Every CRE organization faces the same technology crossroads: build bespoke tools or buy proven platforms. Is in‑house development a cost center, or a lever to drive costs down? Is owning the technology a true competitive differentiator, or is speed‑to‑market more valuable right now? How much do integrations and customization matter to your workflows? Do you need to own the IP outright, or just ensure access, portability, and favorable terms?

The rise of AI makes the build vs. buy decision even more nuanced. Many AI use cases—like generative tools for personal productivity (e.g., email drafting, summarization, coding assistants)—can be bought and deployed quickly with minimal integration. Others, like AI-powered underwriting models, tenant risk scoring, or back-office automation, often require deeper data access, domain expertise, and control over model behavior, making them stronger candidates for building in-house or adopting a hybrid approach. As AI expands from individual enablement to core business systems, leaders must evaluate not only cost and time, but also how much they need to own the logic, outcomes, and differentiation that AI makes possible.

This session provides a clear rubric for deciding when to buy the backbone and when to build the edge. We’ll explore front‑office (differentiation, tenant/revenue impact) vs. back‑office (efficiency, compliance, scale) considerations, highlight common pitfalls, and show how hybrid approaches often deliver the best mix of speed, control, and long‑term economics.

Attend CREtech New York 2026! Details here https://discover.cretech.com/cretech-new-york