{"id":4777,"date":"2021-02-22T15:07:05","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T21:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/tech-companies-hope-to-solve-3-buyer-problems\/"},"modified":"2021-02-22T15:07:05","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T21:07:05","slug":"tech-companies-hope-to-solve-3-buyer-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nwfl4sale.com\/tech-companies-hope-to-solve-3-buyer-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Tech Companies Hope to Solve 3 Buyer Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Three new types of software can help buyers estimate repair costs and flood insurance costs before purchasing, and buy a home while still saving for a down payment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n WASHINGTON \u2013 A range of new real estate tech may help solve some common obstacles that may be standing in your clients\u2019 way for closing. Panelists at a recent National Association of Realtors\u00ae (NAR) forum discussed some new technology solutions that could help buyers in multiple ways, including overcoming financial hurdles, getting easier access to flood insurance information, and gathering remodeling estimates to help make more informed buying decisions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur goal on the committee is to increase our relevance to our clients and show you how technology can help with that,\u201d said Rod Helm, 2020 vice chair of NAR\u2019s Emerging Business and Technology Forum. The forum highlighted the three new technologies as potential solutions to help buyers move forward in transactions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Artificial intelligence is being used to offer estimates for home repairs or remodeling projects. It allows buyers to budget for a possible renovation while still shopping for a home, which can lead to more informed purchase decisions, said Vin Vomero, founder and CEO of Foxy AI, operator of the tool Remodel It<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The average U.S. home is nearly 40 years old. \u201cThere is a high likelihood that a home your clients are looking at will need to be updated, or a seller may need to update a home before listing it on the market,\u201d Vomero said. Cost, however, is the key in proceeding with any remodel and purchase.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Remodel It, still in beta testing mode, is a new program that could connect real estate clients to instant estimates of renovation costs before talking to a contractor. The program can analyze uploaded property photos and allow users to sort out what categories they wish to renovate \u2013 such as items in the kitchen or bathroom, or flooring \u2013 and pinpoint how fancy they want to get with those updates (semi-custom or custom quality, for example) to gather more accurate price estimates. The program also will allow users to connect with contractors on the platform when they\u2019re ready to proceed with a project or gather more precise quotes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The National Association of Realtors\u00ae (NAR) says Realtors can get exclusive access to the platform in beta testing mode.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In the U.S., 41 million homes have a medium to high risk of flooding and aren\u2019t protected by flood insurance, said Jason Harris, CEO of CartoFront<\/a>, a tool that offers access to flood insurance quotes. CartoFront is part of NAR\u2019s 2020 technology accelerator program, REACH.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat used to be considered a coastal problem is also now coming inland due to climate change,\u201d said Harris. An increasing number of property owners and buyers may need to get flood insurance to protect their investment, and they may wish to do so even when not in designated federal flood zones to ensure they\u2019re protected. Standard homeowner insurance policies don\u2019t cover flood incidences.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n CartoFront is teaming with MLSs to offer flood information and insurance quotes by displaying a raindrop icon next to online listings. Users can view side-by-side flood quotes from private and public insurers. Real estate professionals can use that information to help frame conversations about flood risk and flood insurance offerings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur goal is to help protect the investment that homeowners have,\u201d Harris said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The new solution is free and debuts in Miami first. Further expansion plans with MLSs are scheduled this year. The program is being targeted to MLSs initially, with hopes of expanding into partnerships with real estate brands in the future.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The most common obstacles to homeownership? Not having enough for a down payment and a tarnished credit history. But a new company called Landis<\/a> wants to team with real estate professionals to help their aspiring buyers make a home purchase, even when they\u2019re unable to qualify for a mortgage.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe want to help anyone who wants to buy a home but can\u2019t get a mortgage, whether that\u2019s because of a poor credit score, down payment, unique income situation, or a bankruptcy or foreclosure,\u201d said Cyril Berdugo, co-founder of Landis.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHow much would it cost to remodel?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Do I need flood insurance \u2013 How much will it cost?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
How can I buy when I can\u2019t even qualify for a mortgage?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n