Technology

While technology is having a major impact on how properties are managed and sold, it’s also having an impact on how properties are created. 3D printing, which allows people to create three-dimensional objects with digital files, is changing the way that we design and create homes and other buildings. With lower cost for materials and a healthier carbon footprint, 3D printing is set to make housing more accessible and design structures previously impractical using current...

On December 4, Techstars hosted a Demo Day for its Colliers Proptech Accelerator, a Toronto-based program that helps property tech startups overcome business challenges and find investors. The Demo Day is the culmination of a three-month program that gives proptech entrepreneurs access to mentors from Colliers, a Canadian real estate services organization boasting 400 offices in 68 countries. This year, the accelerator received applications from over 50 countries. Many of the startups in this cohort...

Depending upon where in Canada you live, electricity can cost you big bucks each year. But the high initial cost of solar panel installation makes many Canadians wonder if it is worth the investment. In this article, we look at each province and territory to examine if solar panels make sense in your area. Cost for panels Contact any solar panel company and they will tell you the cost per watt. The average price of...

In many industries, technology is one of the biggest drivers of disruption, and real estate is no exception. It’s something that many real estate investors are anticipating. According to CB Insights, global property tech (proptech) investment is projected to reach a record US$6.3 billion across 382 deals in 2019, compared to US$4.5 billion invested across 399 deals in 2018. To support this emerging breed of startups, new programs and investment firms are cropping up. In...

Insurtech, short for insurance technology, is a new wave of disruptive innovation in the insurance industry. In the same way that “fintechs” changed the landscape of the finance sector, insurtechs have positioned themselves as alternatives to conventional options for consumers. Consequently, they’re poised to be a growing challenge, threat, or opportunity for established firms in the years ahead. How do insurtechs work, exactly? Insurtechs have begun to operate at almost every level of the insurance...

All of us are living with tremendous amounts of stress, especially right now, and it’s not good for our health. According to an article by Global News from 2018, 73% of all working adults aged 20 to 64 experience at least some level of stress. That’s a worrying percentage, especially given the numerous negative effects of stress and the fact that’s it’s contagious! The good news is: it’s a fixable problem. As it turns out,...

The smart appliance industry is going to reach $37.2 billion by 2020. That means we are bound to see a new wave of smart tech we just can’t live without. Here is what you can expect to see popping up in more homes in 2020. Steam ovens One of the biggest appliance trends you’ll see more of in 2020 is steam ovens. These smart appliances let you get the health benefit of steamed foods without the...

There’s a lot of pressure on big corporations and the government to respond to the climate emergency our planet is in. But you don’t have to wait for people in high places to make changes. There are many things you can do to make your home more eco-friendly and make a difference. Read on to learn how to reduce your carbon footprint. Home energy monitors In order to figure out how to make your home...