Over the past decade, technology has transformed the way we date, taxi, travel – and now the way we buy real estate thanks to start-up Next Address.
Next Address Founder and CEO Julie O’Donohue’s own experience as an ex-real estate agent led her to create a platform that is transparent, offers a more affordable way of buying and selling property, saves people time and puts the customer in complete control.
“Australia’s inflated property market is overwhelming, and so is the traditional process of buying and selling a home, with many people feeling frustrated with high costs, inaccurate property valuations, and a lack of communication,” Julie said.
“Next Address is essentially a matchmaker for the property world that directly connects buyers to properties through a smart algorithm.
“Aussies spend $8 million on advertising and agent commissions each year, and it costs on average $12,000 to $60,000 to sell a property – Next Address will save people anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000 on these costs.
“In Australian cities, a property’s average time on market is 71 days and in regional areas 91 days, and Next Address will significantly reduce this listing time.
“In New Zealand, around 35 per cent of people sell their own home, while here in Australia that figure is five per cent, but through Next Address we want to increase that figure to 20 per cent within 10 years,” Julie added.
How is Next Address doing so far?
At the moment Next Address has 11,000 registered properties, a number that is growing weekly, and the site offers Fyuse 360-degree 3D walkthrough technology not offered on any other real estate platform in the country.
Julie and the Next Address team have created a new vision of the real estate model by focusing on a truly community-minded marketplace in every sense.
“While Next Address allows you to buy and sell without an agent, there is also an opportunity for real estate agents to embrace Next Address as another marketing, sales and lead generation tool.
Next Address has also introduced an ‘agents in residence’ program where users on the site can receive guidance and services from the site’s list of trusted real estate agents.
With a strong philanthropic focus, Next Address will donate six per cent of net profits to charities, which are rotated every six months and selected by users on the site.
From real estate to real people, Next Address is transparent, honest and reachable, allowing the customer to be a part of the conversation and offering real-time availability 24/7.
“Next Address is completely customer focused and maximises the power of social media and the internet’s sharing economy opportunities, “Julie added.
Julie O’Donohue is a passionate changemaker who is dedicated to helping her community, and her commitment and creativity were recognised by taking out the Victorian winner of Australia Post’s Regional Pitchfest 2017.
As a start-up, Next Address welcomes interest from investors to join them on a journey to change the way real estate is transacted in Australia and have therefore teamed up with equity crowdfunding company Birchal.
Next Address and Birchal are now making it possible for the general public to invest in the future of Australian real estate for only $250. The raise is now open and you can invest in Next Address here.
