Unlocking the Flaws in Real Estate Valuation
through Behavioral Economics

Explore My Behavioral Real Estate Research
Welcome to my website! I’m Simon Thaler, a PhD holder in Economics with a Master's degree in Banking and Finance. My research primarily explores Behavioral Real Estate, with a particular focus on subjectivity and valuers' bias in property valuation, as well as how imagery influences these processes. I also investigate the integration of AI into real estate professions. I collaborate with an Austrian AVM provider and the University of Reading’s Henley Business School, specializing in Real Estate and Planning.
In addition, I am actively involved in the ERES Board, where I oversee PhD-related initiatives, and have built a broad national and international network of researchers and practitioners in real estate valuation. I also teach at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein, where I deliver lectures on real estate finance, introductory economics, and behavioral real estate.

My Research Interests
My primary research focus revolves around the behavioral aspects within the realm of real estate. Specifically, I place a strong emphasis on understanding the profound impact of visual stimuli on the perception of property values during the valuation process. Recognizing the substantial role of subjectivity in assessments conducted by both appraisers and potential buyers, as well as its broader significance in the field of valuation, it becomes evident that visual cues have the potential to introduce significant distortions in property values.
My research dives deep into the examination of these factors, not only assessing their influence on appraisal reports but also scrutinizing their effects on the various marketing strategies employed within the real estate domain. At its core, the ultimate objective of my research is to pioneer innovative valuation methodologies that can adeptly accommodate subjective measures. This pursuit is pivotal in our endeavor to attain the highest levels of objectivity and precision in property value assessments, a facet of immense importance given that the real estate sector contributes significantly, accounting for more than 14% of the European Gross Domestic Product.
Furthermore, my background in banking and finance has kindled a keen interest in comprehending market dynamics, with a particular focus on the speculative elements inherent in real estate markets. Here, once again, behavioral factors emerge as central determinants, contributing to the phenomenon of irrational exuberance, a phenomenon notably pronounced in my home real estate market of Tyrol, Austria.
Moreover, in response to my current professional engagement, I have embarked on the journey of integrating cutting-edge computer vision algorithms into my research. These algorithms hold vast potential, particularly in shaping the future landscape of automated valuation models. By training these algorithms on reliable and objective ground truth data, such as condition assessments, we can swiftly and accurately evaluate property conditions. This assessment can then seamlessly blend into hedonic models, yielding comprehensive property valuations and effectively mitigating the inherent subjectivity associated with traditional assessment methods.
About me
In my role at Henley Business School in the University of Reading as a Lecturer, I share my expertise in economics, banking, finance, and behavioural real estate with students while continually learning from them. As a Researcher, I delve into the intricacies of behavioural real estate, conducting rigorous analysis, data collection, and developing innovative methodologies to advance knowledge in this field.
Beyond academics, I'm an avid advocate for outdoor activities, particularly bush-crafting, which connects me deeply with nature. I relish overnight adventures that provide an escape from academia, allowing me to disconnect from the digital world and find inspiration under the starry sky.
My life harmoniously blends academia and adventure, shaping a holistic and fulfilling journey of knowledge and natural exploration.
Education
2020 - 2023
Ph.D., Economics, University of Innsbruck
Supervisors: Jürgen Huber (University of Innsbruck)
Gunther Maier (Modul University Vienna)
2017 - 2018
2015 - 2017
2011 - 2015
Ph.D., Economics, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
M.Sc., Banking and Finance, University of Innsbruck
B.Sc., Management and Economics, University of Innsbruck
Professional Experience
2024 - now
2023 - 2024
2020 - 2023
2018 - 2019
2017 - 2018
Lecturer, Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK
Lecturer and R&D Coordinator, Kufstein University of Applied Sciences, AUT
Researcher and Lecturer, Kufstein University of Applied Sciences, AUT
Sales Associate, Scalable Capital, Munich, GER
Teaching Assistant, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA
Other activities
2024 - now
ERES Network
Member of the board
2023 - 2024
Finance Stream
Host
2022 - 2023
ERES Ph.D. Network
President
2021 - 2023
ERES Ph.D. Network
Member of the board
2022
Barcelona School of Economics, ESP
Summer School on Platforms/AI
2020
University of Innsbruck, AUT
Winter School on Credence Goods
2020
Chapman University, CA, USA
Experimental Economics Workshop
2020
CFA Institute, AUT
CFA Challenge Austria
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publications
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Koch, D., Seiler, M. J, Thaler, S.. (2024). Using the Wisdom of the Crowd to Improve the Condition Assessment of Residential Real Estate, Journal of Real Estate Research
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Koch, D., Thaler, S., Zhang, Zedong, Despotovic, M. (2024). Mapping Types - How different mapping features impact CNN population data prediction, Remote Sensing Letters
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Despotovic, M., Koch, D., Thaler, S., Stumpe, E., Brunauer, W., Zeppelzauer, M. (2024) Linking Repeated Subjective Judgments and ConvNets for Multimodal Assessment of the Immediate Living Environment. MethodsX, 102556.
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Thaler, S., Koch, D. (2023) Real Estate Pictures: The Role of Furniture Preferences in Subjective Valuation. Journal of Housing Research. 1-24.
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Koch, D., Dispotovic, M., Thaler, S., Zeppelzauer, M. (2021). Where do university graduates live? a computer vision approach using satellite images, Applied Intelligence, 51:8088–8105.
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Koch, D., Thaler, S., Mayr, R. (2020). Order vs. Disorder - the impact on value estimates of durable consumption goods, Applied Economics Letters, 28(19):1635–1640.
Working Papers
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Romero, J., Seiler M. J., Thaler, S. Enhancing Real Estate Advertisements: Exploring the Impact of AI-Ordered Images on Commercial Attractiveness
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Ahmed I., Koch, D., Thaler, S. Wisdom of the Crowd vs. AI Influence: The Role of Image Manipulation in Real Estate Valuation
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Thaler, S., Calainho, F., Francke, M, Investigating the Impact of Building Footprints on Valuation in Automated Valuation Models
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Koch, D., Despotovic, M., Thaler, S., Zhang, Zedong. Classification of external building photos - integration into a simple hedonic pricing model.
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Koch, D., Thaler, S., Zhang, Zedong, Despotovic, M. Mapping Types - How different mapping features impact CNN population data prediction.
Koch, D., Thaler, S. The impact of powerlines on agricultural and forestry property prices.
Conference Presentations
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Romero, J., Seiler, M., Thaler, S. (2024). Enhancing Real Estate Listings with AI: The Autotext Algorithm, Latin American Real Estate Society (LARES) 23th Annual Conference, Sao Paolo [oral presentation]
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Romero, J., Seiler, M., Thaler, S. (2024). Enhancing Real Estate Advertisements: Exploring the Impact of WoC-Ordered Images on Attractiveness using AI, European Regional Science Association (ERSA) 63th Annual Conference, Terceira [oral presentation]
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Koch, D., Thaler, S. (2024). Enhancing the Validation of Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) through Wisdom of the Crowd, European Real Estate Society (ERES) 30th Annual Conference, Gdansk [oral presentation]
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Koch, D., Thaler, S., Seiler, M. J. (2023). House Condition Assessment: The impact of the wisdom of the crowd on valuation, European Regional Science Association (ERSA) 62th Annual Congress, Alicante [oral presentation]
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Koch, D., Thaler, S., Seiler, M. J. (2023). Laymen vs. Experts: Does Experience Matter When Assessing House Condition with Photos of the Exterior, European Real Estate Society (ERES) 29th Annual Conference, London [oral presentation].
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Thaler, S. (2022) Single Family House Condition Assessment of (Lay) People: Does Experience Matter When Assessing Property Photos. European Real Estate Society (ERES) 28th Annual Conference, Milan [oral presentation].
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Koch, D., Thaler, S., Zhang, Z., Despotovic, M. (2021) The Image of a Map - The level of detail and its influence on population data prediction. European Regional Science Association (ERSA) 60th Annual Congress, online [oral presentation].
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Thaler, S., Koch, D. (2021) Full or empty - the influence of furniture in flat valuations. European Real Estate Society (ERES) 27th Annual Conference, online [oral presentation].
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Koch, D., Thaler, S., Zhang, Z., Despotovic, M. (2021) Classification of External Building Photos - Integration into a Simple Hedonic Pricing Model. European Real Estate Society (ERES) 27th Annual Conference, online [oral presentation].
Popular Science Publications
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Koch, D., Thaler, S. (2022) Der Einfluss von elektrischen Leitungsanlagen auf den Preis von land- und forstwirtschaftlichen Grundstücken - Eine empirische Analyse für Österreich. Sachverständige, 1(46):19-26.
Theses
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Thaler, S.. (2023). The Influence of Images in the Value Assessment of Real Estate. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Innsbruck.
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Thaler, S.. (2017). Loss Aversion in the Finance Industry - Difference to Lay People and the Role of Social Identity. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Innsbruck.
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Thaler, S.. (2015). High Frequency Trading and its Impact on Markets. B.Sc. Thesis. University of Innsbruck.
Obtained Funding
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Pictures in Real Estate Appraisal
2023 - 2024 -
Pictures in Hedonic Real Estate Pricing 2020 - 2023
25.000 EUR
17.000 EUR
Tyrolean Science Fund
Tyrolean Science Fund
Reviewer Activities
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Annual Meeting of the German Finance Association
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ReCapNet Conference
Teaching Experience
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Investment Appraisal - Real Estate Economics B.Sc.
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Finance and Risk Management - Energy and Sustainability M.Sc.
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Behavioral Real Estate Economics - Facility and Real Estate Management M.Sc.
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Selected Topics in Economics - Facility and Real Estate Management B.Sc.
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Finance and Investment - Energy and Sustainability B.Sc.
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Finance and Investment - Facility and Real Estate Management B.Sc.
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Supervision of Thesis - M.Sc. and B.Sc.