HomeView makes pictures a priority in home data management

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HomeView is an image-based home management app.

Platform(s): Browser-based; iOS for iPad, iPhone
Ideal for: Homeowners, as well as agents who sell new construction or work on-site

Top selling points

• Unlimited image hosting
• Appliance information tracking
• Event calendar for maintenance milestones

Things to consider

This app is the latest entry in a growing field of digital home information trackers. I feel some are further along in technical sophistication than HomeView. Also, for it to benefit the sale of the home, agents need to encourage and actively assist in their sellers’ use of it.

Full review

In the digital home management space, HomeZada takes a more put-together and proactive approach, and CentrIQ curates online resources and crowdsources solutions for common home repair and appliance information.

HomeKeepr and Dizzle also contribute to the tracking mix. The good news is that agents have several options to recommend to their clients.

HomeView differs from the lot because of its visual hierarchy.

The interface engages the user with external shots of the property and then smartly drives the user into a room-by-room gallery.

Each image is the gateway into that room’s inventory. A list of every asset is readily accessible and editable, from brand of blender to the date you had the ottoman reupholstered.

The level of detail is up to the user. Naturally, the more information, the more value to the homeowner.

However, a new owner won’t care much for anything other than the fixtures.

A list of every asset is readily accessible and editable.

HomeView is great for pulling images from your iPhone library and categorizing them into their appropriate place in the home.

Buyers would be interested in how the new shower install went, for example, as well as the brand of WiFi enabled light switches so their Amazon Echo won’t have any compatibility concerns.

Lists can be created for any place or project around the home. They’re easy to build and edit with plain text, images or links.

There’s an Amazon integration for things like countertop appliances, so collecting data like model numbers and warranty milestones is automatic.

Agents who specialize in new construction would make smart use of HomeView by capturing building phases, finish types, appliance information and amenities.

Each property record can be part of the marketing package, allowing buyers to have a fresh, clean start to recording the history of their home.

I like HomeView’s project-tracking components for recording larger repairs and renovations. Pictures can be linked at any point and it’s easy to add contractor information, part numbers and important dates.

I know I would love to have a detailed history of paint colors and brand as well as an image archive of how the basement was finished.

There is value in listing agents pushing the app to clients for collating home data as part of the sale. When a home’s record is sufficiently populated, it can be shared with other folks, such as buyer reps, lenders or other sale stakeholders.

Buyer agents can set up an account for clients (in their name) after closing.

I find the image-driven model to be a smart way for users to access home data.

There’s no doubt in my mind that tools like HomeView will become immensely more valuable as homes become smarter and more populated by generations raised on technology and the “Internet of Things.”

Home hard drives and secure account profiles will be exchanged at closing via facial recognition instead of keys and garage door openers.

Until then, I find the image-driven model a smart way for users to access home data. That alone makes HomeView a competitor in home management software space.

However, I think the other players’ time in the game is providing them the advantage.

For now, anyway.

Have a technology product you would like to discuss? Email Craig Rowe.