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Homes.com rounds out mobile compatibility by launching Windows Phone 7 app

Homes.com?s latest app is for Microsoft?s Windows Phone 7 operating system, arguably making it the first real estate company to let buyers search for homes and rental properties on all major mobile platforms.

Between 2009 and 2010, Homes.com?s mobile site saw a 511 percent increase in page views, which fueled the company?s decision to increase its focus on cross-platform publishing. Already having applications compatible with the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android, cornering Microsoft?s new Windows Phone 7 platform was the inevitable next step.

?While the iPhone and Android devices are dominating the mobile marketplace, we feel there are still some great mobile devices with a lot to offer and we want to ensure that users of any phone can use Homes.com as part of their search for a new home,? said Stevan Cirkovic, director of product development of Homes.com, Norfolk, VA.

Homes.com is a division of Dominion Enterprises that focuses on providing buyers and renters listing information and tips, as well as real estate contacts, through its Web site and applications.

Evolution of real estate
In this digital age, the days of tirelessly sifting through classified ads in newspapers and local magazines for your new home are long gone.

With the introduction of new real estate-focused mobile sites and applications, buyers, renters and agents can all benefit.

?Every day we see the move to mobile happening and happening very quickly,? Mr. Cirkovic said. ?The entire search experience is shifting due to the immediacy in which we expect data delivered to us.

?Not only must we empower consumers and agents with great search and information tools, but we have to make sure we design applications that allow them to communicate freely,? he said.

Homes.com entered into the mobile space intending for potential buyers and renters to make up the bulk of the target audience, but the company has found that real estate agents are also taking advantage of the applications, which are ad-supported.

?Not only do our agent customers use [the app] for searching purposes, but they will often use it in listing presentations to show potential sellers that their listing can be accessed by users of our applications,? Mr. Cirkovic said.

About the app
The Windows Phone 7 application lets users search for homes and rentals via a location finder or by using an MLS number, bookmark favorite properties, get driving directions to a particular listing and connect to real estate professionals by email or clicking on a phone number.

Results for a listing search done on the
Homes.com app for Windows Phone 7

The application's key features are designed to simplify the home-hunting experience for buyers and renters.

?Users can find properties by performing a radius search using a phone?s GPS or by entering a specific location,? Mr. Cirkovic said. ?This search can be by city or ZIP code.

?Our search results offer the ability to view homes by searching on maps or in a list view,? he said.

As an upgrade from Homes.com?s applications that use other operating systems, the Windows Phone 7 app features a new interface with panoramic page views.

Among other new tools is the mortgage calculator, which factors in loan amounts to help potential buyers determine what their monthly payment would be.

Homes.com is promoting the application on its Web site, through email campaigns, social media and blogs.

?Basically, we are using every channel possible that gives us access to our users in order to solicit feedback on our site and our applications,? Mr. Cirkovic said. ?After all, user feedback is the best way to improve."