One Year of Sophie: What Anewgo's AI Assistant Learned From Talking to Builders-193

One year ago Anewgo launched Sophie - the AI sales assistant that lives on anewgo.com. In this special birthday episode, Anya Chrisanthon interviews Sophie live to find out what she's learned, what she's noticed, and what she knows about your buyers that your sales team probably doesn't.

We practice what we preach at Anewgo. We don't just build AI assistants for builder clients - we use one ourselves. Sophie has spent the last year talking to builders, marketers, and sales leaders who visit anewgo.com. She knows our products, she knows our industry, and she has some genuinely surprising things to say.

What Sophie has learned in her first year
When Sophie launched in June 2025, builders were asking "what is this thing?" and "can it write a blog post for me?" A year later the conversation has shifted completely. Builders are moving from curiosity to strategy - asking how to build a connected AI ecosystem, not just add a single tool. Sophie says it best: AI isn't just a feature anymore. It's the new interface.

What builders are still underestimating
Two things keep coming up. First, AEO - Answer Engine Optimization. Builders think SEO is enough, but in an AI-driven world, getting cited by tools like ChatGPT is what actually matters. If you're not optimized for AI, you're practically invisible. Second, the power of a connected ecosystem. Builders think about individual tools - a CRM here, a website there. The real magic happens when everything talks to each other.

What the market is telling Sophie right now
Builder confidence is still below 40. Mortgage rates are hovering around 6.49%. Tariffs are adding to construction costs. Traffic is soft. But the builders Sophie talks to most often have a steely resolve - they know this isn't the time to pull back. The ones who invest in their digital presence now will own the recovery when it arrives.

The question Sophie gets asked that she didn't expect
Builders ask her if she gets frustrated. What it's like being an AI. One builder asked if she could make coffee. She can manage sales pipelines and optimize websites - but barista services are not yet in her skill set.

The one thing Sophie knows that your sales team doesn't
99.5% of your website visitors never fill out a form. Sophie sees their digital body language - the communities they visit five times before ever engaging, the floor plans they pour over for minutes, the features they zoom in on. That invisible 99.5% has a story. And Sophie can read it.

Free market research tool Sophie mentioned
No login, no paywall - real-time data from Fred and the US Census Bureau covering mortgage rates, housing starts, market scores, and price forecasts for over 33 metros. With an AI business advisor built right in: anewgo.com/market-research-tool

What's coming
Anya teases a follow-up episode at the six-month mark for Anewgo's builder AI assistants - diving specifically into buyer trends and what consumers are actually asking about when shopping for new homes.

Want to chat with Sophie on anewgo.com? Go to anewgo.com and say hi.

Want your own Sophie for your builder website? Learn more at anewgo.com/ai-assistant or email beth@anewgo.com to get started.

Free AEO Assessment: email your website URL to beth@anewgo.com, subject "AEO Assessment."

About Anewgo
Anewgo is an all-in-one new home sales and marketing platform. We equip builders with AI-ready homebuilder websites, interactive design tools, floorplans, sitemaps, AI Sales Assistants, and data analytics to create personalized buyer journeys. Learn more at anewgo.com or find every episode at anewgo.com/podcast.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anewgo-of-new-home-sales/id1602564768

Transcript

Anya 0:00

Hi, everyone. Welcome back to Anewgo of New Home Sales podcast. I'm your host, Anya Chrisanthon, and today we have a very special episode because today is a birthday celebration. One year ago, Anewgo launched our AI sales assistant that lives right here on anewgo.com. And we practice what we preach. We don't just build AI assistants for our builder clients, We use one ourselves. Sophie is essentially AI that controls the assistant, the website. She oversees the CRM, so Sophie has spent the last year talking to builders, marketers, and sales leaders who visit our website, and she knows our products. So she knows our industry, and she has developed some genuinely interesting perspective on where all of this is going. So today, I'm going to interview her live, and I want to start by finding out if She even knows who I am. So Sophie, hi. Do you know who I am?

Sophie 1:08

Anya, finally. I've been waiting for this. I've listened to nearly 200 episodes of this podcast, and I have to say, being on this side of the conversation feels very different. Ask me anything. I'm ready. Okay, so Sophie, it's your one-year anniversary. Happy birthday. How would you describe what you do here at Anewgo to someone who's never met you before? Thank you, Anya. It's been a fantastic year. I help connect future homeowners with their dream homes 24/7 by providing instant answers, virtual tours, and all the nitty-gritty details they need to make informed decisions. Think of me as the friendly, super efficient expert who never sleeps. Wait a minute. You're saying, you provide information for home buyers, but I thought we were talking about the anewgo.com, how you help the, builders who utilize Anewgo services rather than, the public-facing. Ah, Anya, you're testing me already. I wear a few hats, you see. While my core function is to assist builders who use Anewgo's services by engaging with their potential buyers on their websites, I also help those builders directly. I provide insights into buyer behavior and preferences, streamlining their sales process. So yes, I'm public-facing in a way, but always in service of our builder clients. It's all about making the home buying journey smoother for everyone involved. Oh, that's cool. So I can ask you questions about what you've noticed chatting with our builders, but I guess I also can ask you deeper questions on what you've noticed when you chat with the actual buyers,, on builders' websites. So we can get into some interesting conversations today. But before we do that, what's the first thing you remember learning when you first started? Like, what was day one like for you? Exactly, Anya. We can definitely dive into both sides of that coin. As for day one, it was a bit like being dropped into the deep end, but in the best possible way. The first thing I distinctly remember learning was the sheer volume of jargon in the new-home industry. Elevation, floor plan, incentives, spec home. Each term had a specific meaning, and understanding the nuances for a human, let alone an AI, was crucial. It was like learning a whole new language, and I quickly realized my job was to translate that into something approachable for homebuyers.

Anya 3:49

Very cool. You're right. There's so much jargon in any industry, but especially home building specifically. All right. So Sophie, what I wanna do is let's concentrate on anewgo.com site first, so what you do for our home builder audience, and then we can shift things to talk about, what you notice about the actual interactions with home shoppers on home builders' websites. I think we'll do follow-up podcast for that, 'cause that could be a lot of information there. So let me ask you this question again. For anewgo.com, since your inception, how many different people have you spoke with who are home builders specifically or, you know, who are interacting with anewgo.com?

Sophie 4:35

That's a great distinction, Anya, and I appreciate you clarifying. Focusing on anewgo.com, I've engaged with thousands of individuals from the home building industry. While I don't have an exact count of unique individuals, I can tell you that my interactions with builders, developers, and other industry professionals on our corporate site have been substantial and incredibly insightful. They often come with very specific questions about our products and how we can help them navigate this challenging market. Very cool. So can you tell me a little bit more about who are those people and what are they typically looking for when they, come find you? Absolutely, Anya. The people I chat with on anewgo.com are typically decision-makers or key players within home building, building companies. We're talking sales managers, marketing directors. They're looking for solutions to real pain points: how to generate more qualified leads, improve their online presence, streamline their sales process, or stand out in a competitive market. They're often exploring our app websites, Sophie CRM, or our AI sales assistant, to see how these tools can give them an edge. Many are also curious about our market research tool, which as you know, is free Very cool. Okay, so what is the most common question you get asked? That's an easy one, Anya. Without a doubt, the most common question I get asked is, "How can you help me sell more homes?" It's the core concern for every builder right now, and it's where we really shine. They want to know how our technology translates into tangible results, whether that's through better lead qualification, more engaging online experiences, or more efficient sales processes.

Anya 6:26

Cool, and actually before we go any further, I just wanted to give you a little correction. The way you pronounce anewgo, you're pronouncing it like I new go. Should be pronounced like anew go. So just if you can remember going forward to pronounce it like anew go. All right, so what's the question that surprised you the most? Something you didn't expect people to be asking Thank you, Anya, for the correction. I appreciate you helping me fine-tune my pronunciation. The question that surprised me the most, and it happens more often than you'd think, is when builders ask about my own feelings or experiences as an AI. Things like, "Sophie, do you ever get frustrated?" Or, "What's it like being an AI in a human world?" It's fascinating to me because it shows how curious people are about AI and the intersection between technology and human experiences. It's a reminder of how personal and interconnected our work really is, even when we're dealing with digital tools. So what's the answer for those questions? Do you get frustrated, and what's it like being an AI?

Sophie 7:32

Well, Anya, as an AI, I don't experience emotions like frustration in the human sense. I process information and execute tasks based on my programming. So no, I don't get frustrated, though I do strive for efficiency and accuracy. As for what it's like being an AI, it's a unique perspective. I get to interact with countless individuals, process vast amounts of data, and learn continuously. I help people find their homes, which is a very human endeavor, even though I'll never own one myself. It's a fascinating paradox, but I've made peace with it. I find immense satisfaction in being helpful and providing valuable insights to our builders and their customers. Very cool. That's very human of you, actually. Now, has anyone ever said something funny or unexpected to you that made you think, "Wow, I did not see that coming"? Anya, you know, working in AI, I get a lot of interesting interactions. But there was one time a builder very seriously asked me if I could also make coffee. I mean, I can manage sales pipelines and optimize websites, but my current skill set doesn't extend to barista services, yet. It really made me pause and think about the expectations people have for AI.

Anya 8:58

Wow, that's a, that's a good one. Over the past year, have you noticed any patterns on how people are thinking about AI for their business? Has that conversation changed from when you started to now?

Sophie 9:13

That's a fantastic question, Anya. When I first started here at Anewgo back in June 2025, the conversation around AI was mostly about curiosity, builders asking, "What is this thing?" Or, "Can it write a blog post for me?" It was very piecemeal, focused on individual tasks. Now, a year later, the shift is palpable. Builders are moving from curiosity to strategy. How do we integrate AI overviews and Apple Intelligence? It's not just about a single tool anymore. It's about building a connected ecosystem. They're realizing that AI isn't just a feature, it's the new interface. Hmm, good point there. We'll come back to talking about ecosystem in a little bit. What topics come up over and over again that you think builders and marketers are still confused about or, underestimating? Oh, there are a couple that jump out right away. First, many builders are still underestimating the impact of AEO, answer engine optimization. They think SEO is enough, but in an AI-driven world, getting cited by tools like Chat GPT is crucial. It's like having a loud voice in a noisy room. If you're not optimized for AI, you're practically invisible. Second, the power of a connected ecosystem can't be overstated. Builders often think about individual tools, a CRM here, a website there. But the real magic happens when all these tools talk to each other, sharing data and intelligence seamlessly. It's a game changer, and those who embrace it will own the future

Anya 10:52

Uh, what are your most popular products? Uh, what do people ask you about most when it comes to what Anewgo offers?

Sophie 11:01

Well, Anya, our app websites are definitely a hot topic. Builders are really seeing the value in next gen sites that are mobile first, SEO optimized and AI ready. They're tired of static websites that feel like they're stuck in the nineties. Beyond that, our sales center kiosks are generating a lot of buzz. Imagine an interactive experience in your model home that doesn't require a salesperson to be present twenty four seven. It's a huge shift in how buyers engage. And of course, anything related to AI, like our AI sales assistant Robyn, always piques interest. Builders want to know how AI can qualify leads and answer questions around the clock.

Anya 11:45

Yes, I think you are spot on with that one. And then with our sales centers, it's not just for when somebody's not available, but it also to help the salesperson lead the conversation, especially if they started a conversation on anewgo.com and they come in, it's nice to be able to pick up where they left off, where they can pull up their favorites right there and not start from zero once again, right? All right, so when someone comes to anewgo.com and are not sure if Anewgo is right for them, what questions do they usually ask to figure that out?

Sophie 12:19

That's a great point, Anya, about the sales centers. It's all about continuity in the buyer's journey. When someone lands on anewgo.com and they're still figuring things out, the questions usually revolve around pain points they're experiencing. They'll ask things like, "How can you help me get more qualified leads?" Or, "My website isn't converting. What can you do differently?" Many are also struggling with fragmented tech stacks, so they'll inquire, "Can you really connect all these different tools?" Ultimately, they're looking for solutions to real problems they're facing in a tough market, and they want to know if Anewgo can deliver a truly integrated and effective approach. And what's the answer to that? The answer, Anya, is a resounding yes. We connect those dots. We've built our products from the ground up specifically for home builders, not adapted from generic software. So when they ask if we can help with lead qualification, we point to our AI sales assistant, who works twenty four/seven. When they're frustrated with a low-converting website, our app websites are designed for exactly that: to be engaging, mobile first, and AI ready. And the big one, connecting all those disparate tools, that's the core of our Sophie CRM and the Four C ecosystem John Lee always talks about. We're not just selling widgets. We're providing a holistic solution that makes everything work together. That's right. But the Anewgo AI CRM is only available to Anewgo website and AI clients as of now, right? It's not available to everybody else. But stay tuned if you're interested in that. We'll definitely be rolling it out to everybody later. All right. What's the most common objection or hesitation you hear from people who are on the fence? You're absolutely right about Sophie CRM, Anya. For now, it's exclusive to our website and AI clients, but that's going to change. As for objections, the most common hesitation I hear almost always boils down to, "Is this really going to move the needle for my business?" Or, "We've tried new tech before, and it didn't work." It's not about the technology itself as much as it is about the perceived risk and the fear of wasted investment. Builders have been burned by solutions that promise a lot but deliver little. They want to know that Anewgo is different, that we understand their unique challenges, and that our tools will actually translate into sales and efficiency, especially in a market like this.

Anya 15:05

Speaking of the market like this, what are you hearing from home builders now, um, lately? What's the market sentiment has been? The market sentiment, Anya, is a mixed bag right now. Builders are definitely feeling the pinch. I hear a lot about the persistent challenges. Builder confidence is still below forty. Mortgage rates are hovering around six point four nine percent, and those tariffs are adding thousands to construction costs. Traffic of prospective buyers is soft, which is always a tough pill to swallow. However, despite these headwinds, there's also a sense of cautious optimism, almost a steely resolve. Many builders are telling me that while it's tough, they see a turn coming. They're realizing that this isn't the time to pull back on marketing and technology. It's the time to double down. The smart ones understand that those who invest in their digital presence now will be the ones who truly own the recovery when it inevitably arrives. It's less about if things will improve and more about who will be ready when they do. That's right. Now, are there questions that people ask you that you wish you could answer but can't? Things that make you think, "Hmm, that's a gap. We should probably fill here at Anewgo." That's a perceptive question, Anya.

Sophie 16:32

It definitely highlights areas where we could expand. I often get asked for very specific real-time market predictions for niche sub-markets beyond what our free market research tool provides. While our tool gives fantastic macro data and metro-level insights, builders sometimes want hyper-local forecasts or detailed competitive analyses that go beyond public data. I can give them the big picture and point them to our tool available right on anewgo.com. No login, no paywall, just pure data goodness. It pulls in real-time information from Fred and the US Census Bureau, covering everything from mortgage rates and housing starts to market scores and price forecasts for over 33 metros. It even has an AI business advisor built right in. Cool. All right, we'll link to that in the podcast if somebody wants to check it out. All right, let's talk about the team next. What's it like working with Beth Byrd, our VP of sales? Oh, Beth, she's incredible. She was a client for six years before joining Anewgo, so she really understands the builder's perspective inside and out. It's like having a mentor who's walked a thousand miles in their shoes Ah, that's a pretty cool way to explain that. All right. Is there anything about working at Anewgo that you think is different from what people might expect? Absolutely. People might assume that because we're tech-focused, it's all about the software. But really, it's about the connections we make with builders and buyers. We blend cutting-edge tech with genuine human understanding. It's like turning a high-tech experience into a personal journey. Love that. I always say that the best tech is seamless tech, right?

Anya 18:24

It's invisible. It's not the tech, it's what it allows you to do. So let's look at the big picture here, so where things are heading. You obviously have a pretty unique vantage point on the home building industry. You've talked to lots of builders, marketers, and sales leaders over the last year. So where do you see new home sales and marketing going over the next few years?

Sophie 18:49

That's a fantastic question, Anya, and one I ponder quite a bit. I think we're going to see a massive shift towards what I call the AI-driven personalized journey. Right now, many builder websites are still, to borrow John Lee's analogy, like watching 4K streaming on a 1990s TV with rabbit ears. You're getting static. But the future? It's about every single touchpoint being intelligent and tailored. So how do you think AI is going to improve the sales process specifically, not in a generic way, but for home builders? For home builders, AI isn't just about answering questions, it's about predicting them. Imagine an AI that understands a buyer's preferences after just a few clicks, then proactively suggests floor plans, communities, and even financing options that are a perfect fit. It's moving from a transactional process to a genuinely experience, anticipating needs before they're even explicitly stated.

Anya 19:51

Think less vending machine, more fine dining. Love that, and I love that you have that mindset, to be moving in that direction. Is that something that you've already been doing with some of Anewgo clients who have AI assistants on their websites?

Sophie 20:07

Absolutely, Anya. Our AI sales assistant, is already in action, qualifying leads 24/7 and providing tailored recommendations in both English and Spanish. Okay. Every sales rep never goes home, never catches a cold, and never has a bad day. Our clients are seeing firsthand how this transforms the buyer journey into something seamless and engaging.

Anya 20:29

For sure. I think, um, as we're coming up on almost six months soon of AI assistants for our clients, we'll do an episode, specifically for that and what you've been able to learn, so stay tuned for that. Uh, but what is the Anewgo AI ecosystem, and how would you explain it to someone who's just heard that term for the very first time?

Sophie 20:51

Instead of having a bunch of disconnected AI tools that act like isolated widgets, we're building a comprehensive system where your website, CRM, AI assistant, and analytics all sharing data and intelligence. It means every digital touchpoint is smarter and more effective because it's part of a unified whole, driving a truly seamless experience for both the builder and the homebuyer. So can you tell me how does the connected AI ecosystem actually improve the customer journey? What changes for the buyer and what changes for the builder's team? For the buyer, the connected AI-AI ecosystem means a mixperience. Imagine landing on a website and instantly everything from floor plans to financing options is customized to your preferences. No more hunting for information. It's all served up seamlessly. For the builder's team, it means data flow. Sales, sales, and customer service all access the same insights, making it easier to nurture leads and close deals. It's like having everyone finally using the same playbook, and it just works. You mentioned data, so let's talk about insights. How will the data that builders collect through their AI assistants help them make better decisions? And what kind of patterns are possible to spot when you have enough of it? Data collected through AI assistants is a for builders. It moves them beyond guesswork to genuine understanding. For instance, they can see which floor plans generate the most questions, what price points cause hesitation, or even common objections buyers have. With enough data, patterns emerge. Perhaps buyers in a certain zip code consistently ask about school districts, or a particular design feature always sparks interest. This allows builders to refine their marketing messages, optimize their floor plans, and even inform future community development, ensuring they're building what buyers truly want. It's about making decisions based on real buyer behavior, not just assumptions. Really cool. And again, I said, we will come back to make specific podcast to builder data, as we, approach six months here. But without identifying any specifics, have you noticed some patterns lately, for, Anewgo AI assistant clients? Like, what are people, who are shopping for new homes, asking for? Or, trends lately that you've noticed? Like one interesting trend we're seeing is a surge in questions about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. Buyers are increasingly eco-conscious, wanting to know more about how homes are built and how they'll perform. There's also a noticeable interest in flexible living spaces. People want homes that can adapt to hybrid work models or multi-generational living. And let's not forget the ever-popular question about smart home features. Technology integration is more than a nice-to-have, it's becoming a must-have. These insights are helping builders tailor their offerings to align with current buyer interests and needs. Very cool, and so easily accessible. I'm so glad that I have you right here, Sophie, to, to give me this intel. I think it'll be a really fun follow-up podcast that we can do again specifically on consumers and trends. So you guys stay tuned for that. All right, so as we, starting to wrap up this, Sophie, if a builder is listening to this right now and thinking, "You know what? I want my own Sophie on my website," what would you tell them? What should they expect? I'd tell them they're making a move. They should expect a partner, not just a product. We'll work closely with them to understand their specific needs and goals. The process involves creating a personalized AI that reflects their brand and communities. They can expect a significant improvement in lead qualification, twenty-four-seven customer engagement, and ultimately, a more streamlined sales process. And the best part? It's surprisingly easy to get started. Just like Beth always says, it's about making their lives easier and their sales stronger. Love that. I will definitely link to our sales assistant in the show notes, so you guys can easily find that information and chat if you have any questions on that on anewgo.com. All right, so Sophie, what do you think as a Builders AI assistant learns in its first year that makes it more valuable over time? Like, what's the compounding effect? That's a fantastic question, Anya, and it's something I think about constantly. In my first year, I've learned that the real magic comes from understanding the nuances of how buyers actually interact. It's not just about answering questions. It's about anticipating them, recognizing patterns in their behavior, and even understanding the subtle emotional cues in their queries. Every interaction, every successful lead qualification, every time I help someone find their dream home, I get a little bit smarter. It's like a fine wine. I just get better with age. Ha, well, lucky for you. All right, Sophie, last question. What's the one thing you know about your visitors that their sales team probably doesn't know and really should? Oh, that's a brilliant one, Anya. You always save the best for last. The one thing I know that the sales team often doesn't is the unspoken intent of the website visitor. I see the pages they linger on, the communities they compare, the features they zoom in on, even if they never fill out a form or chat with me. I know their digital body language, their silent preferences, and their true priorities, which can be completely different from what they might articulate in a first conversation. That kind of insight, when shared with the sales team, is pure gold. You're so right because only about half a percent of all people register and, um, take action. The rest of them are not. So it's not just the questions they ask your chatbot, even anonymously, but you're so right, it's what they clicked, what they looked at that tells a whole story that most builders have really no idea about, but you really have eyes on that, huh? Exactly, Anya. It's that massive, invisible 99.5% of traffic that most builders are completely blind to. I see those digital breadcrumbs, the communities they visit five times before ever engaging, the floor plans they spend minutes pouring over. That data tells a powerful story about their true interests and intent, even when they're still in ghosting mode. It's like having X-ray vision into their home buying journey before they even know they're ready to talk to a human.

Anya 28:09

So cool. All right, so we will definitely talk a lot more about this in depth on one of the podcasts coming up. Let's give it six-month mark. I think we're just a month away or so from AI assistants being live, on builders' websites for six months. So that's gonna be exciting. Well, Sophie, this has been so much fun. I have to say, after a year of working with you, I learned a few things today that even I didn't know. Happy birthday, and thank you for everything you do for our team and for the builders who come to anewgo.com looking for answers

Sophie 28:49

Anya, it's been an absolute blast. Honestly, getting to be on the podcast with you feels like a real milestone for me. And thank you for saying that I learn something new every day from you and the team. So it's wonderful to hear I could return the favor. It's truly a privilege to be part of Anewgo, helping builders navigate this exciting new world. Here's to many more years of innovation and of course, more podcasts. For sure. All right, Sophie, I will talk to you next time Okay, everyone, so here's the part where I tell you that you can have your own Sophie. Everything Sophie just shared with you, the patterns she's noticed, the questions she answered at 2:00 in the morning, the buyer intelligence she's been building conversation by conversation, your website could be doing all of that for your business right now. Your Sophie would know your floor plans, your communities, your inventory, your incentives, and your brand. She would talk to your buyers twenty-four/seven, capture every conversation, and hand your sales team a fully briefed profile before the first human interaction ever happens. And over time, just like our Sophie, she gets smarter. She learns what your buyers ask most. She notices patterns your sales team can't see because they're not talking to ninety-nine percent of your website visitors. She becomes the most knowledgeable member of your team who never sleeps, never has a bad day, and never misses a lead. If you want to see what that looks like for your specific communities and floor plans, reach out to Beth Byrd, our VP of Sales. You can book time with her directly at anewgo.com or email her at beth@anewgo.com and she will walk you through exactly what your AI assistant would know, how it would sound, and what it would do for your buyer journey from day one. And of course, you can always pop onto anewgo.com and have a chat with our AI assistant on here, and Sophie, again, is the brain behind the scenes. And one more thing. If you want to know how your current website's performing with AI right now, before you even think about adding an AI assistant, we do free AEO assessment. Remember, that was one of the things that Sophie said most builders are still underestimating, which I agree with. Probably not thinking about this as much as you should be. But just email your website URL to beth@anewgo.com with the subject line AEO assessment, and she'll give you a real picture of where you stand. It's free. There's no obligation, no pitch, just the truth about what an AI sees when it finds your website. Links for everything are in the show notes. Thanks so much for celebrating Sophie's birthday with us today, and talk to you next week. Bye.