Forget tradition! The New World of Buying and Selling Real Estate

Robert Gray Smith on 02 28, 2006

I’ve been going to the MIT Forum’s dinner topics for years as a technology geek. Now that I’m in real estate, I’m still finding applicable topics. Let me put my plug in for the MIT Forum first — The Northwest Chapter of the MIT Forum hosts monthly dinner meetings with topics relating to business and technology. The topics cover the spectrum from computer technology, biotech, nano technology and yes…now real estate technology trends. Always interesting!!

Topic:

Transformation is afoot. Remember how Expedia revolutionized the travel industry? Now companies in our own backyard, including Redfin, HouseValues and Zillow, are offering online technologies that are transforming the real estate industry. From online valuations and lead generation to completing the legal transaction, these companies aim to exploit opportunities in the business of residential real estate. Home buyers, sellers and real estate agents are changing the way that they do business.

Panelists:

  • David Eraker, Founder, Redfin
  • Spencer Rascoff, CFO, Zillow, Inc.
  • Nikesh Parekh, VP of Corporate Development, HouseValues, Inc.
  • Gordon Stephenson, Co-Owner and Managing Broker, Real Property Associates, Inc., Director, Zillow, Inc

March 15, 5:30PM – Tickets are $50 at the door (less if you buy ahead of time). Visit http://www.mitwa.org for further details.

The 5:30 time is no-host cocktail with doors for dinner opening later. Come on by and join us.

About the Author: Robert Smith

What do I know about Washington Real Estate? I’m a native Washingtonian – I grew up in south end of Seattle, in the Seahurst neighborhood, where my parents still reside. My twin brother and I are the youngest of 6 children (5 brothers, 1 sister) all of whom live in the local area. I attended the University of Washington where I majored in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. I come to Real Estate as an escapee from the high-tech industry. I spent 15 years in that industry, starting out with 4.5 years in marketing at Microsoft. I went on to run my own consulting company for 12 years and then helped start a second company, Resolute Solutions Corporation. During my high-tech years I invested in rental properties and did pretty well at it. So after 15 years in high-tech I decided to make a change and joined Coldwell Banker Bain.

2 Responses to “Forget tradition! The New World of Buying and Selling Real Estate”

  1. Dustin
    February 28, 2006 at 12:52 am

    Robert,

    It’s fun to see some excitement about this forum.

    I have a fun announcement regarding related to this forum (very related!) that I am looking forward to posting soon!

    #2344
  2. Seattle’s Rain City Real Estate Guide » Something’s Afoot in the Real Estate Business – but what does it mean and where is it going?
    March 1, 2006 at 10:21 am

    [...] Something’s Afoot in the Real Estate Business – but what does it mean and where is it going? March 1, 2006 (Editor’s Note: I few weeks ago, I sat down with Chuck Reiling to discuss an MIT Enterprise Forum he is helping to organize that will feature leaders from some of the top real estate technology firms. His excitement at the idea of bring people from Zillow, Redfin and HouseValues together to discuss the future of real estate was obvious and contagious. Hence, I asked him if he would be willing to give some background on the project, which led directly to this post. Interestingly he’s not the only one who is excited about this forum as he the story was already picked up by both Robert Gray Smith and John Cook. Chuck and his wife are local RE/MAX agents.) [...]

    #2392