The Print, Vol. 204

Welcome to The Print, Blueprint's weekly curation of the most important things going on in real estate and construction technology. We hope our newsletter will keep you informed as we shine a light on the newest innovations and opportunities that exist in the built world.

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QUICK HITS

• Both major political parties are looking at ways that the sale of surplus federal land could help alleviate a crushing shortage of affordable housing. (Politico) Senior HUD officials are touting the possibilities of 3D printing to fashion new affordable homes. (HousingWire)

• How CEO Jay McKee led Lessen to a billion-dollar valuation and then set out to buy SMS Assist in the biggest property tech merger in history. (Inc.) 

• The world’s largest 3D-printed neighborhood, Wolf Ranch, is nearing completion in Georgetown, Texas. The ICON project features the Vulcan printer, a colossal 45-foot-wide machine, which meticulously constructs homes layer by layer from a mixture of concrete powder, water, sand, and additives. (Instagram)

• Overall, proptech investors are more optimistic than they’ve been in the recent past. But clearly way fewer deals are getting done today than in prior years. (Thesis Driven)

• An interview with Salman Ahmad, the CEO & Co-founder of Mosaic, a construction technology company that builds software that makes homebuilding more scalable and efficient. (Tangent Podcast)

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RAISES, BUILDS AND TEARDOWNS

• EliseAI, the conversational AI platform for the housing industry, has announced its Series D raise of $75M at a valuation in excess of $1B. (Press Release) 

• Location data startup Placer.ai has closed on a bumper $75M funding round that brings its valuation to almost $1.5B. (Silicon Angle) 

• Credit infrastructure provider Setpoint has raised $31M in a Series B round to help fuel research and development. (PYMNTS)

• Livly, a tech-driven residential management platform, has raised $10M in new funding will support several new initiatives. (Press Release)

• Apartment giant Equity Residential has agreed to purchase 11 apartment complexes with more than 3,500 units for $964M. (WSJ)

• HouseAmp, a platform that helps homeowners get access to funds to get their house ready to sell, has raised $12.4M in new funding. (Geekwire)

• Adept Materials, an advanced materials startup focused on moisture, humidity, and thermal management, has completed the first tranche of its Seed funding round, raising $4M. (CRETI)

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JOB MOVES AND NEW HIRES

• After 5 years back at the helm, Zillow Group co-founder Rich Barton is stepping down as CEO. Former COO Jeremy Wacksman now takes the reins as the company charges past "Portal 1.0."  (Inman)

• AvalonBay Communities has hired Pamela Thomas for the newly created role of executive vice president of portfolio and asset management. (Multifamily Dive)