Dash GPS Get Real Estate Search
Exciting news on the mobile real estate front.
Coldwell Banker has just announced it will be feeding all of its listings to the Dash Interneted-connected GPS navigator.
What’s a Dash? The Dash takes GPS to the next level by connecting to the Internet via cellular and WiFi networks. It can also create up a mini MESH network (i.e. connecting to other Dash units in individual vehicles) to share real time traffic data.
(Note to self. Gotta get me a Dash)
Obviously, the potential for feeding data to GPS navigator is a no-brainer for application in real estate.
From the Dash Blog
- Hunting for the home of your dreams? Coldwell Banker® allows consumers to search for homes with the “Coldwell Banker Home Search” button. It allows Dash drivers to access real estate listings and property details from their vehicle and instantly create a route to them.
Granted this is not a complete solution for any buyer since it seems like only CB’s listings would be shown. (Talk about an exclusive distribution channel however, nice work CB!)
But was does it really signal? Internet enabled GPS devices, GPS enabled smartphones (cough.. 2nd gen iPhone) mean that in fairly short order, a truly self-directed, Internet-backed mobile real estate search will be a reality for many buyers.
For listing agents it means thinking of new creative ways of promoting your listings to mobile buyers (see Cellsigns Launches iPhone Video Tours). For buyer’s agents, it may mean holding seminars educating people how to take advantage of all of these new tools (thereby positioning yourself as the go-to person when it comes to placing an offer).
And for real estate brokerages it means, like Coldwell Banker, you need to be aware of these technological shifts and ultimately, provide the service yourself. If you do you’ll keep your brand in the heart of the action.
(h/t Mike Price, writing at GeekEstate Blog)
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caleb Mardini | May 15, 2008 | Reply
With the proliferation of GPS enabled devices I believe we’re likely to see a lot of “no-brainer” solutions.
Far more from bringing websites, blogs, and news to where ever you are via your web enabled device, we’ll see the web integrating with the real world in an entirely different way.
Fascinating stuff Joel. Thanks!
Caleb Mardini | May 15, 2008 | Reply
oops, somehow my comment disappeared
With the proliferation of GPS/Web enabled devices I believe we’re likely to see an explosion of “no-brainer” resources that will tie the web and the real world closer together.
It’ll be very interesting. There’s a lot of opportunity in this space.
Thanks for the post Joel.
Thomas Johnson | May 15, 2008 | Reply
Joel: Don’t worry- remember back in the fall Realogy announced that it will have all the listing a la the Re/Max powered by eNeighborhoods site summer of 2008? You think this might be one heck of a coincidence?
Josette Skilling | May 16, 2008 | Reply
The more we can push this quick access to the places users want to see it the better! Love the idea of teaching buyers how to use all the tools. Hmmm….
Judy Peterson | May 16, 2008 | Reply
Fascinating. First I’ve heard of this and yes it’s a coup for CB and for you with the news. Long term, it’s the same proprietary real estate dilemma though. Having a GPs with only one Brokers listings might annoy the consumer more than help, seems to me. What would be really cool would be a “chip” in the sign that could be read by any GPS. Always enjoy your posts!
Richard Dale-Mesaros | May 19, 2008 | Reply
….and so another wicked good application appears!
I can’t wait until RealtyTrac jumps on the band wagon and does the real estate investor version of this - won’t be far behind, I’m sure.
Onward!
Richard
Chief Deal Weaver
http://www.BlackWidowNetwork.com
Keahi Pelayo | May 19, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for sharing the information. I wonder if Coldwell Banker in Hawaii will take part.
Aloha,
Keahi
retrove | May 20, 2008 | Reply
This is interesting… Dash actually provides an API so anyone can do it and I assume many will, so it will be interesting to see how they handle that on the interface.
This post reminded me of the Realtor.com Mobile search which surprisingly never seemed promoted by the big R… but already allows users to search via mobile phones that are GPS enabled and also those that are not. I wonder if the adoption curve to mobile real estate search will be faster than traditional internet search?
Jon Sigler | May 20, 2008 | Reply
I love my navigation system, and have gotten one in my last 3 cars. But I can tell you I’ve never once looked at the information it contained on things like gas stations, ATM, or the like. I can’t picture getting in my car and asking it to tell me, take me to a 2000 sq. ft. colonial with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, etc. Especially with $4.00 gas. People might plan a route from home of houses which they have previewed, but I doubt they will randomly go look. Nice way to get some press , but I can’t see this one use of GPS technology taking off.
Jason | Jun 1, 2008 | Reply
there is an application you can add for Trulia now as well. The current version doesn’t provide a whole lot of information but it does give the gist. I was especially curious to see if it showed the listing agent or a sponsor of sorts but it didn’t (yet).