Builders Update, a national database for new construction, has introduced a voice-enabled search tool called Home Scout that allows users to describe their home requirements in plain language, eliminating the need to type filters into a form. The tool, available on the company's website, is designed to respond conversationally and is bilingual, automatically switching between English and Spanish based on the user's spoken language.
Bill Gaul, CEO of Builders Update and chair of the RESO Data Dictionary New Construction Subcommittee, explained that the tool was created for individuals who prefer speaking over typing. “It was created for people who don’t like to type. They can just talk to it,” Gaul said. For example, a user might say they need a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a specific zip code while driving, and the tool will respond conversationally. The bilingual capability has attracted significant interest in markets with large Spanish-speaking populations, including Miami, San Diego, and border regions. “It doesn’t even ask if you want Spanish. If you start speaking Spanish, it responds in Spanish,” Gaul noted, emphasizing that the translation is designed to sound natural.
After a voice search, the results, including floor plans, property details, and photos, are delivered to the user's inbox. “By the time that person parks the car, the floor plans and the pictures are in their inbox,” Gaul said. This feature is particularly useful for agents who can forward the results to clients. The platform provides two versions: a full agent view that includes the address and builder name, and a buyer-facing view that shows photos, floor plans, and pricing without the address or builder information.
The two-version design underscores the platform's agent-centric approach. Detailed listing information is reserved for licensed agents, and buyers must register through their agent rather than independently. The platform also offers electronic buyer registration, which allows builders to confirm that a submitted buyer is not already in their system, thereby protecting the agent's commission if the buyer makes a purchase. Gaul described this registration process, which is part of the company's patent, as a way to keep the agent's role transparent and protected. “We’re trying to inject the agent into the process,” he said.
Despite the innovative features, adoption is still progressing. Gaul acknowledged that some agents have not yet tried the tool, and part of the current effort is encouraging them to use it. The platform currently serves more than 860,000 agents nationwide.
This development matters because it addresses a common friction point in real estate search—typing detailed queries into forms—and makes the process more accessible to Spanish-speaking users, potentially broadening the reach of new construction listings. By keeping agents central to the transaction and offering electronic registration, the platform aims to protect agent commissions and foster transparency in the buying process. As voice search becomes more prevalent, this tool could set a precedent for how real estate platforms integrate conversational AI and bilingual support, impacting agents, buyers, and builders across the industry.
