Realay, a Michigan-based real estate referral platform, has launched a mobile application that brings voice-activated AI technology to referral management for independent brokers and agents nationwide. The app, now available on the App Store, allows professionals to speak commands to capture referral details, send notifications, and track opportunities without needing to type or wait until returning to their desks.
John LeRoy, Founder and CEO of Realay, stated that the company has made its successful platform accessible anywhere and anytime through this mobile development. The voice activation feature enables agents to make referrals as naturally as having conversations, addressing a significant gap in the current market offerings. This innovation comes as Realay continues to solve challenges faced by independent brokers who traditionally lacked the infrastructure of national franchises like Coldwell Banker for managing out-of-market referrals.
The platform first gained traction by creating a vetted network of independent brokers across all 50 states, eliminating the "black hole" problem where referrals would disappear without updates through a bidirectional communication system. The mobile app now makes this network accessible anywhere with voice activation powered by OpenAI integration. Realay reports that 81% of referrals on its platform are currently engaged, meaning receiving agents are actively working with clients, a conversion rate that significantly exceeds typical lead generation services where rates hover around 1-2%.
Ann Filippis, Realay's Operations Director, explained the company's white-glove approach to referral management. Rather than relying solely on algorithmic matching, Realay's team contacts receiving agents to confirm availability and readiness to work with clients, finding alternatives if agents are unavailable due to vacations or emergencies. This personalized approach contributes to the platform's high engagement rates.
The platform's newest feature addresses another broker challenge by enabling management of contractor networks within the system. Since real estate transactions consistently require service providers like painters, plumbers, electricians, and locksmiths, agents can now access their broker's vetted contractor lists through the app via voice command. Contractors join through broker invitations and pay subscription fees, creating new revenue streams for brokerages while streamlining connections that add value for clients.
Julie Capron, broker-owner of The Collective Home Group in Buchanan, Michigan, described how the platform transformed her workflow from managing high volumes of referrals through spreadsheets to a more efficient system. Realay operates on a pay-at-closing model where the company receives 5% of the referral commission while originating agents receive their standard 25% referral fee, with no upfront costs or monthly subscriptions for brokers.
The Realay mobile app represents a significant advancement in real estate technology by addressing multiple pain points simultaneously: the administrative burden of referral tracking, the competitive disadvantage of independent brokers compared to national franchises, and the need for efficient contractor management. By combining voice-activated technology with a vetted professional network and personalized service approach, the platform offers independent real estate professionals tools previously available only to larger organizations. The app is available for download on the App Store, with Android support coming soon, and brokers and agents can register at https://realay.com to join the growing network.
