PHOTO: Maya, an AI real estate expert developed by Fredrik Eklund and John Gomes. COURTESY OF THE EKLUND | GOMES TEAM
Real estate agents have already embraced the use of ChatGPT to assist in crafting listing descriptions. Meanwhile, property technology, commonly known as prop tech, stands out as one of the most dynamic areas of advancement within the real estate realm. Noteworthy developments include ReImagine Home, an artificial intelligence-driven interior design generator that empowers potential buyers to swiftly envision home remodeling possibilities, and Listing Showcase, a novel immersive virtual viewing experience introduced by Zillow. Zillow, renowned for its proprietary home-value estimator, the Zestimate, has long employed algorithms for this purpose.
Maya, an AI real estate expert developed by Fredrik Eklund and John Gomes. COURTESY OF THE EKLUND | GOMES TEAM
However, concerns about AI replacing jobs have surfaced. To address this, the immensely successful Eklund | Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman, boasting $4.6 billion in residential real estate transactions in 2022, is introducing Maya. Described as an AI real estate expert, Maya draws insights directly from property photos, continually learns through active user interactions, and serves as a comprehensive guide, covering everything from neighborhoods to fundamental real estate concepts. In a playful interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Eklund and Gomes humorously refer to themselves as Maya’s “two dads” as they demonstrate the interface, which is built upon ChatGPT. With prompting questions from the duo, Maya efficiently displays listings for condos under $4 million in TriBeCa, explains the differences between co-ops and condos, accurately answers queries about historic residential real estate sales (such as Ken Griffin’s $238 million penthouse purchase in 2019), and provides insights into popular celebrity vacation home markets. However, Maya encounters difficulty when asked about the most significant celebrity sale of 2023, failing to mention Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s $200 million Malibu acquisition earlier in the year.
Maya’s interface offers users the opportunity to contribute to her learning and ongoing improvement by giving answers a thumbs-up or thumbs-down rating. Eklund explains that “anything affirmed with a thumbs-up becomes stronger,” emphasizing the collaborative nature of the system.
Real estate agency is leveraging the famous artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot tool, ChatGPT
Eklund describes Maya in anthropomorphic terms, highlighting her constant availability, helpfulness, friendliness, and her ability to make the real estate buying and selling process enjoyable. She possesses an encyclopedic memory and learns from every interaction. However, Maya isn’t the first AI-powered real estate expert on the market. In June, DwellWell introduced Dwelly AI, designed specifically for homebuyers.
What sets Maya apart is her distinct identity, complete with a face and an upcoming voice. The forthcoming Maya Version 2.0, expected to launch early next year, will be animated, adding a dynamic and interactive dimension to user interactions.
Maya will be accessible through the revamped Eklund | Gomes website, requiring users to register their email addresses for access. Beyond her training, which encompasses “thousands of articles about real estate,” Maya will also gather real-time data during user interactions, providing valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences, as stated by her creators.
Eklund elaborates, stating that “on the backend, she’ll remember every conversation you’ve had with her and alert one of our agents if you’re discussing one of our listings. She can even send you a personalized message the next morning, summarizing your conversation and possibly suggesting more properties within your range. She’s an excellent lead generator for our firm.” Gomes adds, “She’ll connect you with the right agent, and from there, that agent will take over. So she’s a crucial part of our process. Often, she’ll be the first point of contact, allowing us to approach you with context and understanding of your preferences and requirements.”
SOURCE: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER