News Release
Wahi Launches AI-Powered Image Search to Help Homebuyers
Find Their Dream Home Faster
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Industry-first AI-powered tool allows homebuyers to filter images in property listings for the homes that match their preferences, creating a faster and smarter home search experience.
TORONTO, ONT. —October 16, 2024 — Today, Wahi launched the first image filter in Canada that lets homebuyers search for specific features they want in a home using listing photos.
Developed in conjunction with Western University researchers, the image annotation model uses generative AI to filter properties for sale using images. For example, homebuyers can search for homes by using search terms that relate to the characteristics of an image, such as “renovated kitchen” or “finished basement” to find listings that include those attributes. Properties that match their search criteria are then prioritized to offer personalized listings that include the features they are looking for. This simplifies and personalizes the home search by allowing Wahi users to find properties they like more quickly and efficiently.
Traditional real estate search requires home hunters to browse through hundreds of listings, each with 10 to 20 photos, to find the design aesthetic they are seeking. Using Amazon Web Services’ cloud computing, generative AI enhances the home search experience by allowing consumers to search for properties using an image-based filter.
“Using AI we can pull from photos of hundreds of property listings to find things like specific countertops, finished basements or a type of backyard. This adds a new dimension to the real estate industry,” says Eman Nejad, Wahi’s Head of Data Science. “These AI-enabled image searches will go a long way in helping homebuyers find the homes they want, faster.”
Photos are perhaps the most important part of real estate listings, so the ability to filter based on specific characteristics not only simplifies the search process but also ensures consumers only see, or receive alerts for the listings that match their unique preferences.
“Wahi’s adoption of GenAI sets it apart from other real estate platforms, offering a competitive edge by providing a more tailored and user-friendly experience,” says Yimmin Yang, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Western who collaborated with Nejad on building the model. “The integration of artificial intelligence in the real estate industry is a testament to the continuous evolution of technology to meet the changing needs and expectations of consumers,” adds Yang, who co-authored Enhancing Residential Real Estate Search with Classification Strategies with Nejad, which was presented at the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Consumer Electronics in January.
Since its launch, Wahi has received the Canadian Business Innovation Award Innovation Award in 2023 and 2024, a 2024 Webby Honoree Award for Apps & Software – Services & Utilities, and the 2024 Inman AI Award for Top Real Estate AI Startup.
About Wahi
Wahi redefines the homebuying experience by putting more power into consumers’ hands. By combining cutting-edge tech and market data with expert Realtors, Wahi offers unmatched access to insights, tools and the team that makes buying a home faster and easier. Learn more at wahi.com.
News Media Contacts:
Kristin Doucet
Wahi
Tel: 877-207-4273