Lancefield home for sale uses AI technology to 'speak' to potential buyers

What questions do you have up your sleeve when viewing a property for sale? 

What would you ask if you were given the chance to chat with the house itself? 

Maybe you’d want the lowdown on the neighbours? Which little nook gets the best afternoon sun? Or perhaps a plea to uncover any hidden surprises best exposed before signing on the dotted line?

Anyone who’s wished walls could talk has their request granted at this unique property in Lancefield, currently on the market and offering its own AI search field for buyer queries. 

Just type in your question and let the house spill the beans, says vendor Kyle Behrend. “Our home has stories, memories, and now, thanks to AI, it has answers, too.” 

$595,000 - $625,000

2B Rose Boulevard, Lancefield VIC 3435

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A quick search field interrogation and the house reveals the neighbours are the friendly type who love a backyard barbecue, the sun’s warmest embrace is in the dining nook, and there are no hidden alligators or trapdoors to be found. 

Of course, we are actually conversing with a chatbot that Behrend has “trained”. 

He works as a tech consultant for non-profit organisations, tapping into artificial intelligence to improve systems, create content and provide front-facing user support.

“While playing around with a chatbot one day, I thought it would be really fun to have a chatbot for our house,” Behrend says. 

“AI has opened up so many opportunities for us to do things in new ways, and I thought this would be a fun experiment to provide potential buyers a novel way to ask questions about the house while having a fun experience at the same time.” 

Behrend and his family are selling so they can purchase a small acreage; the animal lovers want the room to adopt rescued sheep, adding to the cats and dogs they already own.

Their three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is well set up for kitty-owning buyers, with an enclosed outdoor cat run that promises to protect local wildlife while the feline kids frolic.

There are plenty of native animals to be found in Lancefield and its surrounds, situated in the picturesque Macedon Ranges not far from the larger towns of Woodend and Kyneton. 

Lancefield attracts Melbourne day-trippers for its village vibes, quaint stores housed in 19th-century architecture, and proximity to wineries and the iconic Hanging Rock.  

According to the chatbot, it’s a 10 to 15-minute stroll to the main street, where you’ll find cafes and the local pub, and (wisely, there’s a disclaimer on the site that the chatbot is purely for entertainment purposes) it mentions you might encounter a friendly neighbourhood squirrel on the way, one type of fauna surely not found in Lancefield. 

Luckily, estate agent Joshua Reeves at Ray White in Romsey is on hand for more (reliable) information and says the house will appeal to a broad range of buyers, from first-home buyers to downsizers or, with its stellar location, those looking for a weekend retreat. 

And though the chatbot has comic appeal, Reeves says it’s also a clever tool. 

“Potential buyers sometimes hesitate to reach out to an agent, or an agent may not always be available immediately. The AI chatbot enables prospective buyers to access information and receive real-time answers, providing a seamless service at the touch of a few buttons.” 

Behrend is excited about the changes ahead but will miss this property in a town where his young family found a community. 

“It’s really been a beautiful home to us all, and we’re grateful to be moving with so many wonderful memories. We’ll miss our friendly neighbours and catch-ups, chats with other dog lovers in the park, lounging on the couch as the sun comes through the large northern windows, seeing our cats have fun in their outdoor ‘catio’, and having friends come and hang out.”