Flyhomes, a Seattle real estate startup, has released a new feature called NeighborVote that allows house hunters to add politics to their search for a new home. Through this tool, shoppers can determine whether a listing is in an area that votes Democratic or Republican based on past voting data and the political parties of current elected representatives. The information for this feature comes from the MIT Election Data & Science Lab. The question arises whether a tool that reinforces political divisions is a good idea in a time where America is strongly polarized.
The launch of NeighborVote by Flyhomes is not meant to be a political statement, according to Tushar Garg, co-founder and CEO of the company. Instead, it was designed to explore the potential of information retrieval with AI and large language models, aiming to help customers make more informed home-buying decisions. Adam Hopson, Flyhomes’ chief strategy officer, sees this tool as an additional factor for consumers to consider alongside other community details typically included in real estate listings such as transit availability, walkability, and public school performance.
Although Seattle is a largely liberal city, it also has pockets of conservative voters. Flyhomes’ feature currently does not provide information on neighborhoods within the city that vote red, as detailed neighborhood voting patterns are not available in the information provided. However, the tool can confirm the city’s Democratic leanings, while also emphasizing the importance of considering multiple factors in making real estate decisions beyond just political information. This highlights the company’s nuanced approach to utilizing political information in the home-buying process.
Diving into a specific example, the tool’s response to a query about a listing in Richland, Washington, included results from the 2022 congressional election as well as the past two presidential elections. All three elections were won by Republicans, indicating a strong Republican presence in the area and suggesting it is a red neighborhood. The tool acknowledges that local factors can have a more direct impact on real estate trends than simply political information, emphasizing the complexity of the home-buying decision-making process.
In a country where political divisions are deeply entrenched, adding politics to the home-buying equation raises questions about the potential ramifications of such a tool. Flyhomes’ NeighborVote feature provides yet another dimension for house hunters to consider as they navigate the real estate market. By offering data on the political affiliations of neighborhoods, the tool aims to empower consumers to make more informed decisions, while also recognizing the importance of evaluating a range of factors beyond politics. Ultimately, the impact of politics in real estate remains a complex issue, and tools like NeighborVote prompt reflection on the intersection of personal beliefs and the places we choose to call home.
