Why Proptech Is Your Gateway to Real Estate Wealth

Imagine being a nurse in São Paulo, a teacher in Nairobi, or an engineer in Mumbai. Investing in property would assure one’s future, yet high costs and complex procedures discourage this aspiration. Now imagine managing a rental property from your phone during a break. Proptech is destined to create this reality. It is changing real estate investment in ways that would open doors for you, irrespective of where you walk.

Proptech, or property technology, uses digital tools to simplify real estate tasks. It’s not just for wealthy investors or large firms. Every day, people—healthcare workers, educators, and small entrepreneurs—are using proptech to enter the property market. Globally, proptech is reducing barriers, making wealth creation through real estate more accessible.

The global proptech market was valued at approximately USD 25.1–40 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 100 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 16.5–20.5%, reflecting its growing role in enabling small-scale investors worldwide.

How Proptech Removes Global Barriers to Investing

Before proptech, risky business would mean burning away weeks or months, loads of capital, and heaps of expertise. Now that is being changed as different software tools automate the different steps, cut down on costs, and empower first-time buyers, such as yourself, to a greater degree. Here’s how:

• Automation of time processes: Proptech does tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance. It makes you avoid manually tracking down payments or organising repairs.
• Lower Financial Entry Points: The tools allow methods like co-ownership and rental of space with relatively small amounts of upfront capital.
• Simple Scalability: Several properties are managed from just one app without the necessity of a huge staff or resources.

In Brazil, the QuintoAndar platform supports thousands of small landlords in managing their rentals with tenant screening and automated lease agreements. This is great for people like teachers and nurses who want to invest but still have to keep their day jobs.

Proptech Tools for Global Investors

Proptech offers practical tools to simplify your real estate journey, whether you’re in Lagos, Sydney, or Dubai. Here’s a breakdown of key tools:

• Tenant Screening Platforms: Tools like Rentberry (global) or NoBroker (India) provide background and credit checks. You find reliable tenants without extensive paperwork. Note: Zillow is primarily US-focused, not global.
• Rent Collection Online: Such applications as PayRent (US) or Paytm (India) automate payments. Using these, tenants pay through mobile, and landlords keep track of funds in real-time.
• Maintenance: Platforms like Property Meld (global) make the process smoother. Tenants log the requests online, and you assign the jobs to local professionals.
• Market Analysis Tools: Sites like 99acres (India) or PropertyGuru (Southeast Asia) offer data on property prices and rental yields. You identify high-return areas before investing.

The global proptech market size hovered around USD 25.1–40 billion in 2023 and is expected to attain USD 100 billion by 2032, growing at a moderate CAGR between 16.5% and 20.5%. Those investing in proptech claim they manage to save a lot of time because the tools out there aid them in doing chores like screening tenants and collecting rent. 

NoBroker’s platform allows landlords in India to digitally list their properties and manage tenants, with hours being saved compared with the old manual way. Landlords report that using NoBroker’s platform takes less time to manage compared with the traditional way.

Take a look at Rentberry’s or NoBroker’s operating platform. Try listing a property or a room to find out how automation can fit into your lifestyle.

Creative Ways to Monetise Your Property Globally

Alongside a Rent-a-Room scheme, proptech has enabled funky ways to pay the bills by having the space. A few ways include: 

• Rent Out Spare Rooms: One can list rooms in their home on portals such as Roomi (global) or Flatmates (Australia). In an Indian city like Mumbai or a Southeast Asian city like Manila, an empty room, depending on the location and demand, can fetch a monthly rent of anything between USD 95 and 475.
• Short-Term Rentals: Keep it short with Airbnb or Vrbo. For bookings and pricing, tools like Hostaway do it all for you.
• Accessory Dwelling Units: Build a tiny unit on your property, maybe something akin to a backyard studio-type ADU. Finally, put it up for a long-term or short stay. Proptech will help with permits and management. 

In São Paulo, QuintoAndar facilitates short-term rental solutions to assist landlords with listings on platforms like Airbnb, thus streamlining bookings and payments on behalf of small investors.

Check your property for underused spaces, whether that be a room, a basement, or a garage. List this on Roomi or Airbnb to test for income potential with minimum risk.

Scaling Your Real Estate Portfolio with Proptech

Starting small is smart, but scaling builds wealth. Proptech lets you grow without traditional obstacles. Here’s how you can expand globally:

• Manage Multiple Units: Platforms like AppFolio (global) let you oversee multiple units from your phone, eliminating the need for a large team.
• Access Financing: Proptech startups like Divvy (US) or Proportunity (UK) offer loans for small investors. You can fund new properties without draining savings.
• Track Performance: Tools like Stessa (global) provide real-time data on rental yields and expenses. You make informed decisions about your next investment.

In Singapore, PropertyGuru’s analytics tools help landlords track rental yields, enabling data-driven decisions to scale portfolios efficiently.

If you own one property, use Stessa to track its performance. Use the data to plan your next purchase.

Proptech and Global Financial Inclusion

Proptech is about access, not just convenience. It empowers underrepresented groups to build wealth through real estate. Young people, minorities, and women, who often face higher barriers, are leveraging these tools worldwide.

• Young Investors: Millennials and Gen Z use platforms like Mashvisor (global) to find affordable properties. They start small and scale quickly.
• Minority Entrepreneurs: Proptech reduces reliance on insider networks, levelling the playing field in markets like Brazil and South Africa.
• Women Investors: Women balancing careers and family benefit from time-saving tools, managing properties without sacrificing other priorities.

In South Africa, Proptech Africa’s platforms help first-time investors, including women and minorities, access affordable properties through digital tools.

Challenges to Navigate with Proptech

Proptech has limits. Be aware of these challenges to succeed:

• Learning Curve: Some platforms require time to learn. Start with user-friendly options like Rentberry.
• Tech Dependence: If a platform fails, your operations could pause. Use multiple tools for redundancy.
• Costs: While cheaper than hiring staff, some platforms charge fees. Compare options to fit your budget.

In Australia, landlords using platforms like Flatmates risk delays if apps experience outages. Landlords are advised to use backup platforms to avoid disruptions from potential outages.

Test a proptech tool with a free trial. Ensure it meets your needs before committing.

Getting Started with Proptech Anywhere

Ready to dive in? Here’s a global plan to use proptech for wealth creation:

1. Research Your Market: Use 99acres (India), PropertyGuru (Southeast Asia), or similar platforms to study rental yields in your area. Look for growing markets like Lagos or Bengaluru.
2. Pick a Platform: Start with Rentberry for listings or AppFolio for management. Choose one that suits your goals.
3. Start Small: Rent out a room or list a property on Airbnb. Test how proptech simplifies the process.
4. Scale Gradually: Reinvest profits into new properties. Use tools like Stessa to guide your decisions.
5. Stay Updated: Follow global proptech trends via platforms like Proptech Global or industry reports.

In Brazil, QuintoAndar’s digital platform has enabled thousands of small landlords to manage properties efficiently, streamlining tenant onboarding and payments.

The Future of Proptech and Your Wealth

Proptech is reshaping global real estate. It’s not just about owning property—it’s about creating financial freedom. From São Paulo to Sydney, proptech empowers you to invest on your terms, no matter your background.

The global proptech market is projected to reach approximately USD 100 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 16.5–20.5% from 2023, driven by increasing adoption of digital tools in real estate.