Real Estate Professionals Discuss Smartphone Apps and How They Are Changing the Way We Buy Homes

REDLANDS, Calif., April 6, 2011 — (PRNewswire) — Realtors and others interested in the residential real estate market are invited to visit the Spatial Roundtable blog to discuss the impact that smart applications have on helping customers find their dream house. Esri director of commercial solutions Simon Thompson began the conversation by asking, "Do you think lifestyle search and smartphone apps will change the way we buy homes?"

"In the United States, we've been accustomed to buying homes based on their physical characteristics instead of our lifestyle and neighborhood preferences," says Thompson. "While the number of bedrooms and the size of the garage are important features, more and more people want their dream home to truly reflect their needs, aspirations, and social connections."

Using the latest technology, Realtors and their clients can take to the streets searching for homes that match their lifestyle based on information including demographics, psychographics, and neighborhood attributes. Using this type of "lifestyle search," the best candidates can be highlighted and ranked according to how many client preferences are met. This gives those interested in buying a home the ability to quickly understand the areas they are looking in and compare similar homes.

What do you think? Share your point of view on Esri's online forum. Visit spatialroundtable.com to join the conversation.

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