Exciting news on the mobile real estate front.
Coldwell Banker has just announced it will be feeding all of its listings to the Dash Interneted-connected GPS navigator.
What’s a Dash? The Dash takes GPS to the next level by connecting to the Internet via cellular and WiFi networks. It can also create up a mini MESH network (i.e. connecting to other Dash units in individual vehicles) to share real time traffic data.
(Note to self. Gotta get me a Dash)
Obviously, the potential for feeding data to GPS navigator is a no-brainer for application in real estate.
From the Dash Blog
– Hunting for the home of your dreams? Coldwell Banker® allows consumers to search for homes with the “Coldwell Banker Home Search” button. It allows Dash drivers to access real estate listings and property details from their vehicle and instantly create a route to them.
Granted this is not a complete solution for any buyer since it seems like only CB’s listings would be shown. (Talk about an exclusive distribution channel however, nice work CB!)
But was does it really signal? Internet enabled GPS devices, GPS enabled smartphones (cough.. 2nd gen iPhone) mean that in fairly short order, a truly self-directed, Internet-backed mobile real estate search will be a reality for many buyers.
For listing agents it means thinking of new creative ways of promoting your listings to mobile buyers (see Cellsigns Launches iPhone Video Tours). For buyer’s agents, it may mean holding seminars educating people how to take advantage of all of these new tools (thereby positioning yourself as the go-to person when it comes to placing an offer).
And for real estate brokerages it means, like Coldwell Banker, you need to be aware of these technological shifts and ultimately, provide the service yourself. If you do you’ll keep your brand in the heart of the action.
(h/t Mike Price, writing at GeekEstate Blog)
