Hortons has launched an AI-powered search tool that allows users to find properties, moving information and local agents through a single search function.
The self-employed estate agency platform said users carried out more than 14,000 searches through Intelligent Search during a one-month beta period.
The figure excludes searches made through the website’s conventional property search.
Intelligent Search uses relevance-based results rather than relying solely on postcode or area filters.
Users can enter broader searches such as “3-bedroom houses in [area]”. They can also search for a specific village or road.
Results can include matching properties, moving information and details of the relevant local Hortons agent.
The company’s standard property filters remain available.
Hortons launched its self-employed agency model in 2016.
Founder Adam Horton commented: “Intelligent Search is our latest clear redirection of the company, becoming AI augmented agency.
“It has two aims: to help agents become more efficient so they can spend more time on the human elements of the job, and to use AI to make life easier for our buyers and sellers.”
The company said the search function forms part of several AI projects it is developing.
Horton added: “This is the latest of several AI projects we’ve launched. We’re investing across the business, and there’s a lot more coming on search specifically.”
Comments (1)
Traditional search and AI search run orthogonal to each other.
Portals work on vanity metrics of page views. A user who wanted a house browses 20 pages instead of 2 is rewarding for portals. One of the few businesses where success is enhanced by creating friction for the user.
While whole point of AI search is to find most relevant result in one shot.
Good initiative, would be interesting if Adam Horton talks a bit about how much AI helped improve search completion rate (users requested viewing for what they found) and reduction in time it took them to locate ideal property.