From bidets to smart toilets, the bathroom is getting a tech upgrade that makes life more convenient and a little less germy.

As technology continues to advance, it’s no surprise that the smart home takeover has made its way into the bathroom. Kohler, a well-known manufacturer of kitchen and bath products, has introduced a range of bidet seats and smart toilets to meet the growing demand for advanced toilet technology. This kind of tech makes for a more sanitary, streamlined and sustainable experience in the bathroom.

Kohler offers a range of bidet seats and smart toilets, from the simple PureWash bidet seat, which does not require power outlets and is easy to install, to the Numi 2.0 Smart Toilet, which uses the Kohler Konnect app for expanded personalization and control. Each of Kohler’s smart bathroom products offers price points and features to meet the needs of consumers looking to upgrade their toilet space.

The Everyday Bidet

Once thought of as a luxury or other-worldly bathroom addition, the bidet is becoming more mainstream as more consumers realize that a cleaner, more hygienic bathroom option exists. Interest in bidets has grown in the last few years, and it continues to be one of Kohler’s fastest-growing bathroom categories.

At one time, a separate receptacle was needed to add a bidet to a bathroom, making it difficult for consumers with limited space within which to work. Not anymore. Kohler’s bidet seat(link is external) makes it possible to add the feature to the existing toilet, which is also easier on the budget.

Most bidets come with their own feature upgrades, like Kohler’s stainless-steel wand with automatic UV light cleaning technology, which automatically cleans the product once a day.

Full Toilet Upgrades

Smart toilets are all about the touchless, clean experience delivered through automated and new or more comfortable features that traditional toilets don’t have. Kohler’s smart toilets(link is external) have lids that automatically open as the user walks up to the fixture, eliminating the need to touch the seat or lid. The built-in heated seats and night lights, and the warm air dryer that runs after using the integrated bidet, are not found on most other toilets today.

Kohler smart toilets also feature automatic flushing and use less water when needed so that consumers can help save a little water without sacrificing performance.

Adding color or unique finishes to the toilet space is also a growing trend within the bathroom. Kohler offers up to 10 different color options for customers to personalize their bathroom designs to stand out or match closely with their other fixtures.

A Boon for New Construction

In new construction, builders are adding power outlets near the toilet or water closet area to make upgrading when the time is right. Some builders even include upgrade options with Kohler’s bidet seats and other options, so customers can easily add them during the new-home build.

A specific trend in new construction is Kohler’s hidden cord toilets and bidet seat combination options. These toilet designs allow installers and homeowners to hide the water supply line and power cords needed for most bidets for a clean design while delivering the bidet features homeowners want.

Pricing and Models

To buyers on a budget, Kohler recommends some of its basic bidet seat models, allowing the homeowner to keep the current toilet and upgrade the seat. To those doing a remodel or wanting to replace the entire toilet, Kohler’s smart toilets help bring the touchless and spa-like experience into the bathroom.

Kohler has a range of models from those that do not require power outlets and come with basic bidet features, such as front or rear wash, that start for around $99. The newest model, the Innate smart toilet, starts at around $2,500.

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Startups are bringing real estate solutions for everything from financial and property management to lead generation and more.

Proptech is rising to the challenge to meet more needs in the real estate industry, from rental management and second-home programs to managing your digital reputation, commissions and more. Encouraging greater leading-edge technology development in the real estate space, Second Century Ventures, the investment arm of the National Association of REALTORS®, announced Tuesday the 2023 classes of its REACH(link is external) and REACH Commercial(link is external) programs. The 14 startups chosen—seven in each program—will receive education, mentorship, networking and national exposure as they look to expand their mark on the global real estate marketplace.

“These 14 companies represent some of the most promising and innovative solutions in the real estate technology space,” says Dave Garland, managing partner of Second Century Ventures. “By supporting and investing in innovative small businesses through the REACH program, we can ensure that REALTORS® have access to the latest and most effective tools and technologies, enabling them to better serve their clients and stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.”

This year’s cohort encompasses solutions for financial planning, second-home property ownership, property management, lead generation, marketing, mortgage asset management, tenant retention and more. The 14 companies have collectively raised more than $100 million in funding. “Their solutions are poised to make a significant impact and help overcome the challenges that lie ahead in the real estate industry,” says NAR CEO Bob Goldberg, who is also president of SCV.

The 2023 REACH Class

• Flock(link is external): offers a seamless and tax-deferred exit from rental property that uses the 721 exchange, allowing property owners to passively earn income and appreciation without the traditional responsibilities of ownership.
• HighNote(link is external): brings a drag-and-drop presentation and proposal platform to help agents pitch and sell listings, offers, neighborhoods and themselves.
• Plus Platform(link is external): modernizes asset management and trading with a platform for residential mortgages that provides transparency and liquidity to the mortgage market.
• Prisidio(link is external): offers a digital vault to capture and securely share your most important information with the key people in your life.
• Real Grader(link is external): measures, manages and maximizes digital reputation for real estate professionals across search, social media and real estate platforms. 
• Summer(link is external): aims to simplify the process of finding, buying, designing and monetizing a vacation or investment home through a nonfractional approach.
• Tongo(link is external): offers a private card-based product for agents to draw against pending commissions ahead of closing, and only repay when they get paid.

The 2023 REACH Commercial Class

Alongside REACH, which is now in its 11th year, the 2023 REACH Commercial class also was announced Tuesday. In that cohort, the companies “bring solutions that fundamentally change commercial real estate operations, finance and brokerage, as well as how we manage, experience and understand properties in which we live and work,” says Bob Gillespie, executive director of REACH Commercial.

• APM Help(link is external): brings property management solutions that prioritize quality and customer service and leverage expertise in finance, operations and accounting.
• BlueStreak IoT(link is external): improves the efficiency and performance of services in commercial real estate, including ScentBridge’s ambient scent delivery, indoor air quality monitoring, clean air as a service, replenishment management and performance compliance.
• Dwellwell Analytics(link is external): touts a comprehensive monitoring and early warning maintenance platform for residential property owners who need to reduce operating costs and avert disasters.
• Fortress PropTech(link is external): offers an innovative platform using automation technology and data integration to streamline property management and efficiency.
• Fyma(link is external): delivers occupancy and human activity analytics to improve asset management and property operations.
• Rockport(link is external): provides mission-critical commercial real estate systems to the top financial institutions in the world.
• Work & Mother(link is external): offers a commercial lactation suite service with an associated technology that satisfies property owners’ legal obligations to provide “mother’s rooms.”

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Artificial intelligence expert Jeff Turner warns that the technology is advancing so rapidly that the real estate industry is behind on figuring out its most equitable uses.

It was 2016 when Jeff Turner, cofounder of Tangilla, a REALTOR® association management platform, gave his first presentation on artificial intelligence. At the time, Siri and Alexa were the only real examples of AI, so the urgency he conveyed wasn’t received by the audience.

Today, there are ChatGPT, apps like HeyAnnie, and websites like Humanistic.ai and heypi.com. AI is transforming the world at a much more rapid pace, and real estate is no exception. The foundational models of openAI and ChatGPT provide the infrastructure for what’s to come, much like a computer chip enables software. Society is at an inflection point with technology, almost unlike anything Turner—who has worked in technology since the first personal Macintosh computer came out in 1984—has ever seen. Even the internet wasn’t as transformative as what we’ll see with AI, he said.

But, he warned, the pace at which AI is advancing is unfathomable. “Think about it: When you went to bed on Nov. 29, 2022, none of this was possible. But you woke up on Nov. 30, 2022, all of this was possible,” Turner said.

It’s been a mere six months since ChatGPT launched and it’s already in its third generation. In the next six months, Turner said, “our heads will be spinning.” As an example, Turner says a customer can upload an entire real estate contract and talk it through with AI. A site like heypi.com can answer any question a customer might have about that contract. AI can help the customer understand risk, pricing, logistics—just about any aspect. “It’s pretty accurate. It’s also patient and kind because it doesn’t care how long it takes for me to get this information.”

Though he uses and loves AI, Turner is sounding the alarm once again. The conversations around regulation and control of AI should have happened in 2016. The conversation must happen now, and action must be swift, he said. Data privacy is one of the biggest risk factors for the real estate industry when it comes to AI. Real estate data is highly valuable, unique, and largely private, which is why policy is needed right away.

Turner proposed a four-point framework in which to discuss what policy and regulation might look like for AI:

1. Ethics. This is where transparency, fairness and societal impact come into play. Algorithms play a role in decision-making, so they need to be transparent and easily understood. Algorithms can also lead to bias, which, in turn, can lead to the unfair treatment of certain groups of people, so ethical guidelines need to be clear. There’s fear around AI’s potential to replace humans in certain sectors of the workforce. Policy must take into account the use of AI in real estate and the “broader societal implications, like job displacement or housing impact,” Turner said.
2. Bias. Right now, AI is trained by human beings—and human beings have implicit bias. In order to ensure that algorithms aren’t inherently biased, proposed regulations need to “define strategies for identifying and mitigating bias risk,” Turner said. There is potential, however, for AI systems to promote a more fair and equitable housing market, which should be the goal. Therefore, the use of “diverse and representative data sets” is needed to ensure that AI is developed in a way that minimizes bias.
3. Privacy. Privacy issues range far and wide in the age of the internet, and it’s no different with AI. Data must be protected, but that can be done only if strong and clear “measures to prevent unauthorized access or misuse of sensitive personal information used in AI-driven real estate applications” are implemented, Turner said. This also means clients and professionals need a clear understanding of what data is being collected and why—and they must be able to consent to this collection of data. Additionally, data must be anonymized in order to “protect individuals’ privacy and comply with data collection regulations.”
4. Control. AI tools will soon—if not already—have the capacity to make decisions based on the information received. It is imperative that AI have some form of robust human oversight to provide a checks-and-balances process, Turner suggested. A decision needs to be made on what roles government entities and the real estate industry will play in the regulation of using AI in home sales transactions. Turner said guidelines and policies must be clear and easily understood to “prevent misuse or unintended consequences. This kind of regulation cannot be done in a vacuum, though. The public and stakeholders need to be informed and have a say.”

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Generative tools are being added to programs you use, and they’ll enable your work in ways you can only begin to imagine.

“How can we save 75% of our time and make more money?”

The answer is by learning how to use artificial intelligence for everyday business purposes, said Marki Lemons Ryhal, addressing a standing-room-only session called “The Future of Real Estate: How AI Is Transforming the Industry” at the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings(link is external) in Washington, D.C.

Lemons Ryhal launched into the topic that she said she has been obsessed with for the past six months: how to apply artificial intelligence to your business. Using ChatGPT to write listing copy is just the beginning, she said. Every day, the technologies real estate agents use are integrating AI functionality.

With the design program Canva, for example, you can instantly translate your marketing materials into other languages. You also can use AI to quickly write blog posts, create imagery, build out work processes or put together a business plan. Lemons Ryhal has even used tools like Synthesia(link is external) to create an avatar image and voice that can do the talking for her.

Even if it seems like everyone is jumping on the AI bandwagon, the technology is still in early stages, assured Lemons Ryhal, who also hosts REALTOR® Magazine’s monthly Drive with NAR podcast. ChatGPT was just introduced at the end of last November, she said, and it’s not too late to jump in and experiment. Using the applications is simple: Type in a prompt, such as “write an article on the benefits of staging a home,” and you’ll have the article before you know it. “The more specific the prompt, the better your results,” she said. “There’s even a new career, ‘prompt engineer,’ for people who have the ability to write instructions for AI,” Lemons Ryhal said.

But she offered several words of caution:

• First and foremost, remember your ethical duties. If you’re producing bilingual marketing materials and you aren’t bilingual, for example, make sure you have a good network of agents for referrals.
• Make the investment to use the paid versions of AI tools so that you have all the features available to you.
• Fact check and proofread everything you produce using AI. You’re responsible for the accuracy of your work, regardless of how it’s produced.
• Stay on top of developments in AI. Questions about copyright of AI-generated materials, for example, are still being decided. Lemons Ryhal suggested applying your creative touch to make AI-generated copy and images your own.

One thing is certain: AI use in business is not going away. “It took Facebook 10 months to get a million users. ChatGPT had a million users in five days. By January, there were 100 million users,” Lemons Ryhal said. If you’re not one of them, you need to be, she warned: “AI will not replace you. A person using AI will replace you.”

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

From large, staple appliances to small gadgets, the kitchen is the perfect playground for smart home technology.

As the world continues to embrace technology, it is no surprise that smart kitchens are becoming more popular. These high-tech kitchens are equipped with gadgets and appliances that make cooking and food preparation a breeze. Not only do they make life easier, but they also add value to homes.

Smart Refrigerators

One of the most popular gadgets in a smart kitchen is a smart refrigerator. Smart refrigerators are designed to do much more than just keep food cold. They come equipped with touchscreens that allow you to access recipes, make grocery lists and even order groceries online. One great example of a smart refrigerator is the Samsung Family Hub(link is external). This fridge features a 21.5-inch touchscreen that allows you to control your connected home, stream music and even watch TV while you cook.

Smart Ovens

Smart ovens are another must-have gadget in a smart kitchen. Smart ovens are designed to help you cook your meals to perfection every time. They come with features like temperature probes that monitor the temperature of your food and alert you when it’s done cooking. You can control the GE Profile Smart Oven(link is external) from your smartphone, so you can preheat it, set the timer and monitor your food from anywhere.

Smart Coffee Makers

Smart coffee makers are also gaining popularity in smart kitchens. Use your smartphone to program the coffeemaker to make your coffee on demand, or schedule it to brew when you’re ready. The Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker(link is external) gives you the option to brew a single cup or a full pot and has the ability to be programmed to brew your coffee at a specific time. Plus, it features a voice control option compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant, so now, you can audibly request a pot of coffee to brew, and that’s what happens.

Smart Dishwashers

The smart dishwasher is a must-have and makes clean dishes a breeze. It won’t put them away fro you, but it’ll do just about everything else. Smart dishwashers come equipped with sensors that detect how dirty your dishes are and adjust the wash cycle accordingly. They also come with features like voice control and smartphone apps that allow you to start and stop the dishwasher from anywhere. The Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher(link is external) is designed to be ultra-quiet and comes with a smartphone app that allows you to monitor the cycle and receive alerts when it’s done.

Smaller Smart Kitchen Gadgets

A smart kitchen isn’t just limited to the large, main appliances, though. There are other gadgets that can make cooking and food preparation even easier. One such gadget is a smart faucet, like the Moen Smart Faucet(link is external), which can be controlled using voice commands or touchless technology. This allows you to control the water flow and temperature without ever touching the faucet handle. It can even dispense precise amounts of water, so you don’t need to use a measuring cup.

Another must-have appliance for the modern kitchen is the Instant Pot Pro Plus(link is external). This smart pressure cooker can cook a variety of dishes and comes with a range of features such as a delay start, keep-warm function, and a variety of pre-set cooking programs.

For those who love grilling, the Meater Plus Thermometer(link is external) is a great addition to any smart kitchen. This wireless thermometer can be used to monitor the temperature of meat from anywhere, allowing you to cook it to perfection every time.

Lastly, the Cosari Pro II Air Fryer(link is external) is a game-changer in the world of air fryers. With its smart features, this air fryer can cook food quickly and healthily, and can be controlled using your smartphone or through voice commands.

From smart refrigerators to air fryers, smart faucets to pressure cookers, wireless thermometers to coffee makers, these gadgets and appliances can make cooking and food preparation easier, more efficient and more enjoyable. If you’re looking to upgrade your home, consider investing in these smart kitchen gadgets to make your life easier and impress your friends and family.

©National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission