ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights opportunities, and issues of housing as an investment asset class, drawing from the relevant literature. There are many sub-sectors of the housing market that are of significance as an asset class: investment through mortgage market, investment into the rented sector and niche markets. Due to rising costs of homeownership, changes in lifestyle and the attractiveness of town centre living, there is a high demand for private rented sector units. The chapter discusses the issues for the residential real estate as an asset class, and focuses on the subject of technology in the property sector. Real estate is slow to adjust to changes due to the complex nature of asset class and involvement of several actors and organisations in the market. Several aspects of the technology can potentially lead to effective, far-reaching innovations in the real estate industry. In real estate, blockchain-based smart contracts can be considered; it can be used for property purchases, leasing and management purposes.
