Real estate has long been considered one of the leading industries in modern economies. It has provided people and commercial premises with numerous investment opportunities and assets which can hold and increase in value.
But, despite the importance that real estate has, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed within the industry. It is widely reported that the real estate industry is inefficient and has a considerable lack of transparency in terms of how it operates.
This is where new and exciting technologies come in. Blockchain is believed to have the potential to reinvent the real estate industry and transform how day-to-day tasks are managed and carried out, thus improving the efficiency of the industry overall. Blockchain is said to be a “game-changer” in the industry and is set to streamline transactions and security, amongst other things. Let’s take a look at how integrating blockchain technology into real estate transactions can change the future of buying and selling property.
How Does Blockchain Work?
Blockchain is an unchangeable ledger which keeps track of all transactions across different computers. As it operates on a network of individual computers, security and transparency are easier to ensure. When a transaction is made, it is added to a line of transactions within the blockchain and this forms a clear and unchangeable record of transactions.
How Can Blockchain Be Used In Real Estate?
By being transparent, secure and efficient, blockchain has the potential to change the real estate industry overall in a number of different ways.
Management Of Property Ownership
The change and management of property ownership is something that can quickly get complicated and messy. With blockchain technology, it can provide a decentralized ledger which can properly record ownership of properties. This reduces the chance of scams and the need for fraud recovery and gets rid of the need for intermediaries, which can only add further confusion.
Streamline Property Transactions
Blockchain can work by simplifying the buying and selling of properties, as well as the ongoing renting of properties. Smart contracts, which are programs stored on the blockchain which activate when certain conditions are met, can help to create automated systems and tasks which help with the ongoing management of property. This then reduces the requirement for manual involvement, helping to reduce errors and speed up the process time.
Keep Track Of Property History
Blockchain can be used to create a comprehensive and detailed record of a property’s history, such as information on the previous owners, any renovations which have been made to the property and ongoing maintenance records. Providing this information can help with the future selling of a property, or allow tenants or owners to make more informed decisions.
Potential Challenges
The real estate industry has long been exploring the possibility of the benefits that blockchain can bring. But, there are still some factors which are holding it back from being adopted in the mainstream.
Legal Hurdles
Transactions within real estate are bound by complex legal requirements which vary depending on property type. The addition of blockchain technology into this will require legal clarity and the following of frameworks which accommodate those of smart contracts.
Security Concerns
Transactions involving real estate involve large volumes of sensitive financial and personal information, which means that security is hugely important. Blockchain should, in theory, be largely secure due to its principles, but there are still risks associated with scams, fraud, trading scams, hacking and vulnerabilities in smart contracts.
By incorporating blockchain technology within the real estate industry, there are many benefits including transparency, security and improved efficiency which can transform the real estate industry. With the technology continuing to evolve and adapt, there is a promising future ahead for blockchain and the real estate industry.