Awareness and Usage of Mobile Technology in Real Estate Practice in Developing Countries: The Case of Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Mobile technology offers the opportunity for accurate, timely and quality service delivery; however, its adoption in real estate is limited. This study assessed the awareness and utilisation of mobile technology among real estate firms in Ikeja Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. This is with a view to provide information that is capable of increasing the awareness level and promoting the usage of mobile technology in real estate practice. Questionnaire were administered on 78 estate surveying and valuation (ESV) firms in the study area. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result indicated that the level of awareness of ESV firms to mobile technology in real estate was somewhat high (mean=3.77 on a scale of 5) but its adoption was limited to few mobile applications such as social media apps, email, Google Earth and Google Map while others such as Sitegeist, Vert and Argus Valuation have not gained popularity among the ESV firms. The low level of adoption of mobile technology might negatively impact the service delivery of real estate firms in the future where such technology will become indispensable.