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Comment by realty_geek | Hacker News Reader

Hi Derrick, looking at the criteria you listed I would say you probably could find some interesting ideas in the real estate sector. I created an open source real estate website builder and though that hasn't made me any money, it got me enough contacts and insights into the sector to make me realise how much potential there is there.

I am happy to have a chat if you want to know more. My plan is to launch a product in that space in the next 6 months

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I worked for a real estate company for a number of years and have watched the behavior of agents over a longer period of time.

I'd advise anyone working in the software side of real estate to target anyone other than real estate agents (brokers, title, inspectors, etc) as customers. The churn is punishing, there's a lot of competition and many agents do a small number of deals/year.

I'd second this. I've seen several people get their agent license in recent years, and most of them have additional jobs. (meaning they're not generating as much income as an agent as they'd need to do it full time) It's a very flooded market.

Agreed. Just launched my company to help the types of agents you're talking about: GeneralReferral.com

Brings technology to an underinvested corner of the traditional brokerage.

Could use some marketing help...

I work as an agent in the commercial real estate space. Usually referrals happen when one agent who let's say specializes in office (for example) finds a lead/listing in Industrial, multifamily, etc (That they aren't well versed in). Usually I've noticed 20% (of the commission) is about the standard fee if you get them a listing. Most often however referrals aren't concrete and no sale actually comes out of it. This is because you have to convince the owner to sign a listing with the person you are referring and they are probably already getting contacted by competing brokers who already specialize in the space. I've only had 1-2 referrals work out for me. You'd want some kind of way for agents to list their specialty and maybe a list of done deals (of that property type) to show experience. I've noticed on the commercial side that Generalists (Who do everything) NEVER get referrals. No one will refer for example the sale of an office building to an agent that lists everything, the refer to the office broker who specializes in it. I have an idea for a Real Estate site (I've put it on the back-burner) that nobody is doing right now because from my experience the tech savvy guys who can build this kind of thing are not privy to the high end investment sales market (Investment properties that are at least $2 million) There is a certain culture and way of doing things that isn't really easy to understand unless you've worked in it.

I work in R/E Analytics, email me: vlad.sanchez@gmail.com

This ^

I have a couple of real estate apps on the market one of which has been out there for over 10 years. They did really well before the bust and are still profitable but it is a really tough market. I have since moved to other sectors and am happy I did.

Can I get in on this chat? I’ve been looking for a home in Chicago and have found at least one tool that people seem to despise - I.e., market exists, someone is trying to service that market but doing a bad job at it.

Count me in too! I've been growing more and more frustrated with the tools in the marketplace.

mmm, wondering how to progress this. Would you guys be comfortable joining a WhatsApp group to discuss this?

Any platform works for me. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

Count me in. Let’s start with WhatsApp since a lot of folks have it. I can pm you my #. Just need to get in front of a real computer.

I'm interested also.

I would like to join the chat, if there is still room!

Let me know how to get my contact information over to you.

Interested as well. I'm a smaller investor in the Chicago market with a few ideas I've been wanting to flesh out or bounce off of others in the space.

To everyone who has expressed interest in exploring business ideas around real estate, please send a WhatsApp message to +34 672 550 305. I will add you to the group and we can take it from there. The objective will be to find an idea and people suitable to take it forward.

I'd be interested to chat as well. I've looked at phrets in passing and I like the industry overall.

Hey @intheclouddan, send a WhatsApp message to +34 672 550 305. I will add you to the group and we can take it from there. The objective will be to find an idea and people suitable to take it forward.

Also interested in this group chat. I am exploring a new idea in the real estate space as well.

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