REsides, which bills itself as an online, “borderless” MLS — announced Thursday that it’s partnering with startup proptech platform Rayse. REside members will have early access to the platform and all of its communication-focused features.
The Rayse platform is designed to make agent-client relationships transparent in an evolving real estate market. It provides brokers with real-time insights into their agents’ activity in the marketplace. Agents can also use the platform from a marketing perspective to showcase their value to potential clients.
Rayse is led and operated by Christian and James Dwiggins. It offers features such as buyer presentations, client portals and closing reports. The co-CEOs said solves a pressing problem that constantly impacts the proptech sector.
“The problem with traditional PropTech is that it focuses on process, not people,” Christian Dwiggins said in a statement. “We’ve built Rayse to show what agents actually do to prove their value in a way that clients can actually see and feel. This isn’t a gradual improvement on old systems. It’s a completely new way of thinking about real estate technology.”
The duo launched the company as a way of “pushing back on the settlement,” referring to the $418 million settlement agreed to by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that involved allegations of colluding to artificially inflate agent commissions. Rayse has served more than 200 brokerages, including NextHome — another company owned by James Dwiggins.
According to REsides CEO Colette Stevenson, the new partnership couldn’t have come at a better time as buyer and seller expectations of transparency soar to new heights.
“Transparency expectations, coupled with customer’s desire to easily track developments in the home-buying and selling experience, have never been higher,” Stevenson said in a statement. “This partnership is a game-changer for our subscribers, helping them meet the increasing demands and complexities of their markets.”
Dwiggins also said that technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have reduced the industry’s focus on personal connection. Rayse’s technology empowers agents to rebuild these connections and demonstrate true value.
“With more pressure on agents to prove their worth, our simple, interactive tools bring clarity, accountability, and collaboration to help them meet today’s consumer needs,” Dwiggins said in a statement.
REsides took a stand by opting out of the NAR commission lawsuit settlement agreement. The company launched REsides University, a program that offers classes and webinars to help agents understand post-NAR lawsuit changes. The MLS also added other features, including fields designed to help sellers list concessions, allowances, buyer agreements and other information.
