrishnan-466636a5https://myupfront.comAmber Kahr, Co-founder & COO at Billionshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amberkahrhttps://joinbillions.comJames Gallagher, Co-founder & CEO at Greenlitehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesabgallagherhttps://www.greenlite.comEthan Lieber, Co-founder & CEO at Latchelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanlieberhttps://latchel.comNick Durham, General Partner at Shadow Ventureshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-durham-a3708724https://shadow.vc/

In this conversation I'm joined by Zumper Co-founder and CEO, Anthemos Georgiades. We discuss the evolving landscape of the rental market, highlighting the record supply of rental units in 2024 and the implications for renters and property management companies. I was excited to discuss the latest partnership between Zumper and Airbnb, exploring how this collaboration reflects the convergence of long-term and short-term rental markets. Anthemos has been in the trenches of this industry for quite a few years, stays in the data, and have some interesting outlooks for the industry to come. Do not miss this important episode! More about Anthemos and ZumperAfter standing in the rain in London to try and get an apartment in his 20s, Anthemos realized how antiquated yet massive the rental industry was. So, Zumper was founded in 2012 in San Francisco, kicking off at TechCrunch Disrupt, to modernize the rental industry and they are now the largest privately owned rental platform in North America. Zumper is the largest privately owned rental platform in North America with more than 76 million site visits a year. Zumper is on a mission to make renting a home as easy as booking a hotel. To date, Zumper has raised over $178 million from Kleiner Perkins, Goodwater Capital, Headline, Dawn Capital, and the Blackstone Group.Connect with Anthemos on LinkedInFollow Anthemos on TwitterFollow Zumper on TwitterCheck out Zumper

In this conversation, I talk with Nicholas Johnson, Founder and CEO of Orange Charger, about the challenges and opportunities in the EV charging industry, particularly for multifamily homes. He describes the importance of user experience, connectivity, and the role of software in managing energy consumption. We also get into the evolving landscape of property management as it relates to EV charging infrastructure and the future of energy management solutions.More about Nicholas and Orange ChargerOrange Charger is an Energy Management Solution for multifamily homes. Orange's right-sized charging solutions are reliable, affordable, scalable, and purpose-built for these properties.Nicholas is passionate about enabling humans to live carbon-neutral lives without compromising lifestyle. Before starting Orange, he built A.I. software to optimize traffic signals to reduce congestion. He started his career at Tesla as an electrical design engineer, bringing the Model 3 thermal designs to market.Connect with Nicholas on LinkedInFollow Orange Charger on TwitterCheck out Orange Charger

Peter Gudmundsson, CEO of BeHome 247, discusses the challenges and opportunities in the short-term rental and vacation rental industry. He emphasizes the importance of delivering a consistently excellent guest experience and the need for brand consistency. Gudmundsson also addresses the impact of local zoning regulations on the industry and the role of technology in improving operations and guest satisfaction. He highlights the value of a unified operations platform that integrates various systems and provides real-time visibility for property managers. BeHome 247 provides a unified operations platform for the short-term rental and residential property management industries. The platform integrates various functions such as maintenance, housekeeping, guest communication, and vendor management, improving operational efficiency and customer experience. The CEO, Peter Gudmundsson, emphasizes the importance of thinking systemically and avoiding the purchase of point solutions that lack coordination. He also discusses the role of AI in customer service and the need for a balance between technology and human interaction. Gudmundsson predicts that the industry will see more consistency of delivery and that digital curb appeal will become a critical factor in property judgments.More about Peter and BeHome247BeHome247 provides residential and STR/VR real estate owners/operators and property managers with a tailored operations platform. The technology controls smart devices, operating workflows, and resident communications. Peter Gudmundsson is CEO of BeHome247. He has been running small and medium-sized businesses in technology, content, and human capital for over twenty-five years. Follow Peter on TwitterConnect with Peter on LinkedInFollow BeHome247 on TwitterCheck out BeHome247

In this special episode, you'll get to listen in on conversations I had while attending Blueprint Conference, 2024. Here's the list of guests in this Part 2 of my Blueprint Conversations series.Kenon Chen, EVP of Strategy and Growth at Clear Capitalhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kenon-chen-72201b4/https://www.clearcapital.com/John Rogers, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at CoreLogichttps://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rogers-a4053a38/https://www.corelogic.com/Brandon Peterson, CEO of Geokeyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-peterson-6ab6b997/https://geokeyaccess.com/Amber Kahr, Co-founder of Billionshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amberkahrhttps://www.joinbillions.comNick Schanbaum, Co-founder of Durango Turnkey Serviceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-schanbaum-01ab3831/https://durangotks.com/

In this episode, Dana Dunford, Co-founder and CEO of Hemlane, joins the show to discuss the evolving landscape of property management for self-managing real estate investors. Hemlane is a venture-backed platform that simplifies rental property management by offering tools for inspections, repairs, tenant coordination, and more, all in one place. Dana shares how Hemlane differentiates itself from traditional property management by blending human oversight with technology, catering to a market where 72% of landlords self-manage their properties. We also explore how she achieved early traction at Hemlane by leveraging her personal network, testing creative messaging, and focusing on product-led growth. Dana emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach between technology and personal interaction, particularly as AI becomes more prevalent in real estate.  This is a must listen for early-stage founders in the proptech space and those wanting to know what the next iteration for landlord software looks like.More about Dana and HemlaneDana Dunford is the CEO of Hemlane, a venture-backed property management platform with over 27,000 rentals and $1BN in payments processed. She is a strong advocate of purchasing properties anywhere, as the best investments are not typically in your backyard. She supports real estate investors in setting up the most intelligent process to manage rentals from a distance, while connecting them with local, licensed professionals.Follow Dana on TwitterConnect with Dana on LinkedInFollow Hemlane on TwitterCheckout Hemlane

In this epsidoe, I talk with Jason Griffith, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Synco, to explore how they simplify communication for property management teams. With the overload of emails and messages, Synco offers a real-time messaging platform to streamline collaboration and organize conversations. It lets users control inbox notifications and easily include external parties like contractors. Synco offers include real-time translation for seamless multilingual communication and integration with property management software. Synco is also focused on leveraging AI to enhance team collaboration and efficiency, aiming to lead the way in transforming property management communication. This conversation goes deeper than just product features, as you'll hear Jason break down the importance (and complexity) of industry-specific communication products.More about Jason and SyncoSynco is the centralized communication platform that allows property management teams to collaborate effortlessly. When it comes to team communication, property management still runs on email (and usually Teams, text and whatsapp). The result is overloaded inboxes, unnecessary liability, slower issue resolution and missed opportunities for collaboration. Synco is the team communication tool built specifically for property management. It brings corporate teams, on-site staff, vendors and clients together in one seamless application. Synco provides the transparency to never have to ask "where are we on this", the peace of mind in knowing that all communications are securely filed and the advantages of rapid, effective team communication. Jason Griffith is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Synco, the real-time, centralized messaging platform built to help property management teams communicate faster and better. Prior to founding Synco, Jason was the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of SiteCompli, a compliance automation platform used across 1M+ residential units & 70% of Class A office properties in NYC that is now part of Inhabit, a collective of property management software companies backed by Insight Venture Partners and Goldman Sachs. Jason is passionate about building great tech solutions powered by great teams. Connect with Jason on LinkedInCheck out Synco

Gene Eidelman, Co-founder of Azure, discusses how they are using 3D printing technology to create and build prefab homes. They use recycled polymers and fiberglass instead of traditional materials, making their homes faster to build and more affordable. We also get into the national housing shortage, affordability crisis, and reducing environmental impacts. Gene explains their construction process, which involves 3D printing modules and finishing them in the factory. He also discusses the challenges of distribution and the acceptance of prefab homes by lenders and insurance companies. Gene emphasizes the need for more sustainable construction practices and the potential for tech advances to address the affordable housing crisis.More about Gene and AzureAzure is fundamentally changing the construction industry by leveraging 3D printing technology using recycled polymers and fiberglass to prefab homes 70% faster and 30% less expensive than existing construction methods, with a positive environmental impactFrom developing multifamily projects to revolutionizing the construction industry with 3D-printed homes, Gene Eidelman's journey in real estate is marked by innovation and impact. After immigrating to the US from Ukraine, Gene quickly made a name for himself, developing over 3,000 condominiums and apartments. At Azure, Gene and his team are breaking new ground with a patented 3D printing process that constructs entire structures from recycled polymers.  Follow Gene on TwitterConnect with Gene on LinkedInFollow Azure on TwitterCheck out Azure

In this episode, I chat with Andrew Becker, CEO and Co-founder of Billions, a real estate operations platform built for high-volume teams. We explore how Billions automates data tracking and enhances team efficiency, especially in today's challenging market. Andrew shares his journey from the Air Force to building a successful real estate team and dives into why modular tech and AI are game-changers for the industry. We also discuss his podcast, "Team Lead Talks," where he interviews top real estate leaders (I've got a soft-spot in my heart for leaders with podcasts). Listen in! More about Andrew and BillionsBILLIONS is a real estate team operating system powered by the world's most powerful CRM platform, Salesforce.  Designed and carefully curated around the team model, BILLIONS brings predictable and repeatable processes to a team's operations while seamlessly yielding best-in-class data & analytics for real-time decision-making and oversight.         Andrew started a real estate team back in 2013 in Arlington, VA and built a high volume, high transaction business where we did both retail and investor-type transactions.  Out of our own needs, built an operating systems around our team model that is now being used by some of the top producing teams in the United States.  Connect with Andrew on LinkedInCheck out BillionsCheck out Team Leads Talk Podcast on Youtube

More about each guest in this special episode:Bo Lais, Founder and CEO at LulaBo Lais is a serial entrepreneur and current CEO/Founder of Lula, a proptech company focused on reinventing maintenance for property managers and investors.Rental property maintenance technology and software powered by a network of vetted contractors. Connect with BoCheck out Lula  Heather Harmon, Founder, Investor, and AdvisorHeather Harmon was prior the Head of Opendoor Finance where she led department operations and partnerships. She led the launch of Opendoor's financing app, which enables home buyers to understand their buying power by providing a pre-approval in 60 seconds or less. She was previously the co-founder and COO of RedDoor, a digital-first mortgage brokerage acquired by Opendoor in 2021, and was responsible for growth and operations of the organization. Her focus areas included scale in process and operations in addition to product initiatives that leveraged integrations, data science, and industry knowledge. As a third-generation broker, Heather has been at the forefront of innovation and technology in the real estate industry since 1990.Today Heather provides expert guidance to startup and venture capital leaders in structuring successful implementation, investment, or M&A in proptech and fintech.  She is often an invited panelist interested in discussing the path for innovation to accelerate efficiencies for the quality of the consumer experience and for the sake of equity in the current crisis across housing and finance.Connect with HeatherCheck out Heather's websiteKevin Shtofman, Global Head of Innovation at CherreCherre is the leader in real estate data and insight. We connect decision makers to accurate property and market information, and help them make faster, smarter decisions. By providing a unique “single source of truth,” Cherre empowers customers to evaluate opportunities and trends faster and more accurately, while saving millions of dollars in manual data collection and analytics costs.Kevin is an industry leader when it comes to commercial real estate & technology. With over 20 years of experience in real estate, finance, & consulting, he's carved out an expertise in solving complex challenges using data. Kevin oversees all global Partnerships at Cherre, managing relationships with 130 data, application, and channel Partners across 5 countries. The Cherre platform today boasts over $3 Trillion AUM on the platform.Follow Kevin on TwitterConnect with KevinCheck out Cherre

In this episode, Phil Levin, Founder and CEO of Live Near Friends, shares insights on the importance of proximity in shaping our lives and the potential for multiplayer mode housing. He discusses the benefits of living near friends and family, how transportation influences city design, and the rise of cul-de-sac communities. Phil also touches on the role of ADUs in fostering closer-knit neighborhoods, the loneliness epidemic, and the health impacts of community living. The conversation highlights how proximity to happy friends can boost happiness by 40%, and explores the future of urban planning with self-driving cars.More about Phil and Live Near FriendsLiveNearFriends reinvents residential real estate by focusing on the #1 amenity: people. We address many of today's biggest pain points: loneliness, isolation in raising families, and lack of rootedness in a WFH world. There's a silver bullet for these problems, and it's living in proximity to people you love.Today's product aggregates latent demand for living near friends & family, identifies existing housing supply that is a good fit for groups, and greases the behavioral mechanics. It's been covered by Vox, Guardian, Axios, Bigger Pockets and Business Insider. The vision is to become the marketplace where all "proximate housing" is marketed, developed, financed, and sold. Phil is the CEO/founder of Live Near Friends, the social real estate platform that helps people live within walking distance of friends & family.Previously, he helped start Culdesac (a developer building walkable, car-free neighborhoods, $200m+ raised).Phil started a housing cluster called Radish where he lives near 19 friends and 5 of their kids spread across 10 homes.  He writes about this on Supernuclear, the #1 newsletter on living near friends (160K reach).Phil's mission is to create forms of housing which makes us happy, healthy, and connected. And in doing so rebuild the social fabric of our neighborhoods.Follow Phil on TwitterConnect with Phil on LinkedInFollow Live Near Friends on TwitterCheck out Live Near Friends

In this episode, I chat with Landon Cooley, CEO and Co-founder of Pest Share, about the crucial yet often overlooked role of pest control in property management. Landon highlights the challenges of dealing with specialty pests like bed bugs and cockroaches, which can cause major issues in multi-family settings. HPest Share offers a solution by providing tenants with direct, on-demand access to pest control services, bypassing the need for property manager involvement. This not only improves the resident experience but also helps property managers focus on more pressing tasks. We also discuss how property managers can build trust and add value by responding quickly to maintenance requests, which can lead to better tenant satisfaction and easier lease renewals.Finally, we touch on the future of Pest Share and the impact of technology on real estate, exploring how deep integrations and custom solutions can boost operational efficiency.More about Landon and Pest SharePest Share is a fast-growing, 4-year-old proptech startup based in Boise, ID. Pest Share's on-demand pest control technology saves tenants 70% on pest services and allows them to diagnose, request, and receive pest services right from their cell phones - without the involvement of a property manager. For property managers, this means a value-added pest control amenity that provides a better rental experience, operational efficiencies, a new revenue stream, and increased NOI.Landon Cooley is the CEO & Co-Founder of Pest Share. Landon has almost 20 years of experience in pest management and is 4th generation in his family to pursue a career within the industry. Landon has a strong belief that, “There is always a better way”. After years of encountering the same, unaddressed pest control paint points in the property management space, Landon and his Co-Founders decided to launch their most recent venture, Pest Share.Connect with Landon on LinkedInFollow Pest Share on LinkedInCheck out Pest Share

Greg Sack, partner and CMO of Pinch, discusses how Pinch is reshaping the multifamily industry's approach to turnover and common area cleaning. Pinch offers centralized solutions for property management companies, bridging the gap and providing efficient cleaning services. The conversation covers topics such as the challenges of finding cleaners, the need for a B2B avenue in the cleaning industry, the role of technology in scaling the business, and the potential for consolidation in the industry. Greg also shares his predictions for the future of Pinch and the real estate industry.More about Greg and PinchPINCH is reshaping the multifamily industry's approach to turnover and common area cleaning! We're disrupting the status quo by providing a platform for high-quality home cleaners to seamlessly transition into this space, and solving a number of challenges that existing cleaning teams are facing in the industry. With stringent vendor requirements in place, finding reliable resources has been a challenge—until now. PINCH is bridging the gap, offering a centralized solution for property management companies nationwide. By standardizing processes, pricing, and invoicing, we're driving significant cost reductions and operational efficiencies across the board. Plus, our network ensures swift onboarding of new cleaning teams, replacing them within hours or days, not months.Greg is a serial entrepreneur who spent his early career in the logistics industry.  In 2014, he sold his e-commerce and logistics business to FedEx, which is the first time in their history that they acquired a start-up technology company.  Greg is Partner and CMO for PINCH.  He heads up all strategic growth initiatives and helps to drive the direction of the business.Connect with Greg on LinkedInCheck out Pinch

In this episode, I chat with Jason Lewis, co-founder of Parcel Labs, about the evolving landscape of real estate data. We dive into the power of real-time housing data, how it's becoming more transparent, and the impact it's having on the market. Jason shares insights on how Parcel Labs is leading the charge by providing unparalleled access to housing information, making it easier for developers and operators to make informed decisions. If you're curious about the future of real estate data and how it can be your best tool, this episode is a must-listen!More about Jason and Parcl LabsAt Parcl Labs, our mission is to make housing data real-time, transparent, and accessible. We reveal previously hidden aspects of the housing market, including daily price movements and investor activities. All of this valuable information is available directly to you through our easy-to-use API.Jason is the Co-founder and Chief Data Officer of Parcl Labs. He brings experience from his time at Microsoft and Deloitte, where he worked on large-scale international data standardization and machine learning projects.Follow Jason on TwitterConnect with Jason on LinkedinFollow Parcl Labs on TwitterCheck out Parcl Labs

This episode is a bit different. I recorded this as an episode for the Triple Win Podcast with Andrew Smallwood, VP of Revenue at Second Nature. So today, I'll be playing the role of guest and Andrew is host. Enjoy this fun discussion on where proptech is headed.--From the Triple Win Podcast:Few things have changed the property management industry more in the last five years than a growing proptech industry, but that industry continues to go through changes of its own. Nate Smoyer, host of the Tech Nest Podcast, joins Andrew Smallwood to cover the state of the proptech industry, where things could be headed, and how it's all likely to affect you as a property manager. More about Andrew and Second NatureSecond Nature has created a new category with its resident experience platform for professional property managers. They work with 1,200 management companies and are the only 3-time NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers) national vendor of the year. Their industry-leading suite of resident rewards, credit building, ID protection, filter delivery, utility connection concierge, insurance, and more are helping professional property managers make resident experience their competitive advantage.Follow Andrew on TwitterConnect with Andrew on LinkedInFollow Second Nature on TwitterCheck out Second Nature

Join me as I chat with Ben Lerner, Managing Director of Lerner Associates, about M&A in the proptech industry. Ben shares his unique insights from his background in tech and real estate, focusing on the importance of licenses and the evolving dynamics of user licensing. We discuss the differences between M&A and venture capital markets, highlighting the active M&A scene despite tougher capital raising.Ben advises founders to prioritize metrics, build relationships with potential acquirers, and remain open to opportunities. He emphasizes customer retention and profitability as key for potential buyers and the importance of a clear scorecard that showcases business value. We also touch on balancing in-person and remote work, owning core technology, and the crucial role of human interaction in real estate. Tune in for Ben's expert advice on navigating the proptech M&A landscape.More about Ben and Lerner AssociatesLerner Associates is a purely proptech focused M&A advisory firm working with founders/owners/leaders of real estate tech companies looking to sell their company or to raise growth capital. We also work buy-side.Ben is the Managing Director of Lerner Associates, a London-based boutique M&A Advisory practice, he set up in 2019. Lerner Associates focuses purely on PropTech transactions, global and cross-border, across the spectrum of investment management, corporate, commercial, residential, multifamily, agency, workplace, facilities management, construction and real estate data solutions.Ben has over 20 years of experience working in the real estate software space, both strategically and operationally as a seasoned proptech executive, and more latterly within corporate development, M&A and investment. From prior to selling his family business, Qube Global Software, to MRI Software, and throughout his time with MRI and beyond, Ben has been actively involved in M&A on deal sourcing, structuring, due diligence and general advisory.Follow Ben on TwitterConnect with Ben on LinkedInFollow Lerner Associates on TwitterCheck out Lerner Associates

Kirill Bensonoff, CEO and Co-founder of New Silver, a fintech company that provides loans for fix and flip projects, joins Tech Nest to discuss the current state of the real estate market, the challenges faced by investors, and how New Silver differentiates itself from other lenders. Kirill explains how their technology, including a pricing engine, streamlines the loan process and offers convenience to borrowers. He also discusses their unique approach to sourcing capital, including their partnership with MakerDAO, a decentralized autonomous organization. Kirill shares his predictions for the future of the real estate market and the impact of AI on the industry. New Silver is not your standard lender. Listen in to hear more!More about Kirill and New SilverNew Silver is a fintech company with a mission to improve local communities by providing fast, convenient, and flexible capital to real estate investors. We use data and technology to underwrite and originate investment property loans with more efficiency and predictability. Our pricing engine provides instant online loan approval and a term sheet so that our many happy clients are ready to make an offer in as little as 5 minutes.Kirill Bensonoff is an advocate for pioneering fintech solutions, with a career spanning over 20 years across fintech, blockchain, and cloud computing. His entrepreneurial acumen has led to the successful bootstrapping of two high-growth technology companies, culminating in multi-million dollar exits. Kirill's journey exemplifies the synergy between deep industry expertise and entrepreneurial zeal, driving innovation in financial technology.As the co-founder and CEO of New Silver, a fintech company that excels in providing loans for fix-and-flip projects, Kirill has been instrumental in steering the company through challenging landscapes to establish it as a leader in its domain. Under his guidance, New Silver has made a mark by becoming the first Real-World Asset to be recognized and approved by MakerDAO, the leading stable-coin community project.Follow Kirill on TwitterConnect with Kirill on LinkedInFollow New Silver on TwitterCheck out New Silver

Steve Carroll, CEO and co-founder of Fine Diggs, discusses the issue of rental fraud and its impact on the rental application process. He highlights that 25% of all evictions are attributable to rental application fraud and explains how fraudsters use stolen or fraudulent information to lease properties and wait out the eviction process. Carroll emphasizes the need for comprehensive identity verification and a more holistic approach to underwriting that considers factors like income and behavior. He also discusses the importance of fairness in the rental process and how Fine Diggs is working to provide tools for property managers to make more informed and equitable leasing decisions. Findigs is a company that aims to streamline the leasing process by standardizing qualification and underwriting and using automation tools. They focus on removing bias and ensuring that the rules are applied consistently for everyone. The company recently raised a Series B round of funding, which is a significant achievement in the current startup funding environment. In terms of industry trends, Findigs believes that while technology plays a crucial role in real estate, face-to-face interactions and personal connections should not be eliminated. They also anticipate that regulations around tenant screening will continue to evolve, with a focus on fairness and consumer permission. Looking ahead, Findigs aims to grow their business and expand their services to make the rental process seamless and transparent for consumers.More about Steve and FindigsFindigs is the leading property technology company working to simplify rental screening and leasing decisions. Thanks to Findigs' proprietary tech, it speeds up the rental decision process from an industry average of one week to an average of less than one day.Steve Carrol is the CEO and co-founder of Findigs, aiming to simplify the rental screening process, and sits on the National Rental Home Council. He has deep experience in the proptech VC space as well as being the co-founder and COO of Seated prior to co-founding Findigs.Connect with Steve on LinkedInCheck out Findigs

Lindsay Liu, Co-founder and CEO of Super, discusses the challenges property managers face with busy work and inefficient communication. Property managers spend a significant amount of time on tasks like email and phone calls, which can be automated and streamlined. Super aims to centralize communications and automate tasks for property managers, allowing them to focus on more important work. The use of AI in property management can boost productivity and provide scalable assistance to property managers. However, it's important for companies to prioritize data security and privacy and be aware of potential biases in AI algorithms. Embracing technology and change will be crucial for property management companies to succeed in the future.More about Lindsay and SuperProperty managers are inundated with more and more text messages, emails, calls, and work orders. With Super, they get an AI assistant that centralizes all of these communications into one hub that then automates triage and tracking, saving 6+ hours of weekly manual and repetitive work.Lindsay Liu has turned a passion for real estate from a side hustle into an industry she seeks to transform. For over a decade while working in tech, she managed multifamily rentals, vacation rentals, and flips—including three stints on HOA boards. Now, she's one of the founders and CEO of Super, a company transforming the industry through AI-powered tools for property managers.Connect with Lindsay on LinkedInFollow Lindsay on TwitterFollow Super on TwitterCheck out Super

In this episode of Tech Nest, I explore commercial real estate auctions with Stephen Jacobs, President of Ten-X. Stephen shares his journey leading Ten-X (which is a really cool story, BTW) and debunks myths about auctions, explaining their strategic advantages beyond just distressed properties.Learn how Ten-X leverages data and technology to streamline the auction process, ensuring faster and more certain sales. Stephen also discusses the evolving role of brokers and current market trends, providing valuable insights into the future of commercial real estate transactions. Hint: brokers are still very much relevant in today's transactions. Listen in today!More about Steven and Ten-XTen-X is the world's largest, online commercial real estate auction platform. Our platform empowers brokers, sellers and buyers with data-driven technology and comprehensive marketing tools to expand market visibility and decrease time to close. CoStar Group's online property auction platform, Ten-X, is the leading example of the rapid growth of online property auction marketplaces. Each year more and more buyers, sellers, and brokers are using this proptech tool to exchange properties. Events like its Battle of the Bids, which feature thousands of players duking it out for $3.1 million in prizes over 6 rounds to correctly guess how much various properties will sell for on the Ten-X platform, are a way to highlight the innovative ways that CRE marketplaces are drawing attention to their ecosystems. Battle of the Bids is also an example of the notoriously staid industry having a little fun and using gamification tools to drive awareness of new trends.Follow Ten-X on TwitterFollow Ten-X on LinkedInCheck out Ten-X

Here's a fun one for y'all. Frank Rohde, Founder and CEO of Ownify, a company working to revolutionize homeownership through fractional ownership joins the show. Frank shares insights into Ownify's innovative model that helps first-time homebuyers with good income and credit but limited savings gradually build equity in their homes. You'll hear about Frank's diverse background, including his roles at FICO and Nomis, and how these experiences helped shape Ownify. He explains the dual nature of Ownify's operations, balancing PropCo and OpCo dynamics to benefit both consumers and investors.We get practical, outlining steps for using Ownify, the challenges and opportunities in the current real estate market, and Frank's predictions for the future of homeownership and proptech. Listen in!More about Frank and OwnifyOwnify is rebuilding the path to homeownership to make it achievable for the next generation of homebuyers. Our fractional ownership platform partners savvy investors with qualified first-time homebuyers to buy their home "brick by brick" - zero debt & no surprises. With Ownify, homebuyers and investors together reap the collective benefits of building equity, creating stability, and investing in the health of local communities for years to come. For our "Ownis", Ownify offers a low down payment of 2%, a powerful cash offer to compete against corporate buyers, no unforeseen costs & surprises, and evergreen equity in their home. For our investors, Ownify offers fractional ownership in a single family home generating income and real estate returns, shared equity & shared purpose with the Owni, and positive community impact by helping first-time homebuyers.Frank originally hails from Germany. Early attempts at becoming a child prodigy violinist were unsuccessful which forced his parents to abandon any hope or supervision. Left to his own, Frank quickly became famous for wrestling rattlesnakes and kayaking. His sister meanwhile became the child prodigy violinist. Looking for a brighter future, Frank moved to California where his first job was a choice between watering marijuana plants in the Northern California mountains or building a neural network-based prediction engine for horse racing results. Ever focused on doing the right thing, he built the neural network for horse racing. Several other lucky turns led him to stay in the US and eventually graduate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Economics. Since then, he's been a consultant at Oliver Wyman, started an online insurance company, spent 4 years at FICO, and grew Nomis from

In this episode we dig into the side of real estate that seems to be the big, sleeping topic: insurance. Valkyrie Holmes, Founder and CEO of Faura, discusses the impact of natural disasters on insurance, the challenges faced by insurance companies, and the innovative solutions offered by Faura. The conversation covers risk assessment, loss control solutions, the impact of climate change, and the future of insurance tech.More about Valkyrie and FauraFaura provides loss control solutions for insurance companies with high-risk books of business. We specialize in risk assessments in disaster zones on everything from wildfires to hurricanes and are available all over the country.Valkyrie is the CEO and Co-founder of Faura, an insurtech startup that creates loss control solutions for insurance companies with high-risk books of business. She began her work as a data analyst and engineering intern at SpaceX before being awarded the 776 Fellowship to work in sustainability. Since then, she's launched both wildfire and wind assessments to add climate resilience data to the insurance market and is now operational across the country.Connect with Valkyrie on LinkedInFollow Valkyrie on TwitterFollow Faura on TwitterCheck out Faura

We've got a solid interview for y'all this week. Raunaq Singh, Founder and CEO of Roam, comes on the show to discuss their platform for purchasing homes using assumable low-rate mortgages. Raunaq digs into the history of assumable mortgages, the potential size of the market, and the challenges and opportunities for buyers and sellers. Raunaq also explains how Roam is working with agents, and is addressing misconceptions about assumable mortgages. We discuss the potential impact on real estate transactions as a whole nationwide—but also how much education is necessary to drive that impact. We also get into the benefits for both buyers and sellers, the underwriting process, and the future trends in the real estate market. Listen in!More about Ranuq and RoamRoam is a platform that enables homebuyers to purchase a home with an assumable low-rate mortgage included and save up to 50% on monthly payments compared to buying the same house with a traditional mortgage. To date, Roam has helped buyers save $12k per year and $350k over the life of their loan compared to taking out a new mortgage. To date, over 500k buyers have used Roam to find their next home with a low-rate assumable mortgage.Raunaq Singh is the founder and CEO of Roam, the platform for purchasing a home with an assumable, low-rate mortgage included. Prior to founding Roam, Raunaq spent a decade in various product and operations roles across Uber, Opendoor, and Culdesac. He received a Bachelor's degree in Political Economy from NYU and currently resides in New York City.Connect with Raunaq on LinkedInFollow Raunaq on TwitterFollow Roam on TwitterCheck out Roam

Have we all been ignoring opportunities to uncover inventory? Amanda Orson, Founder and CEO of Galleon, reveals the hidden potential in the real estate marketplace by exposing inventory not visible on the MLS. She shares insights on industry challenges and opportunities, and how technological advances are revolutionizing real estate transactions.Amanda discusses why the traditional 3% buyer's agent fee may soon be obsolete and the need for a pragmatic industry outlook. That's not to say buyer's agents can't or won't be paid in the future—just that it's time to re-evaluate how we're doing things. She addresses the detrimental trend of denying the need for change and emphasizes preparing for a dynamic future.Listen in to learn about Galleon's goal to become the largest network of off-market, non-MLS inventory in the U.S. More about Amanda and GalleonGalleon is reshaping real estate by providing a commission-free, by-owner marketplace where anyone can list their home in minutes and transact on their own terms.Amanda Orson is the Founder and CEO of Galleon, the direct consumer-led real estate marketplace. As a serial entrepreneur and tech executive, prior to Galleon, she was the CEO of Curve US, leading the British fintech's expansion in the United States. Follow Amanda on TwitterConnect with Amanda on LinkedInFollow Galleon on TwitterCheck out Galleon

I'm super excited for this episode's guest, Lior Abramovich, co-founder and CEO of Blanket. Blanket is a property retention platform, designed to help property managers reduce churn and better inform owners.  Discover how Blanket launched to immediate acclaim and rapidly assembled a team driven by a shared mission. Lior outlines the dual aspects of their service: an owner investment dashboard that offers real-time metrics, educational tools, and AI-driven insights, alongside a marketplace exclusive to property managers. This marketplace not only facilitates property sales, enabling managers to maintain management and earn commissions but also acts as a potent tool for client retention and lead generation. Amidst a shifting financial landscape and evolving industry regulations, Blanket's approach redefines property management as investment management, positioning property managers as essential, trusted advisors in the real estate sector.More about Lior and BlanketBlanket is a Property Retention Platform that helps property managers keep their owners happy and their doors under management so their businesses can thrive.Lior Abramovich is the Co-Founder & CEO of Blanket, bringing a decade of experience in the single-family rental market with over $150 million worth of acquisitions for over 1,000 individual investors. Lior served for 8 years as Naval Commander in the Israeli Navy and has co-founded a non-profit organization that renovates homes of senior citizens in need, and a foundation that has set on a mission to ensure every child in the world has access to clean drinking water.Follow Lior on TwitterConnect with Lior on LinkedInFollow Blanket on LinkedInCheck out Blanket

He's back! Nima Wedlake, Managing Director at ThomVest Ventures, about the current state of Proptech and the themes he is tracking for 2024. We focused on an essay Nima penned, covering several topics including control point software, AI's impact on construction productivity, and the rise of home services businesses. Nima discusses the challenges and opportunities in scaling tech-enabled service businesses and the potential of AI in the construction industry. The conversation also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on real estate tech investments and the future of venture capital in the space. We also explore the role of real estate agents in a changing market and the impact of technology on the industry (spoiler: uncertainty exists, but so will the agent). More about Nima and Thomvest VenturesNima has published his 2024 proptech themes and would love to discuss them with you. Here is the link to the full report: https://blog.thomvest.com/real-estate-technology-themes-were-tracking-in-2024-124a5280c3ddBelow is a very quick overview of the three key themes that will play a dominant role in 2024 for Nima.“Control point” software businesses in real estate: These crucial systems are core to how businesses operate and are difficult to displace. Three strategies for new entrants to compete in this space include targeting new customer segments, building value around existing control points, and selling complete tasks or processes instead of just software tools.AI's impact on construction productivity: There is growing excitement around startups focused on using AI in various aspects of construction, from pre-development analysis and permitting automation to design cycle shortening and physical robot automation on construction sites.Residential real estate in a post-NAR world: Following the NAR settlement on residential real estate, lower commissions may lead to agents seeking efficiency measures and could pose challenges for existing real estate companies, while also creating opportunities for innovation and competition in the industry.Nima Wedlake is a Managing Director at Thomvest Ventures, focusing on investment opportunities across the real estate & financial technology verticals. He spearheaded Thomvest's investments in Baselane, Blend, Glide (acquired by Compass), Keyway, Maxwell, Mynd, Obie, Pine & Tala. Thomvest Ventures is a San Francisco-based $750M evergreen venture capital fund by Peter Thomson (Thomson Reuters). Follow Nima on TwitterConnect with Nima on LinkedInCheck out Thomvest

This episode is focused on tech providing the means to execute the basics, at a high level, for real estate agents, teams, and brokerages. Vijay Gopalswamy, founder and CEO of Traxy, a deal-tracking tool for real estate professionals, shares his story of why he started Trackxi due to a void in the market for a great transaction coordinating platform. Vijay got into real estate as an agent, so he's very familiar with the pain of transaction coordination and that led him to create a solution.Vijay discusses the challenges agents face and how Trackxi aims to simplify transaction management. We also go into some of the trends impacting brokers, as well as touch on AI usage in real estate. Tune in to learn how Trackxi is working to change how agents handle deals and enhance their services.More about Vijay and TrackxiTrackxi is Real Estate's # 1 Deal Tracker, designed for Agents, Teams & Transaction coordinators. Transparency for everyone else. Demonstrate your value to your buyers & sellers, automatically.Essential tool for agents. Designed by a practicing agent team. Simple and elegant user interface packed with powerful features that can truly help your business.Follow Vijay on TwitterConnect with Vijay on LinkedInFollow Trackxi on TwitterCheck out Trackxi

More about BrainBox AI and Jean-SimonFounded in 2017, BrainBox AI was created to address two critical issues currently facing the built environment: carbon emissions and energy consumption. As innovators in the decarbonization movement, BrainBox AI's game-changing HVAC technology leverages AI to make buildings smarter, greener, and more efficient. Through strategic global relationships, BrainBox AI elevates real estate clients across various sectors from office buildings and hotels to commercial retail, grocery stores, airports, and more.BrainBox AI's tech results in up to 25% reduction in total energy costs, up to 40% decrease in carbon footprint, and up to 60% improvement in occupant comfort, and extends HVAC equipment life by up to 50%. The tech provides intuitive data visualization of automated emissions data collection, tracking, and reporting via dashboard or downloadable documentation.  In 2020, BrainBox AI was recognized by TIME as one of the Top 100 best inventions and by CB Insights as one of the Top 100 AI start-ups redefining industries in 2021. The company is also a member of the MaRS Discovery District, the largest urban innovation hub in North America. BrainBox AI was selected as the winner for the Tech For Our Planet Challenge from a cohort of ten finalist start-ups at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in 2022. Jean-Simon Venne is a co-founder and CTO of BrainBox AI. BrainBox AI's technology leverages artificial intelligence to improve building operational efficiency while reducing energy consumption and costs. Combining machine learning, cloud-based computing, and self-directed decision-making, BrainBox AI enables the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system in a commercial building to operate autonomously and in real-time, generating up to a 25% reduction in total energy costs, 20-40% reduction in carbon footprint and 60% increase in occupant comfort. As a technology expert specializing in the fast and efficient migration of technological innovations to commercial applications, Jean-Simon has over 25 years of experience developing and implementing new technology to solve long-standing commercial issues in the fields of telecommunications, biotechnology, and energy efficiency. Connect with Jean-SimonFollow BrainBox AI on TwitterCheck out BrainBox AI

Mike Simonsen, President of Altos Research, joins Tech Nest today to discuss real estate data and some of the myths around mortgage rate lock-ins. Altos Research offers local and national real estate data to financial institutions, real estate pros, and investors. Simonsen reveals that the lock-in effect started in 2014, not 2022, due to falling mortgage rates making homeowners hesitant to sell. He highlights the importance of viewing data from various angles and explains how Altos Research tracks the active market, focusing on pricing, inventory, and trends. Altos Research just recently announced a new product feature, adding pending data to show properties under contract, giving a quick, accurate market snapshot. Mike also shares insights as to how the future of real estate data will see more sources and better analysis, though affordability issues will likely remain (sadly). Despite affordability challenges, purchasing a home is expected to get simpler as advances in tech could lead to faster underwriting and quicker closings, streamlining the home buying process.More about Mike and Altos ResearchAltos Research tracks the US real estate market in real-time. For over 15 years the company has provided national and local real estate data to financial institutions, investors, and tens of thousands of real estate professionals across the country.Altos Research was acquired by HW Media in December 2022.Mike Simonsen is the founder and president of real estate analytics firm Altos Research, which has provided national and local real estate data to financial institutions, real estate professionals, and investors across the country for more than 15 years. An expert trendspotter, Mike uses Altos data to identify market shifts months before they hit the headlines and his work has been featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Fortune, Bloomberg, and other publications. Connect with Mike on LinkedinFollow Mike on TwitterFollow Altos Research on TwitterCheck out Altos Research

Chet Kittleson, Co-founder and CEO of Far Homes, shares how the company is simplifying international home buying. Born from the pandemic's remote work trend, Far Homes helps people buy and sell homes abroad, starting with Mexico. They offer a thorough real estate search platform, connect buyers with local agents, and focus on high-demand markets like Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Far Homes aims to be the go-to for global cross-border purchase financing, with tools like the Financing Finder making the process easier. One thing Chet points out is that despite all the possibilities with technology, agents remain a vital part of the equation when it comes to buying real estate both abroad and domestically.More about Chet and Far HomesFar Homes is a real estate company that is making it easier to find and buy homes in international destinations in a world where more and more people can live and work anywhere. Founded by real estate industry veterans in 2022, the company is working to simplify the international home-buying and selling experience through a technology-powered marketplace. Far Homes has built a database of pre and new-construction, and existing homes for sale making it easy to find the home you want. The company has a bilingual customer service team who respond quickly, and a network of local, multi-lingual partner agents with experience helping buyers from outside the country navigate the home buying and selling process.Far Homes has raised more than $2 million from PSL Ventures, Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman, and DoorDash co-founder Evan Moore, among others.Chet is the CEO of Far Homes, a US-based real estate start-up focused on simplifying the international home-buying experience. Chet started Far Homes in 2022 when the rise of remote work gave more people than ever the opportunity to live and work anywhere in the world, dramatically increasing the need for support in finding and buying a home in another country. Prior to starting Far Homes, Chet spent 6 years at Redfin where he first led New Ventures, building off his strong background in partnerships to create millions of dollars in high-margin revenue before becoming the GM of Marketplaces. Connect with ChetFollow Far Homes on TwitterCheck out Far Homes

This week's engaging interview is with Stephen "Capz" Capezza, President of Side. Stephen shares his journey in real estate and provides a deep dive into Side's unique brokerage-as-a-service model. Side is a true pioneer in the real estate brokerage space as the only brokerage-as-a-service platform. The success of this platform can be seen based on the industry recognition many of their agents have achieved, including lists from Real Trends. Stephen shares his experience and what he's witnessed throughout his decade-plus tenure, leading real estate technology teams, the trends that have come and gone, and what's needed now for brokers to be successful. Tune in for an enlightening conversation about the future of real estate for agents and brokerages. More about Stephen and SideSide is the pioneer and the industry's only real estate brokerage-as-a-service platform that empowers the very best agents, teams and indie brokers to create and grow their own companies — without the time, cost or risk of operating a brokerage. Unlike consumer-facing brokerage brands, Side works behind the scenes to provide our partners with time-saving technology and premier support services. This way, they're free to focus on what matters most: serving their clients and communities.Agents partner with Side to help them create a company and act as that company's brokerage of record and back-office support. The companies that make up Side's network are locally owned and operated boutiques that are empowered with the full resources of a national brokerage.Stephen 'Capz' Capezza is President of Side. He has significant industry experience, and a deep understanding of the specific needs of the top-producing agents and teams Side partners with. Capz has decades of experience managing high-impact sales and customer success teams. Before Side, Capz was at Zillow Group, where he served as senior vice president of business operations. In this role, he oversaw Zillow Premier Agent, which connects consumers searching for homes on Zillow with real estate professionals. Zillow Premier Agent serves over 150,000 agents nationally and generates over $1.2B in revenue. Capezza joined Zillow in 2015 following the company's acquisition of Trulia, where he spent two years leading Trulia's San Francisco sales and operations teams.Connect with Stephen on LinkedInFollow Side on TwitterCheck out Side

In this conversation, I talk with Ned Murphy, the General Manager at Level M, about the state of the multifamily industry and the role of smart buildings. We discuss the impact of new construction on the market, the competitive dynamics and concessions in the industry, and the challenges of hardware and software integration. Ned shares more about Level M as a next-generation platform, aimed at helping existing properties adopt smart technology. One blocker to adopting smart building technology has been around measuring the ROI of both software and hardware. Ned digs into some of the misconceptions here and highlights the importance of tailoring value propositions differently, to different stakeholders, in order to achieve adoption. Smart building technology is evolving fast, and its becoming more clear the benefits extend beyond resident experience or management convenience. Listen in to hear more about the evolution of multifamily smart buildings.More about Ned and Level MLevel M is the next-generation smart apartment and property automation platform for multifamily. With revolutionary hardware and premium user experiences, Level M uniquely delivers smart access control, property automation, and building intelligence solutions that are cost-effective, dependable, and future-proof.Ned was the Co-founder of Dwelo helping guide the company for six yers before being acquired by Level Home Inc. He leads the companies multifamily business. Connect with Ned on LinkedInFollow Level M on LinkedInCheck out Level M

In this episode of Tech Nest, we have a returning guest, David Sullivan, on the show. David was previously CEO of a company called Till, which was acquired by Best Egg. David's been working to bring flexible rent solutions to the renters market, and through the acquisition by Best Egg, is now better positioned to do so. We get into the challenges of disrupting the property management industry and the complexity of embedding point solutions, such as flex rent, in multifamily. The effects of the pandemic on the rental market and the shift towards renter-centric solutions has changed some things for all parties involved, some of those changes for the better. This discussion isn't just about flex rent options, however. We get into a handful of topics such as the importance of building trust and durability in the industry as a point solution provider, the benefits of SOC 2 compliance, and some of the trends moving the proptech industry forward when we talk about property management and tenant-centric solutions. There's a little bit for everyone in this one. Listen in to what David's got to say.More about David and Best EggBest Egg Flexible Rent gives renters control of when they pay their rent by splitting rent into 2, 3, or 4 payments during the month while ensuring rent is paid in full and on time to the property. David is the Managing Director of Best Egg Flexible Rent.  Prior, David was the COO of the American Home, a rental housing REIT, and has spent time investing in Fintech startups at Route 66 Ventures. Connect with David on LinkedInFollow David on TwitterFollow Best Egg on TwitterCheck out Flexible Rent through Best Egg

This is the type of conversation I should have had on the show a long time ago. Industry veteran, brand-builder, and all-around great guy, Brian Boero joins the show today. Brian is Co-founder at the branding and strategy agency, 1000WATT. They focus exclusively on working with brands in the real estate vertical including brokerages, lenders, and technology companies.One of the first topics I was eager to get Brian to dig into was on the importance of brand and storytelling within the real estate industry. You'll hear insights shared aimed at the broker / agent, but also applicable advice for proptech companies. One theme Brian points out is the tendency of companies to talk about features instead of benefits and why that's detrimental to do so.Of course, we couldn't avoid the evolving topic of real estate commissions. The topic affects more than just agents, but any business that is built around transaction volume and that could be impacted by new rules coming to the industry. Don't delay, download and listen.More about Brian and 1000WATT1000WATT is real estate's branding and strategy agency. Founded in , our clients range from brokerage, proptech, mortgage, title, home builders and everything in between.Brian has been in real estate media, marketing and technology since 1997. Before Co-Founding 1000WATT, Brian served as President of Inman, real estate's leading trade media company, and as CEO of VREO, where he created e-signature and document management software for tablet PCs. Brian has led dozens of companies through complex brand and marketing challenges and leads the 1000WATT team daily.Follow Brian on TwitterConnect with Brian on LinkedInCheck out 1000WATTIt's not too late to snag your ticket to 1000WATT's Brand and Marketing Summit. More info here: https://1000watt.net/events/summit/ 

This week's interview features Vincent Hodder, Co-founder and CEO of Local Logic. Local Logic is a location intelligence platform that focuses on digitizing the built world and providing predictive analytics for addresses in the US and Canada. They have a massive data set of 100 billion unique data points, which allows them to understand and quantify cities at a hyperlocal level.You'll hear us discuss the need for data-driven insights to help consumers, agents, and investors (all in their own, unique ways) make better decisions in real estate. Local Logic provides innovative data solutions for the real estate industry, helping consumers and agents make informed decisions based on location-specific insights. Real estate is a hyper-local game. Dig in on how better access to data and enhanced tools can make a difference for consumers, agents, and investors. More about Vincent-Charles and Local LogicLocal Logic is a location intelligence platform that digitizes the built world for consumers, investors, developers, and governments – delivering unrivaled clarity and actionable insights capable of creating more sustainable, equitable cities. With more than 100 billion unique data points – the largest unique location data set in the U.S. and Canada – the platform creates a digital twin of cities, quantifying the built world and offering predictive, precise analytics to inform the present and future of over 250 million individual addresses.Vincent-Charles started his journey as a young boy, aspiring to be a real estate developer. While in school, he recognized a significant issue in the industry, particularly in urban planning. The lack of actionable data on how the built environment impacts the supply and demand of real estate led to investments being based solely on a “gut check.” Seeing the ramifications this had on community developments, he seized this opportunity and co-founded Local Logic with his fellow classmate, Gabriel Damant Sirois. Local Logic is now empowering customers to achieve their real estate goals by providing them with high-quality, unique, and actionable insights to understand how the built world impacts the risk and return of their real estate decisions of all scales and at all levels of sophistication.Follow Vincent-Charles on TwitterConnect with Vincent Charles on LinkedInFollow Local Logic on TwitterCheck out Local Logic

This week's guest is Everett Lynn, Founder and CEO of Amenify, a plug and play platform for amenity services in the multifamily space. We  discuss Amenify's recent growth trajectory (hint: they've been on fire!). Everett shares his insights on different types of fundraising and the challenges of disruption in the real estate industry—a topic that is frequently discussed, but Everett offers some unique takes for founders. You'll hear Everett emphasize the importance of finding a balance between value and efficiency in proptech solutions and the need for understanding the ecosystem in which these solutions operate. We also get into various aspects of proptech and the challenges faced by companies in the industry such as the difficulties of scaling in-person services, and the efficiencies (and difficulties) of a three-sided marketplace. We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Download and listen in!More about Everett and AmenifyAmenify powers lifestyle services for 1.3+ million homes across 500+ cities, with tracked, trained, and compliant Service Pros. Amenify drives retention and ancillary income for multifamily operators while helping the local community with trust and efficiency gains. Their integrated Service Pros include teams for cleaning, handyman, restaurant delivery, grocery delivery, and more, each with real-time support. The company has raised $20 million to date to invest in technology for the three stakeholders of their technology platform, including: Multifamily Operators, Service Providers, and Residents.Connect with Everett on LinkedInCheck out Amenify

It's my second time interviewing Joseph Woodbury, co-founder and CEO of Neighbor.com. This is, however, Joseph's first time on Tech Nest. We get into how his company is disrupting the self-storage industry by leveraging the peer-to-peer model. Neighbor allows individuals and businesses to monetize unused space by renting it out for storage. They have operations in all 50 states, providing storage solutions at a micro level that traditional storage facilities cannot justify. The company has experienced challenges in acquiring residential customers but has evolved its user acquisition strategies over time. We also get into the demand and supply dynamics of the storage industry and the opportunity for property owners to achieve full property monetization through storage solutions. One interesting topic Joseph touches on is the network effects and the challenges of expanding to new markets, which I personally get excited to discuss stuff like this. There's all that and more in this one. Tune in!More about Joseph and Neighbor.comNeighbor is revolutionizing proptech by unlocking the hidden value in existing properties. Our platform empowers individuals and businesses to convert underutilized spaces like garages, parking lots, and even vacant land into lucrative storage and parking solutions.This not only increases income for property owners but also creates a more efficient and sustainable use of space in our communities. Neighbor is a prime example of how proptech is innovating the real estate landscape by optimizing existing infrastructure and resources.Joseph Woodbury is the Co-Founder and CEO of Neighbor.com. He has successfully disrupted the $500 Billion self-storage industry by raising more than $65 million from top investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Airbnb, Uber, StockX, and DoorDash. Under his leadership, Neighbor has expanded to all 50 states, providing more storage options than any other company in the industry. Joseph brings his expertise in real estate to help property owners optimize their assets.Follow Joseph on TwitterConnect with Joseph on LinkedInFollow Neighbor.com on TwitterCheck out Neighbor.com

I promise you, discussing security deposits isn't as boring as it may seem. This week, I'm joined by Conor Brennan, Co-founder of Rentable, a security deposit management platform for residential real estate. He shares about the pain points of security deposits, including the legal challenges and outdated processes. We dig into the importance of integrations and Rentable's focus on cash deposits. Conor shares how Rentable offers flexible payment options for deposits and highlights the ideal customers for their platform. You'll hear Conor explain further more about the inefficiencies of traditional security deposit processes and the time and cost savings that can be achieved through improved technology. He highlights the importance of educating property managers on these benefits and addressing pain points such as returned checks and new legislation. We also get into Rentable's go-to-market strategy of targeting the mid-market for adoption and the key value props of using Rentable. More about Conor and RentableRentable is the leading security deposit management company in America. Rentable is utilized by hundreds of property managers across the country to streamline and modernize the process of handling security deposits. In addition, Rentable provides renters with flexible payment options that allow them to spread their deposit out over time. Conor Co-founded Rentable alongside Alex Kamisher. The two worked together at Boston based fintech company, Toast. After experiencing the difficult and archaic process of paying and receiving their security deposits in their Boston apartments, the two realized that a solution was needed to address this issue. Connect with Conor on LinkedInCheck out Rentable

This week, I'm fortunate to be joined by fellow South Dakotan, Ray Hespen. Ray is CEO and co-founder of Property Meld, a maintenance automation software company. based in Rapid City, South Dakota.Let's start with some performance metrics from Property Meld's 2023:$723,997,461 in repairs completed8,467,099 maintenance phone calls eliminated378,082 maintenance issues prevented4.40 average resident satisfaction across all customers4,786,554 maintenance tasks automatedDuring our conversation, we discuss some of these metrics and how great communication can play such a critical role in maintenance automation. Ray breaks down the challenges of maintenance coordination and why property management needs to improve despite these challenges. Ray and the team at Property Meld take a holistic approach to tackling challenges in property maintenance, gathering data, and providing automations. You'll hear about that and more. Lastly, you'll hear me plugging Property Meld's conference, Maintenance Summit in here as well. If you're in property management, either in the field or tech side, then a trip to South Dakota this year in September has got to get on your schedule. More about Ray and Property MeldProperty Meld is a web-based property maintenance software dedicated to simplifying maintenance coordination. We provide unmatched visibility into crucial maintenance metrics, empowering property management companies to make data-driven decisions. Our robust solution connects property managers, residents, vendors, and property owners in one location. Automated workflows, AI-fueled thoughtful responses, centralized scheduling, and best-in-class communication drive positive, predictable, and profitable maintenance.Ray Hespen is the CEO and co-founder of Property Meld, a maintenance automation software company. Ray and his co-founder, David Kingman, started Property Meld in 2014 to bring intelligent maintenance to the property management world.Follow Property Meld on TwitterFollow Property Meld on LinkedInCheck out Property MeldCome to South Dakota for the annual Maintenance Summit, hosted by Property Meld - https://pmusersummit.com 

In this episode, I interview Zach Gorman, co-founder and COO of RealReports, an AI-powered real estate data platform that consolidates multiple data sources and provides agents with comprehensive reports. The platform offers agents the ability to generate new business, win deals, and conduct research and diligence more efficiently. We discuss the challenges of fragmented and inaccessible data in the residential real estate industry. He shares his non-traditional path to real estate and the inspiration behind RealReports. We explore the value of technology in solving problems and creating efficiencies. We also get into more about the branding and marketing of RealReports, including RealReports' rebrand.  Of course we couldn't finish the discussion without getting into broader trends of AI in real estate.More about RealReportsReal estate data is fragmented, expensive, and time-consuming to access. This costs companies billions of dollars and makes rapid innovation in the industry nearly impossible. We are building an infinitely flexible data marketplace to serve as the infrastructural backbone for the entire real estate ecosystem.Our flagship product is called a RealReport — an AI-powered "Carfax for homes," powered by data from 30+ best-in-class providers and Aiden, an AI copilot, which can answer any property question instantly. RealReports provide comprehensive property information for every home in the United States and empower real estate professionals to win more deals, generate leads, and build trust with their clients. Follow Zach on TwitterConnect with Zach on LinkedInFollow RealReports on TwitterCheck out RealReports

For episode 200 of Tech Nest, I wanted to share some thoughts on the journey of the podcast, as well as some general life and work updates. Of course I owe so much to so many in the industry—so I spend some time discussing past guests and what this show means to me. You'll hear a brief bit of the success stories of startups featured on the show and highlights the challenges faced by proptech companies. Lastly, I leave you with some helpful info on upcoming events across the country you'll want to get on your radar. Below are links to many of those events for you to consider attending.I mentioned in this show Geek Estate. For those not yet a member, please reconsider. Learn more at: https://www.geekestate.com  Event Links:https://www.imn.org https://blueprintvegas.comhttps://promo.inman.com/upcoming-eventshttps://www.narpm.org/conferenceshttps://ioisummit.realtorMy Links: Follow Nate on TwitterConnect with Nate on LinkedInFollow Tech Nest on TwitterFollow Tech Nest on LinkedInJoin the Tech Nest NewsletterSubmit News for Tech NestApply to Be On Tech Nest 

Pat Kinsel is back for his second appearance on Tech Nest. Pat is the Founder and CEO of Proof, an intelligent platform that combines auditable verification with cryptographic evidence to securely execute legally binding agreements. We waste no time getting into why Proof rebranded from being known as Notarize and how the new brand more accurately reflects the full vision of the company. Some of the big problems we discuss include the types of fraud in real estate transactions, including wire fraud, synthetic identity fraud, and deed fraud. Pat also explores the risks associated with AI in increasing fraud and the need for robust security measures. He explains how Proof verifies identity and documents and emphasizes the importance of bringing security frameworks into the consumer world. The conversation sheds light on the challenges and solutions in ensuring trust and security in digital transactions. In this conversation, Pat Kinsel discusses the government's fear of systemic algorithmic bias and the challenges of task automation. The future of real estate transaction depends on trust of identity. Listen in to learn more about Proof and the problems their solving for.More about Pat and ProofAchieve trust in every transaction. With Proof, lock in certainty that your customer actually signed on the dotted line. Proof is an intelligent platform that combines auditable verification with cryptographic evidence to securely execute legally binding agreements.Pat is Founder and CEO of Proof. After creating Notarize, the world's leading notarization platform, Pat raised the standard of trust again with the launch of Proof. Before Proof, Pat was a Venture Partner at Polaris Partners, the first investor into Drizly, and sold his prior startup, Spindle, to Twitter. Follow Pat on TwitterConnect with Pat on LinkedInFollow Proof on TwitterCheck out Proof

Today's guest is Matt Service, COO of Apartment List. In this episode, Matt discusses the unique user experience and value proposition of Apartment List's matchmaking rental marketplace and announces the company's latest innovation: Lea Pro. As they describe it, Lea Pro is "a groundbreaking AI-powered leasing assistant designed to work hand-in-hand with property management companies and leasing agents." This is an iteration of their already available automated leasing assistant, Lea. Lea has already proven valuable to agents and has been recognized for being a leading technology solution in leasing. We also get into the apartment leasing business. Matt highlights the importance of surfacing trade-offs in apartment hunting and leveraging technology to enhance the rental process. He shares insights into the current trends in the rental industry and the challenges faced by brokers and agents. Of course, we also briefly cover the anticipated wave of new apartment inventory on the horizon and how that may impact leasing trends in the near future.More about Apartment ListApartment List, the leading rental matchmaking marketplace, today announced the launch of Lea Pro, a groundbreaking AI-powered leasing assistant designed to work hand-in-hand with property management companies and leasing agents. Building on the success of its predecessor, Lea, which earned the 2024 AI Excellence Award from the Business Intelligence Group, Lea Pro is a game-changer in the world of AI leasing assistants. Powered by cutting-edge generative AI, Lea Pro is designed to work alongside leasing teams, proactively engaging with renters across multiple channels in a way that feels intuitive, natural, and remarkably human.Follow Apartment List on TwitterCheck out Apartment ListRead the full announcement about the launch of Lea Pro - https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-lea-pro-by-apartment-list-ai-powered-leasing-assistance-enhances-renter-experience-302099676.html 

This week's featured guest is Gavin Myers, Managing Partner at Prudence, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in technology companies in the real estate sector. We dig into Gavin's background and transition to proptech, as well as Prudence's investment strategy of backing differentiated and defensible companies. Gavin shares the importance of understanding the sector and the people involved, as well as the challenges of finding talent in proptech—a topic I'm passionate about (collectively, we as an industry need to do more to attract high-caliber talent).Gavin also provides insights into Prudence's new fund and their focus on AI and construction tech. This is Prudence's third fund at $80 million, bringing their total AUM to $230 million. News of the fund is linked down below.More about Gavin and PrudencePrudence is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology companies leading the global transformation of the real estate sector. Prudence is an early investor in companies such as Casafari, Compass (COMP), CREXi, Evernest, Hemlane, Maxwell, Propify, Salus, Sundae, and VendorPM. Gavin and his team are investing across Proptech 2.0 – software innovation driving data capabilities to power autonomous business processes in real estate. Gavin Myers is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Prudence. He currently serves on the Board of Directors at AI Clearing, Casafari, Morty, VendorPM and CREXi (observer). Before co-founding Prudence in 2009, Gavin worked at Sun Capital Partners, focused on middle market private equity, as well as Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs. He received a BA in Political Science from Yale University and an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School.  Connect with Gavin on LinkedInFollow Prudence on TwitterCheck out PrudenceNews: Prudence Closes Its $80mm Fund III To Invest In Technology Companies Transforming The Built World

Yves Perez, CEO of WorkBnB, discusses the significance of workforce housing and the challenges faced by workers in the construction industry. He highlights the importance of mental health and the need for comfortable accommodations for workers who have to travel for their jobs. Perez explains the practical differences of workforce housing compared to traditional options like Airbnb and hotels and shares how companies can work with WorkBnB and the about the potential impact of tech advances on the real estate industry, with a shift in the approach to corporate housing. Perez even gets into the power of branding and word of mouth in building a successful marketplace, noting Workbnb's exciting partnership with the NFL. Finally, Perez gives his predictions for the future of WorkBnB and the workforce housing category.  Of course, what's a real estate discussion without touching on the need for more affordable housing solutions—so we got into that as well. More about Yeves and WorkbnbWorkbnb is a Techstars Venture backed, B2B SAAS travel platform on a mission to accelerate the proliferation of workforce rental homes and improve the lives of millions traveling for work.Yeves Perez is a highly innovative and visionary CEO who has taken the lead in revolutionizing the future of workforce travel and prop tech. With a strong background in marketing, advertising, and brand architecture, he co-founded Workbnb with a mission to transform the rental homes industry for the better and enable millions of people traveling for work to enjoy a better quality of life. Under his dynamic leadership, Workbnb has been featured in top publications including SKIFT, Black Enterprise, and the Harvard Business Review, and is now providing temporary housing for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nevada as a proud supplier to the NFL. Perez also has the distinction of being a graduate of the inaugural cohort for Build in Tulsa Techstars Accelerator, the Tulsa 12.Follow Yeves on TwitterFollow Workbnb on TwitterFollow Workbnb on LinkedInCheck out Workbnb

Brandon Peterson, the founder and CEO of GeoKey, discusses the benefits of mobile access control and property management solutions. He shares his background as a serial entrepreneur and the inspiration behind starting GeoKey. Brandon explains the importance of partnerships and integrations in the proptech industry and how GeoKey is leveraging AI to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience. He also discusses market trends, and the future of building access and security.About Brandon and GeokeyGeokey is a mobile access solution for property owners and tenants to control the security of their assets without requiring Wi-Fi or readers. In a single app, Geokey controls interior and exterior doors, elevators, gates, amenity access, thermostats, water detection, and guest passes. With detailed data and analytics, it's easy to see live tracking and it's simple to add new users or change their level of access.Brandon is a third generation entrepreneur with a passion for innovation and solving problems. After gaining experience in starting a coworking space, real estate project, nonprofit, ecommerce, and managing gyms - the idea for Geokey was born. He bootstrapped their beginning, got a patent for using location services to authenticate access and now they've found their niche in multi-family and college campuses. Connect with Brandon on LinkedInFollow Geokey on TwitterCheckout Geokey

In this episode we have Clayton Collins, the Founder and CEO of HW Media. Clayton discusses the growth and vision of HW Media, the challenges of building a media powerhouse, predictions for the real estate market in 2024, and their upcoming annual event, The Gathering. Clayton shares insights on interest rates, inventory, and consumer psychology in the housing industry. He also highlights the importance of research and data in providing a full picture for housing professionals. The conversation concludes with a discussion on HW Media's plans for the future.More about Clayton and HW MediaHW Media provides mortgage, real estate and fintech professionals the news, knowledge and community they need to support decision making and business growth. Aligned with our mission to Move Markets Forward, we publish daily news and content through each of our core publishing brands including HousingWire, RealTrends, and Reverse Mortgage Daily. HW Media is based in Dallas, TX with team members across the country.  Clayton Collins is the founder and CEO of HW Media. He leads HW Media's corporate strategy and content roadmap, while building a world-class team of business media professionals. He is also managing partner of Riomar Capital, an entrepreneurial investment firm that acquired HousingWire in 2016. Prior to founding Riomar Capital, Collins worked at RBC Capital Markets in the mergers and acquisitions group and served as vice president of national sales and marketing at Citibank. Connect with Clayton on LinkedInFollow HousingWire on TwitterFollow HousingWire on LinkedInCheck out HousingWireCheck out The GatheringAnd for those considering attending The Gathering, HousingWire is giving Tech Nest listeners 50% off the cost of VIP tickets. Just use this link when you register to get your VIP ticket at a lower cost than the standard admission. Register here: https://events.housingwire.com/the-gathering-by-housingwire?promo=NESTVIP  

Tim Ray, CEO of VeriFast, discusses the importance of identity verification in the real estate industry and the challenges of tenant fraud. He explains how VeriFast's single-source verification platform helps verify individuals' identities and financial details, providing a more secure and flexible screening process for renters—especially for those with a non-traditional income. Tim also highlights the company's integrations with property management systems and the need for trust and transparency in data sharing. He predicts that credit checks will become less relevant in rental applications and that document processing using PDFs will fade away as technology advances.More about Tim and VeriFastVeriFast is the only single-source verification platform for identity and financial data that enables applicants to verify their data via a digital connection or document upload with OCR and fraud detection.  VeriFast provides a simple, configurable API and turnkey UI that delivers that best ROI for companies that need to validate identity, banking, payroll and/or tax data.   VeriFast claims to be a super aggregator of the best verification technology vendors into one universal platform that configures and enriches data to deliver superior decisioning with a best-in-class user experience and trusted by everyday consumers to share their data digitally.  There are a multitude of verticals from real estate to banking, insurance, government, and beyond that still rely on slow, analogue processes to share and verify identity and financial data.  VeriFast provides the most trusted verification platform in the world with the highest converting opt-in rate in the industry. Getting consumers to share their data is tough, it's our superpower.  VeriFast has a four-star rating on TrustPilot, and we're the only company brave enough to invite every applicant to rate their experience publicly. Tim Ray is a 4X Founder and Angel investor with a passion for building and scaling innovative businesses from ideation, and a track record of successful exits. Tim is passionate about the importance of creative "out-the-box" thinking, analytical decision-making and developing great relationships to solve complex problems and find winning outcomes. Currently Tim is Co-Founder & CEO of VeriFast, the first single-source verification platform that helps companies verify an individual's identity and financial details using consumer-permissioned data; reducing billions of dollars lost to inefficient underwriting and fraud annually. Tim plays dad to an amazing family with 3 kids and an incredible wife, and is passionate about travelling and being active with friends: skiing, golfing, cycling and more recently kite surfing.Connect with Tim on LinkedInCheck out VeriFast

Catrine Machi, co-founder of Swyft Cities, discusses the company's vision to transform urban real estate by improving mobility. Swyft Cities is developing an aerial transportation system that uses pods traveling along a cableway. The system offers a network of stations that provide efficient and direct routes for users. Machi emphasizes the importance of solving specific problems for cities and the need for a layered approach to transportation options. She also discusses the challenges of policy-making, procurement, and the readiness level of emerging technologies. Machi believes that the future of real estate will involve more options for transportation and a reduction in parking infrastructure.More about Catrine and Swyft CitiesSwyft CIties uses autonomous smart gondola systems to create modular, highly flexible sustainable transportation to transform urban real estate for cities and private real estate developments. Catrine Machi is co-founder of Swyft Cities, which transforms urban real estate by transforming mobility.   Catrine has dual Master's Degrees in Urban Planning & Geography, and has been an urban planner, and mobility and transportation planner, consultant, and program manager working to develop more sustainable urban mobility. Follow Catrine on TwitterConnect with Catrine on LinkedInFollow Swyft Cities on TwitterCheck out Swyft Cities‍