New MLS deals for SkySlope, Property Shield; Block Reno expands 

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. 

Automated tools mean less paperwork for GAR members

The Greenwich Association of Realtors (GAR) has announced a new deal with SkySlope that the Connecticut association says will help agents "ease the paperwork process" as they navigate client transactions.

Through this partnership, GAR's 1,200+ members will gain access to SkySlope Forms — which helps agents fill out paperwork more efficiently through its automated features and MLS syncing — and DigiSign — which enables agents to manage and sign documents virtually.

The move "brings efficiency and deeper value to the entire local real estate ecosystem," GAR Vice President Cynthia De Riemer said in a news release. GAR President Brian R. Amen added that the new tools will enable agents to "focus on what really matters: their clients, their community, and guiding people home."

"Together, we're leveraging automation not for its own sake, but to create a more seamless, client-focused experience," SkySlope CEO Tyler Smith said.

Property Shield announces new MLS partnerships

Property Shield is expanding into Ohio, South Carolina and coastal Georgia for the first time through its alignment with the Columbus and Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service and REsides. The MLSs' subscribers will now have access to Property Shield's fraud detection services at no extra cost.

Property Shield's data protection tools include round-the-clock monitoring — with an assist from AI — and policy compliance assessments that are woven in throughout the process from when a home is first listed until the transaction is complete, according to a news release.

Property Shield CEO Alexander Fahsel acknowledged that fraudster strategies "evolve quickly," which makes continuous data monitoring important to protect agents and their clients.

"Our priority is protecting members, consumers, and the integrity of our data," Columbus and Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service CEO Brent Swander said. "Partnering with Property Shield equips our subscribers with technology designed to prevent theft, keep trespassers out of listings, and curb unauthorized use of data, from the day a listing goes live to the day it closes."

Adopting Property Shield's services "allows us to give our subscribers a powerful tool that actively fights listing fraud in real time," Resides CEO Colette Stevenson added. "This isn't just about technology: it's about trust and about giving our agents and brokers the confidence that their listings and reputations are secure."

Through these partnerships, Property Shield's tools are now accessible to about 75,000 agents across the country. The news comes just over two months after the tech company announced a deal with the Waco Association of Realtors.

Block Renovation goes national

Block Renovation has announced an acquisition that the company says is making its AI platform available across the U.S. With BuildZoom Marketplace's network of builders, contractors and consultants onboard, Block Renovation now processes construction and renovation projects valued at over $100 million annually, according to a news release.

As its name suggests, Block Renovation was initially focused on renovation projects. However, its acquisition of BuildZoom Marketplace enables it to expand into new single- and multi-family home builds, as well as smaller commercial projects.

"Our agentic platform is transforming how property owners and contractors collaborate — making every step smarter, more transparent, and more connected," Block Renovation SVP of Product and Engineering Matt Stein said. The company already provides property owners and contractors with "efficiency, insight, and assurance to construction at scale," he noted — and through the acquisition of BuildZoom, "we're now extending that experience to millions nationwide."

"With this acquisition, we're scaling the first end-to-end destination for renovation and construction, giving homeowners and small businesses a single place to design, hire, and build with clarity and confidence," Block Renovation CEO Julie Kheyfets added. 

"Together, we're bringing the category from fragmented and opaque to connected, transparent, and trusted for property owners and contractors nationwide."