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How many home search apps are you using to find your next house?

January 20, 2015 By Doug Francis

Vienna real estate homesnapAnyone using a home search app these days probably has two that send status updates and new listing alerts. Believe it or not, long before Zillow, Trulia or Realtor.com,  there was a way for me to automatically email new listings to my clients ~ way back in 2001!

Yes, in the early 2000’s my hip Gen-X clients were showing up with printouts from L&F.com, AOL and ZipRealty. So I found a way to do that too.

I understand today’s home search game of having accounts at Zillow and Redfin to send you minute by minute updates, but you may have discovered that everything doesn’t always pop up the way it should. I mean, have you ever driven to see a house and pass one that wasn’t on Zillow? Of course, that’s why you have Redfin and Trulia.

That may have described you last weekend? It’s crazy.

But sometimes, a house won’t show up on any of them.

Why every house isn’t on one web site…

The issue is with the system which syndicates the new listings to these “third party” marketing platforms. And that issue came to light for me at my new firm because the syndication process isn’t automatic or the same as at the old firm.

For you, the consumer, the results can be frustrating (okay, infuriating) when you drive past an attractive Vienna home and see it is already “under contract”. And, the alert never hit your iPhone.

My goal this week is to help find a new, local solution. Local to our market in Northern Virginia.

I feel your pain and have a solution

Every other year our MLS comes up with some public interface to give consumers a mainline into the Realtor for-sale data. Homesdatabase.com was the first incarnation, which evolved into MrisHomes.com

But they came up with an app for smartphone users (iPhone, iPad, Android) that is so much easier that I use it myself.

Click here to see HomeSnap and it is going to become your favorite app on your phone. The smartphone app is awesome.

When you try it on your phone, have it search by “Current Location”.

Let me know how this works for you.

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Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: home search app, real estate, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he "starred" in a tech commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Being able to guide my clients through many real estate sales, either moving out, moving in, or just across town, has been a rewarding experience that helps when discussing a plan with a future client.

Being able to help them focus and understand our proven sales plan always eases their anxiety of this looming personal task. And, putting it into bite-sized steps always helps them get where they really want to be.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the town tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing ~ and my marketing starts here. My elite clientele has been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients now.

Thanks for reading... and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or send me an email at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
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