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Uber is an interesting comparison, because their primary competitive strategy was to ignore existing government regulations. Regulations, of course, are a huge

Uber is an interesting comparison, because their primary competitive strategy was to ignore existing government regulations. Regulations, of course, are a huge issue in the real estate industry. Maybe someone can step in and invest a many billions of dollars in real estate -- while ignoring the red-tape regulations that often prevent building? This seems unlikely, but could certainly be a path towards disruption. The difference, with Uber, of course, is their cost of capital was relatively low. They didn't have to buy vehicles, for example. (Imagine having to tear down a few multi-billion dollar real estate developments. Yikes.)

Spooky23 5y ago
Uber was just an obvious con that demonstrated the danger of unrestrained capital and an era of ineffective government. Real Estate isn't a regulatory trap; it's an information trap. You can buy and sell property direct. All of the legal stuff is (nominally) done by attorneys. But the association of realtors controls the listing service and makes discovery easy. Like all salespeople, realtors add "value". When you've been in 2,000 houses, you pick up insights that are useful and learn about neighborhoods. The information is used for both good and bad purposes. Most of the disruptors do stupid shit with stupid investor money or integrate with the existing players and add some value.
- ethbr0 5y ago
  > or integrate with the existing players and add some value Since 1973. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RE/MAX https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RE/MAX
- boplicity 5y ago
  > Real Estate isn't a regulatory trap; it's an information trap. No -- you're confusing real estate sales with real estate. Real estate is one of the most highly regulated industries out there. You literally can't make any significant changes to most properties without a significant permitting process that goes through many layers of regulations. Not to mention the many real estate developments that are never even a possibility because of regulation. I'm not against regulation -- it can be a very good thing -- but it is clearly at the core of the real estate problem. Society has decided, via regulations, to starve the supply of housing.

Spooky23 5y ago

Uber was just an obvious con that demonstrated the danger of unrestrained capital and an era of ineffective government. Real Estate isn't a regulatory trap; it's an information trap. You can buy and sell property direct. All of the legal stuff is (nominally) done by attorneys. But the association of realtors controls the listing service and makes discovery easy. Like all salespeople, realtors add "value". When you've been in 2,000 houses, you pick up insights that are useful and learn about neighborhoods. The information is used for both good and bad purposes. Most of the disruptors do stupid shit with stupid investor money or integrate with the existing players and add some value.

ethbr0 5y ago
> or integrate with the existing players and add some value Since 1973. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RE/MAX https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RE/MAX
boplicity 5y ago
> Real Estate isn't a regulatory trap; it's an information trap. No -- you're confusing real estate sales with real estate. Real estate is one of the most highly regulated industries out there. You literally can't make any significant changes to most properties without a significant permitting process that goes through many layers of regulations. Not to mention the many real estate developments that are never even a possibility because of regulation. I'm not against regulation -- it can be a very good thing -- but it is clearly at the core of the real estate problem. Society has decided, via regulations, to starve the supply of housing.