How homebldr.ai hopes to revolutionize investor-agent relations

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By Emily Marek

Austin-based property technology company homebldr is launching a new service that claims to “revolutionize” the relationship between investors and real estate agents.

The portal, homebldr.ai, which is powered by artificial intelligence, was designed to connect real estate investors and agents by consolidating key aspects of the real estate investment experience in one place.

Despite a surge in real estate investment activity over the past several years, the average return on investment has plummeted. homebldr cites a March 2023 report from ATTOM that found the average gross ROI on fix-and-flip investments fell from 46% to 28% over the course of a year. homebldr.ai aims to combat this by identifying high-quality investment opportunities for users.

According to homebldr, key features of the product include property and investment analysis, location analytics and property characteristics. The product is also fully integrated into homebldr’s Solution Suite. But what does the product do?

“homebldr.ai helps agents generate more transactions with investor clients in significantly less time by evaluating investment opportunities in seconds and providing the deal analysis, competitive financing options, and construction services necessary to maximize returns,” CEO Adam Eldibany explained.

Specific components of homebldr.ai include after-repair value analysis, value-add potential analysis and specialized HOMEBLDR Property Reports. The portal also contains info similar to standard multiple listing services, like listing status and property details.

“Historically, investors have been a difficult client case for real estate professionals due to their frequent requests for deal analysis, desire to work with multiple agents at the same time and prolonged hesitation to get into details regardless of how much work their agent has put in,” Eldibany said. “However, the benefit of being patient and continuing to work with investors is that they typically transact multiple times per year, while owner-occupant clients move once every seven years.

“Shifting focus to the present, 90% of owner-occupant homeowners are locked into their sub-6% mortgage rates, which has caused home sales to hit the lowest level in over a decade. Meanwhile, investor transactions remain near the all-time high level achieved in 2022,” he added. “This presents a massive opportunity for real estate professionals to generate more transactions by serving the growing community of investors.”

Free trials for homebldr.ai began Aug. 1.

Elevating excellence: The high calling of real estate agents

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By Dennis Jones

As real estate agents, we live our lives in the world of diverse property types, complex transactions, ever-changing market conditions and demanding client expectations. Some agents, especially those with limited experience, stumble over the complexities.

A recent incident on an online forum caught my attention, as an agent who had managed to snag a $1.5 million listing was seeking advice on how to effectively market the property to attract buyers. By his own admission, he had no idea where to start.

This scenario, while seemingly innocent, brought a disturbing reality to the forefront. Imagine a surgeon, right before a critical operation, asking his peers on social media, “What’s the best way to perform open-heart surgery?” Seems absurd, right? As real estate professionals, we are tasked with guiding individuals through one of the most significant financial transactions of their lives. And we are expected to know what we are doing.

The growing number of licensed real estate agents presents a double-edged reality. While a wave of fresh talent joins our industry every year, the regulatory bodies have set a low bar of entry. This has flooded our industry with many novice agents who lack the knowledge required to handle the complex responsibilities inherent to our profession. It’s unsettling to think that the owner of a $1.5 million home hired a real estate agent who has “no idea” how to market it. Yet, this situation is not unique; it is symptomatic of a broader issue where agents lack the skills and expertise to perform their roles effectively.

Thankfully, the remedy is within our reach, and it’s not an insurmountable task. The solution involves plugging our knowledge holes with personalized training and mentorship tailored to our needs. As more and more agents willingly submit themselves to expert instruction and commit to mastering necessary skills, our industry can not only weather this storm, but also use it as a catalyst for improvement. By integrating a strong mentorship program with an unwavering commitment to personal and professional development, we can equip agents with the tools they need, fostering a workforce of well-prepared and confident professionals.

Our profession is one of the highest callings of all consumer service careers. We are not just facilitating a financial transaction; we are guiding individuals and families through a process that significantly affects their lives. The trust placed in us is immense, comparable to few other service providers. It is a mantle we should wear with honor and pride.

So, fellow agents, it’s high time we kick it up a notch and commit ourselves to the continuous pursuit of excellence. Embrace learning, sharpen your skills and renew your commitment to serving your clients at the highest possible level. Not only will this raise your game, but it will also help lift the bar of professionalism across the industry.

A central pillar of this professional development is constant and clear client communication. By keeping clients in the loop, we foster trust, prevent misunderstandings and facilitate smoother transactions. This sets apart the professionals from the amateurs. By placing a spotlight on communication, we not only improve our service, but also contribute to creating a higher industry standard.

Every listing, whether valued at $500,000 or $1.5 million, represents someone’s dream, someone’s investment and someone’s financial future. Such significant stakes demand nothing less than our utmost professional dedication and competence.

Just as a surgeon understands exactly where to make an incision well before they walk into the operating room, we should aim to become knowledgeable, competent and dependable professionals who preserve the honor and the high calling of our profession.

Dennis Jones is the author of “62 Tips for Real Estate Professionals,” and the founder of RARE Agents, a virtual coaching and mentoring program for Really Awesome Real Estate Agents. Jones has been training, mentoring and coaching agents for over 20 years.

Email Dennis at Dennis@RareAgents.com or visit RareAgents.com for more information.