Have suggestions for products that you’d like to see reviewed by our real estate technology expert? Email Craig Rowe.
CurbFeed is a software made to help agents more efficiently share and manage listing information with clients.
Platforms: Browser; mobile-optimized
Ideal for: Individual real estate agents primarily working within median market price points
Top selling points
- GPS-enabled listing data
- Automatic buyer matching
- Buyer email alerts
- Affordability
Top concerns
This is a small company at the moment, and it has partnered with Flexmls to be available where it serves agents. It’s active currently in New York and New Jersey, and in one market in New Mexico.
What you should know
Developed by a New Jersey-based technologist looking to solve the workflow hassles faced by his agent wife, CurbFeed’s intent is to share listing information as quickly as possible with homebuyers.
The mobile-optimized web app uses GPS data on mobile devices to quickly recall the information of any available listing an agent is physically in or otherwise close to, which is useful when previewing open houses, for example.
Potential buyer matches automatically surface once the software recognizes the listing, and agents can then email it to buyers.
The email arrives with a large image of the listing and its requisite details. Buyers can then choose one of four follow-up options under a “What do you think?” heading in the email:
- I want to see it
- Mark as favorite
- Not interested
- Please send me an email
This brief questionnaire is one of the more practical, conversational ways to engage a client through email. It asks a question, offers options and then provides valuable feedback on buyer wants and needs. Software is about simplifying workflow, and this easy, elegant survey is a great example of how to achieve that.
If a buyer wants more information, a direct link to Google Street View from the email helps them get a closer look from afar. A nice touch.
When it comes to the interface, the software won’t wow anyone with compelling graphics or modern visual conveniences. For example, when viewing listings in the main navigation screen, white text is used for the property details over images of homes. It’s hard to read. CurbFeed’s developer recognizes the app is in its early stages.
Still, it’s obvious the user experience has been thought out and has some smart touches, such as:
- A red highlight that lets agents know when a listing matches a buyer’s need
- A personal profile builder the curates social media and public data when meeting new buyers at listings
- A comparables (comps) finder that displays exact distances of each from the subject house, with directions.
Because CurbFeed was designed to be launched from its GPS-enabled listing feed, its mobile browser version clearly, and nicely, mirrors the web app.
CurbFeed also limits agents to seeing only a few recent homes and contact matches. So, it’s not a customer relationship manager (CRM), but it certainly does what’s needed to keep agents aware of their hot leads.
The product road map has signs pointing toward CRM integrations, as well as additional office administration tools.
There’s a screen that breaks down listing matches per contact, and a task module that reminds users to schedule a showing (based on the email survey response) or follow-up after a showing.
Lastly, the “Feed” in CurbFeed comes from its developers’ passion for serving food-disadvantaged communities. As profits grow, they will use their company to augment their personal efforts. That’s never a bad thing.
At the moment, CurbFeed is best for agents who are active in Flexmls markets. But at 221,000 total members, there’s plenty of potential.
CurbFeed starts at $12 per month after a 14-day trial.
Have a technology product you would like to discuss? Email Craig Rowe.
