Thrill-seeker and entrepreneur Tommaso Montagni, co-founder of Rubik, isn’t just keeping up with change in the real estate market, but he is actively driving it. A former competitive alpine skier, Montagni’s transition from the steep, heart-stopping slopes to the equally fast-paced boardroom has been marked by the same enthusiasm and determination that made him a standout athlete. “Real estate is continuously evolving, much like the ever-changing conditions on a ski slope. Both fields demand quick thinking, precision and a readiness to tackle new challenges,” he reflects.
Today, instead of conquering mountain slopes, he and the other Rubik co-founders have harnessed the power of AI, data science and emerging technologies to bring about a metamorphosis in real estate. “I’m eager to witness real estate’s ongoing growth and transformation. Over the past six years, we’ve observed significant changes, from shifts between buyer’s and seller’s markets to the current period of market stagnation. Adapting to these changes is exciting. Expanding into new markets and replicating successful models is particularly thrilling, albeit challenging.”
The Role of AI and Data Science in Real Estate
Rubik simplifies and streamlines property sourcing and deal management. With Rubik, stakeholders can quickly identify profitable opportunities using comprehensive market analysis and data-driven insights regarding factors like location, property condition and tenant demographics. Montagni explains, “We use AI for property matchmaking, predictive analytics and enhancing customer service. This allows us to not only meet but anticipate the needs of our clients. We provide them with a competitive edge.”
In an industry that has been slow to adopt new technologies, Rubik is quickly bringing it out of the dark ages and into the digital era. Using AI, they are transforming the manual, time-intensive processes utilized for buyer outreach, negotiations and closing deals. Montagni shares that Rubik’s predictive analytics can significantly impact real estate acquisition and sales strategies and help investors and other buyers forecast market trends and property values with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
Rubik has made significant strides in this transformation of the real estate market. Rubik’s platform connects single-family home sellers with investors, focusing on investment-grade properties. In its short history, Rubik has already partnered with 80% of the largest real estate investors in the U.S. and facilitated nearly 500 transactions worth over $100 million.
Montagni attributes that success to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of its founding team including Amar Šehić and Krenar Roka. With their shared vision of disrupting traditional real estate practices, they have created a comprehensive marketplace that serves a broad range of stakeholders. Likewise, Rubik’s solutions have contributed to neighborhood revitalization efforts in cities like Atlanta and Houston.
Vision for Growth and Expansion
Looking ahead, self-proclaimed thrill-seeker Montagni has a lot to be excited about, including the potential of blockchain and machine learning to disrupt real estate further. “Blockchain can bring unparalleled transparency and security to transactions, while machine learning can refine our predictive models to be even more accurate,” he explains. “These technologies, combined with AI, promise to create a more efficient, trustworthy, and accessible real estate market.”
As Rubik continues to grow, Montagni remains committed to expanding into new markets and replicating the success they have had with their models. “We’re evolving into a full-fledged marketplace for investment homes, moving towards a brokerage model. Our goal is to become a nationwide platform, helping sellers connect with real estate investors across the country,” he explains.
The expansion plan includes entering five to seven new markets over the next year and increasing the team in those areas. “Real estate is a market-specific industry, and expanding effectively requires adapting to local challenges and customer needs. It’s a thrilling challenge, much like skiing on an uncharted slope,” Montagni notes.
Overcoming Challenges and Future Aspirations
Montagni is transparent about the challenges ahead but believes that listening to customers will guide Rubik through any obstacles. “Our approach has always been customer-centric. By understanding and addressing their needs, we can navigate any market changes and continue to grow.”
Looking to the future, Montagni’s aspirations for Rubik are ambitious yet grounded. “I envision Rubik becoming the largest marketplace for real estate investors in the United States and beyond. We aim to grow alongside the market, continuously refining our product features and expanding our reach.”
Rubik’s success is also driven by its international team spread across the U.S., Nicaragua, the Philippines, Kosovo, and Turkey. This global perspective allows Rubik to adapt to those diverse market conditions and bring innovative solutions to the table. “While we’re headquartered in New York, our remote team structure enables us to tap into talent worldwide,” says Montagni.
From thrilling, 50 miles-per-hour runs down snowy mountains to going 100 miles-per-hour an hour leading an exciting tech-driven real estate start-up, Tommaso Montagni is always in relentless pursuit of success and excitement (and always seems to find it). As Montagni continues to push the boundaries of real estate tech, one thing is for sure, we can all expect some thrilling developments from Rubik and Montagni.
Members of the Coastal Real Estate Guide Newspaper were not involved in the creation of this content.
