Gone are the days when a real estate professional simply could rely on a sign in the yard or schedule an open house in hopes of leading to a successful property transaction. Technology is changing the world, and the real estate industry is no exception.

A trendy term referred to as PropTech, the combination of property and technology interests, is among the innovative lines of thinking that are building momentum and changing the way property managers and real estate professionals handle their daily business.

Andrew Baum, emeritus professor at the University of Oxford in England and widely considered one of the most influential voices in the real estate industry, has written and spoken often about PropTech and more. On April 17, he will speak at Auburn University.

He will present “The Property Company of the Future,” an in-depth exploration of the factors shaping the next generation of successful property companies, at 6:00 p.m. in 19 Lowder Hall. His talk is sponsored by The Winchester Institute for Real Estate Development.

He will discuss how powerful megatrends—including technology, sustainability, geopolitics, demographics, and shifts in capital markets—will redefine real estate and create new opportunities for industry pioneers.

What is PropTech?

“PropTech is jargon, and it comes from two different things: One of course is property, and the second one is technology,” Baum explains in a promotional video.

PropTech evolved from previous technology applications, “which gave us banking online, gave us the crowd-funding movement, it gave us peer-to-peer lending,” he said. “So, the question naturally arose, when will we be able to buy and sell houses online?”

Baum, who teaches at Oxford’s prestigious Saïd Business School, addresses such questions as “Why does it take three months to buy a house?... Why isn’t it possible to see online what every house is worth?”

PropTech’s application to the real estate industry includes tools aiming to improve the overall experience for buyers, sellers, renters and property managers.

His publication PropTech 3.0: The Future of Real Estate became a landmark work in the field, while his textbooks have been read by more than 100,000 professionals worldwide, his bio states.

Reserve a spot

Baum’s visit to Auburn provides “a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the industry’s brightest minds on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” the Harbert College of Business said in promoting the event. “Don’t miss your chance to gain insights that could transform your understanding of the future of property and real estate.”

Due to limited seating, RSVP is required.

Learn more about The Winchester Institute or Auburn’s Harbert College of Business.

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Professor Baum’s lecture will take place in room 19 Lowder Hall, 405 West Magnolia Avenue, Auburn, AL 36849 at 6:00 pm central time.

About The Winchester Institute at Auburn University

The Winchester Institute builds on the core skills of the Harbert College of Business and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, and leverages the multi-faceted resources of a leading land grant institution. With offerings tailored to a variety of audiences—from seasoned professionals to undergraduate students—the Institute impacts real estate development through an active connection with industry, relevant and practical educational offerings, and both academic and applied research.