Wire fraud is costing the real estate industry hundreds of millions of dollars every year. At the same time, 79% of buyers say they are willing to pay a premium for technology that keeps their money safe. That signals a major opportunity for real estate professionals to meet growing expectations for security in the transaction process.

Today’s buyers, especially millennials who now make up the largest group of homebuyers, are digital-first in nearly every part of their lives. They expect to complete one of their biggest financial transactions online, and they expect that experience to be fast and secure. Delivering on that expectation requires more than convenience. It requires technology that protects their funds every step of the way.

For agents and title professionals, adopting security-focused technology is about preventing fraud and standing out in a competitive market. Technology is reshaping closings and delivering clear benefits for clients, title teams, and agents alike.

Benefits of technology in real estate

Technology is changing how real estate and title professionals work. It streamlines the closing process and delivers the speed today’s buyers expect. 

Some key benefits of using technology are:

• Faster closings and fewer errors: Automation helps manage documents, verifications, and approvals, lowering mistakes and delays.
• Fraud prevention: According to our data, in 2024, 17% of title companies accidentally sent money to the wrong accounts. Technology focused on security lowers these risks by verifying wiring instructions, payoffs, and identities.
• Better client targeting: Analytics and CRM tools help agents focus on buyers who are ready to act and prefer digital communication.
• Market insights: AI and predictive tools help professionals anticipate trends, adjust their strategies, and provide clients with up-to-date guidance.
• Enhanced client experience: Digital portals and communication tools make the process clear and convenient for buyers and sellers.

Digital tools make agents and title teams more efficient and informed, helping them secure transactions that meet today’s buyers' expectations. Technology helps, but many buyers, particularly millennials, are not getting the fast, digital experience they want.

The millennial technology gap crisis

Our data confirms that millennials are driving the real estate market, but there is a clear gap between what they expect and what many professionals provide. This generation wants fast, digital-first experiences, but some agents and title teams still rely on paper checks, manual callbacks, and outdated verification methods. These friction points slow transactions and create unnecessary risks, especially for a group that values convenience.

Video calls and virtual meetings are now standard for millennials, but not everyone in the industry has caught up. Many clients want to review documents, schedule meetings, and handle approvals online. Agents who lag behind risk losing business to more tech-savvy competitors.

That gap is a big opportunity but also a risk. The customers who expect digital experiences the most are the ones most vulnerable to wire fraud. First-time buyers fall victim to wire fraud at three times the rate of more experienced buyers, 7.5% compared with 2.3%. 

For these clients, digital protection is expected.. One verified client said, "Everything about buying a home was new to us. Knowing the payment was verified made us feel safe moving forward." Another shared, "I didn’t even know wire fraud was a risk until my agent explained it. Having a secure system gave me peace of mind," highlighting that trust in secure tools is critical.

Bridging the millennial technology gap shows why digital tools matter. Agents and title professionals who modernize their processes, use secure digital tools, and communicate in ways this generation prefers can reduce risk, meet client expectations, and stand out in a market. 

The 8 core real estate technology categories

Technology is changing the real estate and title industries. The first four categories focus on meeting client expectations, especially millennials who want fast, convenient, and fully digital experiences.

The last four focus on improving internal operations so title agencies can handle more transactions while protecting client funds. Here are the eight key ways technology is benefiting clients and title professionals.

1. Automated analysis and pattern recognition

Millennials expect quick transactions, and slow property valuations or document processing can be frustrating. Automated analysis platforms like HouseCanary speed up valuations and workflow reviews, helping buyers move from contract to closing with minimal friction.

Data-driven marketing lets agents connect with potential buyers based on their preferences and behaviors, reaching those who are ready to act. 

Fraud detection has become equally critical. Tools like CertifID analyze transaction patterns to help professionals combat sophisticated fraud attacks. By analyzing fraud patterns and market trends, teams can anticipate shifts in millennials' expectations before competitors, keeping their services relevant.

Let’s explore how technology can make the buying experience more engaging.

2. Virtual reality & augmented reality

Millennials often move for work and want new ways to explore properties from anywhere. Virtual property tour and staging platforms like Matterport and roOomy give buyers immersive 3D experiences, speeding up decision-making without requiring in-person visits.

Augmented reality helps buyers see how furniture fits and explore design options. This provides an interactive experience that meets their tech expectations. These tools are more engaging than photos or descriptions, helping buyers feel confident before making a choice.

Engagement, security, and trust play key roles, just like blockchain and digital ledger technology

3. Blockchain & digital ledger technology

Data security and transparency are top concerns for younger buyers. Blockchain solutions from Propy, Figure Technologies, and ShelterZoom create permanent, tamper-proof transaction records, which help build trust with first-time buyers who may feel unsure.

Blockchain also allows for fractional ownership, appealing to investment-minded millennials who may face different financial constraints. By providing secure and transparent verification, blockchain addresses security concerns and new investment trends. 

Alongside security, convenience is important for modern buyers.

4. Remote online notarization & e-signature technology

Serving mobile, time-constrained millennials can mean coordinating signings across states or time zones. Remote online notarization (RON) and e-signature tools like Notarize help solve these problems by letting clients sign documents securely from anywhere.

Because remote online notarization (RON) is more prone to risk, it’s essential that platforms include comprehensive identity verification measures that go beyond basic ID checks. These tools also cut down on courier costs, scheduling conflicts, and geographic limits, all while keeping security high to protect both agencies and clients.

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Even with faster signing, fraud risks remain. That’s why fraud prevention and identity verification technology help protect both clients and agencies.

5. Fraud prevention & identity verification technology

Wire fraud and cybercrime pose serious financial risks. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), in 2022, the average loss for buyers was $68,000, for sellers it was $172,000, and mortgage payoffs averaged $276,000. In 2024, Business Email Compromise (BEC) reached $2.7 billion. 

Advanced identity verification and fraud detection tools like CertifID are necessary to tackle these risks. Automated verification replaces unreliable manual processes that professionals describe as inadequate. These tools help reduce vulnerabilities while improving operational efficiency, helping teams protect funds without slowing down transactions.

To see these tools in action, check out this video. It shows how advanced identity verification and fraud detection help protect funds, reduce risks, and keep transactions moving smoothly.

Protecting funds is important, but managing processes well matters too. Title production software improves workflows, reduces errors, and helps agencies handle more transactions.

6. Title production software (workflow management platforms)

Manual data entry, duplicated work, and miscommunication slow down closings. By adding fraud prevention and verification to workflow platforms like SoftPro, ResWare, RamQuest, and Settlor, agencies can run secure processes without switching between multiple tools.

Automated workflows help handle higher transaction volumes without needing to hire more staff. Standardized processes across offices ensure consistent service delivery and protect against fraud, while reducing staff fatigue from using multiple portals.

Watch this video to see how identity verification and fraud detection tools protect funds, reduce risks, and keep transactions moving smoothly.

Improving workflow efficiency matters, but cloud-based document management is just as important.

7. Cloud-based document management

Title teams find it hard to manage scattered files, keep track of versions, and meet compliance requirements, especially when audit trails are missing. 

Centralized platforms like Box offer secure storage with real-time collaboration. Automated audit trails help agencies stay compliant while ensuring clients receive clear and accurate service. This protects agencies from liability and ensures clients receive secure, accurate service.

Finally, technology that tracks data helps teams plan and adapt for the future.

8. Data analysis & business intelligence

Running a real estate or title agency is complex, and it’s easy to miss patterns or emerging client needs. Business intelligence tools like Tableau and Power BI give teams clearer visibility, helping them plan, support staff, and adapt services so they can deliver the best experience for clients while staying competitive.

These tools forecast future needs,  helping agencies to manage their staff better, identify training opportunities, and adjust their services to meet changing customer expectations. By leveraging these operational insights with predictive analytics, agencies can improve profitability while remaining competitive.

Together, these 8 core technology categories work together to create a faster, safer, and more client-focused closing experience.

How these technologies transform closings

Technology is fundamentally changing how people close real estate transactions. Automated property analysis connects with workflow platforms to manage virtual tours, remote notarizations, and e-signatures. Advanced fraud detection systems monitor transactions in real time. This combination makes the process smoother and removes many of the friction points that frustrate millennial buyers.

By combining the tools that clients use with the tools that agencies operate, real estate companies can better meet millennial expectations. Buyers can complete transactions that cross geographic boundaries and time zones without delays, while agencies keep a high level of compliance and security. Virtual property tours, automated verifications, and secure payment systems work together to create a seamless, digital experience.

The results show clear benefits. Closing cycles are shorter, operational costs go down, and client satisfaction increases as transactions become more predictable and transparent. Millennials, in particular, value flexibility and clarity, and an integrated technology stack meets these needs by offering convenience without compromising security.

For agents and title professionals, this change represents a shift in how closings happen. Technology now makes closings faster, safer, and more enjoyable experiences for clients while giving teams the tools to work smarter. In a market where buyers prefer digital options, adopting these technologies is key to staying competitive and relevant. This transformation also changes how real estate professionals build their technology stack.

Technology for real estate agents: Complete your stack

Consumer safety and business success now depend on comprehensive solutions, not piecemeal tools. With 99% of younger buyers starting their home search online and 87% still looking to professionals for guidance, agents and title professionals have a clear opportunity to strengthen their expertise with digital tools. 

Fully integrated technology protects first-time buyers facing three times the fraud risk and meets the expectations of millennials who value secure, seamless transactions enough to pay a premium.

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