In an industry where search tools typically rely on typed filters and forms, a new platform is introducing a conversational alternative. Builders Update, a national database for new construction, has developed Home Scout, a voice-activated search tool that lets users describe their desired property in plain language, in either English or Spanish. The tool is designed to save time and reduce friction for agents and buyers, particularly those on the go.
“It was created for people who don’t like to type. They can just talk to it,” said Bill Gaul, CEO of Builders Update and chair of the RESO Data Dictionary New Construction Subcommittee. For example, a user might say, “I need a three-bedroom, two-bath home in 78704,” and the tool will respond conversationally, presenting matching options. The system automatically detects and responds in the user’s language, without requiring a manual toggle. “It doesn’t even ask if you want Spanish. If you start speaking Spanish, it responds in Spanish,” Gaul noted, emphasizing the natural, non-mechanical translation quality.
The bilingual capability has generated particular interest in markets with large Spanish-speaking populations, including Miami, San Diego, and border regions. This feature positions Home Scout as a unique offering in a sector where technology often overlooks language diversity.
After conducting a search, the results—including floor plans, property details, and photos—are delivered directly 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. Agents can then forward the information to clients in two modes: a detailed agent view that includes the address and builder name, or a buyer view that omits the address and builder, focusing on visuals and pricing. This dual-version approach is intentional, reflecting the platform’s agent-centric philosophy.
“We’re trying to inject the agent into the process,” Gaul explained. Detailed listing information is reserved for licensed agents, and buyers are encouraged to register through their agent, not around them. The platform also features an electronic buyer registration system: when an agent submits a buyer’s name, the builder can confirm whether that buyer is already in their database, thereby protecting the agent’s commission claim if a sale occurs. This process, part of the company’s patent, aims to enhance transparency and safeguard the agent’s role.
Despite the innovative features, adoption is still in its early stages. Gaul acknowledges that some agents have yet to try the tool, and the company is focusing on encouraging usage. The platform currently serves more than 860,000 agents nationwide, and with the introduction of voice search and bilingual support, Builders Update aims to modernize the search experience in new construction real estate.
