Research Methodology

Every article published by HACK/re is grounded in primary research. This page describes our data collection, verification, and analysis standards.

Data Collection Methods

Ad Spend Tracking

For our cost-per-closing and platform ROI analyses, we collect anonymized CRM export data from participating real estate teams under NDA. Data includes lead source, acquisition cost, response time, follow-up cadence, and outcome (closing or loss). We require a minimum of 12 months of continuous data per team and verify totals against platform billing records where available.

Agent Surveys

Our CRM satisfaction and platform experience studies use structured surveys distributed to verified, licensed real estate agents. We verify licensure status and require a minimum of 6 months of active platform use. Survey instruments use 1–10 Likert scales with dimension-specific anchoring descriptions. We report sample sizes, geographic distribution, and confidence intervals for all survey-based findings.

Platform Testing

For head-to-head product evaluations (e.g., AI lead response testing), we design controlled experiments with real leads distributed across platforms. Tests run for a minimum of 60 days with a minimum of 50 leads per platform. We score on pre-registered metrics and use blind evaluation panels where subjective scoring is required.

Algorithm Analysis

For investigations into platform algorithms (e.g., Zillow's connection rate scoring), we aggregate behavioral data from consenting Premier Agent accounts and identify patterns through regression analysis. We do not reverse-engineer proprietary code; we observe outcomes and correlations at scale.

Verification Standards

• All statistical claims are verified against source data before publication.
• Named sources are verified for identity and professional credentials.
• Anonymous sources are used only when disclosure would risk professional consequences for the source.
• Financial figures (GCI, ad spend, cost per closing) are verified against CRM exports or billing records where possible.

Corrections

If we publish an error, we correct it promptly and transparently. Corrections are noted at the top of the affected article with a description of what changed and when. To report an error, contact our editorial desk.

Limitations

Our research is based on the data available to us. Sample sizes, while substantial for niche industry research, are not nationally representative. We note specific limitations in each article's methodology section. We encourage readers to evaluate our findings in the context of their own market conditions.