Commercial real estate auditors experience delays and lost OSB payment checks mailed from Memphis, leading to frustrated brokers and distracting angry emails. Currently, checks are sent twice weekly after cash receipt, but slow delivery remains a major flaw. They seek switching to wire transfers for faster, more reliable payments, which would improve broker satisfaction and efficiency.

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Real Estate
Commercial

auditor

When having to pay an OSB we send out checks via regular mail from our office in Memphis. This leads to checks taking forever to arrive or checks being lost in transit.

sal figueroa

Test Chat
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Priority level

Its a serious problems that can result in angry OSB parties and a loss of wanting to work together in the future

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Willing to pay for solution

10000

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Value Reasoning

all parties involve are satisfied with the payment speeds and removing the back and forth communication

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Current process

The OSB team mails out check svia regular mail every thursday and tuesday when cash has been received

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Flaw in current process

The speed and delivery times

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Impact

I consistently get angry emails from brokers wondering why the OSB's have not been paid, this distracts me from other things I have to complete.

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Attempts at solving

the speed and delivery times

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Ideal solution

to be able to send money out via wires

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Value reasoning

all parties involve are satisfied with the payment speeds and removing the back and forth communication

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Market Trends

  • Digital Transformation: Increasing adoption of digital payment solutions is reducing reliance on traditional checks.
  • Efficiency Demand: Real estate firms are seeking faster transaction processes to improve cash flow and operational efficiency.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Heightened focus on compliance is pushing firms to adopt secure and verifiable payment methods.

Market Size

  • Target Audience: Professionals with the job title of auditor within the commercial real estate sector.
  • Estimated Size: The U.S. commercial real estate market has approximately 1.5 million professionals, with around 10% likely being auditors, leading to an addressable market of ~150,000 potential customers.
  • Solution Demand: Given the pain points of delayed and lost checks, a significant portion of these auditors will seek solutions that streamline payment processes.

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Barrier 1: Trust in Digital Transactions

Many stakeholders in the real estate industry may be hesitant to adopt digital payment solutions due to concerns over security and fraud.

  • Need for robust cybersecurity measures.
  • Education on the safety of digital transactions.

Barrier 2: Integration with Existing Systems

Real estate companies often use legacy systems that may not easily integrate with new digital payment solutions.

  • High costs of system upgrades or replacements.
  • Resistance from staff accustomed to traditional methods.

Barrier 3: Regulatory Compliance

Navigating the legal landscape for digital payments in real estate can be complex and varies by location.

  • Need to stay updated on local and federal regulations.
  • Potential penalties for non-compliance can deter adoption.

Barrier 4: Market Saturation

The presence of established players in the digital payment space may limit opportunities for new entrants.

  • Difficulty in differentiating the product.
  • Need for a unique value proposition to attract customers.

Customer Segmentation

  • Demographics:
    • Age: 30-55 years
    • Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
    • Location: Primarily urban areas
  • Business Size:
    • Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
    • Larger firms with dedicated accounting departments
  • Roles:
    • Auditors
    • Accountants
    • Finance Managers
    • Operations Managers

Customer Priorities

  • Timeliness of payments
  • Reduction in lost checks and payment delays
  • Improved cash flow management
  • Enhanced tracking and accountability for payments

Winning the Right People

  • Key Decision-Makers:
    • Finance Directors
    • Operations Executives
    • IT Managers (for tech solutions)
  • What They Need to Hear:
    • Efficiency gains in payment processing
    • Cost-effectiveness of the solution
    • Security and reliability of payment methods
  • Engagement Strategies:
    • Demonstrate ROI through case studies
    • Offer trials or demonstrations of the solution
    • Highlight testimonials from similar businesses

Competitive Landscape Assessment

Key Competitors

  • DocuSign: Offers electronic signature solutions but lacks integrated payment processing.
  • PayPal: Provides online payment options but may not cater specifically to real estate transactions.
  • Zelle: Quick transfer service but limited to banking partners and may not have robust tracking features.
  • Checkbook.io: Digital check solutions, but user adoption in commercial real estate is still growing.

Current Pricing for Existing Solutions

  • DocuSign: Starting at $10/month for basic services, but additional fees for advanced features.
  • PayPal: Transaction fees typically around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
  • Zelle: Free for users, but relies on bank support for functionality.
  • Checkbook.io: Pricing starts at $0.50 per check sent, which can add up.

Gaps in Competitor Offerings

  • Lack of integrated solutions: Many competitors do not offer a seamless combination of payment and documentation.
  • Poor tracking capabilities: Current solutions often lack real-time tracking for sent payments.
  • Customer service issues: Limited support for users experiencing issues with lost or delayed checks.
  • Adaptability: Existing solutions may not be tailored specifically for the unique needs of commercial real estate transactions.

Revenue Potential Evaluation

Revenue Streams

  • Transaction Fees: Charge a fee per payment processed through an electronic system.
  • Subscription Model: Offer monthly/annual subscriptions for unlimited transactions.
  • Value-Added Services: Provide services like tracking, reporting, and fraud protection for an additional fee.

Market Size

  • Target Market: Focus on commercial real estate firms, estimated at 100,000+ in the U.S.
  • Potential Revenue: Capturing 1% of the market could yield $100 million annually (assuming an average spend of $1,000 per firm).

Pricing Strategy

  • Competitive Analysis: Research competitors' pricing to ensure competitiveness.
  • Tiered Pricing: Offer different pricing tiers based on transaction volume.
  • Value-Based Pricing: Set prices based on the cost savings and efficiency gains for clients.