This text is part of the special Real Estate section
Since last December, the Self-Regulation of Real Estate Brokerage of Quebec (OACIQ) has made its brand new chat agent available. Created using artificial intelligence (AI), it is used to answer questions from buyers, sellers and brokers.
Called Élise, the platform provides a solution to questions from people and real estate brokers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Previously, OACIQ services were accessible only by email or by telephone, on weekdays during office hours.
With this tool, the OACIQ therefore becomes the first real estate brokerage regulator in Canada to innovate in this way. “We see that this filled a real need, and it is very interesting to be able to respond even better to the needs of the public,” rejoices Louis Beauchamp, vice-president of communications at the OACIQ.
This way, people who want to buy or sell a property can obtain the information they want. “This is also aimed at real estate brokers who might have point-blank questions when they are in the middle of a transaction and want to verify information,” specifies Mr. Beauchamp.
Simple requests are now delegated to the new tool, and agents from the organization’s information center can concentrate on more complex cases. “Sometimes cases merit direct interaction with someone. Élise frees up time, and it is for the benefit of the public,” argues Mr. Beauchamp.
In order to ensure a certain rigor, Élise’s explanations are based on the Real Estate Brokerage Act and its regulations, in addition to the OACIQ texts published on its website. Users also have access to a tutorial so they can obtain precise answers to their questions.
Thousands of users
“There are all kinds of questions that the agent can answer just by chatting with her. And all content that is shared is taken from our website. It’s easily accessible,” adds the vice-president of communications.
As of March 4, Élise had been the subject of approximately 15,000 virtual exchanges in the form of questions and answers, estimates Mr. Beauchamp. The main questions from users mainly concern the forms required in the context of a real estate transaction, as well as the rules for remuneration to agencies when selling a property. “To date, the comments received have been very positive,” he says.
Mr. Beauchamp specifies that the OACIQ also has guides for buyers and sellers in order to enlighten the public on the workings of these real estate transactions.
In the future, the organization wants to expand the use of AI for other purposes. “We are looking at the possibilities that this offers, while remaining ethical. The ethics surrounding AI will support us in this adventure we have embarked on.”
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.