ImoEconometrics · Economic analysis · 30 October 2026
The effect depends on the user and the space
Technological innovation can change where people work, how they consume and which property characteristics they value. Its effects should be assessed by user, property use and location. A technological change does not, by itself, imply uniform growth in real estate demand.
Work and residential preferences
Remote working can change commuting frequency and the value attached to interior space, connectivity and nearby services. Choices depend on working arrangements, incomes and household composition. The ECB identifies preference shifts, including demand for larger spaces associated with remote work, among the factors helping explain housing investment during the pandemic.
Innovation clusters and related demand
A cluster of companies, research and education can generate requirements for offices, laboratories, housing and temporary accommodation. Analysis must translate announced activities into actual use, occupancy phases and purchasing power. New demand should be distinguished from relocation within the same region.
Technology in marketing and information
Digital platforms increase listing visibility and make alternatives easier to compare. Enquiries and views nevertheless indicate interest rather than completed transactions. Useful monitoring follows conversion from enquiry to viewing, reservation, contract and occupation, addressing data quality and duplication.
Implications for the property product
Flexibility, connectivity and adaptability should be evaluated against user benefits and whole-life costs. Decisions should test whether proposed features translate into greater utilisation, retention, absorption or willingness to pay. Innovation creates opportunities when integrated into verifiable economic analysis rather than used solely as a marketing attribute.