Real estate shopfront offices in the age of technology : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Property Studies at Lincoln University

Abstract

The residential real estate industry has experienced many changes in the last few decades particularly in the adoption of technology made available by the Internet and World Wide Web. Today a real estate salesperson equipped with a portable electronic device with internet access can work entirely remotely from any base. Every bit of filed information that the salesperson may need to call on to list, market and sell a property is able to be sourced and/or distributed electronically. The Internet, of course, is available to all and so is most of the information the salesperson garners, so it relies on the consummate skill, promotion and professionalism of the real estate agent or salesperson to maintain the acknowledged position of intermediary in the real estate transaction. This dissertation explores a different phenomenon within this same scenario. When an industry or activity develops and prospers from changes or advancements in procedure, it generally abandons processes, practices or equipment made superfluous. It is patently not profitable or sensible to proceed in any other way. Retail businesses have shops to display their wares and attract shoppers to purchase. Retailers have not had a very good time with the global tightening of credit and the onset of Internet purchasing. I feel certain that many would dearly like to forsake their shop leases if a cheaper means of sale and distribution was available to them and many are availing themselves of on-line shopping.