THE SOCIAL APP FOR REAL ESTATE This first-of-its-kind app is the future for BUYING AND SELLING PROPERTIES.

By ERIN ZILIS

Created by real estate agents, for real estate agents, REAL Messenger is the rst social media app created for the real estate industry. e app — which connects real estate agents and potential clients with properties they want to sell or buy — uses arti cial intelligence to de ne a buyer’s preferences for architecture and features based on other properties the buyer has liked. is AI-driven algorithm will display a custom feed of properties that match these requirements, resulting in a focused approach for getting buyers the latest on hot properties that t exactly what they’re looking for.

For Agents

e app enables agents to promote themselves for free, without costly online ads and ine ective cold calls and emails. Agents are able to connect with interested customers, engage with users directly within the app and build a following in its social network-style feed. e light-speed chat function allows buyers and agents to communicate quickly and e ectively. Agents control their own business and brand themselves through the properties, content and chats they feature. Properties are featured with immersive posts and entertaining videos, and highlighted stories attract additional exposure. Agent proles can include past sales and reviews.

For Buyers And Sellers

e app works like a matchmaking tool, helping buyers and sellers get a feel for agents’ personalities, style and expertise. Users follow the agents they feel have the experience they’re looking for and the chat feature enables them to reach out when the time is right. In addition, if a user likes houses they nd, the app will suggest properties with similar characteristics, curating a list of dream home possibilities. Listings are updated in real time, allowing buyers to nd the newest properties on the market and contact agents directly through the app’s integrated chat feature to get their questions answered. Buyers can take a virtual house tour or guided video tour of the listing through “FirstLook,” a video messaging feature. Options to share listings with contacts or on Facebook makes the app even more social. In the rst quarter of 2023, users will be able to make an o er with the click of a button.

Changing The Face Of Real Estate

Co-founded by real estate icon Fredrik Eklund and Hong Kong real estate entrepreneur omas Ma, REAL could change the way real estate is bought and sold. A er watching the industry shi toward large proptech platforms that presented steep nancial hurdles for agents, the duo decided to develop a new way for agents to showcase their listings.

“We are a communication app,” says Ma. “We don’t monetize by taking a cut of an agent’s commission. In fact, we want to empower real estate agents. New or experienced agents can start building up their reputation and attracting followers immediately on the app. We’re giving agents more tools to engage with their clients and followers, and we’ll be building additional functions as we go.”

On that note, the team has hired Kamal Shaik as chief data o cer to help enhance the app’s user experience. A technology leader with 15 years of experience, including a previous position as director of data products and programs at Meta, Shaik brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in data sciences and AI to help elevate the real estate world technologically.

Lightning Fast Sales

“Buying and selling real estate has gone digital and being able to operate quickly has become a necessity. REAL Messenger includes the most beautiful properties, which you scroll like you would on other social media sites.” says Eklund. “Imagine you’re scrolling, and you see a beautiful penthouse, you can click and make an o er right there. What’s faster than that?”

With more than 250,000 downloads in its first four months, REAL is available to download in nearly 60 countries and nine languages via the App Store and Google Play.

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