By Paul Hagel | June 25, 2015
Real estate startup SOLOpro had a big week: It raised $1 million in funding and was named a finalist at Realogy’s “FWD” pitch competition. Founder Tommy Sowers believes technology can save consumers time and money. Here is the twist: His online platform is a limited-service offer, allowing homebuyers to hire agents for specific services on an a la carte basis. And SOLOpro is not alone in this mission. A raft of new well-funded startups have descended on the real estate scene with lofty ambitions. The big question: Could one of these firms break out and reduce the role of real estate agents or eat away at their commissions? Along with home-flipping platform Opendoor, end-to-end real estate firm Xome, national franchisor Redefy, small brokerages Houwzer and Quill Realty, a…