Product Overview of Homes.com
Homes.com is a comprehensive online real estate platform designed to facilitate the home buying, selling, and renting process for consumers, while also providing robust tools and services for real estate professionals.
Core Functionality
- Real Estate Search: Homes.com allows users to search for properties based on various criteria such as location, price, type, and features. The platform aggregates data from over 650 MLS (Multiple Listing Service) IDX feeds, representing more than 4.3 million listings across the US and Canada.
Key Features
- Advanced Search Tools:
- Snap & Search: This feature enables users to upload photos of homes they like, and the platform uses artificial intelligence to find local listings with similar architectural styles or exterior finishes.
- Personalized ‘Match’ Scores: Users can specify their “must have” and “nice to have” amenities, and the platform generates a match score for each listing based on these preferences, helping users quickly narrow down their search.
- Enhanced Listing Presentations:
- Descriptive Headlines: Instead of address-only headings, Homes.com generates programmatic headlines that highlight the standout features of each listing, making it easier for consumers to identify homes of interest.
- Flexible Price Searches: The platform returns search results that include homes priced slightly above or below the user’s specified price, broadening buyer options and ensuring relevant listings are not missed.
- User-Friendly Interface:
- Fewer Clicks to Details: Users can view complete image galleries, Google street and satellite views, and match scores with just one click from the search results pages. They can also save favorite listings without leaving the search results.
- HomeShare Function: This feature allows users to save favorite listings, create different share lists, and collaboratively discuss homes of interest with others using visual thumbnails.
Advertising and Promotion for Real Estate Professionals
- Agent Advertising Solutions: Homes.com offers membership programs for real estate agents, which include benefits such as:
- Preferred Placement: Listings from member agents are promoted to the top of search results, enhancing visibility.
- Neighborhood Pages: Member agents are featured on neighborhood pages, providing additional branding and promotion opportunities.
- Retargeting: The platform retargets users who have viewed listings, ensuring that member agents’ listings are presented to potential buyers even after they leave the site.
- City Sponsor Ads: These ads integrate prominently on search results pages, mirroring the look of non-sponsored listings to combat banner blindness and increase visibility for real estate professionals.
Additional Services
- Data Services: Homes.com provides IDX data aggregation and search technology to other real estate companies, helping them manage and display listings effectively.
- Lead Generation and Management: The platform offers lead aggregation services and CRM tools to help real estate professionals manage leads from various sources.
- Agent and Broker Websites: Homes.com allows agents and brokers to purchase websites with IDX and VOW (Virtual Office Website) capabilities, enhancing their online presence.
In summary, Homes.com is a powerful tool for both consumers and real estate professionals, offering advanced search features, enhanced listing presentations, and robust advertising and promotion options, making it a comprehensive solution for the real estate market.