Why HomeSmart Said ‘No’ to Exclusive Distribution
HomeSmart announced it will not join exclusive "Coming Soon" or preview distribution models like Zillow Preview, opting to keep listings on open MLS platforms. The brokerage argues that broad, transparent access drives competition, protects fair‑housing compliance, and benefits both buyers and sellers. HomeSmart will continue syndicating listings to any public platform without exclusivity, reinforcing its 100% commission, tech‑driven model. The stance highlights a broader industry debate over data hoarding versus open market principles.
PROPTECH-X : OpenBrix Is Building the Infrastructure Layer for the UK Rental Market
OpenBrix, through its tlyfe platform, is creating a single, auditable digital record that links tenant identity, compliance, payments and deposits for the UK private rental sector. The company positions itself as the core infrastructure layer, embedding directly into tenancy workflows...
Nscale Teams up with Fortum for Data Center in Harjavalta, Finland
Neocloud Nscale has teamed with Finnish energy firm Fortum to develop a new data‑center in Harjavalta’s Sievari industrial area, on land owned by the town. Fortum will act as the site‑development partner, while Nscale negotiates a preliminary land purchase. The...
Electrovaya Secures $5m of Funding From US DOE to Test Use of Energy Storage Systems in a Data Center Environment
Canadian lithium‑ion battery maker Electrovaya received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Critical Facility Energy Resilience program to test a 1.2 MWh battery energy storage system at Binghamton University’s data‑center testbed. The Infinity BESS, housed in a 20‑foot...
Newmark: AI Adoption Makes Quick, Broad-Based Office Recovery Unlikely
Newmark’s latest research predicts office‑using employment will remain flat through 2030 while vacancy nudges higher, making a broad‑based office recovery unlikely. In its base case, vacancy rises 10 basis points to about 21% despite modest job growth, and faster AI...
Autodesk Strengthens Bridge Between Revit and Forma
Autodesk has launched a tech preview that positions Revit as the first Forma Connected Client, linking the desktop BIM tool directly to Autodesk’s AECO cloud platform. The integration enables teams to import site, terrain and parcel data from Forma Site...
Construction Industry Accelerates: Insights From Steve Yates
Steve Yates @buildxact talk about how the #construction industry is evolving quickly. Tune in live at 12 pm CT at: https://t.co/ykUbRecoZO. #TPSS #5G #cloud #edge #digitaltransformation #PeggySmedley #podcast #Buildxactambassador https://t.co/A7yZAwxHPc
Tenant Turner Releases AI Virtual Agent Beta to Automate Lead Conversations and Schedule Showings Faster
Tenant Turner has launched a beta version of its AI Virtual Agent, a conversational tool that automates routine prospect inquiries and pre‑qualification for rental listings. The agent operates 24/7 via a web widget and SMS, instantly answering common questions and...
Proptech’s Buzziest Buzzword: Workflow
Agentic AI is prompting proptech firms to add a missing workflow layer that ties together data platforms and management tools. Executives from Enaia, MRI Software, Kode Labs and Inspace argue that fragmented point solutions hinder efficiency and AI performance. Integrated...
Why Power Access Is Critical to Data Center Site Locations
Power availability has become the primary driver of data center design, influencing layout, phasing, and cooling strategies from the outset. Lenders now require executed power purchase agreements or firm interconnection commitments before committing capital, turning power certainty into a financing...
Scalaa Architects Warns Intangible Assets Dominate $50M+ Property Deals, Raising Hidden Risks
Scalaa Architects warned that in property transactions exceeding $50 million, intangible assets such as software platforms, data and branding often outweigh tangible holdings, creating hidden risks for buyers. The firm stresses rigorous valuation methods and regulatory scrutiny as essential to avoid...
RET Ventures Launches First AI-Native Accelerator for Multifamily
RET Ventures announced the launch of an AI‑native accelerator focused on early‑stage proptech startups serving the multifamily market. The inaugural cohort features Brightplace, an AI apartment‑search platform, and LeasingAI, which optimizes visibility on generative search engines like ChatGPT and Gemini....
Bay Area Startup Introduces Flat-Rate, Single-Room Heat Pumps
San Francisco startup Merino Energy launched the Merino Mono, a through‑the‑wall, single‑room heat pump priced at a flat $3,800 including professional installation. The unit installs in under an hour, draws 900 watts from a standard 120‑volt outlet, and serves spaces up to...
Dubai-Based Firm Launches ‘Tokenised’ BTR Product with UK Asset
Dubai‑based Tokinvest has introduced the first regulated tokenised build‑to‑rent (BTR) product in the UK, backed by a 29‑unit residential conversion in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The Great Hampton Street Works development, completed in 2025, will be offered as digital tokens that...
Why Portable Cooling Isn’t a Plug-and-Play Fix
Portable cooling is often mischaracterized as a simple plug‑and‑play solution, leading facilities to deploy units without proper planning. Experts from JLL and Limbach stress that these systems require the same diligence as a temporary MEP project, including electrical load analysis,...
Crypto-Backed Resort Scheme in Timor-Leste Sparks PropTech Scrutiny
A joint Guardian and OCCRP investigation uncovered an alleged crypto‑financed luxury resort project in Timor-Leste tied to the sanctioned Prince Holding Group. The probe found the site empty, raised questions about the project's legitimacy, and highlighted regulatory risks for blockchain‑enabled...
DoorBird Launches New IP Video Indoor Stations
DoorBird unveiled two new IP video indoor stations, the A1103 and A1104, at Light + Building in Frankfurt. Both units sport a 7‑inch true‑color touch display, HD video, two‑way audio and a configurable RGB LED status bar. The models have...
Big-D Expands Construction Operations with FieldAI as Robotics Adoption Accelerates
US construction firm Big‑D Construction is scaling its partnership with robotics provider FieldAI, moving from pilot tests to broader deployment across multiple sites. FieldAI’s map‑free, GPS‑independent robots can perform inspection, documentation, and material handling, integrating with Big‑D’s existing digital platforms....
How Terraco Enhances Thermal Efficiency and Facade Longevity in Prefabricated Buildings
Terraco’s exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS) and trowel‑applied Terracoat render boost thermal performance and extend façade lifespan in prefabricated buildings. The system reduces annual cooling demand by up to 31% and can achieve combined wall‑and‑roof savings of 47%, while guaranteeing...
South Korea’s LX Overhauls Cadastral Survey Portal, Cutting In-Person Applications by Up to 80%
Korea Land and Geospatial Informatization Corp (LX) launched a revamped Cadastral Survey Application Portal that lets users apply for land‑boundary surveys online without creating an account. The redesign targets the 70‑80% of the roughly 200,000 annual applications that previously required...
Google Starts $15 B, 1‑GW AI Data‑Center Hub in Vizag, India
Google’s Indian arm, Raiden Infotech India Ltd., began construction on a $15 billion, 1‑gigawatt data‑center complex near Visakhapatnam on April 28. The three‑site hub, built with Adani Infra, is the biggest single foreign direct investment in India and will expand Google’s global...
Instant Home Report Quotes Launched by Agent
DM Hall LLP has introduced an online instant‑quote platform for Home Reports, allowing Scottish homeowners to obtain pricing and pay for the service in real time. The tool operates 24/7 via the firm’s website, delivering immediate cost transparency. Managing partner...
AI in Construction Step 3: Driving Innovation
The article outlines the third step in a series on AI in construction, emphasizing the need for a robust digital foundation that integrates data systems, BIM, IoT, and drones. It argues that AI’s effectiveness hinges on centralized, interoperable data platforms...
Building Smarter: The ERP Transformation in Construction
Construction firms are moving from fragmented spreadsheets and siloed tools to unified ERP platforms that combine project management, procurement, finance, and equipment tracking. Integrated systems now deliver real‑time financial visibility, allowing cost overruns to be spotted early and corrected promptly....
AI Design Tools and 3D‑Printing Propel $13 Trillion Construction Market
HiveASMBLD is completing a 1,700‑sq‑ft 3D‑printed duplex in Houston’s East End while AI‑enhanced BIM platforms are disrupting a $13 trillion industry. The projects showcase how large‑language models and robotic printers are cutting design cycles and construction labor costs.
Building Bigger Means Building Smarter for Austin
Waterline, a 74‑story mixed‑use tower slated for completion later this year, will rise to 1,025 feet, making it the tallest building in Texas. DPR Construction is using the project to showcase advanced smart‑building systems, sustainable materials, and integrated design that address...
Office Space Report: 4 Out Of 5 Executives Lack Occupancy Data
A new Butlr survey reveals that four out of five commercial real‑estate and facilities executives lack reliable spatial occupancy data, hampering space‑planning decisions. The report shows that 24% of unoccupied office areas are still heated and cooled, driving unnecessary energy...
AI Impact on Office Markets Won’t Be as Bad as Many Think, Newmark Says
Newmark’s latest report tempers fears that artificial intelligence will devastate office markets, arguing that the impact will be uneven. High‑quality, collaboration‑focused spaces are expected to stay resilient, while lower‑grade, commodity offices may see modest vacancy increases. The firm projects office‑using...
Planon Supports Resilient Data Centers with Unified Platform
Planon has launched “Planon for Data Centers,” a unified software platform that extends its CMMS capabilities to mission‑critical data‑center environments. The solution integrates maintenance, compliance, asset lifecycle, and energy workflows while feeding real‑time alarms into work‑order processes. By digitizing procedures...
WestProp Launches 20,000‑unit Chivhu Eco City with Zimbabwe's First 30‑year Mortgage
WestProp Holdings announced the Chivhu Eco City project, a 5,000‑hectare development delivering 20,000 residential units and offering Zimbabwe's first 30‑year mortgage. The launch signals a shift toward secondary‑city growth and proptech‑driven affordability.
Exclusive: Merino Energy Launches an All-in-One Heat Pump for $3,800
Merino Energy, a newly emerged startup, unveiled the Merino Mono, an all‑in‑one wall‑mounted heat pump priced at $3,800 that plugs into a standard 120‑volt outlet and can be installed in about an hour. The unit eliminates the outdoor condenser and...
Modular AI Set to Disrupt $13T Mortgage Monopoly
Mortgages are the $13T prize, yet they run on Cobol mainframes that break at 99 draws. Cagney and Berman reveal how modular AI finally kills the bank monopoly. (0:00) Why Are Mortgages the $13T Prize? (0:49) Can Modular Tech Finally Remake...
Real-Time AR Digital Twin Revitalizes Construction Data
vGIS Brings Construction #Data to Life with Real-Time #AR Digital Twin Visualization via @WevolverApp #EmergingTech #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/y4DKpduD26
What FMs Need to Know About Data Center Immersion Cooling Fluid Selection
Rising rack densities are pushing traditional air‑cooling to its limits, prompting data‑center operators to adopt immersion cooling, where servers sit in a dielectric liquid. As these systems transition from niche crypto farms to AI and HPC workloads, the choice of...
BC's Tallest Mass‑Timber Tower Meets Passive House Standards
"...the project is set to become one of British Columbia’s tallest mass timber residential buildings designed to Passive House standards—combining low-carbon construction with high-performance energy efficiency." #passivhaus #passivehouse #masstimber https://t.co/iWZGoZCqLS https://t.co/EFfMf6lkgc
First U.S. Passive House Hotel Paves Net‑Zero Path
"... first Passive House-certified hotel in the U.S., which is tracking to become the nation’s first net-zero hotel. Going beyond adaptive reuse, Hotel Marcel offers a new blueprint for the way hotels are designed, powered, & run" #passivhaus #passivehouse https://t.co/4EO6tbBgZW https://t.co/lklg5OuU0X
Building the Future: Construction at the Center of Technological Innovation at CES 2026
CES 2026 placed construction technology front‑and‑center, highlighting autonomous equipment, AI assistants, and electrified fleets. Caterpillar announced five Level‑4 autonomous vehicles and a voice‑controlled AI assistant for field operations. Startups showcased AI‑driven reporting, underground detection, and spatial‑computing wearables, while major OEMs...
Gurugram Launches AI Portal for Building Approvals, Echoing Bengaluru’s Nambike Nakshe Success
The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) is set to launch an AI‑powered portal that will automate building‑plan approvals, promising faster, more transparent outcomes. The move follows Bengaluru’s one‑year‑old Nambike Nakshe platform, which has already handled nearly 16,000 applications with a...
Get More Out of Your FCA: The 5-Step Guide for Education Facilities Teams
Facility condition assessments (FCAs) in education are traditionally labor‑intensive, requiring teams to sift through disparate records and rebuild asset data every few years. Industry research shows that manual O&M data entry can cost 2–4% of project budgets—up to $3.2 million on...
Your Door Is Costing You More than You Think
Commercial buildings devote roughly 32% of energy to space heating, and a large share of that load stems from air infiltration through poorly sealed doors. Oak Ridge National Laboratory research shows door gaps cause more energy loss than any other...
Spain’s Housing Crisis Pushes PropTech and Fractional Investing Into the Spotlight
Spain’s residential property prices surged 14.3% in March, edging close to all‑time peaks and intensifying an affordability crunch. The rapid price escalation has spotlighted proptech firms offering data‑driven valuation tools and streamlined transactions. Simultaneously, fractional‑ownership platforms are gaining traction as...
PropTech Fuels Surge of Younger Global Investors, Driving UAE Sales to $184 Bn in 2025
Dubai’s property market closed 2025 with Dh682.5 bn ($184 bn) in sales, up 31% YoY, and January 2026 added Dh111 bn ($30 bn), an 8% rise, as proptech platforms attract younger, digitally native investors from more than 150 countries. Industry leaders say the shift...
AI Adoption Surges in Real Estate but Trust and Data Gaps Stall Full Deployment
A February 2026 survey of 150 U.S. real‑estate professionals finds AI usage expanding, with 45% of firms running pilots. Yet only 9% have moved AI to enterprise‑wide production, as trust deficits and fragmented data infrastructure limit broader adoption.
Australian Homeowners Accelerate Smart Bathroom Installations Amid Growing Demand
Australian homeowners are increasingly installing smart bathroom technologies, with builders reporting steady growth in demand for features like adjustable showers, multifunctional mirrors and intelligent toilets. The shift reflects rising consumer interest in convenience, sustainability and home value enhancement.
Alcatraz Raises $50 Million Series B for AI‑Powered Facial Authentication in Commercial Buildings
Alcatraz, the Cupertino‑based AI security startup, announced a $50 million Series B led by BlackPeak Capital, Cogito Capital and Taiwania Capital. The funding will accelerate its Rock™ facial authentication system, which replaces badges and PINs with privacy‑first AI, across data centers,...
When Data Handling Alters Physical Interpretation: HVAC’s Missing Evidence Layer
A 2026 Energy and AI study shows that HVAC thermal‑comfort models produce wildly different variable importance ratios when missing data is handled differently, shifting the air‑temperature to mean‑radiant‑temperature (Ta:MRT) ratio from 1.9:1 to 4.46:1 – a 135% change. The researchers...
GTC Secures Smart‑Home Contract for UK's Largest Net‑Zero Housing Development at Cosmeston Farm
GTC has been chosen by Barratt Redrow to supply the full smart‑home energy and utility system for Cosmeston Farm, a 576‑home development that will become the UK's largest net‑zero carbon housing site. The contract, backed by the Welsh Government and...
Better.com and OpenAI Unveil ChatGPT App That Cuts Mortgage Underwriting to 47 Seconds
Better.com has partnered with OpenAI to launch a ChatGPT‑powered underwriting engine that reduces the typical 21‑day mortgage approval timeline to as little as 47 seconds. The tool, aimed at loan officers and brokers, combines Better’s mortgage engine with OpenAI’s large‑language...
Garden Gables Inn Completes $1.4 Million Luxury Renovation in Lenox
Sullivan Capital’s Garden Gables Inn in Lenox wrapped a $1.4 million renovation, introducing automated access, upscale décor and flexible one‑night bookings. The upgrade positions the historic inn for a luxury boutique market while a zoning‑approved expansion adds ten rooms.
GS Modular to Unveil Smart, Sustainable Permanent Modular Buildings at Sydney Build Expo 2026
GS Modular announced it will exhibit its permanent modular construction portfolio at Sydney Build Expo 2026 on April 29‑30, aiming to accelerate adoption of faster, higher‑quality, and lower‑carbon building methods in Australia. The company will use the event to court...