Passage by the House sets the stage for a Senate vote on NAR efforts to bring more real estate transactions into the digital age.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday evening to expand the availability of remote online notarization (RON) nationwide, a key advocacy priority for the National Association of REALTORS®. The bipartisan SECURE Notarization Act now goes to the Senate for consideration.

RON allows a notary and signer in different physical locations to safely and securely execute electronic documents using two-way audiovisual communication.

Nearly half of states have expanded RON during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling real estate professionals to facilitate closings safely and securely. But because of the patchwork of state laws, agents in other states had to adapt to drive-by closings and other social-distancing methods. NAR pressed lawmakers throughout the pandemic to pass a national RON bill while simultaneously working on the state level to enact changes.

“REALTORS® have always been leaders in technology in the real estate profession. NAR supported RON even before the pandemic,” says Shannon McGahn, NAR’s chief advocacy officer. “But now more than ever, this progress makes sense. REALTORS® want to devote their time to helping home buyers, not on paperwork.”

Even as COVID-19 becomes less of a factor, virtual sales and closings will remain in demand. In June 2022, NAR reports, 12% of sales took place virtually. Speaking about the House bill, McGahn says, “This measure establishes minimum standards to ensure strong consumer protections while providing certainty for interstate commerce.”

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Bad actors are taking advantage of surging demand for remodeling projects and home warranties to dupe consumers. Share these warning signs with your clients.

Housing-related phone scams surged by more than 300% in May, according to telecommunications technology provider First Orion’s 2022 Mid-Year Phone Scam Report(link is external). Scammers increasingly are trying to dupe consumers on home-related items, including remodeling projects and home warranties.

Home warranty scams targeting seniors are skyrocketing, the report shows. Such schemes typically provide a callback number that captures the personal information of those who respond. First Orion estimates that U.S. mobile subscribers received more than 100 billion scam phone calls during the first six months of 2022. That resulted in financial losses of up to $40 billion.

Overall, the most common and emerging phone scams across industries involved vehicle warranties, health care, Social Security, life insurance, financial assistance and home warranties, the First Orion report finds. Kent Welch, First Orion’s chief data officer, recently spoke with REALTOR® Magazine about the growth in home-related scams and what consumers need to watch out for.

Q: What’s behind the big jump in the number of housing-related scams lately?

A: Scams are a big business, and we see scammers alter their tactics and their ploys to fit the season or the current events. We often notice seasonal trends; for example, tax scams soar during the first-quarter tax preparation season. Scammers also tend to take advantage of consumers’ needs, which can be tied to current events or pending legislation around themes such as student loan forgiveness.

It’s been a seller’s market lately in housing. During the pandemic, record numbers of consumers quit their jobs or retired early, opting to downsize or sell to take advantage of inflated pricing associated with the recent demand for homes. Likewise, consumers working from home have fueled an increase in demand for homes outside the typically strong job markets. Also, remodeling projects and home enhancements are in demand.

Interest rates are also going up, which can spark a rush on the housing market from buyers who are anxious to lock in rates or renters who want to move but can’t commit to a long-term loan.

What housing-related scams are you noticing increasing the most?

In June, housing-related scams were still growing, but by more like 90%, as opposed to the more than 300% growth in May. Here are some examples from more recent phone call scams:

• “Hi, this is Suzie. I’m a homeowners associate calling on a recorded line in regards to safety concerns within your home. How are you doing today? I’m with Consumer Council regarding home improvement. My callback number is…” 
• “Hi, this is Laura. I’m a homeowners associate calling on a recorded line in regards to making improvements within your home. How are you doing today? I’m with remodeling loans. My callback number is…”
• “Hi, this is Stephanie. I’m a homeowners associate calling on a recorded line in regards to safety concerns within your home. How are you doing today? I’m with customer care regarding home improvement. My callback number is…”

Some of the buzzwords like “remodeling” and “safety concerns” are interesting. The scams are targeting more of the homeowner population as opposed to the mix of homeowners and renters, like in May.

The reference to “Consumer Council” is very common with other scams like Medicare, health care and vehicle warranty, suggesting the same scammers are alternating the theme, but the messaging is mostly the same or similar to other scams.

How can homeowners or renters avoid becoming a victim of these scams? Any more tips or red flags they should beware of?

First and foremost, don’t answer unknown numbers. If it’s important enough, they’ll leave a voicemail.

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes people make on these calls is giving out personal information like their Social Security number or birth date over the phone. And definitely don’t give away banking information if you’re unsure if the person calling is in fact from your bank or, in this case, an homeowners association or a landlord. If they ask you to pay with a gift card or wire transfer, it’s definitely a scam. Hang up, look up the phone number to verify it and call them back.

Additionally, if you hear a robotic voice asking you if you’d like to be placed on the “do not call list,” don’t fall for it. Don’t press the button, don’t say yes—because that’ll put you on a list of active callers. Just hang up.

Lastly, consider getting a call tagging or call blocking service or consider registering with the federal Do Not Call registry(link is external).

Is there anything you’d like the real estate community to know about helping to educate their clients on this?  

Branded communication is helping to restore trust between businesses and their customers over the phone. Businesses can brand calls with their logo, company name, department and reason for calling on the recipient’s mobile device at the time of the call and in the call log afterward, increasing the likelihood the customer calls back. With so many people now conditioned to ignore calls from unknown numbers, this reduces the number of unanswered calls and also helps identify the real calls from the fraudulent ones.

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Navigating the short-term rental business wasn’t the easiest task when real estate agent Jessica Larsen got started, but channel distribution technology helped her streamline her process and save money.

When Jessica Larsen, broker-owner at Kismet Enterprises in Dennis, Mass., added short-term rentals to her business model in 2012, she did well, even though she juggled several listing sites and their inherent issues. Vacation rental sites didn’t offer the best in technology, despite being around for quite some time—Vrbo since 1995 and Airbnb since 2008.

“You were on Airbnb and Vrbo, and you [also] had a direct booking site. That was quite an opportunity for double bookings because there was nothing that seamlessly indicated the booking calendar, and all of the tech itself was still new. So, you had to contend with the fact that the platforms were kind of making it up as they went along,” Larsen says.

Listings management has always had its fair share of challenges. When Larsen was starting out, one issue that came up was when the owner of a vacation rental wanted to stay in that home for a week and needed to block that time period off from the listing’s calendar. Larsen would have to log into five or six different websites to make sure the time was blocked off on each in order to avoid a double booking.

The Trials of Managing Short-Term Rentals

Another issue is that Cape Cod is a popular leisure destination but seasonal in nature. Larsen’s short-term rental business increases in the spring and peaks in the summer season, followed by a dramatic drop in business in the fall and winter once everyone returns to school and temperatures drop. To keep up with the bookings during the busy seasons, Larsen was using both technology and reservations teams that required training and oversight. “You have to be prepared to staff and hold that cost even during your low season. That was a massive challenge for somebody like me.”

Larsen found that the general outlook toward the use of online travel agencies in her own profession presented a challenge as well. The traditional rental process is to have renters book and pay directly, since the most common agent approach was, Larsen says, “Do not go on those platforms. Don’t give them your money. As realtors, we never know whether technology is our friend. Are they going to take my listings, or help me? That’s the big challenge.”

As highly dedicated and hungry for work as Larsen was when she set up her business, she wasn’t yet well-funded. The question became: How do you build and direct traffic to your listings to compete with these long-established travel agency platforms?

“You don’t,” Larsen says. Instead, she leaned into using them, even though the cost was sometimes steep. “Sure, we’re paying them, and it could be as much as 15 percent. That’s a lot of money, but you’re creating a database somewhere that you can go back to and direct market to. The idea is that this gets you started, and it’s a great way to level the playing field. I knew that I wanted to take my listings and put them on multiple OTAs, and that would be how I got the ball rolling.”

Sifting Through Channel Distribution Tech Options

While this approach was helpful and did help establish Larsen in the short-term rental business, the constant upkeep became cumbersome. She decided to make a tech-savvy move that streamlined and transformed her short-term rental business: channel distribution technology. As Larsen puts it, “channel distribution technology is sort of like an MLS for short-term rentals. I go into a single database, I enter my listings there, and they go out to the internet from that database.”

From her many years in short-term rentals and co-hosting, Larsen heard and read a lot of feedback about the existing CDTs on the market and their costs and limitations. “I knew none of the CDT platforms I was familiar with had what I was looking for, even if I really didn’t know what I was looking for. Channel distribution wasn’t even in my vernacular at the time. As I recall, I Googled ‘MLS for short term rentals,’ and came upon Jetstream(link is external).” Although this CDT platform was geared toward the hotel, motel, and resort space at the time, Larsen immediately saw its potential for her real estate business.

Streamlining Business and Saving Money

A couple of factors immediately won her over to this CDT platform: no upfront cost and the ability to put her listings up with white labeling. Because Jetstream uses its own tech, this saved Larsen the cost and hassle of integrating new software into her daily operations. “Implementing and training agents is a quagmire of doom. We were able to get to work on day one, because all we had to do was bring listing agreements. The rest of the online work is basically done for us. And I would pay when I get paid. I was like, ‘Wait a minute, what?’ That really got the ball rolling in my business.”

And after years of answering guest messages at all times of the day, having the professional buffer of a white-label guest communications team “was another absolute game changer, and it gave me a tremendous amount of time back, which could be put to better use in my business.” Now, Larsen offers her clients 24-hour guest communications and response time in 11 languages. Outsourcing to Jetstream also meant there was no need for her to build an in-house reservations team, which is especially helpful due to the lack of labor in a seasonal community like Cape Cod.

Larsen worked with the company for about a year to tailor the solution for real estate partners. (Currently, there are only about a dozen or so other similar CDT platforms that exist for real estate.) Now, with her listings automatically uploaded to Vrbo, Airbnb and other vacation rental websites, Larsen spends a lot less time behind the computer and more time interacting with clients.

Using a CDT platform has allowed Larsen to not only better position her brand and listings online but resulted in the growth of her business. “We have increased our occupancy, and we are making way more money by embracing the pricing dynamics and working closely with our revenue manager. When we make more money, our owners make more money,” she says.

Larsen believes that getting comfortable with tech solutions is critical for the success of current and future real estate agents. “I am of the belief that if real estate agents do not embrace this tech, the property managers and co-hosts will swoop in—heck, the owners might even go direct. Real estate agents will fall out of relevance in this marketplace if we don’t lead the way on embracing these technologies and establishing ourselves as the listing professionals in this vertical.”

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

I’ve tested hundreds of smart-home products over the years and provided written and video comparisons in each product category. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot about what’s needed and what’s not, what the top brands are, and where to get started.

(And big thanks to my wife for her unending patience as I tinkered with, traded, installed, and uninstalled, and upgraded our various smart-home features.)

Opt for Quality Over Price

The options are endless when it comes to smart-home features, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a cheaper product will be better. In many cases the cheaper off-brand products you might find may not perform as well and can lead to headaches down the line. I recommend watching for package deals and deep discounts from trusted brands on popular sale days like Prime Day and Black Friday.
 

Pick Your Ecosystem

You’ve probably heard of Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Home, Nest and Assistant, and Samsung’s SmartThings. These ecosystems act as the brain that ties all of your products together and creates automations. There are a lot of other options out there, from advanced do-it-yourself platforms that are perfect for the tinkering types to professionally installed systems that are typically found in luxury homes.

Great content that focuses on DIY systems such as the Home Assistant control system is abundant on YouTube. However, proceed with caution. I’ve found that unless smart-home tech is your hobby, DIY isn’t always the best choice if you’re looking to save time. And while systems like Crestron, Control4, Savant and Elan have incredible capabilities, setup does require a professional, which can start at around $20,000.

Most people opt to build a system themselves using an already established system like Alexa, Assistant or Apple’s HomeKit. The good news is that no matter the platform you choose, they’re all great. I invested in the Amazon ecosystem and tend to purchase devices that work well with that platform; however, I do have experience using Google’s, including its Nest products—in fact, I use a Samsung phone, so I had to borrow my wife’s iPhone anytime we tested products that use HomeKit.

The key to a synced ecosystem is to ensure you choose products that work well with the brand. Some products, such as Lutron’s Caseta dimmer switches, will work well across all platforms. Other product categories, however—particularly security cameras and doorbells—won’t integrate properly or will lack features if used across platforms.

I love that video from my Ring doorbell automatically displays on my Amazon Echo Show devices and Fire TVs, but unfortunately, it doesn’t do so on a Google Home Hub, Chromecast or Apple TV. Those who are all-in on Google or Apple use a single app to access all the features of a product, whereas, with my Amazon setup, I control some products through the Alexa app but require additional apps for lighting and shades and for the thermostat, doorbell, security system and locks.

Once you’ve determined which platform you’re going to use, it is best to try to work within that ecosystem.

Choose a Robust Home Network

When I first got into smart-home technology, I mainly purchased devices that connected directly to my Wi-Fi network, but I quickly realized that my router couldn’t handle that many devices at once. I routinely had problems like light switches dropping off the network. I ended up spending more money to upgrade the router, and when my wife and I moved, I decided to add a hub and bridge for certain devices such as switches, lightbulbs and sensors.

If you’re just getting set up in your home or you’re planning to add a number of devices, it is important to start with a strong network. If you’re still using a router provided by your internet service provider, consider replacing it. I recommend using a mesh system router such as Eero or Google Wi-Fi. You might spend a few hundred dollars upfront, but you’ll save by not having to rent a similar system from your ISP.

Start Small to Avoid Being Overwhelmed

I’m often messaged by new-home buyers who are super excited to add smart features to their homes, but they don’t know where to start or lack the funds to buy everything they want. I advise them that building a smart home doesn’t have to break the bank. Homeowners can get started for around $200, which could get you a smart speaker with a voice assistant and a switch, lightbulb, thermostat or smart lock.

I recommend starting small and then adding room by room as the budget allows. Smart thermostats will pay for themselves with reduced energy costs, while smart locks and doorbells add security and peace of mind. An average smart home can cost around $2,000. That price point buys hubs, voice assistants, security, lighting, comfort, convenience and entertainment products. Companies like Wyze and Eufy often offer affordable systems. You might also opt to focus on a specific aspect of your home—safety features or lighting, for instance—to invest in first.

Security Features

One of the biggest reasons homeowners purchase smart-home products is to monitor their homes remotely, using devices such as smart locks, video doorbells, security cameras and systems. With interconnected devices and an internet connection, you can view and control your home from anywhere in the world on your smartphone.

Smart Lighting

My favorite category of smart-home technology is lighting. The variety is vast. Smart switches, bulbs and light strips can be controlled remotely, by voice, or in automation. The average smart switch costs around $50, and bulbs range from $10 to $60 each, so this is an area that can add up if you decide to do your entire home, but I find it’s well worth the cost.

Robot Vacuums

Robot vacuums have come a long way since the original Roomba was introduced in 2002. They can now intelligently map your home, mop as they go, and even empty their own bins. I’m a big fan of the Roborock lineup; we’ve got a Corgi at home that sheds quite a bit, so it’s nice having the vacuum run on a schedule. Wyze offers a robot vacuum with lidar, which uses a sensor to avoid collisions, for only $250, and Roborock’s Q5+ starts at $700.

Smart Speakers

I love having smart speakers all around our house. We use them to control the lights, check the weather, settle debates by asking them questions, and, of course, listen to ’80s rock, the greatest music of all time. When I’m in my office or watching TV and the doorbell rings, I can see who it is and decide if I need to sign for a package or hide from a door-to-door salesperson—that is, unless they’ve got Girl Scout cookies.

Without my smart speakers, I’d be forced to pull out my phone (that definitely wasn’t already in my hand) and look at the doorbell app, or—God forbid—get up and answer the door without knowing who it is first.

Overall, building out a smart home takes a little research, some time and a bit of money, but the upgrades, safety and convenience make it all worthwhile, as I’ve found through my years of testing. I hope you’ve found these experiences helpful, and if you want to learn more, be sure to check out the rest of the Ultimate Smart Home series.

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

The tech behind the video doorbell is ever evolving, so this updated list includes the best options based on what’s available today, plus a few recommendations.

Since this series first compared Ring and Nest in 2020, much has changed in the video doorbell realm. The technology has improved, new models have come out and options have expanded. We’ve been able to test eight popular new video doorbells to provide you with the most up-to-date information so you can make the best decision for yourself and your clients.

This guide is designed to help you decide what features are most important to you, which video doorbell will be the best option based on the setup of your home, and what’s included at various price points.

Important Feature and Setup Considerations

Video doorbells range in price from $49.99 to $259.99. Still, beyond price, homeowners should consider key factors related to the doorbells themselves, like power supply, video quality, storage, integrations and ongoing subscription costs.

It’s also important to consider how the location determines the available setup options. First, decide whether you’ve got functional doorbell wiring available. If you’d like to install the new video doorbell in a location where the wiring is workable, you will want to buy a wired doorbell for continuous power.

However, if the wires have become disconnected or are not working properly or you’d like to put the video doorbell in a new location, a battery-powered model will be a better fit.

Next, decide which features of the doorbell are important to you and within your price range. More expensive doorbells tend to have additional features, including motion zones that trigger recording, sensitivity adjustments, and higher-quality cameras with a larger field of view. Some offer the ability to use an existing doorbell chime and Wi-Fi network rather than an adapter or investing in an add-on chime.

Regarding camera footage, there are two options: cloud storage and local storage. Cloud storage allows you to access footage from nearly any location, but this service comes at a monthly cost. Local storage is limited in that you often cannot access recordings away from home, but it does not cost extra.

Other available features to consider include integration with existing smart-home devices such as locks, lights, security systems and voice assistant hubs. This might be a deciding factor for those who like to build out smart-home features within the same ecosystem. It is convenient to be able to control all your devices from one app. If you’re just starting in the smart-home realm, though, integration might not be a high priority.

Current Video Doorbell Options

Ring Doorbell(link is external)

Pricing:

Entry level: $64.99 for the base, wired doorbell without a chime
Battery version: starting at $99.99
Pro version: $169.99
Pro 2: $259.99
Elite: $349.99 (this version is powered over Ethernet and typically installed by a professional)

There are also upgraded versions of the original battery-powered doorbell, including Video Doorbell 3, which retails for $199.99 and Video Doorbell 4, priced at $219.99. These versions include removable battery packs and dual-band Wi-Fi.

Subscription/storage: A Ring doorbell service subscription for one camera costs $4 per month or $40 for one year; a subscription for all Ring doorbells at one house is $10 per month or $100 a year. The subscription includes up to 60 days of cloud-based video storage.
Video quality: Most of these models offer the standard 1080p HD at 15 frames per second and 16:9 aspect ratio. However, the newest models offer “Head to Toe” view at 1536p resolution.
Ecosystem: Amazon smart devices, such as the Echo and FireTV; Ring also works with compatible devices such as Schlage, Kwisket and Yale. Smart locks from Level are also newly compatible.
Battery or hardwired: Both versions are available.
Installation: Easy. Wired versions that will use an existing chime require additional wiring, although some include an add-on plug-in replacement chime.
Detection: The hardwired version of the Ring Doorbell includes adjustable zones and sensitivity, and it can identify people. The rechargeable-battery versions of Ring allow only adjustments for sensitivity. The newest Ring Doorbell Pro 2 has features called “Bird’s-Eye View” and 3D motion detection, which show the origin of motion activity and track movement within the space during the duration of the captured video.

Nest Doorbell(link is external)

Pricing:

Battery version: $179.99
Wired version: $229

Subscription/storage: Nest Aware costs $6 per month or $60 a year and includes 30 days of event video history. Nest Aware Plus costs $12 per month or $120 a year and includes 60 days of event video history and 10 days of 24/7 video history.
Video quality: 1600×1200 HD, up to 30 frames per second and 4:3 aspect ratio.
Ecosystem: This doorbell works through Google only.
Battery or hardwired: Both versions are available.
Installation: Easy to install. Additional wiring is required for an existing chime; otherwise, installation takes approximately 10 minutes.
Detection: Nest Hello identifies people and packages, including “familiar faces” with a Nest Aware subscription.

Arlo Video Doorbell(link is external)

Pricing:

Wired version: $149.99
Battery version $199.99

Subscription/storage: Three months of Arlo Smart is included with the purchase of the doorbell. The Premier Plan is $3 per month for one camera and $10 a month for up to five cameras, with up to 2560 by 1920 resolution and 30 days of video history. The Elite Plan costs $5 a month for one camera or $15 per month for up to five cameras, with up to 3840 by 2160 resolution and 30 days of video history. Continuous video recording is available for an additional fee.
Video quality: Wide, 180-degree view; 1536×1536 HD at 24 frames per second; 1:1 aspect ratio (square).
Ecosystem: This video doorbell is compatible with the Arlo app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Homekit, SmartThings and the IFTTT programmable app on Android.
Battery or hardwired: Both versions are available.
Installation: Easy to install.
Detection: Smart Detect can identify people, animals, vehicles and packages.

Eufy Video Doorbell(link is external)

Pricing:

$149.99 to $259.99 depending on configuration

Subscription/storage: No monthly fees are required for local storage on Eufy’s Homebase device, which comes with 16GB of memory (approximately 180 days).
Video quality: There are 1080p and 2560 by 1920 versions that record at 20 to 30 frames per second and a 4:3 aspect ratio are available. The newest version features dual cameras to detect packages.
Ecosystem: Eufy, Alexa and Google Assistant are compatible.
Battery or hardwired: Both versions are available.
Installation: The hardwired and battery models both are easy to install and use a remote plug-in chime.
Detection: Activity zones and facial snapshot trigger notifications.

Remo+ RemoBell S(link is external)

Pricing:

Hardwired and battery versions: $99

Subscription/storage: Three days of rolling cloud storage is included for free. Thirty-day plans cost $3 a month or $30 per year.
Video quality: Video is shown in 1536×1536 at up to 30 frames per second and 1:1 aspect ratio (square).
Ecosystem: Compatible systems are Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT.
Battery or hardwired: The RemoBell S is hardwired; RemoBell is the battery version.
Installation: These are easy to install.
Detection: Customizable motion zones are available.

Wyze(link is external)

Pricing:

Original wired version: $42.99
Pro battery powered version: $93.99

Subscription/storage: Twelve-second videos are stored in the cloud for free for 14 days. An optional Cam Plus subscription is offered at $1.99 a month.
Video quality: The video quality is 1080p with a 3:4 full-body aspect ratio.
Ecosystem: The Wyze app is the only option.
Battery or hardwired: Both versions are available.
Installation: These are easy to install.
Detection: The Cam Plus subscription will notify you when the camera detects people or packages.

Simplisafe(link is external)

Pricing:

Hardwired: $169.00

Subscription/storage: Thirty days of video from up to 10 cameras costs 83 cents per day or $24.90 per month.
Video quality: Video streams at 1080p.
Ecosystem: This doorbell works only through the Simplisafe App.
Battery or hardwired: Hardwired only.
Installation: These are easy to install.
Detection: The Simplisafe video doorbell uses passive infrared sensors and image recognition for intelligent alerts.

Our Top Picks

For those who own an Echo Show, other Ring cameras or a different security system, the Ring Doorbell Pro is a great value. Whenever possible, we feel it is best to use the wired version so you don’t need to worry about charging batteries. Additionally, though the Pro 2 has added features, we don’t think they’re worth the cost.

Anyone who is heavily invested in the Google ecosystem or already paying for Nest Aware may want to add the Google Nest Hello doorbell. We like the ability to identify familiar faces, control everything within one app and display footage right on the Google Nest Hub.

Because of the added cost of a required subscription for Arlo and Simplisafe doorbells, we only recommend these doorbells as add-ons for those who already pay for the subscription.

Remo+ and Eufy Doorbell are great options for anyone who wants to avoid paying monthly subscriptions. While additional services are available on both, they are not required, offering flexibility. At a price point of $49.99, Wyze is a great budget-friendly option that gets the job done.

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

At NAR’s iOi Summit this month, the annual Pitch Battle will aim to identify the next great innovation to help your business flourish.

Twelve technology startups in the real estate space with new offerings such as fractional ownership, home renovation and rental solutions are poised to shake up the real estate industry. These budding companies will take the stage later this month at the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2022 Innovation, Opportunity & Investment Summit(link is external) in Los Angeles, competing in a “Shark Tank”–style Pitch Battle for crucial funding to widen their reach.

Each of the preselected companies will showcase their innovations live in a four-minute pitch about their product or service and how it can improve the real estate industry. Each company also will face a rapid-fire question-and-answer session from a panel of judges. The winner of the Pitch Battle will receive $15,000 and booth space at NAR’s annual conference in November, “NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience(link is external).”

“In today’s real estate ecosystem, innovation is accelerating, opportunity is exploding and investment is at a record high,” says NAR CEO Bob Goldberg. “At the iOi Summit, real estate professionals, investors and innovators gather to cultivate and champion the most impactful ideas that will disrupt the status quo and advance the industry.”

Second Century Ventures, NAR’s venture capital arm, hosts the Pitch Battle at the iOi Summit, which is being held on Sept. 28 and 29. The annual competition aims to help new property tech companies gain a foothold in the real estate space. These are this year’s Pitch Battle contestants:

Agently(link is external): An AI-powered coaching platform for real estate agents. It provides daily guidance and tools and offers results-driven action plans.

Arx(link is external): An automated underwriting and market intelligence platform for real estate developers and brokers. It helps pros source and evaluate real estate projects in minutes.

CubiCasa(link is external): An app for creating floor plans. Use an iOS or Android device to capture an indoor space in five minutes to create a more visual look for potential buyers.

Fractional(link is external): A social platform for co-investing in properties, sharing ideas and building a network. It helps people to co-own real estate with friends and other like-minded investors.

Inspectify(link is external): It connects real estate professionals and home buyers with qualified inspectors in their area to streamline the booking process. Schedule appointments in minutes and have direct communication using the latest technology.

Pacaso(link is external): It aims to make second-home ownership more accessible by lowering ownership costs and reducing hassle through fractional ownership opportunities. It provides a fully managed owner experience in fractional ownership transactions.

Prisidio(link is external): A secure, cloud-based vault that’s housed in one location, allowing users to share their valuable and important documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies, only with those they trust. It’s simple, mobile and secure.

RentBase(link is external): Helps residential real estate agents by providing an interconnected bird’s-eye view of their property providers, listings and leads. Agents can access all of their data and automatically qualify and match leads to listings. They can also use it to maximize cashflow by leveraging the technology to uncover new opportunities.

Residently(link is external): A digital property rental platform that helps renters find their next home months in advance of a move. Use it to view key property documents, contracts, and essential home information, like building access codes.

Revive(link is external): A home renovation consultant that helps homeowners strategically repair and renovate their homes before selling to significantly increase their net gains. It assists homeowners with maximizing the value of their homes with no upfront costs.

Stake(link is external): The platform seeks to modernize investing in real estate for the average person. Stake aligns incentives between residents and owner-operator groups that are driven by residents’ actions. Incentivizes actions with cash back for the residents, empowering them to act on their financial journey.Symba(link is external): A financial well-being tool made for real estate agents. It combines customer relationship management with banking and offers tools for customer support, managing deals and making financial decisions.

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Moved in the last few years? Smart features and a few tried-and-true essentials provide the options you need to protect your new home.

Your home is a major investment. If you are one of the many Americans who moved over the last several years or are planning to buy a new home soon, you might be wondering how you can protect your asset. Luckily, smart-home features offer many layers of protection for your home and your family.

New Locks

It doesn’t matter if you’ve purchased a home in an established neighborhood or a newly built home. Changing the locks is essential for safety. If you’ve ever wondered whether you remembered to lock your front door, or if you plan to have work done on your home and want to better control when workers come and go, consider installing connected smart locks. These locks are a simple home upgrade, convenient and intuitive. You can control them remotely and let in trusted visitors without needing to hide a spare key.

Video Doorbell

In today’s delivery-first world, we receive more packages than ever. Let’s not forget visitors, salespeople and the like. Nearly all of us can remember a time that the doorbell rang and we really wanted to know who was there before we got up to answer it. A video doorbell allows homeowners to verify the person at the door via live video on an app such as Alarm.com, Ring or Google Home. Many video doorbells record footage as well, so if you do ever run into an issue, you can review that footage.

Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat(link is external) can make the home more energy-efficient and helps save on energy costs immediately by knowing exactly when people are home or not and adjusting accordingly. Smart thermostats are also intuitive, which means you can save on energy costs without a second thought. Let’s say, for instance, a window is left open on a cool fall day and the air conditioning is on. Smart thermostats can sense the temperature difference and adjust it as needed.

New Blinds or Window Treatments

Upgrade the home’s ambiance and privacy with window treatments or blinds, especially for bedrooms and other areas that need more privacy. Blinds can also help insulate rooms from drafty windows and keep rooms warmer during the winter months. Smart blinds can be controlled with a remote control or a cell phone, and you can set times for them to open or close automatically.

Fire Extinguisher

It’s a good idea to have several fire extinguishers handy around the home. Having one of these potentially life-saving devices—and knowing how to use it—could make a huge difference. The number of rooms and stories in the home will determine the number of fire extinguishers you may need and where to place them. Make sure to review this safety information(link is external) so you’re prepared.

Connected Smoke Alarms

Smart smoke alarms(link is external) throughout your home work together to alert everyone at once, no matter where people are in the home. A smart system that includes smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can also contact the authorities immediately. Since these systems are connected to an app, you can see where the danger is located within the home so you can adjust your family’s escape route if needed.

First-Aid Kit

Pick up a first-aid kit before the unpacking or renovations begin in case there are any bumps or bruises along the way. First-aid kits can simply be stored once the household is unpacked. As a general rule, bandages, compresses, antibiotic ointment and over-the-counter pain relievers are useful in the kit.

Toolkits

It’s a rite of passage for every homeowner to buy a toolkit, and in a world where everything exists on YouTube, simple projects are usually doable for most people. A toolkit equipped with the essentials(link is external) gives you the flexibility to get the job done on your own time and in the way you’d like it done.

Flashlights

Does the power ever go out at a convenient time? You don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a power outage before you remember you need a flashlight. Buy more than one, and keep them in easily accessible areas of the house. That way, you don’t have to waste time looking for one in the dark. You’ll also want to keep extra batteries in nearby places.

Surge Protectors and Smart Plugs

If you’ve ever lost a trusted appliance or video game console from a lightning strike, you know the pain of not using a surge protector. They’re affordable and easy to use, and worth the investment since they protect some of your most-used and reliable electronics.

Go a step further by installing smart plugs(link is external). They allow you to control virtually any electronic device plugged into them, including lamps, remotely. Additionally, devices like TVs, game consoles and coffee machines typically draw energy even when turned off if they remain plugged in. Smart plugs eliminate much of that wasted energy. Use the Alarm.com app or a voice-activated app to schedule them to turn off at night.

Motion Sensor Lights and Video Cameras

Inevitably, you’ll have to take out the trash one evening or walk outside to get the mail at night. You might think about installing motion-sensor outdoor lights for safety and convenience. Suppose you want to keep an eye on your home, even when you’re not there. In that case, you might also consider installing connected home video surveillance cameras, which will allow you to see exactly what’s walking through the yard or up to the front door—whether it’s a critter or a more serious intruder.

Outdoor Storage Protection

Outdoor space might be a large part of a home or renovation investment, and there are ways to keep the lawn mower, grill or boat safe. Specialized outdoor contact sensors(link is external) work with a connected home security system to protect free-standing structures. When attached to a gate or shed door, these rugged sensors send an alert in the event of movement, giving you peace of mind knowing your outdoor items are secure.

Connected Home Security System

The latest smart-home security systems(link is external) don’t just offer peace of mind; from the day you install them, they can also provide several of the above listed safety features with one system. Whether it’s wireless contact sensors for doors and windows, video cameras with alerts and live streaming, safety devices like connected smoke detectors or a smart water valve that provides alerts and shutdown measures to protect against freezes, leaks and bursts, a smart security system protects and manages the entire home.

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission