Saying that insiders don't see the risk is fine - but what exactly will RNT be doing, (that isn't already done) to distrupt? Uber came along and was quite different:
- Private vehicles rather than dedicated vehicles (less capex)
- Contractors not employees (lower fixed costs)
- Mobile app and payment (less friction for customer)
- GPS intergration (value add, extra feature for customers)
- Ratings and Review (trust, credibility, value add for customers)
- Pricing (often cheaper, surge pricing, different model)
That's just a few things off the top of my head. Not I am not saying RNT wont be successful (although it will be up against some fierce competitors) but I don't quite get how it will be the disruptor based on the current known information.
Agreed, the realestate industry is ripe for disruption.
If we are talking specifically about the rental market though - there is a couple of big players who would be just as keen to disrupt (and take their share of the profits) the agents.
Remember what Realestate.com.au and Domain did to realestate sales. They took the market, became the goto place, took traffic and cash away from newspapers, realestate agent sign and brochure sales and gained critical mass.
Sure the rental industry might have the same thing happen, but whoever ends up doing it will have to fight not only against the agents (although to be honest, I don't think they will care - until its too late, as per your article) - but the existing online players.
They are worth billions, already have the eyeballs and have millions to deploy to duplicate, develop (or potentially acquire) and disruptive rental functionality.
