BlueRoof360 will begin building our mobile app soon because a new broker client has requested it. We will spend a week or so designing how it will look and work and then spend whatever time it takes building it (we anticipate a few weeks to a month) and I can already think of a few things that will make it stand apart from other mobile apps available.
I have one idea in particular that sounds like it will be really cool to build into our app, and, as the owner of a technology company, thinking of a new idea is exciting because I know I can build it.
But when I think about the usability and function of it I still find it difficult to imagine people actually using a mobile phone app to search for homes. Even those who are really into technology, like me, can get so much more out of the experience searching from our laptop/desktop computer that it seems like just a big waste of time. And I’m the target demographic for these apps.
Here a few things to consider;
A mobile phone has such a small screen that no matter how big you make the photos they are going to be small, and unless you are looking in a dimly lit room many of the screens are not going to render a very nice view of the images anyway.
Mobile phones, even with 3G and the best mobile OS, load so slowly compared to a laptop/desktop that building really cool functions are impossible.
The supposed advantage of a mobile app (being able to find a home while you are out driving around) seems like a situation drummed up by app developers rather than actual home searchers. I have an iPhone and when searching for a home I cannot see myself driving to an area I like and then doing a search on my phone to find available properties. It makes no sense at all to me. If I can go to a great website and search and find all the homes that are available, very quickly, including photos, maps, and area info, and if I’m alerted every time a new listing comes on the market that meets my criteria, why in the world would I drive around clicking SEARCH on my mobile phone?
Searching for a home is rarely an individual event. Usually people share their searching with spouses, friends and family. Trying to search together on a mobile phone with others is not plausible.
There is only one application I can see where using a mobile phone would actually enhance the home buying experience. This is the piece that I hope to build into our mobile app. I won’t say what it is yet (gotta give us a running start on it) but even with this cool new tool, which would be new and unique, I still have to wonder…
Will anyone really use it?
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February 16, 2009 at 7:30 pm
I made a mobile app for the 1st VOW I built. My agents used it to access the MLS. I think agents who dont have mobile access to their own mls will use it, but few beyond that.
If you can set it up so that one could have a pre-defined search that could be used on a sign rider as a kind of virtual flyer, then I think you will have created something with value.
February 16, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Good a mobile Web site
February 17, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I’ve had access to my own MLS via my phone for years, and never use it. It just takes too long to pull up the information.
The one use that I see would be for agents that don’t have MLS access on their phone, or home buyers, is to be able to quickly pull up a home and see if it is still available (vs under contract) and the price. Many people drive by a home and like the outside, but have no idea if it is in their price range.
Another cool feature would be for buyers visiting open houses. An app that allowed buyers to find visit an open house, then find nearby homes open at the same time with driving directions from the first home to the next one, might get a lot of use from buyers.
March 17, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I remember homefindr, which would locate mls listing nearby on the iphone. CodeMorphic was excited about having created it, but mentioned the frenzy of ‘don’t use it’ demands it generated by the mls ‘powers’. I believe they sold the tech. to a company overseas to get some use of it.
They’d probably be a great assistance if that’s what you’re creating.
March 17, 2009 at 6:36 pm
http://iphoneindia.gyanin.com/tag/homefindr/
found it
March 17, 2009 at 7:24 pm
The tools that we are building are not about locating listings- everyone has that, including our own mobile search, which can accessed by any mobile phone with internet (blueroof.com/m).
The tools we are building have more to do with systems and connectivity between agents, buyers, sellers, and the transaction.
March 20, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Most of what an agent or broker does for marketing is designed to get a one-on-one dialogue happening with a buyer or a seller. Mobile can do that, but it has to definitively help the agent/broker sell more houses or sell them faster. OR… mobile has to more efficiently get listings into the hands of TARGETED home buyers. The efficiency will save the agents/brokers on advertising dollars.
Otherwise, a mobile solution is useless.
July 23, 2009 at 6:19 am
The principal issue to mobile web use is less is more. Functionality that I would like to see in a web app is as follows:
1) New listing updater that just sends pic (pics could auto rotate to add value, price and location with say three to six key words (clickable for mobile based further input) and link back to rep.
2) link point 1 to the real estate sign quicklink – I like the domain viewnow.mobi/1234 simple quick number code to the info in 1. (viewnow.mobi is not yet active – but I’m hopeful
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3) Link point 1 to a map app somethink like the “find my location” on smart phones that displays a grid out dot/mouse over display map of homes for sale in the area you in.
4) Take Point 3 to an open house display tool.
As for transaction based app, this is smart. The biggest issue consumers have with realtors is “communication” so any tool to better synch the agent client relationship is welcomed. Here’s what I see for this:
- app is downloaded or emailed or insomeway transferred from realtors site to clients smartphone as an icon. client gets agent icon for system and agent has list of icons on there end for each client – select app, scroll and click to client icon and click for quick client functionality.
- Showing confirmation and record tracker (app for booking, confirming showings, and creating clean record of events related to showings).
- Everything goes into a calendar option for app – which puts all things deal related into one clean page. Agent can use there app for quick simple updates such as ad placed, agent tour dates (if they do that this is fading), price change made, etc. Essentially an event driven clean calendar.
- Once offer is done – critical dates and systematic reminders go into this, as do laywer, lender and contact info. This is where app extends to connect all parties to this side of the transaction with app ties in realotrs admin for client related info to sale, system could also tie in realtors recommended services (movers, lender, lawyer, etc.)
- critical dates are set in calendar and there is built in reminder features within for agent / admin etc.
- this system would also create record of who does what related to transaction (files sent to lawyer, appointment made lawyer, helpful reminders at key points etc.)
The fax machine is a declining technology here, such that scan email etc. is the trend (slowly albeit) such that the sending of key documents to lawyers by fax should end and a mobile app that ties and demonstrates the send of docs is a big plus and environmentally smart! This way the app runs a clean record of the process through to end.
Just my thoughts on a great topic.
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July 23, 2009 at 9:31 am
Patrick,
Good ideas- we already offer/do a lot of the things you suggest and I’ll think about the others. I always like new ideas that will help our clients (thank you).
We look at mobile as an extension of, and enhancement to, the desktop/laptop experience and a real opportunity to connect parties in a meaningful way throughout the transaction. And also, just as importantly, as a way to compel the consumer to keep coming back to the agent’s website again and again…
December 18, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Before we will start using one, would like to see connection speed increased so as for the screen size.
S.