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Takeaways:
- HomeSpotter uses an in-app text messaging functionality to help facilitate cohesive conversations between agents and homebuyers.
- Photos can be viewed directly in the message without opening attachments or another window.
- App users can view listings in whatever area they are searching and can use a draw tool to be as specific as needed.
When Mobile Realty Apps rebranded as HomeSpotter at the start of the year, the plan was to use the $1.8 million in funding to bring on new developers and give its already existing platform a bit more juice.
The Minneapolis-based company announced today that it released a new version of its mobile app to help facilitate communication between real estate agents and home searchers. Using the tagline “every home search is a conversation,” HomeSpotter beefed up its in-app chat messaging to improve the user experience on both ends.
Reporting that its users were copying, pasting and texting property information and attaching photos to communication during the home search, HomeSpotter founder and CEO Aaron Kardell said they wanted to create a technology that helped facilitate the conversation.
HomeSpotter now combines the mobile property search experience with a text message-style interface where users can chat and view listings all in one location. Family and friends, as well as multiple agents who have access to agent-only listing details, can share information directly within the HomeSpotter app.
Users can view full property information in the app and send directly to a current or new contact. The text message-style platform allows users to scroll through the history of a chat to view other properties shared or helpful information.
Just like a text message, notifications inside and outside of the app appear on the receiver’s smartphone to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
The photo functionality integrates into the messaging without anyone having to attach or open any additional files. Multiple photos from a listing can be viewed by swiping from side to side.
The map search functionality populates listings in the area, or the 75 newest if there are more than that. Search can be done by map or list view, and users looking in a very specific region of a community can draw on the map to populate listings.
HomeSpotter also has a few tools solely for agents. Real estate agents are able to stay up-to-date on other listings by using the agent roster search to find anyone in the MLS and get their contact information.