Long & Foster just released its new mobile app to help potential homebuyers search for available properties. Teaming up with Real Estate Digital (RED), a subsidiary of Xome Holdings, the app makes the search for Long & Foster properties simple.
“I think the strongest element of the RED app technology is that the user-focused design provides a great experience in their hands,” said John Hensley, chief technology officer at RED. “It’s too easy to create a bad mobile user experience and much harder to create a simple and intuitive interface that easily lets the consumer search properties.”
Upon downloading the free app to your mobile device (the app is available for both Apple and Android users), the opening screen prompts the user for a city, zip code, address or MLS number search. Once the map loads, the screen is peppered with green dots showing available properties for sale and rent.
Main Menu
The main menu is accessible via top right corner drop-down menu. Once opened, the user is able to access a mortgage calculator, open houses, agent searches and saved searches.
Filter
The “Filter” option at the top left corner of the screen allows the user to limit the options shown. With a simple finger swipe, your searches can be limited to available, pending, sold, rentals-only and the type of residential property you’re searching for (single family, condo, townhouse, twinhome, farm, etc).
Near me
The “Near me” feature uses GPS location technology to show you properties in the general vicinity of your exact location. The map, similar to any directional application you currently have on your device, allows you to zoom in or out to find the closest matches.
Draw option (Apple screen)
Draw
The “Draw” feature allows the user to trace their own perimeter. Once you have connected the lines, all available properties are shown within the outline.
Layers
The “Layers” feature is somewhat like a filter for your search. The options included are Parcel Lines, Neighborhoods, Subdivisions, Elementary Schools, Middle Schools and High Schools. You may select from the menu which layer you wish to apply to your search, and the map automatically adjusts the results accordingly.
Control Panel
The control panel along the bottom of the app (visual may appear different for Android uses) allows you to personalize your searches for your records. The “My L&F” option lets you see recent searches, saved searches and saved properties. The “Virtual View” allows you to use your phone’s camera to see properties. When the camera is pointed at a Long & Foster property, information becomes available. The “Save” option is for saving searches and properties, while the “Contact” tab puts you in communication with a Long & Foster agent.
“Consumers really seem to like the features that allow them to zero in on the specifics of their property search: with RED’s provided tools, app users can create map and listing searches, and overlay parcel lines, or environmental and neighborhood data,” Hensley said.
