Tech Bytes: News from Zillow, HomeStack, SkySlope, more 

Editor's note: Technology is a driving force in real estate. From startups to established players, tech companies are constantly innovating, growing and forging partnerships. Here we highlight some of the latest news about the companies that help power the industry. 

Zillow's Listing Showcase goes national

Zillow's ShowingTime+ has rolled out its latest feature nationwide for listing agents who want to increase home shopper engagement.

After launching in select markets last summer, Listing Showcase is now available across the U.S., according to a Feb. 21 news release. Zillow said the product is used by agents to create an immersive interactive media experience that includes high-resolution scrolling hero images, room-by-room photo organization and floor plans.

According to the company's research, Showcase listings on Zillow go pending nearly 15% faster compared to nearby listings.

"Listing Showcase is a first-of-its-kind experience that transports home shoppers into a home virtually, unlike anything else available today — saving time for home shoppers and attracting serious buyers," said Cynthia Taylor, ShowingTime+ vice president. "This product is a prime example of ShowingTime+'s work to provide tech solutions that make the whole process easier for everyone involved in a home sale."

Mobile app builder HomeStack joins MoxiWorks network

HomeStack, a proptech company that builds mobile apps for the real estate industry, has joined the MoxiCloud open network partner program operated by MoxiWorks.

HomeStack was launched in 2012, when founders Will Grewal and Matt Potter were still in college, with the goal of bringing app development to everyone in the real estate industry, according to a news release.

"Brokers and their agents are always on the hunt for the best way to not only communicate with their clients, but to stay informed on their activity, and likelihood to buy or sell," said MoxiWorks Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships Krista Hannahs. "By combining the power of a HomeStack built app with MoxiWorks' suite of tools, agents are backed by technology giving them a leg up over the competition. We're proud to partner with organizations like HomeStack who are pushing to help improve efficiency and effectiveness in technology-enabled agents around the industry." 

The MoxiCloud Partner Program network includes more than 150 proptech providers and allows real estate professionals to integrate and connect their preferred tech tools from one place. 

SkySlope brings offers platform to Bright MLS

SkySlope, which offers a real estate transaction management platform, will soon bring its SkySlope Offers product to Bright MLS, the second-largest multiple listing service in the U.S.

SkySlope Offers provides a digital hub where agents and their clients can receive and respond to offers on a home. The platform also includes a tool intended to assist sellers in identifying the most competitive offer based on data.

"Bright MLS is dedicated to bringing value to our subscribers by offering them tools and solutions that make their jobs and process easier, more efficient, and more transparent for the consumers they serve," said Amit Kulkarni, chief marketing officer at Bright. "We are excited to bring our subscribers Skyslope Offers as it helps make the selling process more efficient and transparent for the seller, while allowing the agent to have informed discussions with their clients."

SkySlope Offers is already offered to subscribers of several MLS organizations, including Florida's Stellar MLS and REcolorado, according to a news release, and is expected to be available to Bright MLS subscribers in the next few months.

REcore acquires NorthstarMLS tech

REcore, a software and data licensing company, has extended its capabilities by acquiring select proprietary technology from NorthstarMLS.

As part of the move, NorthstarMLS will become a shareholder in REcore, which was created by California Regional MLS to leverage technology and data licensing for the benefit of MLSs and associations.

The relationship between the two companies isn't new. NorthstarMLS previously licensed REcore's REcenterhub dashboard, which is now used by more than 22,000 subscribers for efficient and secure access to MLS platforms and services.

"We were very impressed by the sophistication of NorthstarMLS's proprietary tech," said Katie Smithson, chief revenue officer at REcore. "We look forward to developing their already great tools into something that can benefit a wide range of MLSs and associations."

Tim Dain, CEO of NorthstarMLS, praised the REcenterhub dashboard, adding: "This is a chance to elevate our technology for NorthstarMLS subscribers and share our solutions with the wider real estate industry through REcore."

Luxury Presence launches AI lead tool

Luxury Presence, a proptech startup that provides real estate growth marketing services, announced the release of AI Lead Nurture, a tool designed to boost lead engagement and appointment requests.

The AI tool automatically responds to inbound messages and continues to follow up, with the goal of keeping leads warm and driving them toward an appointment request, according to a news release.

The company claims that AI Lead Nurture handles an average of 25 touchpoints while increasing lead response rates to over 50% and warm handoff rates to over 14%.

"The tool is incredibly smart — it feels like having a real conversation with the agent — and it gives agents time back to focus on nurturing relationships and closing deals," said Malte Kramer, founder and CEO of Luxury Presence. "It also allows even the busiest agents to satisfy buyers and sellers' desire for responses on-demand, impressing potential clients from the jump."

Rechat adds new brokerage partners

Rechat, an AI-powered experience management platform, has partnered with two independent firms to provide their agents with access to the tech company's product suite.

The new partners are Phyllis Browning Company, a six-office brokerage based in Central Texas, and Toronto-based Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., one of Canada's largest independent brokerages with more than 300 agents. The partnership with Harvey Kalles marks Rechat's first foray into Canada.

With the addition of the two new firms, Rechat has established partnerships with seven LeadingRE-affiliated brokerages. Rechat was added to the LeadingRE Solutions Group Program in August 2023. 

Rechat's platform is designed to be an all-in-product with a marketing center, a "people center" for relationship management, and a "deals center" for transaction management. 

"In today's market, agents need to be able to differentiate themselves when competing for a smaller pool of buyers and sellers," said Cash Patton, head of marketing at Phyllis Browning. "Rechat is that differentiator. In the short time our agents have been on the platform, they've seen higher open rates and increased conversion. They've also been able to streamline many routine tasks, which has allowed them to spend more time serving their clients."