Inman Connect Las Vegas 2019 Recap

The MLS™ team just returned from Inman Connect 2019 in Las Vegas at the beautiful Aria Resort & Casino. The annual West Coast conference was a gathering of real estate professionals and technology experts, discussing the state of residential real estate and how to succeed in an increasingly technologically driven industry. There was heavy discussion on new technology trends and the pros and cons of iBuyer programs. As NRT CEO Ryan Gorman summed it up “iBuyers like Opendoor, Offerpad and Zillow Offers could be hugely successful and yet, nonetheless, amount to a negligible market presence.” Other technologies discussed included chatbots, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality. The weeklong event also provided important insights into branding and marketing with a heavy emphasis on social media marketing.

After attending dozens of insightful presentations and lively discussions, one thing was clear- all the new players (or “disruptors” as they’re often called) offer strong consumer value propositions. According to Inman founder Brad Inman, “An industry that used to manage the consumer will be managed by the consumer — and that’s good. It will be easier to see a house, understand its condition, easier to make an offer, and easier to close. And in the end, real estate professionals will finally get the respect you deserve… You may not be the captain of the boat any more, but no one will get on and off the boat without your help.”