- More software experiences are enabling buyers to invite friends and family into the home search process in public forums, introducing a new sales dynamic for agents.
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When I first reviewed HomeAhead Wishlist, it lived as an extension on Chrome — a small visual representation of what I believed to be a big idea.
With its latest update, the software’s feature list is now much more aligned with that big idea.
Actually, this is much more than update — it’s a new product.
The skeleton remains the same: buyers can assemble and prioritize a Wishlist of properties they want to consider and possibly tour.
Agents are alerted when a client adds new a home to the list and have the chance to drag and drop a property card to reprioritize or submit some comments. And like the buyer’s friends or family, agents also comment and share feedback on the listing.
Clearly, that skeleton now has a lot more muscle around it.
For starters, HomeAhead Wishlist is now an Android and iOS app. (The Chrome extension is still available.)
The interface looks terrific, does a better job of fostering communication, and easily curates listings from the most popular online portals into a clean, easy-to-organize list of properties.
Users can invite others to contribute to their list. If the app isn’t installed, the link in the invite will walk them through the install and automatically load the sender’s Wishlist.
If agents have previewed a suitable home, they can add their own photos of particular features to the property’s discussion. Buyers can add images, too.
When browsing a portal, listings are shared to HomeAhead via your device’s native sharing permissions; it’s set up the same way you would allow Facebook to access your photo album, for example.
Users can specify invites per Wishlist and also share them via email or on a social network.
HomeAhead Wishlist also added a broker-specific interface.
When rolled out company-wide, brokers can monitor their agents’ Wishlists, review buyer activity and even be alerted to intervene should activity indicate that a buyer is close to offering.
The app uses GPS tracking, comment oversight and list preferences such as price and eliminated listings to apply a “probability of offer.”
Perhaps the app’s most valuable agent-centric feature is its CRM integrations.
HomeAhead developers connected the app to Contactually and BoomTown.
Any type of activity in the app will feed data to the contact’s profile in either CRM. It’s very detailed, recording even something as minor as users scrolling through their list.
More CRMs are being considered for integration.
Perhaps the app’s most valuable agent-centric feature is its CRM integrations.
All these new features and interfaces and connections are smart add-ons and provide a lot of value.
What I still think makes HomeAhead Wishlist so valuable is its ability to curate and compare listings from multiple real estate websites.
The app’s lists pitch properties directly against one another, free of portal noise, so buyers can get apples-to-apples insight and have it enhanced by the instant feedback of trusted friends and professionals.
Smart agents would start a short list based on a buyer’s initial preferences and allow them to add and subtract to it at will. It offers a great way to be hands off as the buyer fluctuates between their wants and needs.
I remarked to company leaders during the demo that they’ve been quite busy since they walked me through the initial launch. And I liked it then.
The company is also launching an agent concierge service for top producing agents. It will involve managing their buyers’ Wishlists, communications and working them toward the offer.
HomeAhead Wishlist has evolved from a smart applet to a full-blown buyer agent advantage. It can help you save time working with buyers with in-app communication, clear listing preferences and automatic population of CRM data.
Have a technology product you would like to discuss? Email Craig Rowe.
