Rayse expands its reach; ATTOM spotlights data accessibility 

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. 

More MLSs adopt Rayse

Rayse is broadening its service footprint in the West with California Regional MLS (CRMLS) and the Colorado-based IRES MLS both now offering the technology platform as a no-cost benefit for their subscribers.

The new partnerships come on the heels of other recent additions including Ohio-based MLS Now and Florida-based realMLS.

Designed to help demonstrate agent value to clients, Rayse keeps track of the steps an agent takes throughout the buying and selling process to show how much work goes into a transaction. It is "one of the most in-depth solutions to showcase an agent's hard work," CRMLS CEO Art Carter said in a press release, adding that he has "rarely seen a product resonate with people so quickly."

"CRMLS is committed not just to supporting our users but to fostering greater transparency in real estate," Carter said. "With Rayse, we can do both at the same time."

Embracing a platform that enhances transparency between a client and their agent was also a factor for IRES MLS. "Brokers are being asked to prove their worth in ways they never have before and Rayse gives them the platform to do exactly that," IRES MLS CEO Jeff Bosch said. The IRES MLS board views Rayse as "a strategic asset that keeps the MLS central to the transaction and helps our brokers shine in front of their clients," Bosch added.

Earnnest-Lone Wolf partnership takes 'a big step forward'

Earnnest is doubling down on its alliance with Lone Wolf Technologies by adopting all of the software company's transaction management tools.

The move, which follows Earnnest's zipForm integration back in 2019, will enable agents who use Lone Wolf's Transaction Desk and Transact to handle earnest money electronically. While the initial partnership addressed concerns related to wire fraud and the handling of paper checks, this expansion will help make the transaction process more efficient and more secure, according to a company press release.

Earnnest Senior Vice President of Growth Chris Basinger described the move as "a big step forward" for both companies and the industry at large by "making digital earnest money a standard part of the transaction experience."

Earnnest's full embrace of Lone Wolf's transaction management tools is expected to occur later this year.

ATTOM prioritizes accessibility with data platform launch

ATTOM is aspiring to make real estate data more available with ATTOM Nexus, a new platform  designed to make the company's wide expanse of property and neighborhood data easier for the typical agent to access.

Clients today are "building sophisticated solutions that combine property, neighborhood, and lifestyle data at scale," ATTOM Chief Product and Technology Officer Todd Teta said. "With ATTOM Nexus, we've created a best-in-class experience that makes it easier than ever to see what data is available, evaluate its quality, and start putting it to work."  

ATTOM clients can access the new platform through their account. Individuals without an account can sign up for free.

HAR debuts Facebook ads tool for agents

The Houston Association of Realtors has rolled out a new advertising tool that "makes it easier for HAR members to run professional, compliant and effective social media campaigns on Facebook," said HAR.com Chairman Mario Arriaga.

Subscribers can create carousel or single-image ads for any listing status, as well as open houses, all from the HAR platform. Ads cost the same as running them directly through Meta, plus a $1 admin fee.

The system, developed in-house, automatically sets the ad audience to help prevent Fair Housing violations, and Meta recognizes HAR as a trusted source, which can speed approval. Agents can add photos and descriptions, choose campaign duration, track results in a performance dashboard, and share consumer-friendly reports with clients.

Restb.ai gains two new partners

An MLS in California and a residential appraisal company that operates in 29 states have announced that they are both starting to integrate Restb.ai tools into real estate professionals' workflows.

In Northern California, MetroList will be using the AI-driven computer vision company's tools through the Rapattoni MLS platform to help agents write captions and alt text for listing images more quickly. Shoppers will be able to use Restb.ai's AI Picture Search to find homes.

True Footage also announced a partnership with Restb.ai that the companies said in a joint press release will "cut hours from the appraisal process."

True Footage will begin using Condition & Quality scoring, Restb.ai's AI-powered tool that aims for speed, objectivity and accuracy. Appraisers who use the scoring tool will be able to "sort and select comparables more efficiently" and "leverage large-scale property condition and quality data to derive more credible adjustments," the release said.

South Florida MLS adopts new tools to automate payments

BeachesMLS is partnering with Payload in an effort to streamline real estate payments. Members will now be able to send and receive all payments — including dues collection, commission payouts, earnest money deposits, title payments and more — through the BeachesMLS platform.

This automated process will feature fraud prevention and other security measures, giving members of the South Florida MLS "a faster and more secure way to manage real estate payments and commissions," said Dionna Hall, CEO of BeachesMLS and Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors. "Strategic partners like these aren't just a perk; they're a power play and differentiator for our membership."

SFAR to offer virtual staging via Collov AI

The San Francisco Association of Realtors (SFAR) has teamed up with Collov AI to offer its 4,000+ members AI-powered virtual staging through the MLS platform. The tool lets agents upload a few photos and transform empty rooms into photorealistic, styled spaces in minutes, with options for 3D walkthroughs.

SFAR CIO Hud Bixler said the partnership reflects the organization's commitment to innovative tools, following the recent rollout of AI assistant Sidekick. Collov AI CEO Xiao Zhang noted the platform can cut staging costs by up to 90% while saving time and boosting listing appeal.