“For all the questionable-at-best ways AI is being bolted onto things these days, AI search on a real estate website strikes me as actually useful. I realized that over my many years of searches — both when I was actively looking to buy a home and as a leisure activity — I’ve gotten really good at navigating the likes of Zillow and Redfin. This, I assure you, is a skill that comes with extremely limited benefits, and I probably could have spent that time doing something more useful, like reading a goddamn book, but here I am. With natural language search, you don’t need to spend hours tinkering with filters and keywords like I have; the AI just does all that administrative stuff for you.”
Interesting perspective on AI and Real Estate. Sadly, the article is being the Verge’s paywall.
“Well, with these apps in there, is there a sense on your side it’s like, just to go back to the, “We have all this usage, it’s going to be better if I can just use Zillow in the app”? This idea of going somewhere else and Zillow says, “Oh, I’d rather them be in our app, we spent so much time on it”, do you feel you have the power to dictate, “For the user, it’s a better experience and because the users are here, if you’re not there, someone else will be” — and you’re sort of able to, dictate sounds bad, but if it’s a better user experience, that’s better for everyone else?
SA: No. Here’s another place that I think my early career training was useful. There was a version of this we could have done where it was a better user experience, but terrible for the partners.
What would that look like?
SA: Well, I mean, on that Zillow example, what if you just said like, “Hey, ChatGPT, find me all of the houses that meet these things”, and we said we’re going to control the UI.
Oh, right. So there’s not even a presentation layer of the Zillow app, you’re just getting the results.
SA: Yeah, yeah. But I felt really strongly that when we do this, it’s something that the whole ecosystem benefits from, and specifically that new startups can rocket into existence because of it. So we did this in a way where you very much have the relationship with the other site. You’re calling them by name, we’re suggesting them by name, they’re taking over the UI, they’re linking their account. So I think there was something we could have done that was maybe slightly more user-friendly, but not good for the other companies, and I really didn’t want us to do that.”
I’m a big fan of Ben Thompson’s blog Stratechery. Anytime his posts or interviews cross paths with real estate tech I get a little tingly. The clip above is very revealing. It’s clear Sam thinks the better version of the Zillow integration is one where ChatGPT controls the UI and UX. But his experience tells him he needs partners to succeed. Which is pretty lucky for Zillow in more ways than one.
Another point I would make. One could argue that ChatGPT version of returning results via a Zillow app is better, for the industry long term, than the current method of search results showing up on Google’s platform natively.
You might need a subscription, but I highly recommend listening to the full interview or reading Ben’s latest update.
I was being bombarded with texts and emails about my recent post on the ZillowChatGPT app and whether Zillow was thumbing its nose at IDX rules. I didn’t have time to sit down and write my thoughts about it. Lucky for all of us, The Notorious ROB did an excellent job of explaining why he thinks there’s nothing to see here. Zillow also issued a response.
I’m never shy about calling out Zillow or anyone else when I think they’ve crossed the line, but in this case I agree with Rob — launching an app inside ChatGPT doesn’t violate IDX rules.
But I will say, I’m 100% sure that with things moving so fast we will be faced with data issues that may not be so straightforward.
“Rechat is a real estate marketing superapp that allows brokerages, teams and agents to select from an array of connected modular solutions for email, video marketing, digital display advertising and social media campaigns. It also provides CMA generation, websites, communication networks, CRM functionality and a smart transaction management center with digital signatures, intuitive form builders and business analytics.”
Remember the days when “there’s an app for that!” Now it seems all you need is a single Superapp! But seriously, the UI looks great. Broker only for now. Looking forward to see a fun demo.
Something tells me that this Lucy will be better at keeping up with her tasks than this Lucy!
My thanks again to Styldod for sponsoring this month’s Vendor Alley.
Wanna go down an AI rabbit hole for a while? Check out REimagineHome. You simply upload an image of a room you want to redecorate or the exterior of a home you want to re-landscape, and REimagineHome will magically render different layouts and design options using their AI technology.
I uploaded a photo of a room at our studio, and it completely reimagined the space with a whole new vibe. It’s mind-blowing.
Styldod’s tech powers REimagineHome, and it’s easy to see how powerful it is. You can also imagine how this kind of technology could be used proactively to help with compliance issues before they happen.
Check out their AI Media Module for Listing Creation: Styldod
And once again, big thanks to Styldod for sponsoring this month’s Vendor Alley.
“Celebrating its 10th year in business, Rechat is redefining how real estate professionals work by integrating AI across every part of the transaction. The platform offers a fully connected experience from lead to close, combining CRM, marketing automation, design, digital advertising, and smart transaction management into one single interface. With over 16,000 users, 75% average CRM adoption and expanding partnerships with top national brokerages, Rechat is setting a new standard for how agents engage with clients and grow their business.”
I see two (maybe three) camps forming:
Existing software vendors/solutions adding AI into their products
Native AI solutions—those built with AI first and foremost in mind
And recent vendors who have either scrapped their existing products or gone all in on AI.
Rechat looks like they’re getting a few things right. I’m especially impressed with their team. I’ve chatted with Rechat founder and CEO Shayan Hamidi and seen him speak. I also worked with Shaun Harkley at Lone Wolf, he’s a solid sales leader. And of course, newly added Audie Chamberlain is one of my favorite people in the industry.
The new kids seem to be chasing the same things the old kids were chasing: the elusive “all-in-one” product. Maybe Rechat’s “Super App” is a better path. And I wonder if AI is the key to actually making that happen?
“REcore already serves MLSs with tools that simplify compliance, track member issues, and streamline operations. Navigator fits naturally into this ecosystem—helping staff and members get the answers they need, when they need them. As an exclusive reseller, REcore will bring Navigator to a broader market faster, while Lundy continues to focus on building and evolving the product.”
Navigator AI is a great product. Justin and his team have been in this space of awhile and know the pain points that MLS and association have regarding support, rules, and data. Like a lot of AI tools it seems like magic. I think the possibilities are endless. I’m sure Katie Smithson of RECore would love to give you a demo.
“This partnership embeds Restb.ai’s advanced computer vision technology directly into Ocusell, giving agents and brokers powerful time-saving tools while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and reliability,” said Hayden Rieveschl, CEO and Founder of Ocusell.”
