Tech Bytes: News from Zillow, MetroList, Lofty and Revive 

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 adds new climate tool to its listings

Zillow has launched a tool to give home shoppers insight into several key climate risks on for-sale property across the U.S.

The five risks Zillow now has on the listings are flood, wildfire, wind, heat and air quality. One reason for the additions is a company study that found more than 80% of home shoppers consider climate risks when considering a home purchase.

"Climate risks are now a critical factor in home-buying decisions," said Skylar Olsen, chief economist at Zillow. "Healthy markets are ones where buyers and sellers have access to all relevant data for their decisions. As concerns about flooding, extreme temperatures and wildfires grow — and what that might mean for future insurance costs — this tool also helps agents inform their clients in discussing climate risk, insurance and long-term affordability."

The climate risk information will be available on its website and on the Apple operating system later this year and is expected to be ready for the Android system in early 2025.

MetroList teams up with StreetWire to offer Home Value Lock, highlight MLS data

Northern California MLS MetroList is offering a new insurance product designed to protect homebuyers from a market drop — and show the value of MLS data.

Home Value Lock, presented in partnership with StreetWire, insures up to 10% of a home's market value for the first three years after purchase. MetroList said in a statement that the product is the first of its kind and fully licensed and regulated by the state of California. 

"We believe that MLS data is consistently underutilized in the financial services sector, and the launch of Home Value Lock will prove its tremendous value proposition," said MetroList CEO Dave Howe.

StreetWire CEO Oliver Tickner said the company already has plans to work with more MLS providers as the firm expands nationwide. "As a data modeling network, we have an acute understanding of the power and value of MLS data to better identify housing market patterns," said Tickner. "Our goal is to re-benchmark the value of that dataset for financial services."

Lofty adds reporting, branding enhancements to its platform

Lofty is adding enhanced reporting capabilities and custom branding options to its well-regarded enterprise platform for brokerages.

"We currently manage more than 500k leads through Lofty with no plans to slow down," said Epique Realty CEO and Co-Founder Josh Miller. "Lofty has the massive scale we need to grow our business, the features our agents require to be successful, and the powerful technology backbone to support our commitment to innovation."

Lofty (formerly Chime) is known for its all-in-one marketing, transaction management, and agent-to-agent collaboration platform. It now features a new, flexible org structure designed to fit all kinds of brokerages and grow along with them.

Revive rolls out agent marketing center

Presale renovation company Revive has launched a new platform designed to provide real estate agents with materials to help their customers understand the benefits of those kinds of home improvements.

The platform, offered at no cost, "is a significant leap forward in how agents can confidently

present themselves and their services, knowing that their marketing is modern, professional, and always aligned with their personal brand," said Dalip Jaggi, Revive COO and co-founder.