Breaking Barriers in Real Estate: How to Make Your Listings Accessible to All w/ Kathleen Lappe

A lot of people are locked out of homeownership because the actual listings aren’t accessible to everyone. For disabled, impaired, neurodivergent and non-English speaking buyers, not having an audio option creates a massive barrier right from the home search stage.  

What if the listing could be presented in a language and format they can easily consume? 

The most valuable real estate agents understand the importance of being of service to EVERYONE. 

In order to do this and expand our opportunities across any barrier or language, we have to make sure the information on the listing is packaged for a diverse array of people. 

That’s where DirectOffer comes in. This tool leverages AI to bring accessibility to real estate information. Started by a mother with a neurodivergent child, this tool is something all agents should be using right now. 

How does Direct Offer work? How does it knock down a huge barrier to homeownership? In this episode, entrepreneur in real estate technology and founder of DirectOffer, Kathleen Lappe shares her story, and how this tool makes real estate more accessible. 

We often feel like AI technology will take away from the agent. As long as the agent learns to communicate in the way the consumer wants to be communicated with, it won’t. -Kathleen Lappe

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode 

• Do the right thing, outearn other agents  Serving impaired clients and underserved people isn’t just the right thing to do, how does it make a real estate professional more valuable?
• How to leverage Direct Offer  Breaking down the barriers to homeownership should start at the home search stage. How is Direct Offer making it easier for disabled and neurodivergent buyers? 
• A path to home ownership for all  If we’re only packaging our listings and real estate marketing materials for abled people, we’re cutting ourselves off from millions of potential clients. How do we make sure the information we’re putting out is accessible to everyone? 

Guest Bio

Kathleen Lappe is an innovative entrepreneur in real estate technology known for her visionary leadership and commitment to accessibility. She founded DirectOffer, Inc., a pioneering software company that has secured multiple patents for real estate technology, specializing in multilingual solutions and ADA-compliant listings. Kathleen's entrepreneurial journey boasts four successful startups, three still thriving today. Her expertise led to the creation of DOAT (DO AudioTours), a global patent revolutionizing property listing by offering automated, ADA-compliant, multilingual audio-visual experiences. DOAT also streamlines communication through lead routing and direct agent contact integration. Kathleen Lappe's drive for innovation, inclusivity, and transformative technology has left an indelible mark on the real estate industry. To work with Direct Offer, visit https://directoffer.com/. 

About Your Host

​​Licensed Managing Broker, REALTORS®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars.

Six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, one of 100 speakers selected to speak the REALTOR® Conference & Expo five times, and an Inman closing Keynote Speaker. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.

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