Revolutionizing the Home Buying Experience with eShowing app

Company Overview

A US based real estate company recognized the growing frustration of potential homebuyers who were tired of spending hours navigating complex real estate websites. They sought a solution that would simplify the home-buying process, allowing users to find and schedule tours of their dream homes with ease.

Problem Statement

The traditional home-buying process posed several challenges for both homebuyers and real estate agents:

• Complex Search Experience: Homebuyers were overwhelmed by the amount of time spent searching through multiple listings across various platforms.
• Inefficient Scheduling: Coordinating home tours through real estate agents was time-consuming, often leading to missed opportunities and delays.
• Limited Control: Homebuyers lacked the ability to manage their own schedules and preferences during the home-buying journey.

Objective

The primary objective was to develop an app that would empower homebuyers by giving them more control over the home-buying process. The goals included:

• Simplifying Home Search: To provide an intuitive platform that allows users to easily search for homes based on specific criteria.
• Streamlining Appointment Scheduling: To enable users to schedule private home tours at their convenience, without relying solely on real estate agents.
• Enhancing User Experience: To offer a seamless, user-friendly experience that reduces the stress and complexity of buying a home.

Solution Design

We developed the eShowing app, a comprehensive platform designed to address the needs of both homebuyers and real estate agents:

Path 1: Home Buyer’s Journey

• Login and Search: Homebuyers log into the app and use the advanced search features to look up listings by city, state, zip code, or address. They can also search using the MLS number for specific listings.
• View Listings: The app displays various MLS listings, complete with detailed information. Users can filter results to find the perfect match based on budget, size, and preferences.
• Request Tour: Upon finding a listing of interest, the homebuyer clicks a button to request a private tour. If a preferred Realtor is selected, the request is sent directly to their leads list. If no Realtor is chosen, the request is broadcasted to all Realtors in the domain.

Path 2: Realtor Lead Management

• Lead Notification: Realtors in the domain receive a notification on the Leads page, containing standardized lead information such as the homebuyer’s name, preferences, and listing details.
• Respond to Lead: Realtors can claim a lead by clicking a button, agreeing to a referral fee upon a successful sale. They are then directed to the homebuyer’s page to schedule a showing.

Path 3: Appointment Coordination

• Realtor and Home Buyer Interaction: Once a Realtor is connected, the homebuyer is notified and provided with the Realtor’s contact information. The app includes icons for direct communication via phone, text, or email, and allows scheduling of appointments.
• Scheduling a Tour: The Realtor can view the homebuyer’s suggested times, adjust them, and confirm the appointment. Both the homebuyer and Realtor receive notifications of the confirmed time, which is automatically added to their calendars.

Path 4: Uber-like Experience for Home Tours

• Real-time Notifications: The app sends reminders to both the homebuyer and Realtor before the scheduled tour. Notifications include options such as “I’m on my way” with ETA, “I’m here,” and reschedule options if necessary.

Challenges and Solutions

• Complex Search Requirements:
  • Challenge: Homebuyers often have specific and varied criteria for their search, making it difficult to find the perfect match.
  • Solution: The app’s advanced filtering options allow users to narrow down search results based on specific preferences, ensuring they find the ideal home quickly.
• Coordinating Schedules Across Multiple Parties:
  • Challenge: Scheduling home tours traditionally involves back-and-forth communication between homebuyers and agents, leading to delays
  • Solution: The app automates the scheduling process, allowing homebuyers to request tours directly and Realtors to confirm or suggest new times efficiently.

Results

The implementation of the eShowing app led to significant improvements in the home-buying process:

• Reduced Search Time: Homebuyers now spend 40% less time searching for homes, thanks to the app’s intuitive interface and advanced filtering options.
• Increased Appointments: The streamlined scheduling process resulted in a 30% increase in successfully scheduled home tours.
• Enhanced User Satisfaction: Both homebuyers and Realtors reported higher satisfaction levels due to the app’s user-friendly design and real-time communication features.

Conclusion

The eShowing app successfully revolutionized the home-buying experience by putting control back into the hands of the users. With its seamless search, scheduling, and communication capabilities, the app not only reduced the stress associated with buying a home but also empowered both homebuyers and Realtors to work more efficiently and effectively.