Redfin Launches Conversational Home Search: Practical Impacts for Real Estate Pros
Redfin just rolled out an AI-driven conversational search on Redfin.com and mobile web that lets buyers describe what they want in plain language, then refine the results through a back-and-forth dialogue. It's multilingual, lives inside the homepage, map, and listing pages, and iOS app support is slated for December.
This isn't another keyword box. Buyers can say "show me more like this one, but with an extra bedroom," react to listings (e.g., "kitchen needs to be more modern"), and answer follow-up questions about commute time or proximity to a school. Under the hood, it's built with Sierra, the AI customer experience platform co-founded by Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor.
How it works
- Type what you want in your own words-any language works.
- Respond to clarifying questions about features, location flexibility, commute, schools, and budget.
- Comment on suggested listings to steer the search (e.g., adjust finishes, bedroom count, feel).
- See updated results in real time across Redfin's homepage, map view, and listing pages.
Why this matters for brokers, builders, and marketers
- Buyers are searching wider areas with more specific preferences. Expect more cross-neighborhood discovery and comp questions outside typical map boundaries.
- Early testing shows conversational users view nearly 2x more listings and are 47% more likely to request tours or services. That points to warmer intent and more qualified leads.
- Listings that communicate feature detail clearly-materials, floor count, layout options, energy features, commute cues-are more likely to match natural-language requests.
- Multilingual queries broaden the funnel. Prepare listing copy and team workflows to handle outreach in multiple languages.
Real example from testing
A buyer asked for a $300k home in or near Baltimore County with a fireplace, wood floors, a cottage feel, and at least three bedrooms. The system explained nothing matched and suggested widening the radius or loosening filters. The buyer said "try a broader search" and "relax on the number of bedrooms"-relevant homes appeared.
What to adjust in your operation now
- Upgrade listing descriptions: mention finishes, floor materials, kitchen style, bedroom counts, flex spaces, and outdoor features. Natural language helps AI match buyer intent.
- Add context buyers ask about: commute times to key hubs, walkability to schools, access to transit, HOA notes, and renovation recency.
- Organize photos to reflect the story your copy tells (exterior → kitchen → living → beds → baths → outdoor). Clear sequencing supports intent-based browsing.
- For builders: surface alt floor plans and upgrade paths (e.g., 3-bed with option for 4th). Conversational queries often ask for "like this, but with X."
- Train agents to respond to higher-intent, more specific inquiries that come from conversational funnels. Treat them like consults, not cold leads.
- Track how often buyers request "similar homes" and which attributes move the needle-then adjust marketing assets to spotlight those attributes.
Voices from early users
"When you're buying a home, the options can be overwhelming," said homebuyer Abhishek Singh, who tested the feature. "It felt like my personal concierge, surfacing better options in neighborhoods I hadn't considered."
"We relied on search filters for years," said Ariel Dos Santos, Senior Vice President of Product and Design at Redfin. "People share more about their preferences when it's a conversation."
Availability and where to try it
- Live now on web: Redfin.com
- iOS app support is coming in December.
- Part of Redfin's broader AI lineup: Redfin Estimate, Ask Redfin, and Buying Power.
If you're upskilling your team on AI
Want to train your team to write better natural-language listings and streamline lead handling with AI? Explore practical programs by job role here: AI courses by job.
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