The biggest technology shift to hit the real estate sector in decades is currently underway. In order to streamline operations, over 75% of US real estate brokerages have implemented AI technology. By 2025, it is anticipated that wallets will open even wider as developers, investors, and other influential people increase their tech expenditures. However, the majority of businesses concentrate on making minor adjustments to current systems, but one that questions the fundamentals of how real estate technology ought to operate.

Disrupting The CRM Framework

Ashokan, whose company has been subtly changing the way independent brokerages function, says, "We see ourselves as a tech platform for brokerage agents and the brokerage." Their most radical position, however, goes beyond simply offering another proptech solution; rather, it aims to radically reevaluate the use of CRM in the real estate industry.

Ashokan contends that traditional CRMs add more work than they remove. The majority of existing chatbots are reactive. They then provide you with the answers to the questions you pose. He says, "Mel does that too, but it also does proactive stuff," alluding to the AI assistant that stands in for the business's "anti-CRM" ethos.

The difference is important. They take a completely different approach from traditional systems, which require agents to manually enter data, build campaigns, and oversee workflows. These days, agents routinely send these leads an email campaign, and they typically receive the same campaign. For example, the same email campaign is sent to every lead. Thus, it isn't customized. Additionally, Mel may send highly customized messages since it is constantly learning more about you as a client.

The Movement For Independence

This focus on technology is in line with a larger change in the real estate sector. Agents frequently have more latitude at independent real estate brokerages. Additionally, they have the advantage of being seen as more "local" than big franchises, and Ashokan thinks this tendency will pick up speed.

"Agents have always desired autonomy. Additionally, they sign an independent contractor agreement with any brokerage they join, so they are naturally independent," notes Ashokan. "This is the way that any agent who aspires to become independent and launch their own firm thinks."

There is no better time than now. Although well-known franchise brands have shown they can endure, other brokerage brands are expanding nationally and gaining the interest of agents and customers. It presents itself as the technological foundation that enables this financial independence.

"The period when brokerages controlled the market is over. "Agents can now take control of the industry by establishing their own independent brokerages," says Ashokan. Through the use of enterprise-grade technology that is often reserved for huge franchises, the company's white-label strategy enables agents to develop their own brands.

Simplifying The Complex

From the first lead generation to the closing paperwork, there are hundreds of touchpoints in the real estate transaction process. Although most solutions focus on particular pain spots rather than the ecosystem as a whole, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will enhance workflows, predict changes in the industry, and proactively assess customer demands.

They adopt a different strategy. "From the standpoint of the end user, they may complete all of this without having to visit numerous software programs or individuals. They will only visit this particular brand," Ashokan says. "Brand XYZ handles everything for them."

There is more to this concept than just consolidation. The company's strategy is for integrating insurance, escrow, mortgage, and property management services into a unified platform driven by artificial intelligence. "Our ultimate goal is for Radius to become a one-stop shop for all of a client's real estate needs over the course of the next 12 months, whether they are related to purchasing or selling a property."

The Benefit Of AI

According to McKinsey study, Gen AI might bring in $110 billion to $180 billion or more for the real estate sector, but most businesses are having trouble putting it into practice. Instead of adding AI capabilities to pre-existing systems, Radius has integrated them directly into its basic architecture.

According to Ashokan, "if that person uses technology and AI, even a mid-tier agent can work like a really, really good agent." In addition to providing answers, the company's MEL AI assistant proactively maintains client relationships, makes appointments, and even has the ability to make calls that sound like the agent.

It will soon have the capacity to speak as well. Because it's learning how the agent communicates, we're looking into the possibility that Mel could be able to speak exactly like the agent," he says. Agents may grow their expertise across multiple clients at once thanks to this augmentation, which goes beyond automation.

The Shopify Moment

Its ability to democratize advanced technology is arguably its most persuasive feature. Radius seeks to empower agents to establish autonomous brokerages without operational complexity, much like Shopify let millions of company owners to establish e-commerce ventures without the need for technical know-how.

According to Ashokan, "we want to be in the background, kind of like a Shopify model, where we provide all the tools for you, it's white labeled, and you go build your brand using our tools." "Anyone who is even considering starting their own independent business need not be concerned. We will handle all of the training and setup. All they have to do is what they do best.

This strategy resolves a basic conflict in the real estate sector: agents require advanced support systems to effectively compete, but they also desire autonomy and brand ownership. By supplying the infrastructure and retaining the agent's brand equity, it fixes this.

The Bottom Line

Businesses are a symbol of more than simply technology progress as the real estate sector continues its digital revolution; they also reflect a fundamental change in the balance of power. They are making it possible for a new breed of independent brokerages to compete with franchise giants while retaining local market experience by fusing white-label flexibility with AI-first design.

For one agent, success would be closing about 100 properties. In a year, it will be simple. Because of technology and artificial intelligence, I believe that world will arrive soon. If people are extremely deliberate about it, they will be able to dream greater and earn a lot more money, Ashokan says.

The anti-CRM revolution is something unusual for a historically slow-moving industry: a truly disruptive strategy that has the potential to change the way real estate professionals view technology, autonomy, and customer service.

Although it's unclear if their vision will materialize, they are a company worth keeping an eye on because of their willingness to question conventional wisdom about how real estate technology ought to operate.