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atterport CEO RJ Pittman shares his vision for the future of real estate with skeptical agents, pushing for a "forward-looking ecosystem" that meets buyers' expectations. In an episode of the Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered podcast, Pittman emphasizes the need to shift from traditional paper-based processes to digital solutions.

    Pittman notes that younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, are driving this change, with their $10 trillion in generational spending power exceeding that of baby boomers. These buyers were "born digital" and expect seamless digital transactions.

    When faced with concerns from agents about losing face-to-face interactions by using digital tools, Pittman argues that opening the digital door can attract a much larger audience. He cites an example where a Matterport tour attracted 3,000 virtual visitors, far exceeding in-person attendance at open houses.

    The industry's mentality of doing the "least amount of effort" to sell a house for the best price is also a major obstacle, Pittman says. He believes that the recent commissions lawsuits have highlighted the need to create more efficient markets and disconnect the interests of seller and buyer agents.

    Pittman praises CoStar CEO Andy Florance's pro-innovation stance and their shared goal of creating an ecosystem of digital twins and spatial data to drive industry progress. The acquisition is expected to be finalized in early 2025, with Pittman expressing optimism about the potential for widespread adoption of digital solutions across various property types.