Inman

Long & Foster gives agents keys to free Web sites

Long & Foster Real Estate has launched a new Web-based application for its sales associates, enabling them to each have their own personal and customizable Web site at no cost to them, the privately held company said today.

The application, dubbed “The System,” was custom built based on Long & Foster sales associates’ and managers’ expressed needs, the company said. The company’s 15,000 sales agents can manage property listings and customer leads using the application.

An online presence has become critical for real estate agents with more than 74 percent of all consumers starting their real estate search on the Internet.

With the new Long & Foster application, consumers can multiple listing systems, view virtual tours of properties online, set up alerts so they’ll be notified instantly when new properties fitting their criteria become available, schedule property showings and e-mail their agent with additional questions.

The System’s internal management component called, “My System,” allows each Long & Foster sales associate to have complete control over his or her site’s content, design and Web features. Consumer-driven features that agents can personalize include: a “contact me now section,” featured communities and listings, multiple open house schedule and mapping module, high-resolution photos, virtual tours and links to brochures and other Web sites such as: Prosperity Mortgage for mortgage pre-certification or Long & Foster Insurance to obtain homeowners insurance.

The Long & Foster Companies is comprised of Long & Foster Real Estate, Prosperity Mortgage Co., Mid-States Title Insurance Agency, Long & Foster Insurance Agency, and VISION Relocation Group. The firm also has commercial, new homes, property management, leasing services, relocation services, resort rentals divisions, and the Home Service Connections group.

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