Some New and Noteworthy:

Putting Windows To Work

The flyer pasted to the real estate brokerage window promoting latest listings is doomed. A startup out of New York LOH Vision unveiled its replacement last month with their debut product/integrated solution of the same name. 

Combining an interactive video touchscreen with a real estate marketing platform, it can engage pedestrians in ways paper never could. Installed in a storefront window, The Live Open House panel invites them to step up and tap the glass to learn about listings, view photo or video tours, explore maps of the surrounding neighborhood, learn about or contact agents. System analytics track all activity, which properties and neighborhoods, price searches, etc.

It’s pricey at launch, as innovations are, but the concept has real potential to captivate interested buyers, promote property and the tech savvy companies first to embrace it. Currently available in the NYC area, awaiting word when/if they’ll take it to other markets.

Tours and Tools

Looking further ahead, a European company, Real5D has technology to allow prospective tenants and  buyers tour a virtual rendering of commercial property while still under construction. It’s 3D renderings can be built from blueprints, construction plans and architectural renders, then toured in an interactive conference with a sales agent. Viewers can commit before construction is complete, or owners/developers to make changes before more costly....Back at home, Real Tour Vision upgraded and renamed its virtual tour creation and marketing platform as Real Tour Fusion. According to its announcement, the new version simplifies the the creative process that goes into building an interactive tour from photos,panoramic images and HD video. See a sample here. ...Walk Score, which has provided a useful online interactive mapping tool to help buyers learn what’s in an area, commuting times/distances, etc. just launched a redesigned version for iPhone and iPad .

Tablets, and more...

Microsoft's Surface, as introduced

     Next up will be putting together a guide to tablets for Realtor magazine online. It’s an iPad world so far, in real estate as elsewhere, but is that how it ultimately shape out with Microsoft’s announcement of its Surface, rumors of a Google Nexus tablet , and the many Android tablets already out there.

Tablets so far have repeated what was seen with PCs in real estate, where the abundant software catalog made this a Windows World. That’s part of the buzz driving users toward the iPad, then there’s the user experience......anyway if you’re using any tablet for real estate, I welcome your comments as I get to work on the story. Just email me.

Beyond The QR code

      The app guide should post on Realtor magazine online sometime soon, so here’s a shameless plug. There are many great apps out there, so many it’s fairer to present them as examples of different types of apps, rather than focus. on any specific app.        That said, One of the more intriguing apps I came across  and included is something called HomeSnap from SawBuck Realty .

This seems a great leap forward from the QR code. For rather than than using the code as the engagement point for delivering home info to potential buyers. 

      With HomeSnap, they simply snap an image of the house the system’s location-based services and sophisticated image recognition software serve up all the details. See for yourself, and you’ll glimpse the future of mobile searches. And, be sure to app buyers’ guide for an overview of the range of apps available to make your mobile career more productive.

Some Briefs:

     Alternative financing? In what it claims is a first for the lending industry, Money360 taps the reach of the Internet for a “ peer-to-peer (P2P) real estate lending marketplace,” matching qualifying residential or commercial real estate borrowers with its network of private lenders. 

     Site says, ”Borrowers find Lenders seeking to make loans based on their requested terms.  Lenders gain access to lending opportunities they would not otherwise see, and can conveniently review the opportunities that match their specified preferences.”  if you and clients have been frustrated with the traditional lending process, probably worth a look.... 

     If you’ve been considering other revenue streams until the market comes back, Picaboo.com might have a program for you. The digital book provider is targeting real estate professionals() with a program that allows them to capitalize on local market expertise as a local rep for its custom yearbook program. It might be a stretch, but if you’re feeling stretched, you might want to consider the program.