Product and Services Roundup: Lifull, Lianjia, Rumah123

This week's Product Roundup is all about Asia. We'll start with a generative AI tool coming out of Japan...

Asia: Lifull teams up with Wills to develop Japan's first GenAI tool

Lifull Co. and real estate agency Wills Co. have launched what they describe as Japan’s first generative AI-powered appraisal tool, enabling homeowners to estimate property values through a conversational interface on the Line messaging app.

The AI, named “Will-kun,” delivers real-time price estimates along with explanations based on both positive and negative factors influencing the property's valuation. Unlike traditional AI appraisal systems, Will-kun is designed to respond to follow-up questions, such as how to raise a property's value or whether an untidy room affects pricing.

Currently in beta, the service is limited to condominium properties in Osaka, Hyogo, and Nagoya, with plans to expand both geographically and across other property types. To use the service, users scan a QR code to connect with the tool via Line.

Lifull, which operates real estate portal Homes.co.jp, said the tool is aimed at lowering the psychological barriers many sellers face at the outset of the property sales process.

Kenji Yamazaki, general manager of Lifull’s Innovation Development Department, said:

"Selling real estate is a life-changing event, but psychological hurdles such as ‘I don’t know how much it will sell for’ and ‘I’m afraid I’ll be hit with sales pitches’ can prevent people from taking the first step. Will-kun presents the estimated price and the reasons for it in real time, offering a sense of satisfaction and peace of mind."

The tool blends Wills’ property appraisal data with Lifull’s proprietary large language model infrastructure, aiming to make AI-based valuations more transparent and interactive.

Wills’ digital marketing lead Yuka Tamon said the goal is to be at the forefront of another industry shift: “In the late 1990s, we were among the first in the industry to use websites to attract customers. Now, with AI, we want to lead once again.”

Lianjia offers extra support for visually impaired tenants

Beijing Lianjia, a real estate agency owned by China-based tech company 58.com, has launched a training initiative aimed at helping visually impaired college graduates navigate the rental process.

Timed ahead of China’s National Day for the Disabled, the program is being run in partnership with the Golden Blind Stick charity and focuses on equipping attendees with practical knowledge about renting—from selecting and viewing properties to signing contracts.

“Transitioning from university to working life is a key milestone for any graduate, but for those who are visually impaired, it can be significantly more complex,” the company said.

Participants were given guidance on avoiding common rental pitfalls, such as low-cost shared housing with inadequate facilities. The sessions also covered how to assess whether a property has barrier-free access and suitable local amenities. Renters who rely on guide dogs were advised to confirm pet policies with landlords in advance and to involve family or friends when reviewing rental agreements, particularly around fees, breach clauses, and maintenance responsibilities.

Lianjia staff recommended having someone present during the signing process to provide additional support or to sign on the renter’s behalf if needed.

The company says all of its branches in Beijing are equipped to support visually impaired clients, offering services such as escorted property viewings and verbal explanations of contract terms. The training also included a hands-on session, where participants practised viewing and evaluating a real apartment.

Rumah123 partners with fintech Ringkas on mortgages

Indonesia-based property portal Rumah123 has partnered with fintech startup Ringkas to streamline the mortgage journey for prospective homebuyers.

The integration will allow users to move from browsing listings to starting mortgage applications within the same digital environment. Ringkas connects users with a network of 28 banking institutions via more than 700 branches, offering broad access to financing options.

Its platform includes tools such as pre-qualification assessments, eKYC processing, borrowing capacity checks, and credit evaluations—features designed to simplify and accelerate loan approvals.

Commenting on LinkedIn, Ilya Kravstov, co-founder at Ringkas, said:

"We, at Ringkas, are excited to partner with the largest property marketplace in Indonesia, Rumah123 & 99 Group, to streamline the home financing experience for millions of citizens."