Real estate data firms say they’re helping real estate investors deliver what buyers and renters want, but critics worry the data revolution could deliver disproportionally to big landlords and developers.
It’s easy to track prices of some things: Drive down any major street and you’ll only have to pass a few gas stations to know roughly how much gasoline costs in your area. Turn on the news during the workday, and you’ll quickly learn how the big stock market indexes are faring. Go shopping every week, and you’ll soon know how much bananas or eggs cost at your local supermarket.