Augmenting digital transformation toward Real Estate 4.0

Purpose This paper analyzes the evolution of digital transformation in the real estate sector over the past decade and classifies emerging digital technologies into a structured framework. By developing a comprehensive and actionable model, the study aims to guide future academic research and support practitioners in strategically allocating resources to critical components of digital transformation. Design/methodology/approach The research began with a traditional literature review, followed by a systematic search complemented by snowball and citation techniques. This multi-step process traced the progression of digital transformation in real estate, identified the current state of digital technologies and clustered them into an integrative framework. The study also includes extended sources to bridge academic inquiry and industry practice, encouraging adoption of advanced technologies to maintain competitive advantage. Findings The review identified 54 relevant sources, including 28 core academic articles, which were categorized into four dominant thematic areas: digital value creation, digital systems and infrastructure, digital business models and dynamic capabilities. A conceptual framework was derived, mapping how these cross-cutting themes shape the process of digital transformation in real estate. The findings also reveal a pronounced gap between academic research and industry innovation, with strategic transformation initiatives underrepresented in current scholarly work. Practical implications The study introduces a sector-specific definition, phased model and digital technology framework tailored to real estate. It also proposes a conceptual research model that captures key focal points for future inquiry and practice, including value creation, systems integration, business model innovation and dynamic capabilities. Originality/value This study contributes to the emerging discourse on real estate digitalization by offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance. It highlights how evolving technologies are likely to reshape the sector and emphasizes the urgency for academia and industry to align more closely in response to rapid technological change.