Tech Bytes: Perchwell raises $25 million; iGUIDE, Flexmls unite
MLS platform Perchwell to focus on AI; Planitar’s floorplan tool iGUIDE integrating with FBS’ FlexMLS platform; Lofty adds property management system.
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.
Perchwell announces $25 million Series B funding led by Lux Capital
Perchwell, provider of a data and workflow platform for residential real estate, this week announced its $25 million round of Series B financing. Lux Capital, which participated in the company's Series A, is leading this funding round. Other investors include Starwood Capital Group, Flex Capital, Stellar MLS, REcolorado MLS, and California Regional MLS (CRMLS), Perchwell announced.
This funding round will support delivery of software to MLSs and brokerages nationwide. Among other features, Perchwell is focusing on development of artificial intelligence related to data and workflow enhancements. "While other industries rely on integrated software tools to manage their work, real estate professionals still spend much of their time shuffling between disjointed MLS data repositories, search portals, and various other point solutions," said Peter Hébert, co-founder and managing partner at Lux Capital, in a news release. Hébert will be joining Perchwell's board of directors.
Planitar and FBS integrate to streamline listings, increase accuracy
Planitar Inc. and FBS have announced a partnership to integrate their services. Planitar's platform, called iGUIDE, creates floor plans and 3D virtual tours. This will meld with FBS's Flexmls platform, which gives agents comprehensive access to property listings, market data, and business management tools. In a news release, the companies said Flexmls users will be able to "upload iGUIDE property data, including room dimensions… and labels, directly into the Flexmls platform with a single click."
Until now, users had to manually transfer this data, which was time-consuming and subject to transcription errors. The iGUIDE tool is known for precise floor plans and meeting rigorous standards for accuracy. Accuracy in dimensions, floor plans, and virtual tours benefits buyers as well as sellers and agents. Remote buyers can more quickly understand a property's layout.
Lofty introduces system to integrate rental and purchase data
LoftyWorks, a new property management system, has been added to the Lofty platform. It is designed to help residential real estate agents, property managers and landlords simplify and automate property management and generate new revenue opportunities. In a news release, Lofty said that capturing rental income provides an opportunity to not only supplement agents' existing business, but also to establish relationships with future property buyers,and thus influence the entire consumer real estate lifecycle.
In a news release, Lofty said this add-on offers the following features: one-click property marketing to Zillow, Hotpads, and Trulia; in-app tenant screening; secure rent collection; payments, transactions, and vendor management; plus several other options.