Nickelson said the platform was developed to reduce trading obstacles and cybersecurity risks that continue to plague the industry. According to Goby, around 250,000 real estate transactions fall in the US each year, with about half of real estate companies experiencing cyberattacks over the past two years.
“There are countless tools available, but transactions still fall apart because key information is missed, roles and responsibilities are unknown, and real-time transparency is barely present,” Nickelson said. “Without a shared source of accountability, it creates confusion, leading to friction, poor client experience and ultimately fallout.”
Goby Homes Platform acts as a central hub for all parties involved in the transaction (buyers, sellers, brokers, agents), tracking progress, managing documents, and communicating in a more structured and secure environment.
Personal motivation
Nickelson was inspired by her aunt starting the company after losing almost the house purchase due to a breakdown in communications — said the experience underscored the need for a better system.
“I saw the opportunity to build wealth through the homeowner, not just in the home she imagined for her family, but also inspired me to find a better way,” he said. “My mission is to improve our home buying and selling experience and ensure that our clients get what they have come to us in the end.”
Dan Weisman, director of innovation strategy at NAR, praised Nickelson’s approach to solving industry challenges over the years.
“We believe that advances in technology are fundamentally driven by individuals generating ideas and building innovation,” Weissman said. “NAR’s IOI Innovator of the Year Award celebrates the innovators and solutions that real estate professionals have built to grow their businesses beyond their goals.”
Human factors are still important
Nickelson accepted the award by nodding to the importance of human expertise in an industry that is increasingly shaped by digital tools.
“It’s an incredible honor to win the Innovation of the Year Award,” he said. “While technology plays a key role in the streamlining process in the real estate industry, especially when dealing with clients’ most important investments, there is no such thing as a completely “end-to-end” platform driven solely by artificial intelligence.
“The nuances of each transaction require the experience and know-how of veteran experts. Our platform is designed to empower these experts by providing better tools rather than replacing valuable expertise.”
Nickelson was recently recognized at the Innovation Impact Award from National Fair Housing Alliance is selected for A fair angel Catalyst Program.
Goby Homes Communication Platform is currently available to brokers, agents and clients across the country.
