A Seattle-based company is introducing a new online service that promises to
service that not only allows consumers to "tour" a property online, but to
simultaneously quiz the agent about what he's looking at.
The service, called " LiveTour," generally competes in the same arena as iPIX and other wrap-around photo tours, but has additional communication
technology built in. LiveTour was developed by URreal Inc. in Seattle.
One of the key values of LiveTour is its capacity to bring all the interested
parties together on an Internet-style conference call - with the emphasis on
"all the interested parties."
The technology allows the homebuyer to photo-tour the home at the same time
as the real estate agent - either the listing agent or a buyer agent. As the
buyer goes through the tour, he can point and click on a specific spot and
ask a question, either by typing out a message, via a voice connection
through the computer or even by live telephone call.
The agent is seeing the same thing -- at the same time -- as the buyer, so
questions can be answered in real time.
Even more importantly, however, it can be a kind of "conference call-virtual
tour" all wrapped into one. Not only can the buyer and the agent be touring
the property, but the buyer's father-in-law, mother-in-law and any other
invited party can participate at the same time.
In theory, even a seller could be present - either actively participating or
lurking in the background to gain feedback on the showability of the house.
"LiveTour is designed to help (real estate agents) increase sales, save time
and provide a noticeably higher level of service to both buyers and sellers,"
said Mike Hayes, CEO of URreal.
"The lifeblood of any agent is the number of listings they can achieve.
Selling to the seller is greatly enhanced with LiveTour.
"Real estate agents can use a laptop (offline) to show a potential seller on
the spot how their property will look in a LiveTour presentation. Sellers
will see how this technology showcases their property."
LiveTour is capable of seamless integration with online MLS systems, so
agents and buyers can do price comparisons.
Also, the system uses extensive mapping, demographic and other data
technology that allows a buyer to survey the entire neighborhood for
suitability.
For more information, see: www.livetours.ws
Published: November 6, 2000
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