Zillow unveils messaging tool; Realtor.com to offer satellite views 

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's fall rollout includes messaging feature

Zillow has introduced a new messaging tool as part of its Fall Launch series. The feature, which is built directly into the Zillow app, works like a text message thread, where buyers can share and communicate listing information with other app users.

"This new messaging product brings the collaboration that already happens across text messages directly into Zillow," Chief Technology Officer David Beitel said in a news release. "It's another step toward making the home journey simpler and more connected."

Also included in Zillow's fall series is the debut of its closing dashboard, which helps buyers keep track of their title and escrow to-do lists, as well as verified pre-approval, a Zillow Home Loans tool that provides a guided digital process through which buyers can get verified and gain a better understanding of which homes are in their price range.

"We're continuing to bring more of the experience onto Zillow, so buyers can move from browsing to closing with less friction and more confidence," Beitel said.

Realtor.com to offer a new way to view listings

Two weeks after introducing its natural speech home search function, Realtor.com has announced it will soon begin rolling out FlyAround, a tool designed to give home shoppers a new way to engage with listings.

TopHap Inc. powers FlyAround, which uses Google Maps' 3D technology to provide low-altitude satellite views of homes. As FlyAround becomes available over the next few weeks, potential buyers won't be limited to still photos and maps, a news release noted. Instead, "FlyAround brings listings to life in a way that helps home shoppers see not just the home, but its entire environment — turning what was once a 2D online experience into an interactive exploration," Realtor.com SVP of Product and AI Innovation Dave Herman said.

"This allows homebuyers to get a more intuitive sense of place through deeper exploration of the neighborhood right from their screens — which is incredibly helpful when making one of life's biggest decisions," added Tina Weyand, Google Maps Platform's senior director of product management.

The tool will soon be available via the Listing Detail Page to all MLS-sourced listings that provide geo coordinates, plus off-market and recently sold listings.

Cloze inks deal with Courted

Cloze has announced a new partnership with brokerage retention and recruiting company Courted. The AI-driven sales and marketing real estate platform said in a news release that its Courted integration, which was developed with feedback from Baird & Warner and Windermere leaders in mind, will "help brokerage leaders recruit smarter, retain top talent, and align their teams around shared goals."

Through Courted, brokerage leaders can identify potential recruits, while through Cloze, they can plan personalized engagement efforts.

"Our goal is simple: help brokerages and team leaders recruit and retain more effectively, without creating more work," Courted Co-founder and CEO Sean Soderstrom said. "By bringing Courted's data into Cloze, we're streamlining recruiting from start to finish — so managers can create stronger, more productive teams through better data and tighter execution."

That also means "teams can work in sync, act on insights faster, and build stronger relationships with the agents they want to attract," according to Cloze Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer Alex Coté.

AI renovation platform launches

Kai, a new AI-powered platform focused on home renovation, has officially launched in partnership with Home Depot.

By converting photos and videos, Kai can create SKU-level material specs and cost estimates to speed up the renovation process for contractors. Its partnership with Home Depot was born out of an admiration for Kai's AI capabilities, according to a company blog post.

"Generative AI is set to completely revolutionize the home renovation industry, and Kai is going to be at the forefront of this massive change," Kai Co-founder and CEO Or Agassi said. "Coming out of stealth with a partner that is aligned to our vision, and already has massive scale, shows the need for a platform like ours."

The post noted that Kai is expected to attract tens of thousands of customers by the end of 2025.

"There's an urgent need for safe, affordable shelter in this country, and the reality is that our housing supply hasn't kept pace with demand," Agassi said. "Kai will help speed up renovation timelines and take a big step towards addressing the housing crisis."

More tech news

A new expansion for Rayse: The San Francisco Association of Realtors (SFAR) has announced a new partnership that will provide its 4,000+ members with free access to Rayse, a platform designed to help agents demonstrate their value to clients.

"This partnership gives our members an edge in demonstrating expertise and earning client confidence," SFAR CEO Walt Baczkowski said in a news release. "Transparency is the foundation of trust, and Rayse helps our Realtors deliver that."

The deal follows alliances Rayse has made in recent months with Stellar MLS in Florida, IRES MLS in Colorado and California Regional MLS, among others.

REA Group to acquire controlling stake in Planitar: Real estate advertising company REA Group has announced its intent to acquire 61.5% of iGUIDE maker Planitar Inc. iGUIDE, an AI-driven camera and software platform that creates 3D virtual tours, already operates across North America and will also establish a presence in Australia in late 2025 as a result of the acquisition, according to a news release.

"This type of spatial mapping technology instils confidence and helps property seekers make more informed decisions while also providing agents and vendors a way to differentiate their property to secure the best outcome," REA Group CEO Owen Wilson said. "While approximately less than five percent of listings currently feature a 3D tour, we expect this to grow as advances in technology support higher quality and more accessible solutions, like iGUIDE."