IRHM, Your Global Window into Real Estate and Hospitality

April 4, 2026

AI

CoStar Group has launched a voice-enabled AI experience on Homes.com to modernize property searching. By using Microsoft technology and 3D digital twins, the platform allows for real-time conversations to help buyers refine their choices. The system prioritizes data privacy and maintains the role of real estate agents by sending leads directly to them. This move marks a significant shift from traditional keyword searches to a more personalized, human-like digital consultation for home buyers.
Dubai-based AI lab Smart Bricks has secured $5 million in pre-seed funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. The startup is developing agentic AI infrastructure to automate the global real estate investment process. By processing millions of data points, the platform identifies high-value opportunities and handles underwriting in minutes rather than months. The company aims to provide retail and institutional investors with the same sophisticated tools used by major private equity firms.
JLL has named Mouhammad Takieddin as the new Regional Head and CEO for the Middle East and Africa. Based in Riyadh, Takieddin brings 25 years of experience from Procter & Gamble to lead JLL’s expansion into high-growth sectors including data centres and AI-driven facilities management. This strategic move strengthens the firm's leadership alongside existing regional heads while deepening its established ties with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Real estate giant REMAX has announced a major expansion of its global network with the sale of master franchise rights in Libya and a new office opening in Azerbaijan. The Tripoli-based Libyan operation is led by experienced owners Zyead and Alhareth Ghattour. In Baku, entrepreneur İdris Cengiz has launched a 2,000 square foot facility to serve a growing market. These moves increase the brand's presence to more than 120 countries and territories.
PropTech firm Visitt has secured $22 million in Series B funding to accelerate its AI-driven property operations platform. Led by Susquehanna Growth Equity, the investment follows a massive period of growth in which the company saw its managed square footage increase by over 900 per cent in 2025. The new capital will be used to develop further AI agents and scale its customer support teams to meet rising demand across the industrial, office and retail sectors.
AirTrunk has secured a new site in Melbourne's north-west for a massive 354MW hyperscale data centre campus. The A$5 billion MEL2 project will take the company's total Victorian investment to A$7 billion and support Australia's recently launched National AI Plan. It is estimated that the development will create 4,000 construction jobs and over 200 permanent roles.

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