The free to download app contains several features, which enhance the user experience, as well as build a closer relationship between the homes searcher and their local expert, the estate agent. An example is the map functionality, that displays all sales and rental properties by the search criteria or by the user’s location and provides directions to the nearest agent, their agent of choice or selected property.
A heavyweight marketing campaign is planned to support the launch. Advertisements will feature in DMGT titles such as Metro as well as the considerable network of Northcliffe regional newspapers. This is supported by a prominent online display presence on iPhone user-targeted sites, such as Motors.co.uk and national coverage within the localpeople sites. FindaProperty.com will also promote the app within the ADMob network of iPhone advertisements which will directly target loyal iPhone users.
Chris Boorman, FindaProperty.com product manager said: "We resisted the temptation of being the first to market, with the objective of being the very best within it. The FindaProperty.com search app is best in class and will undoubtedly improve the user experience of our home searchers, to the benefit our member agents."
Core features, many unique within the majority of property portal apps, include:
• Users can search specifically for agents.
• Ability to see floor plans in addition to property images – improving the home searcher experience.
• Use of iPhone’s accelerometer – allows the user to change the orientation and swipe through properties and images.
• Recognition of previous properties viewed – the app remembers recent properties viewed.
• Working hand in hand with the myFindaProperty account – synchronising iPhone saved searches with myFindaProperty saved searches.
• Map view for agent and property search – perform a location search using the GPS device and find properties and agents close by – all displayed on a map.
• Auto-complete on entering locations manually.
Boorman continued: "The application provides a seamless link between our consumer portal and iPhone app, which means that users will continue to interact with agents and their properties. By allowing users to search specifically for agents, we’re providing a very direct path for estate agents to communicate effectively with a growing market of tech-savvy home searchers.
"I believe that the value of an enquiry via the FindaProperty.com search app will be particularly high, this is a home searcher that’s displaying real intent."
On the link between the home searcher and the agent, Boorman continued: "Home searchers can search for the closest agent to their location, or the location of the agent marketing a property they’re interested in. The fundamentals within a property listing are also included, such as downloadable floor plans which come close to the top of the list of expected features."
The FindaProperty.com Search app for iPhone was designed by Fjord, the company known for their collaboration in the BBC iPlayer mobile service, in conjunction with The Digital Property Group's New Product Development department.
