The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

Episodes

Episode 287: From Gatekeepers to Guides: Real Estate Agents in the Digital Age

The real estate industry has witnessed remarkable changes in how we search for properties and gather information. However, the actual process of buying and selling has remained largely unchanged. Real estate agents continue to play a gatekeeping role, despite the advancements in digital platforms and portals. Unbeknownst to many, the relationship between sellers, agents, and buyers has been quietly evolving in the digital landscape.

Join us today for an insightful episode as we delve into the future of real estate. Over the past few years, buyer preferences have undergone significant transformations while emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) pose the potential for disruption. Our guest, John Foong — Chief Revenue Officer of Domain Group, brings unique insights from his experience at renowned companies like Google and Uber, making this discussion a must-listen.

Tune in as we navigate through the complex landscape of real estate, guided by John Foong's unique insights and prepare for an engaging discussion on a topic that promises to reshape the way we buy and sell properties.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Welcome

06:38 - John Foong aims to become a "local market expert."

08:27 - How is success engagement measured?

12:46 - What's the situation with agents in the US?

17:40 - Providing information beyond legal requirements.

23:27 - What factors strongly correlate with engagement?

25:58 - Google Maps and its impact on traffic. 

31:00 - Changes in the Irish property market. 

36:08 - What will happen to the housing market?

43:10 - How does immigration affect the market?

47:18 - The real estate shift on the Gold Coast.

51:57 - When to sell or keep a property?

53:12 - Why you need to apply macro numbers to individual decisions.

About Our Guest:

John Foong — a seasoned senior sales executive, brings 15 years of management experience to the table, having worked across multiple continents including the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Africa. Notably, he has achieved remarkable record revenue growth during his tenure at Google and Uber, where he played a key role in multiplying Google Cloud's channel revenue into the billions as a global lead. With a proven track record, John has successfully led large teams globally and in Australia, overseeing 300+ people at Google and 600+ at Domain, encompassing both sales and technical roles. As a trusted advisor, caring manager, and holder of a Stanford MBA, John combines strategic thinking with operational expertise. His academic achievements include being a University of New South Wales Co-Op Scholar, Stanford Arjay Millar Scholar, and a distinguished alumnus of McKinsey Sydney, further highlighting his outstanding credentials.

Connect with John Fong:

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Resources:

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Chris Batesde-index