Builders Update, a national database for new construction, has introduced Home Scout, a voice-activated search tool that allows users to describe their home preferences in natural language, eliminating the need for typing filters. The tool, available on the company's website, is designed to cater to agents and buyers who prefer speaking over typing, and it uniquely supports both English and Spanish, automatically switching languages based on the user's speech.
Bill Gaul, CEO of Builders Update and chair of the RESO Data Dictionary New Construction Subcommittee, emphasized the tool's conversational interface. “It was created for people who don’t like to type. They can just talk to it,” he said. Users can say something like “I need a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a specific zip code” while driving, and the tool will respond conversationally, providing results that are then sent to the user's inbox.
The bilingual capability has garnered significant interest in markets with large Spanish-speaking populations, such as Miami, San Diego, and border regions. Gaul noted that the translation is designed to sound natural, not mechanical. “It doesn’t even ask if you want Spanish. If you start speaking Spanish, it responds in Spanish,” he added.
Once a search is complete, users receive results, including floor plans, property details, and photos, directly in their email. This feature is particularly useful for agents on the go. “By the time that person parks the car, the floor plans and the pictures are in their inbox,” Gaul explained. Agents can then forward these results to clients in one of two formats: a full agent view that includes the address and builder name, or a buyer-facing view that omits the address and builder but includes photos, floor plans, and pricing.
This two-version design underscores the platform's agent-centric model. Detailed listing information is reserved for licensed agents, and buyers must register through their agent, ensuring the agent remains integral to the transaction. The platform also offers an electronic buyer registration system, which is part of the company's patent. When an agent submits a buyer's name, the builder can confirm that the buyer is not already in their system, protecting the agent's commission claim if the buyer later makes a purchase. “We’re trying to inject the agent into the process,” Gaul said.
Despite the innovative features, adoption is still in its early stages. Gaul acknowledged that even where the tool has been available, some agents have not tried it, and part of the current effort is encouraging them to explore it. The platform currently serves more than 860,000 agents nationwide, indicating a substantial user base that could benefit from this technology.
The introduction of Home Scout could significantly impact the real estate industry by making property searches more accessible and efficient, particularly for Spanish-speaking buyers. It also reinforces the importance of agents in the transaction process, potentially easing concerns about disintermediation. As the tool gains traction, it may set a new standard for how new construction listings are searched and shared, blending convenience with professional safeguards.
