Ed and Simon are joined by Slava Rodriguez, Real Estate Vertical Director at Larixon Classifieds, a company that operates portals across five very diverse markets.They explore market entry strategies, growth metrics, competition, and the role of social media in real estate marketing. The conversation also delves into branding strategies, managing operations across multiple markets, and the potential impact of AI on the real estate landscape.00:00 Introduction to Larixon Classifieds02:56 Market Strategy and Growth07:20 Real Estate Vertical Insights11:17 Competition in Diverse Markets13:57 Market Dynamics and Parallels16:00 Leveraging Social Media Marketing19:54 Brand Building and Marketing Strategies23:52 Managing Multiple Markets27:13 Trends in Classifieds and Future Outlook32:41 Impact of AI on Real Estate40:55 Transitioning from Corporate to Local Markets

Ed and Simon discuss all the biggest stories from the world of real estate portals this week (30th of January 2026). Including...- CoStar's war of words with its investor, Third Point- Hemnet's Q4 results and the Swedish market situation- Property Finder's $170M raise and potential merger00:00 Introduction to the Real Estate Marketplace News03:19 CoStar's Controversial Investment Strategies13:41 The Impact of Third Point's Activism on CoStar19:34 Market Reactions and Future Predictions28:46 Hemnet's Q4 Performance and Strategic Changes39:08 Property Finder's New Investment and Speculations

Ed and Simon are joined by Giles Thorne (Head of European Internet Research at Jefferies) to discuss the threat posed to real estate portals by AI.

They explore investment strategies, the role of private equity, and the influence of major players like Google. The conversation emphasises the need for progressive management and the potential for M&A activity to reshape the industry. The episode concludes with a framework for evaluating real estate platforms and insights into the future of the market.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the PPW Pod and Guests

04:01 The Threat of AI to Real Estate Marketplaces

09:37 Data's Role in Real Estate Platforms

12:25 The Importance of Local Data and Insights

15:29 Personalization and User Experience in Real Estate

19:24 Investment Strategies and Market Dynamics

23:25 Class Action Lawsuit Against Rightmove

33:21 Framework for Assessing AI Threats to Portals

35:22 Understanding Market Dynamics in Real Estate Platforms

37:48 The Importance of Customer Relationships

39:41 Navigating Technological Expectations

42:18 Investment Opportunities in Real Estate Stocks

45:15 The Role of Private Equity in Market Recovery

48:03 The Influence of Analysts on Market Strategies

49:01 Google's Impact on Real Estate Portals

52:17 M&A Dynamics in Real Estate

55:49 The Future of Under-Invested Platforms

58:41 The Shift in Investment Strategies

01:00:50 Evaluating Market Leaders and Innovators