Imagine being out with your real estate agent and expressing interest in a certain neighborhood. The agent holds up a smartphone, taps a few buttons, and voila! You have for-sale property listings for a multi-block radius, complete with the ability to arrange a viewing.
That future is now, with a mobile app called HomeSpotter, created by
MobileRealtyApps.com and recently integrated into the technology mix at
NorthstarMLS. The organization serves more than 13,500 realtors in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
"Using this app really increases the 'wow factor' for local agents," says Tom Flaherty, director of marketing and communications for NorthstarMLS.
HomeSpotter uses a technology called augmented reality, which can overlay property info on a device's live camera feed. Using an iPhone or iPad (with Android soon to come), an agent can get data on surrounding properties for sale, including photos of the interior, property specifics, and other relevant details.
"These days, everyone expects a realtor to have information at their fingertips, and with this app, we can meet that expectation," notes Flaherty. "We're finding it to be very beneficial."
The developer is working on a consumer version, but it would only be available if the user is working with a licensed real estate agent.
Since its introduction at NorthstarMLS earlier this year, Flaherty is seeing robust interest and numerous downloads. He says, "Agents tell us that it makes them look good to clients, because it shows that they have the latest technology tools available."
Maybe in the not-too-distant future, people will be be able actually buy a house with a few clicks of a smartphone...
Source: Tom Flaherty, NorthstarMLS
Writer: Elizabeth Millard