Property Tool Review: SRX’s Sevi Chatbot

For your information, Sevi (Search, Evaluate, Valuation, and Initiate transactions) is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) chatbot that answers property questions from property agents and end users. It helps to find the exact information the users are looking for, without the hassle to comb through the site looking for answers.

Similar to chatting with someone on instant messaging platforms like Whatsapp and WeChat, Sevi can interact with humans using common English text (also known as NLP or Natural Language Processing).

By coincidence, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister-In-Charge of Smart Nation, revealed to the media this week that IDA (Infocomm Development Authority) will also be using chatbots as virtual assistants to answer questions from the public in the government websites.


The green hair girl avatar

Sevi can be easily located on the homepage of SRX.com.sg, right at the bottom right hand corner.

The avatar of Sevi is a girl with green hair and green eyes. Although it is far from the typical Singapore property agent look (dressed in white shirts black jackets, with the face heavily touched up by Photoshop), it has the future potential to become a Singapore mascot like the Courtesy Lion, Bobo the Elephant and Captain Green. (Maybe they should consider Professor Owl?)


An interesting conversation with the robot girl

I started testing the property tool with questions often raised by my blog readers. If Sevi can come up with good answers, next time when someone asks a similar question, perhaps I can direct the person to the SRX website.

Below is an abstract of my conversations with Serv the chatbox.

Sevi: I’m Sevi, your personal assistant.
You can ask me basic property questions about transactions, listings, project info and X-value. Some Examples: … Type RESET or HELP whenever you need.

Me: Is it a good time to buy now?

Sevi: Location is required for Project Information. Please enter a location.

Me: Should I buy overseas properties?

Sevi: What would you like to know about the following?
Sale

Me: Do you think GEM Residences is a good buy?

Sevi: GEM RESIDENCES is the latest residential condominium set to redefine the skylines of Toa Payoh. Conveniently located in the Central Region of Singapore, various amenities such as prestigious schools, community clubs and stadium in the area offer great conveniences to residents.
Gem Residences’ In…
View details

Me: Should I go for HDB, Built-to-Order or EC?

Sevi: I have some suggestions for your location “EC”.
Please choose one from below by replying 1, 2, 3, etc.
1. ECO
2. ECO SANCTUARY (CONDO)
3. ECHELON (CONDO)
4. PARKVIEW ECLAT (CONDO)
5. ECOVILLE (CONDO)
6. None of the above

Me: Where are the good deals in the market?

Sevi: What would you like to know about the following?
cheap, market

Me: When will the government lift the cooling measures?

Sevi: Are you switching topic on me? A simple Yes or No would be helpful.


Tips of using Serv chatbox

Oops, I think I am not asking the right questions or talking in the right robotic language. I should have followed the instructions to ask “basic property questions about transactions, listings, project info and X-value” only.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of following instructions and standard operating procedures. I should have learned from the recent bank robbery case: If an unarmed and muted customer gives the bank teller a written note to demand for money, the standard procedure is to ask him for his IC and to fill in the account withdrawal form – not to offer S$30,000 in cash.

Anyway, below are the type of queries that you can or cannot rely on Sevi to give you the answers:

1. The Can Do list

– The basic info of a project
– Project location and nearby amenities
– Project floor plans and photo gallery
– Latest transactions and valuation
– Monthly loan repayments using mortgage calculator
– Related sale and rental listings in the SRX portal
– List of projects available for sale/rent in a location
– Market data released by SRX
– Topics that have been covered in the site previously (e.g. cooling measures)

2. The Can’t Do list

– Project comparisons
– Return on investment calculations
– Market forecasts in property sectors
– More in-depth analyses
– Recommendations on good buys
– Qualitative questions


A casual conversation with Sevi

What I like about Sevi is that it stores my questions in the cache and always brings me back to focus on ‘property questions’ whenever I am distracted.

Me: Why are you called Sevi?

Sevi: Fantastic! Except for the fact that I don’t understand what you’re trying to say… I do understand Property though 🙂 Type “Help” if you need assistance.

Me: I think your green hair is cool.

Sevi: Hmmm.. What would you like to know about property? Choose below.
1. Listings
2. Transactions
3. Home Value
4. Project Information
5. More Options
Type RESET at any time to start a new conversation.
Type 1, 2, 3, etc. to reply.

Me: Can we go for coffee one of these days?

Serv: What would you like to know about the following?
Let me clarify. Do you mean you want to know about project information?

Me: What about next Saturday afternoon?

Serv: Sorry, I don’t quite catch you. What would you like to know?
1. Listings
2. Transactions
3. Home Value
4. Project Information
5. More Options
Type RESET at any time to start a new conversation.
Type 1, 2, 3, etc. to reply.
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Show 10,247 condo properties for rent
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