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Why we’re building Communities around the consumer

Real estate technology has traditionally been built for agents first. We think buyers and homeowners deserve better tools of their own.

Communities Editorial · · 2 min read

Buying or selling a home is one of the largest financial decisions most people make. Yet much of the technology surrounding real estate has historically been designed around the needs of the industry rather than the person actually making that decision.

We think there is an opportunity to build something different.

Communities is being developed as a consumer-first real estate platform where people can research their options, understand their market and make better decisions before they are expected to have a conversation with a salesperson.

Information first

Someone wondering what their home is worth shouldn’t have to begin by requesting a sales appointment. A buyer exploring a neighbourhood shouldn’t have to rely only on listing photos and a map pin.

And someone thinking about selling shouldn’t need to wait until a listing appointment to understand their estimated value, potential selling costs or what improvements could affect their outcome.

Communities is designed to bring more of that information directly to consumers.

For homeowners, that includes tools around home values, comparable properties, market conditions, buyer demand, potential improvements and preparing for a future sale. For buyers, it means combining property search with the information surrounding the property: the community, the market, the price history and the local context.

The homeowner relationship should last longer than a lead form

Most people aren’t ready to transact the first time they start researching real estate.

A homeowner may begin tracking their property years before deciding to sell. A buyer may follow several neighbourhoods before knowing where they want to live.

We think the technology should be useful during that period too. Our goal is to make Communities something consumers can return to as their property, market and plans change.

Professional help when you want it

Real estate professionals remain an important part of buying and selling a home. The difference is when that relationship begins.

Communities allows consumers to explore local professionals and select who they want to work with when they are ready for professional help. The consumer remains in control of that choice.

What we’re building toward

Our ambition is straightforward:

Make it easier for people to understand their real estate options before they make a decision.

That means better property information. Better understanding of communities. Better tools for homeowners. And eventually, a more connected experience from the first question about a home all the way through buying or selling it.

We’re still early. But we believe the next generation of real estate technology should begin with the consumer.

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Stuart Hall, REALTOR® · Licence #LIC-00651009 · Century 21 Bravo

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