It has been said that it is only a matter of time before blockchain, the proprietary technology that supports cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, will begin to infiltrate industries all around the world. And, believe it or not, even historically traditional industries are not immune to the disruption – commercial real estate included.

But let’s back up for a moment. What, exactly, is blockchain?

In its most simple form, blockchain can be thought of as a distributed database. By recording transactions and combining them into a secure ledger system, a sort of “chain” of chronological data is then created and that no single party has control over. What’s the value in that? Simple – the value is in this system’s ability to effortlessly authenticate and track transaction in real time, without the need for use of an outside third party, like a bank.

When used to its potential, this piece of technology has the capacity and potential to completely reshape the property business as we know it today. This potential disruption would not only increase transparency, it would also speed up transactions significantly.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways blockchain is impacting the commercial real estate industry.

1. Smarter and more transparent transactions

One of the biggest impacts that blockchain could have on the commercial real estate sector would be expedited deals, thanks to a faster and smarter process of contract management. Like the name implies, smart contracts are when every portion of a lease or sales agreement is automated and when payments are received in real time, even beyond normal business hours. These smart contracts offer numerous benefits, providing additional peace of mind with built-in transaction instructions and increased transparency to all parties. Further, blockchain helps to reduce the risk of payment disputes  and speeds up pre-leasing due diligence and the background check process.

Blockchain would make it possible to essentially cut out the intervention from a middle man, allowing users to create and edit contracts immediately and in real time, all around the world.

“Technology as a whole continues to change the way that we work —in real estate, as well as other industries,” says Brandon Sudweeks of Coldwell Banker Commercial SC in Temecula, CA. “Both the speed and transparency of our real estate transactions have improved thanks to technology, and blockchain is just a small part of that.”

2. Liquidity

For those investors who are trying to cultivate a diversified portfolio, it can be difficult to liquidize assets. Blockchain technology has the ability to make this process easier and more seamless; if all investments are properly registered in the ledger, exchanging shares among investors instantly becomes more simplified.

Blockchain enabled trading platforms for illiquid real estate holdings have the potential to breathe new life and viability into previously restricted aftermarkets, by increasing liquidity and ease of access for investors. This can possibly reshape the face of a traditionally dislocated network of real estate brokers, investors and sponsors as we know it, transforming it into a more dynamic and fluid marketplace.

3. Land titles

Another way that blockchain technology is impacting CRE is its innovative use in recording land titles. With most of this information kept offline, this area has always been notoriously challenging to access. But blockchain stands to change this drastically, cutting the historically lengthy process of recording and/or transferring titles – with the additional benefit of increased transparency.

It would be an understatement to say that we have just begun to scratch the surface of blockchain technology and all that is has to offer commercial real estate, among other industries. When expanded to other applications and uses, the sky’s the limit for what blockchain can do. Of course, as with any emerging technology, blockchain has its critics, with questions and concerns being raised over the technology’s reliability and security. However, with continued and more widespread use, these issues are expected to resolve, and the technology will help lead the way in streamlining the traditionally cumbersome commercial real estate industry.

 


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