Wilmington-based XiLi Mobile, which provides a software-as-a-service tool for real estate agents to generate leads, is in its fifth year of business and continues to slowly scale up operations.
The company, which offers real estate agents mechanisms to develop relationships with potential buyers, relies entirely on its mobile presence and technology to assist potential buyers and bridge connections to agents.
According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 90 percent of new home buyers begin their search on a mobile device. XiLi Mobile offers a portal for home buyers to view full listing details on homes in their target search area. If you’re thinking “isn’t this like Zillow, or Trulia, or RedFin?” you’d be right. XiLi, however, hopes to capitalize on the fact that they’re presenting information in a different manner (almost exclusively on mobile) and they’re providing an easier mechanism for contacting the listing agent: text messaging.
“Home buyers already know how to send text messages,” said co-founder and director of marketing Chris Colin in an interview, “and would much rather do this than actually talk to a person.”
The company aims to provide an automated process on both sides of the interaction, creating a bridge and bond between agent and home buyer as simply as possible.
XiLi has users in all 50 states, and recently launched a white-labeled enterprise solution for large real estate firms. The company generates revenue through their subscription service model, where agents pay a $25 monthly fee for priority listing on the platform and automation tools to make communication with potential buyers easier. Leads are automatically delivered to the agent any time a potential home buyer views their listing.
The company recently inked a deal with Keller Williams, the largest real estate company in the world, to be the sole provider of text-messaging based marketing. The partnership brings the service to more than 110 Keller Williams offices.
Real estate firm Coldwell Banker is also on XiLi’s client list, with an exclusive partnership in the Wilmington area. That franchise is the fourth largest Coldwell Banker franchise in the nation.
The company plans to continue to hire staff as they ramp up operations. The company does not plan to seek major investment, preferring to slowly build their business and scale operations in Wilmington.
