Centriq app upgrades build impressive home data libraries

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A number of home maintenance apps populate the real estate tech market, and many focus on letting agents brand them as marketing tools.

For Centriq, which has undergone a tremendous growth spurt in the last 12 months collecting investors, advisers, programmers and a host of new features, that model seems to play second fiddle to its smart, easy home intelligence app.

Nevertheless, agents can still glean a lot of value from recommending it to new homeowners and sellers, and it can be branded with their image and contact information.

What’s new?

Since I reviewed Centriq originally in September 2015, the iOS app has offered manuals, tips and forums for common homeownership concerns.

Now, a homeowner need merely snap an image of an appliance’s name plate to have Centriq automatically create a list of its details, including common parts, warranty information and the category (or room) where it’s located.

The app provides links directly to Amazon in case something needs to be ordered, and has also added advisers from major companies such as Dropbox, Salesforce, Accenture and the National Association of Home Builders.

Centriq has undergone a tremendous growth spurt in the last 12 months.

Users can capture notes on video to record how to program the security system or ignite the pilot light. Documents can be uploaded and warranty information is also linked to an appliance’s Centriq record.

The point of all this is for homeowners to be in control of everything that powers a home, even paint colors and brands. If it’s something a new owner will need to know, it can be captured and categorized by Centriq.

Recall notifications

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that one in every two homes is operating an appliance that has a recall notice. However, few notices reach their owners.

Centriq has partnered with the organization to reconcile any recall dangers with appliances in your home. When you capture an appliance, the app checks the database — pretty useful for things like dryers, microwaves or smoke detectors.

I wonder, how often do agents remind buyers and sellers to look for recall alerts?

Visual updates

The Centriq interface as been amped up as well, offering easy mobile control and auto-populating for the majority of critical data.

A homeowner doesn’t have to limit Centriq to kitchen tools or HVAC systems. It can be used in the garage, the basement and for the fast-growing list of “smart home” devices.

Big data

Centriq’s ultimate value is realized at closing, when a new owner can be handed over an impressive library of data about their home: What kind of seed does the lawn like? When was the screen door last fixed?

I find this to be a useful app, which will always be free, according to its co-founder Shubber Ali.

It finally gives us a reason to stop maintaining that colossal compendium of manuals we store in the closet — and never use.

Centriq is in the iOS App Store now and will be available on Google Play before year’s end.

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