Real Plus
RealPlus: Modernizing New York's Real Estate Technology Platform
RealPlus: Modernizing New York's Real Estate Technology Platform
RealPlus: Modernizing New York's Real Estate Technology Platform
In 2014, we started one of our most long-running projects working with Real Plus, a US real estate agency turned digital leader in its industry.
In 2014, we started one of our most long-running projects working with Real Plus, a US real estate agency turned digital leader in its industry.
In 2014, we started one of our most long-running projects working with Real Plus, a US real estate agency turned digital leader in its industry.
AI
Microservices
Real estate
Client
Client
Real Plus
Real Plus
Real Plus
Date
Date
Since 2014
Since 2014
Since 2014
Role
Role
Development partner
Development partner
Development partner
Website
Website
realplusonline.com
realplusonline.com
realplusonline.com
Real Plus
Real Plus
Real Plus
Customer's case
Customer's case
Customer's case
Founded in the 1980s, our customer is an American real estate agency that provides an exclusive web portal in the New York City area with more than 1.3k B2B clients and 2k real estate brokers. Initially starting as a data management system, it evolved into a comprehensive platform serving as the primary tool for real estate professionals in the region. It's a subscription-based solution with an average number of daily visits between 15–20k (peak value was 35k users).
The agency's business was growing fast, requiring both system modernization and expansion of development capacity. The existing outsourcing vendor couldn't provide the necessary level of expertise for this transformation. In spring 2014, the customer chose Brightgrove as a strategic partner to take complete ownership of the code and handle all aspects of development and team management.
Founded in the 1980s, our customer is an American real estate agency that provides an exclusive web portal in the New York City area with more than 1.3k B2B clients and 2k real estate brokers. Initially starting as a data management system, it evolved into a comprehensive platform serving as the primary tool for real estate professionals in the region. It's a subscription-based solution with an average number of daily visits between 15–20k (peak value was 35k users).
The agency's business was growing fast, requiring both system modernization and expansion of development capacity. The existing outsourcing vendor couldn't provide the necessary level of expertise for this transformation. In spring 2014, the customer chose Brightgrove as a strategic partner to take complete ownership of the code and handle all aspects of development and team management.
Founded in the 1980s, our customer is an American real estate agency that provides an exclusive web portal in the New York City area with more than 1.3k B2B clients and 2k real estate brokers. Initially starting as a data management system, it evolved into a comprehensive platform serving as the primary tool for real estate professionals in the region. It's a subscription-based solution with an average number of daily visits between 15–20k (peak value was 35k users).
The agency's business was growing fast, requiring both system modernization and expansion of development capacity. The existing outsourcing vendor couldn't provide the necessary level of expertise for this transformation. In spring 2014, the customer chose Brightgrove as a strategic partner to take complete ownership of the code and handle all aspects of development and team management.
Challenges
Challenges
Challenges
Legacy System Complexity
The client, having worked with various remote teams over decades, faced a complex legacy system. Our Dedicated Team of senior engineers was tasked with managing over a million lines of legacy code, modernizing the technology stack while maintaining stability, supporting complex data synchronization, managing multiple user interfaces, handling extensive business rules, and ensuring continuous system availability during modernization.
Process Challenges
The customer had never had a project manager, leading to process inefficiencies. Brightgrove was tasked with establishing Agile Scrum development processes, boosting team performance, addressing technical debt, implementing QA processes to improve code quality, enhancing security measures, optimizing workload, and developing new functionality while maintaining existing systems.
Legacy System Complexity
The client, having worked with various remote teams over decades, faced a complex legacy system. Our Dedicated Team of senior engineers was tasked with managing over a million lines of legacy code, modernizing the technology stack while maintaining stability, supporting complex data synchronization, managing multiple user interfaces, handling extensive business rules, and ensuring continuous system availability during modernization.
Process Challenges
The customer had never had a project manager, leading to process inefficiencies. Brightgrove was tasked with establishing Agile Scrum development processes, boosting team performance, addressing technical debt, implementing QA processes to improve code quality, enhancing security measures, optimizing workload, and developing new functionality while maintaining existing systems.
Legacy System Complexity
The client, having worked with various remote teams over decades, faced a complex legacy system. Our Dedicated Team of senior engineers was tasked with managing over a million lines of legacy code, modernizing the technology stack while maintaining stability, supporting complex data synchronization, managing multiple user interfaces, handling extensive business rules, and ensuring continuous system availability during modernization.
Process Challenges
The customer had never had a project manager, leading to process inefficiencies. Brightgrove was tasked with establishing Agile Scrum development processes, boosting team performance, addressing technical debt, implementing QA processes to improve code quality, enhancing security measures, optimizing workload, and developing new functionality while maintaining existing systems.
Boosting Customer's Development Capacity
Boosting Customer's Development Capacity
Boosting Customer's Development Capacity
To accelerate development, we quickly assembled a Dedicated Team through our proven recruitment process. After analyzing the codebase and business rules, we built a team structure that could both implement Agile practices immediately and scale for future growth.
From a core team of 6 specialists at project initiation, we've experienced remarkable growth over the years. What began with 4 .NET developers and 2 QA engineers has evolved into a team of 47 professionals today, including expansions to 16 senior specialists during project maturity and the addition of 5 mobile development experts in 2024
To accelerate development, we quickly assembled a Dedicated Team through our proven recruitment process. After analyzing the codebase and business rules, we built a team structure that could both implement Agile practices immediately and scale for future growth.
From a core team of 6 specialists at project initiation, we've experienced remarkable growth over the years. What began with 4 .NET developers and 2 QA engineers has evolved into a team of 47 professionals today, including expansions to 16 senior specialists during project maturity and the addition of 5 mobile development experts in 2024
To accelerate development, we quickly assembled a Dedicated Team through our proven recruitment process. After analyzing the codebase and business rules, we built a team structure that could both implement Agile practices immediately and scale for future growth.
From a core team of 6 specialists at project initiation, we've experienced remarkable growth over the years. What began with 4 .NET developers and 2 QA engineers has evolved into a team of 47 professionals today, including expansions to 16 senior specialists during project maturity and the addition of 5 mobile development experts in 2024
Technical modernization involved a comprehensive approach, including systematic code cleanup, migration to modern technologies, implementation of Test-Driven Development, enhanced security, improved data synchronization, advanced session management, cloud integration, mobile app development, and comprehensive analytics implementation
Technical modernization involved a comprehensive approach, including systematic code cleanup, migration to modern technologies, implementation of Test-Driven Development, enhanced security, improved data synchronization, advanced session management, cloud integration, mobile app development, and comprehensive analytics implementation
Technical modernization involved a comprehensive approach, including systematic code cleanup, migration to modern technologies, implementation of Test-Driven Development, enhanced security, improved data synchronization, advanced session management, cloud integration, mobile app development, and comprehensive analytics implementation
Process implementation focused on establishing results-driven project management practices. This included a dedicated Product Owner, clear sprint and release cycles, systematic feedback collection, quality gates, continuous team training, regular stakeholder demos, and enhanced multi-stakeholder management
Process implementation focused on establishing results-driven project management practices. This included a dedicated Product Owner, clear sprint and release cycles, systematic feedback collection, quality gates, continuous team training, regular stakeholder demos, and enhanced multi-stakeholder management
Process implementation focused on establishing results-driven project management practices. This included a dedicated Product Owner, clear sprint and release cycles, systematic feedback collection, quality gates, continuous team training, regular stakeholder demos, and enhanced multi-stakeholder management
Platform evolution encompassed launching a B2C platform, developing native mobile applications, enhancing enterprise client customization, improving API integration, optimizing performance, implementing advanced session management, enhancing unstructured data handling, redesigning major platform components, accomplishing partial migration to modern technologies, and implementing AI features across all platforms
Platform evolution encompassed launching a B2C platform, developing native mobile applications, enhancing enterprise client customization, improving API integration, optimizing performance, implementing advanced session management, enhancing unstructured data handling, redesigning major platform components, accomplishing partial migration to modern technologies, and implementing AI features across all platforms
Platform evolution encompassed launching a B2C platform, developing native mobile applications, enhancing enterprise client customization, improving API integration, optimizing performance, implementing advanced session management, enhancing unstructured data handling, redesigning major platform components, accomplishing partial migration to modern technologies, and implementing AI features across all platforms
Technical improvements included significant codebase reduction (from 1M+ to 140k lines), decreased login page complexity, achieving 80-100% unit test coverage, drastically improved response times (from 35 seconds to sub-second), migration to a modern Angular framework, implementation of comprehensive analytics and monitoring, enhanced data synchronization, and development of a shared component architecture
Technical improvements included significant codebase reduction (from 1M+ to 140k lines), decreased login page complexity, achieving 80-100% unit test coverage, drastically improved response times (from 35 seconds to sub-second), migration to a modern Angular framework, implementation of comprehensive analytics and monitoring, enhanced data synchronization, and development of a shared component architecture
Technical improvements included significant codebase reduction (from 1M+ to 140k lines), decreased login page complexity, achieving 80-100% unit test coverage, drastically improved response times (from 35 seconds to sub-second), migration to a modern Angular framework, implementation of comprehensive analytics and monitoring, enhanced data synchronization, and development of a shared component architecture
Brightgrove's services have been instrumental in helping our business overcome technical challenges and achieve our goals. Their expertise and support have been invaluable.
Brightgrove's services have been instrumental in helping our business overcome technical challenges and achieve our goals. Their expertise and support have been invaluable.
Brightgrove's services have been instrumental in helping our business overcome technical challenges and achieve our goals. Their expertise and support have been invaluable.
Eric Gordon
Eric Gordon
Managing Director, RealPlus
Managing Director, RealPlus
Our Cooperation Timeline
Our Cooperation Timeline
Our Cooperation Timeline
Our work together has reached a 10-year milestone in 2024. Over these years, Brightgrove managed to truly transform Real Plus’s platform and make it the best product in its category in New York.
Our work together has reached a 10-year milestone in 2024. Over these years, Brightgrove managed to truly transform Real Plus’s platform and make it the best product in its category in New York.
Our work together has reached a 10-year milestone in 2024. Over these years, Brightgrove managed to truly transform Real Plus’s platform and make it the best product in its category in New York.
2014
2014
In 1.5 months, we assembled a team of 4 .NET developers and 2 QA engineers to get right onto setting up the initial Agile development process.
In 1.5 months, we assembled a team of 4 .NET developers and 2 QA engineers to get right onto setting up the initial Agile development process.
In 1.5 months, we assembled a team of 4 .NET developers and 2 QA engineers to get right onto setting up the initial Agile development process.
2015
2015
The team grew to 10 specialists, including back-end and front-end developers, QA engineers, and team leads.
The team grew to 10 specialists, including back-end and front-end developers, QA engineers, and team leads.
The team grew to 10 specialists, including back-end and front-end developers, QA engineers, and team leads.
2019
2019
We developed a new open-source B2C online platform for the customers and released it in March 2019. During the 5 years of our partnership 90% of employees were retained.
We developed a new open-source B2C online platform for the customers and released it in March 2019. During the 5 years of our partnership 90% of employees were retained.
We developed a new open-source B2C online platform for the customers and released it in March 2019. During the 5 years of our partnership 90% of employees were retained.
2020
2020
There has been significant team growth and increased interaction. The team gradually expanded, reaching around 40 members. In 2020, the Customer Portal was officially released, offering extensive features for end users to search for real estate in New York.
There has been significant team growth and increased interaction. The team gradually expanded, reaching around 40 members. In 2020, the Customer Portal was officially released, offering extensive features for end users to search for real estate in New York.
There has been significant team growth and increased interaction. The team gradually expanded, reaching around 40 members. In 2020, the Customer Portal was officially released, offering extensive features for end users to search for real estate in New York.
2022
2022
In 2022, the development of a native mobile application began. The team continues to grow, attracting specialists from various areas of development.
In 2022, the development of a native mobile application began. The team continues to grow, attracting specialists from various areas of development.
In 2022, the development of a native mobile application began. The team continues to grow, attracting specialists from various areas of development.
2024
2024
After 10 years together, we’re going strong with a 40-people team with 5 team leads and a 90%+ retention rate. The client trusts us even with C-suite hires.
After 10 years together, we’re going strong with a 40-people team with 5 team leads and a 90%+ retention rate. The client trusts us even with C-suite hires.
After 10 years together, we’re going strong with a 40-people team with 5 team leads and a 90%+ retention rate. The client trusts us even with C-suite hires.
Results we delivered
Results we delivered
Results we delivered
Consistent 90% team retention rate demonstrating stability
Proven ability to evolve with changing technology landscape
Successfully managed complex stakeholder relationships
Demonstrated enterprise-grade customization capabilities
Delivered comprehensive mobile solutions
Maintained continuous knowledge growth and certification
Balanced system stability with innovation
Provided strategic technical consultation beyond development
What’s going on now
What’s going on now
What’s going on now
The relationship has evolved from a vendor-client model to a strategic partnership, with Brightgrove playing an important role in the platform's technical direction and growth. The customer continues to expand their engagement, focusing on platform enhancement and market growth through 2025 and beyond.
Key partnership metrics
• 10+ years of continuous collaboration
• Successfully delivered 3 major platform versions
• Expanded from initial team of 6 to 45+ senior specialists
• Maintained consistent delivery quality while growing scope
• Achieved all major technical modernization goals
• Built strong relationships with all stakeholder levels
• Improved multi-stakeholder management
The relationship has evolved from a vendor-client model to a strategic partnership, with Brightgrove playing an important role in the platform's technical direction and growth. The customer continues to expand their engagement, focusing on platform enhancement and market growth through 2025 and beyond.
Key partnership metrics
• 10+ years of continuous collaboration
• Successfully delivered 3 major platform versions
• Expanded from initial team of 6 to 45+ senior specialists
• Maintained consistent delivery quality while growing scope
• Achieved all major technical modernization goals
• Built strong relationships with all stakeholder levels
• Improved multi-stakeholder management
The relationship has evolved from a vendor-client model to a strategic partnership, with Brightgrove playing an important role in the platform's technical direction and growth. The customer continues to expand their engagement, focusing on platform enhancement and market growth through 2025 and beyond.
Key partnership metrics
• 10+ years of continuous collaboration
• Successfully delivered 3 major platform versions
• Expanded from initial team of 6 to 45+ senior specialists
• Maintained consistent delivery quality while growing scope
• Achieved all major technical modernization goals
• Built strong relationships with all stakeholder levels
• Improved multi-stakeholder management
Download extended case study in .pdf
Download extended case study in .pdf