Tech Bytes: CoStar deal finalized as Matterport launches platform 

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. 

Matterport's newest offering focuses on 3D image optimization

Costar announced this week that it has formally closed the deal to acquire Matterport and the spatial data company also announced a new marketing platform to help agents schedule a 3D image capture — or "digital twin" — and to share photos and videos. Dubbed Matterport Marketing Cloud, the new product is "designed to simplify and accelerate real estate marketing" and give agents an easier way to interact with and promote digital imagery.

Being offered within the platform is an optional "Digital Pro package," that includes a 3D virtual tour, high-res photos of the home, social media-optimized videos, AI-generated descriptions and floor plans. Matterport said the turnaround time on all of these deliverables can be as short as one or two business days. 

The new product also integrates augmented reality and AI tools that Costar CEO Andy Florance spoke to Real Estate News about last summer. For instance, the tool includes a "defurnish" feature, the company said, which allows agents and clients to remove clutter from images of a home in order to help prospective buyers "visualize spaces more clearly." 

Matterport said additional AI tools that allow users to add furniture and customize spaces in digital twins are expected soon.

"Matterport Marketing Cloud enables agents to create world-class, media-rich marketing packages without the need for technical expertise," RJ Pittman, Matterport's chairman and CEO, said in the product announcement. "It eliminates hours of manual work, so agents can focus on winning new business."

Maverix Advisory Group taps brokerage veteran for principal role

Maverix Advisory Group, a consulting firm that specializes in guiding proptech firms through the complexities of the real estate industry, has announced the appointment of Kevin Van Eck as principal. 

The move is an effort to strengthen its expertise in real estate technology and strategic growth, the company said, as it helps clients scale and implement technology solutions. Some of Maverix's clients include companies like Curbio, Final Offer, Tongo and other proptech solution providers. 

Van Eck previously served as president for affiliated strategies with @properties and Christie's International Real Estate where he led technology initiatives and operational strategies. According to his LinkedIn page, Van Eck had also previously served on the board of directors for the Chicago Association of Realtors.

"[Van Eck's] ability to identify and implement technology fills an immediate need in proptech right now. With his expertise, we're further strengthening our ability to support companies in refining their strategies and accelerating industry-wide adoption," Maverix CEO Jeff Kennedy said in the announcement. 

More tech news

CRMLS to offer SkySlope forms: California Regional MLS is providing its 100,000+ users with SkySlope Forms, a document management solution accessible through the MLS dashboard. The platform auto-fills documents with MLS data, helping agents stay compliant and streamline transactions. It also integrates with DigiSign and DocuSign for e-signatures. CRMLS CEO Art Carter said the tool enhances efficiency and simplifies newer forms like the BRBC (buyer representation and broker compensation) agreement.

RealReports adds new brokerage partner: RealReports, an AI-driven proptech platform, has partnered with Danberry Co., Realtors, marking its first expansion into Ohio and Michigan and its fourth partnership of the year. Danberry agents now have access to RealReports' advanced property reports, AI advisor and lead generation widget — created by a team with "decades of industry expertise as agents, brokers, and MLS directors," RealReports Co-founder and COO Zach Gorman said in the announcement.

Trackxi adds AI-fueled features: Transaction-focused startup Trackxi has introduced AI-driven document extraction capabilities that reduce manual data entry and increase the speed of real estate contract processing by four times, the company said. Trackxi adds that its AI is trained on thousands of real estate agreements, which allows it to extract key details with 98% accuracy. The company also introduced a new chatbot to answer questions.