Today’s reality in the real estate industry is complex—juggling constant calls, texts, emails, and social DMs. The challenge isn’t just responding quickly, but also doing so with clarity and consistency while staying ultra-focused on client service.
Voice technology is emerging as a powerful tool to bridge that gap—not by replacing real estate professionals but by reinforcing their role with smarter support.
Why Voice, and Why Now?
Voice is our most natural communication method. It’s faster than typing, more accessible than video, and easier to use on the go. For real estate professionals, it’s perfectly suited for a service-centric profession that prides itself on relationships.
Besides just talking to a smart home speaker, voice tech is being embedded into websites, apps, and messaging platforms. The result? Real-time information delivery that keeps deals moving, answers flowing, and clients engaged—without slowing you down—and that still offers a personal touch.
Let’s take an example. A first-time buyer visits your site and starts asking questions about listings. A voice-enabled assistant can deliver personalized answers in seconds. Or picture a new agent that needs help entering a listing for the first time —no more waiting on support. Voice support from can provide an accurate response instantly, even in their preferred language.
Case in Point: Voiceflip
Among the innovators in this space is Voiceflip, a REACH Canada portfolio company. Their technology powers AI-driven voice assistants that help real estate professionals deliver support across multiple channels—voice, text, web chat, and WhatsApp. Their flagship solution, Ardi, acts as a multilingual, multi-channel support agent that integrates with association documents and MLS policies.
What sets Ardi apart is not the novelty—it’s the precision and accessibility. Real estate professionals can ask questions like “What’s the process for submitting a listing?” and receive answers within seconds, even specifically tailored to their local association rules.
“We’re not here to replace people,” says Voiceflip CEO Kurtis Cicalo. “We’re here to amplify real estate professionals to meet them where they are and free them to focus on what they do best.”
Voice Tech Is Not a Gimmick—It’s the Next Standard
Amid rising client expectations, language diversity, and the need for constant responsiveness, real estate professionals may not be able to afford to view voice tech as optional. After all, it’s the connective tissue that could keep relationships strong while operations scale.
“My time is money, and voice tech gives me answers on the move,” says Marki Lemons Ryhal, a real estate educator and tech advocate. “It’s like having a smart assistant in my pocket—and that’s the future of our business.”
How to Use It in Your Business
If you’re looking to integrate voice technology into your workflow or service offering, here’s where to start:
- Audit your communication touchpoints: Identify where delays, confusion or information gaps slow you down. These are prime candidates for voice enablement.
- Look for tech that integrates with your existing systems: For example, tools like Voiceflip’s Ardi can sync with your MLS or association docs, so you’re not starting from scratch. Need a few additional ideas? Check out the REACH Global portfolio of companies for other options that include voice enablement as part of the solution!
- Test drive a voice assistant: Experience it firsthand. Use it for a week in your day-to-day operations and measure the impact on time saved or questions answered.
- Start with your team or brokerage: Voice tech can scale across internal support channels before you roll it out to clients—making onboarding and operations more efficient.
- Stay informed: Follow REACH Canada’s portfolio updates to see what other real estate-centric innovations are coming to market.
The future of real estate isn’t just about tech. It’s about tech that understands real estate professionals. And voice appears to be leading the conversation.
REACH Canada is a growth accelerator created by Second Century Ventures, a technology growth fund backed by the National Association of REALTORS®.
If you’d like to take a deeper dive into voice technology, join REACH Canada and industry innovators, including Voiceflip CEO Kurtis Cicalo, on Thursday May 29, at noon CT for an upcoming webinar that looks at how real estate professionals are using AI-powered voice assistants to streamline client interactions, navigate MLS rules faster, and create better experiences—without losing the human touch that real estate is built on. Check out Events for more info.
