Millions of consumers can now search listings on their televisions using a property search channel launched by a real estate marketing firm.
Electrik Eye Enterprises, owner of real estate marketing tools provider Listing Booster, has unveiled MoveTube, billed as “the world’s only interactive property search channel built exclusively for televisions.”
The channel is available for viewing through the Roku 3, a device that can stream Web content on TVs from platforms including Netflix and YouTube.
Consumers who visit the channel can use their TV remote controls to search photos, maps, property data, and agent and lender information on over 2 million listings in the U.S, according to Electrik Eye Enterprises. The channel, which is one of more than 2,000 offered by Roku, will let users save listings and communicate directly with listing agents.
MoveTube will also feature videos and a daily show aimed at educating consumers on real estate issues. The show will be hosted by Brian Stevens, vice president of Electrik Eye Enterprises, and Frank Garay, chief financial officer of the firm.
The two are no strangers to speaking their minds on camera. Garay and Stevens already co-host the National Real Estate Post, an 8-year-old daily video blog geared toward real estate agents and lenders.
While it can be challenging to navigate interfaces using a TV remote control, Stevens says MoveTube offers single-click filters that make it easy to pull up properties in different markets around the country.
The goal of MoveTube was to tap a marketing vehicle that’s been largely neglected by big players in the real estate technology space, Stevens said.
Smart TVs represent a “third branch” for real estate agents to communicate with buyers and sellers around the country, he said. People like looking for listings on their computers, but he claims “people love looking at properties on their television.”
The channel has won the approval of at least one consumer. The person wrote on Roku Guide that the “channel is beyond awesome and is now my new addiction!”
“I am not sure to thank the creators of this or curse them ;),” the reviewer said.
MoveTube’s website says that it should soon be available on most other smart TV platforms.
Given that a company with a relatively low profile was able to field a TV channel, you’d imagine that Zillow, Trulia and realtor.com might be cooking up versions of their own.
Zillow and Trulia said they have nothing to share on that front. Realtor.com operator Move didn’t respond when asked if it had anything in the works.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comments from Electrik Eye Enterprises Vice President Brian Stevens.
