Breaking Property News – 12/10/2023

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.

 

Ask the Agent named leading Proptech Innovator by T3 Sixty

PRESS RELEASE 12th Oct 2023 LOS ANGELES Ask the Agent (ATA), the industry-leading interactive video software for real estate professionals, has been recognized as a 2023 technology to watch by T3 Sixty, the nation’s leading residential real estate management consulting firm. Also, ATA will be participating in the “Technology Watchlist Lounge” at the T3 Tech Summit, a premier event for real estate industry leaders to collaborate and immerse themselves in cutting edge tech solutions. The event is being held October 23-25, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Founded in 2022, Ask the Agent (ATA) is an industry-leading video communications software company for real estate professionals, designed to innovate and streamline the process for agents and clients to engage. ATA short form videos featuring the agent, insightful Q&As and the agent’s listings are easily integrated into all marketing channels that agents already use every day. Helping agents deliver a better, focused and more personalized service.

“Ask the Agent will immediately upgrade your communications strategy by opening more business opportunities and increasing response rates in less time with our proprietary interactive short form video and lead generation system,” said James Beckmann, CEO of Ask the Agent. “Providing ATA to your agent sales teams gives them a competitive advantage while elevating your marketing and the customer experience.”

Ask the Agent is both an interactive real estate communications and lead-generation platform, with a suite of services including; Meet the Agentthe Property Listing Channelthe Agent Broadcast Channel and the Agent Dashboard. Collectively, these features and more transform today’s real estate agent into the agent of tomorrow with a next level business model for success.

Including: Innovative AI and technology: Conveniently from a phone or computer, agents may record, upload and distribute a wealth of pertinent information of interest to prospects. The built-in Chat GPT teleprompter and recorder assist agents, new and seasoned alike, to create personalized videos and one-click sharing capabilities by leveraging unique QR codes and URLs making dynamic content distribution across social, digital and print outlets possible.

Exclusive, virtually supported interactive video platform: This 24/7, on demand video interface allows agents to record and share a personal introduction, share property listings and digital open houses, answer commonly asked questions, and broadcast real estate news, tips and other information. With seamless integration and access, ATA contains valuable, searchable videos for clients and prospects.

“Transforming the way real estate agents communicate, Ask the Agent isn’t just about video—it’s about value. They allow all agents to forge stronger relationships with clients and prospects. It’s not just a game-changer; it’s the new standard,” said Derek Taylor, T3 Sixty Director of Technology Implementation and Operations. “We look forward to highlighting this innovative technology at the T3 Tech Summit.”

Clients receive a more personalized experience being able to ask the agent questions about the property, their experience or even lending options. Anyone can schedule appointments and share the agent videos with friends and family. This platform makes the agent and property information immediately available at the client’s convenience with no download required.

Camille AndersonPresident of Ask the Agent, co-developed the real estate marketing software, ensuring its agent U/X, and brings with her a decade of experience as a real estate agent. In addition to her real estate expertise, Camille was host of the luxury real estate show, Selling Mega Mansions. Camille’s passion for homes and real estate helped her co-develop Ask the Agent, to improve the client experience and provide a one-of-a-kind tool to help agents adapt to the ever-changing marketplace. Camille is also an active Estates Agent with The Agency Beverly Hills and provides seamless and impactful real estate knowledge to Ask the Agent’s suite of services.

Proprietary lead-generating data & analytics: With a proprietary built-in lead engine, ATA accumulates and cultivates lead data with individualized insights so agents may provide timely, targeted, and personalized service catering to a buyer or seller prospect and client’s unique needs.

Blackfinch Property completes £5.6m bridging loan facilitating acquisition of property overlooking Edinburgh Castle, being part of a luxury hotel development

Blackfinch Property, a rapidly growing agile lender to the residential and commercial real estate sectors, has completed a £5.6m bridging loan, with a 12-month duration, which will be used to help facilitate the development of a new hotel in the heart of Edinburgh.

The hotel development project will rejuvenate three dilapidated mixed-use retail/office buildings on Princes Street, with views over Edinburgh castle. The bridging loan provided will facilitate the purchase of a third adjacent property which will form part of the hotel development plan. The borrower has received planning permission to redevelop the three retail units into a 347-bed hotel, with an agreement for lease already signed with an international hotel operator.

The project was subject to a tight deadline of four weeks, and as a Scottish transaction, it required engagement with law firms practicing Scottish law. In accordance with Blackfinch Property’s commitment to sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, the hotels development target is to be net zero carbon, constructed using sustainable materials and building practices.

Nicola Mayes, Investment Manager at Blackfinch Property, said:“We are pleased to be funding this exciting project which will bring several vacant buildings back into use. The borrower’s plans for this project closely align with our own ESG principles of developing energy efficient property and improving the quality of existing buildings. We are also pleased to have been able to forge a new relationship with this borrower, and being able to contribute towards this project which has helped to develop and broaden our in-house legal expertise, and boost our presence in Scotland.”

 

Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Damaged timber from Dry Rot
Estate Agent Talk

Mould and damp – what you need to know ahead of winter

With the winter months just round the corner, problems with damp and mould can become far more prominent. Autumntime is when many people turn on central heating systems and choose to close windows, preventing fresh air ventilation needed to allow damp air to leave a property. Unfortunately, the combination of warm and damp air can…
Read More
Breaking News

Rental price and average salary tracker – September 2025

London and South East see biggest dips in required rental salary year-on-year London and the South East saw the sharpest dips year-on-year in the average salary needed in order to rent the average home in that area. London saw a 4.2% drop, whilst the South East saw a decline of 2.9%. Yorkshire and Humberside saw…
Read More
buying at auction uk
Breaking News

The cities where buying beats renting – with just a 5% deposit

British first-time buyer mortgage payments are typically 17% cheaper than renting, even with a low 5% deposit The average 5% deposit is £11,412 based on a typical first-time buyer property price of £228,233 Among major cities outside London, the biggest gap between owning and renting is in Glasgow, where buyers could save more than £4,750…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s Weekly Mortgage Rates Tracker

Average rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Average rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 4.51% +0.00% -0.37% 5-year fixed 4.55% +0.01% +0.01%   Lowest rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Lowest rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 3.77% +0.05% -0.07% 5-year fixed 3.97% +0.10% +0.29%   Average…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Data and commentary from Rightmove on stamp duty reforms

Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert said: “We’ve been calling for stamp duty reform for some time now, as it’s a significant barrier for many people moving home. Abolishing it completely would remove one of the biggest barriers to moving, unlocking more moves at all stages of the property ladder. “Our data shows that only 5%…
Read More
Breaking News

Second-time buyers dominate demand for longer term fixed mortgage deals

Second-time buyers are dominating demand for longer term fixed mortgage deals, fresh data from Moneyfacts Analyser can reveal. Of those looking for fixed term deals on moneyfactscompare.co.uk: Almost two-thirds (58%) of second-time buyers who compared mortgage deals using the moneyfactscompare.co.uk website were considering terms of three years or longer in the 30 days to 1…
Read More