Startup Alley primer: 8 exhibitors busking their tech talents

Have suggestions for products that you’d like to see reviewed by our real estate technology expert? Email Craig Rowe.

Startup Alley at Inman Connect is like an obscure street bazaar in a strange city that timid tourists are nervous to visit.

It’s the place where you’ll brush up against the gritty, tech-savvy market competitors and the real estate agents who avoid the safe places at the conference in exchange for learning about some rare, undiscovered technological advantage.

Email a sales representative to book your spot in Startup Alley

I’ve already poked around at some of those who will be busking their tech talents come January at ICNY, and here’s a primer for you from my review column:

Bank Shot 

This app developed by an agent in Atlanta lets users send check images straight from the closing table or office for faster electronic transactions.

Bank Shot is definitely a worthwhile tool, but I think it needs interface improvements. Still, I always grant leeway to products developed by those in the industry.

Buddy Agent 

Another agent-created tool, this web and mobile software allows busy agents to take a break by handing off buyer and listing prospects quickly and professionally to other agents in their office.

HomeView

This app uses images to help a person manage the items and appliances in their home.

Users visually drill down from an exterior shot to individual rooms, utility closets and even murky basement corners. Each image has label overlays and data about important assets.

Immoviewer

This is the most simple 3-D tour creation software I’ve come across. The app’s user experience is all about simplicity; a home can be rendered in under an hour.

KoaWare

If you need more evidence that real estate software is all about offering convenience to busy agents, I give you KoaWare. This software makes individual listing pages in just a couple of minutes.

Preclose

A lot happens after a home goes under contract and before the sale is finalized. This app lets you smoothly handle it.

Preclose was developed by Rebecca Guthrie, BoomTown’s fifth employee who later served as director of operations.

RealMailers

Direct mail works, and this company is out to prove it. Again.

Relola

If you read my column regularly, you know I’m a fan of Relola. It fosters transparent, open conversation about listings and the real estate market, and I’m not just saying that because they quoted me on their website.

Click here to see the full round of Inman Connect 2017 Startup Alley participants. If you haven’t registered for the coolest conference in real estate, do so here.

Have a technology product you would like to discuss? Email Craig Rowe.