The time has come. Robert Neuberger, Managing Director of Neuberger Research is at the the right place at the right time. He would like to initiate extensive real estate research through the Immobilienforschungs-Institute (IFI) in cooperation with ImmoFocus.
Real Estate Research Institute - or IFI - what comes to mind and what concept lies behind it?
The real estate market needs opinion polling. Our strengths lie in autonomy, in the established networks built up over many years and a great deal of market research expertise. Therefore chances are very good that our concept makes sense, because together we are able to offer a competency spectrum that is not available at the moment. There reason why certain areas are not covered is that no one has taken notice of them.
In day-to-day business areas such as the basis for decision-making, specific prognoses and predictions as well as other specialised topics are not addressed and those topics are particularly important for essential grasp of the market.
What subjects should better be avoided?
There are changes on the residential market at the moment, for example, but what effect do they have on the office market? What are the impacts on the retail market sector? The intertwining of the different real estate sectors, the possibility of combining the new IT-supported collection and processing of data with the traditional market research questions, which lead to decision-making structures - these aspects are just being introduced and we would like to fill the gaps.
Which qualifications does Neuberger Research have to be able to deal with this branch of real estate market research?
Simple answer: I have been involved in real estate market research for 25 years. From target group analyses and competitor analyses to providing data for long-range strategies. We have direct access to solution models for just about any subject concerning real estate - in terms of market research.
Which aspects are of primary importance and what is the main focus?
We plan to supply data at regular intervals, which will be relevant to decision-making on the real estate market. These will be available as a subscription. Another focus will be an on-line survey for the real estate sector. We are going to analyse trends and people in the business will be able to verify their own positions. And finally there will be commissioned work, where concrete prognoses about location, markets, target groups and specific projects will be supplied.
What is your biggest challenge at the moment?
One of the biggest challenges will be to guide the real estate industry through the transition into the new information generation. The new digital developments are progressing at a rapid pace and offer many new opportunities. However, those who have no access to it, will miss the opportunities for making good business decisions. One has to support them with additional information. You have to look for ways to automate and standardise in order to make the data more transparent and easier to utilise. This is one of the essential tasks.
Is there a specific target group?
In principle it affects everyone, who has to make decisions in the real estate field. We can support those looking for residential properties with simple analyses, but also provide strategy planning for larger and more complex projects. We are prepared and have the experience at all those levels.
What are the distinguishing features of the IFI?
The IFI provides long-term, unbiased analyses and offers decision-making foundations like no other organisation at the moment. In future there will be an advisory board whose function will be to focus on the scientific and academic aspects and work with representatives of those fields.
We are also already in contact with German and French institutions in order to promote communication and exchange of information. Strong communication, vast experience, international networking and integration of market and scientific experts in the advisory board - these are our distinguishing characteristics.