According to Nickelson, the Goby platform was created to address the high rate of transaction failures and cybersecurity risks facing the real estate industry. In the U.S., almost 250,000 real estate deals fall through annually, with about half of real estate businesses experiencing cyberattacks in the last two years.
“Despite the numerous tools available, transactions still collapse due to missed information, unclear roles, and a lack of real-time transparency,” Nickelson explained. “Without a shared source of accountability, confusion arises, leading to friction, a negative client experience, and ultimately, fallout.”
The Goby Homes platform acts as a central hub for all transaction participants — buyers, sellers, brokers, and agents — enabling them to monitor progress, handle documents, and communicate within a more organized and secure setting.
Personal motivation
Nickelson was driven to establish the company after witnessing his aunt almost lose a home purchase due to communication breakdowns, emphasizing the necessity for a better system.
“Seeing her lose out on the home she desired for her family and the opportunity to build wealth through homeownership inspired me to find a better solution,” he shared. “My goal is to enhance the home buying and selling process and ensure that clients achieve their desired outcome.”
Dan Weisman, NAR’s Director of Innovation Strategy, commended Nickelson’s approach to addressing long-standing industry challenges.
“We believe that technological advancements are primarily driven by individuals who generate ideas and develop innovations,” Weisman stated. “The NAR’s iOi Innovator of the Year Award recognizes the innovators and the solutions they’ve created to empower real estate professionals to surpass their objectives and expand their businesses.”
Human factor remains key
Accepting the award, Nickelson emphasized the importance of human expertise in an industry increasingly influenced by digital tools.
“Receiving the Innovation of the Year award is a tremendous honor,” he expressed. “It reinforces my belief that, while technology is vital in streamlining processes, in the real estate sector — particularly when dealing with clients’ most significant investments — there is truly no ‘end-to-end’ platform solely driven by artificial intelligence.”
“The intricacies of each deal necessitate the experience and knowledge of seasoned professionals. Our platform is designed to empower these professionals by equipping them with superior tools, not to replace their invaluable expertise.”
Nickelson was also recently acknowledged with the Innovation Impact Award from the National Fair Housing Alliance and chosen for the Equity Angels’ Catalyst Program.
The Goby Homes communication platform is currently accessible to brokers, agents, and clients nationwide.