RISMEDIA, December 22, 2010—Building on this year’s re-launch of its industry-leading website and a tradition of innovation and leadership within the real estate industry, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC announced it unveiled a tool that will once again change the way consumers look for homes online. With the new lifestyle search option on ColwellBanker.com, people who are researching or actively searching for a home can use a simple, sliding scale to rate elements of a home and community that matter most to them. Coldwell Banker Real Estate is one of the first national real estate brands to offer this capability and new experience.
“We recognize that a home’s value is more than its bedrooms and bathrooms,” said Helen Galasso, vice president of platform development and eBusiness, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “For some home buyers, school districts are crucial. For others, the neighborhood’s location can make or break their decision. Our new lifestyle search option on ColdwellBanker.com allows people to intuitively narrow in on communities that fit their needs and then pinpoint the perfect home.”
According to the company, the new lifestyle search option is just one of several choices home buyers have for finding listings. They can also simply enter their location and home requirements, such as number of bedrooms or price, and see immediate results. Others may prefer to look beyond the typical factors and peruse Coldwell Banker BlueScape, where they can search for homes by selecting from an array of varied images (accompanied by customizable background music).
How it works
When visiting ColdwellBanker.com, home buyers will see a small toolbar on the right side of the screen, where they can rate factors. These include:
Fun, Hip and Trendy – Places alive with restaurants, nightlife and activity
Art and Music – Neighborhoods rich in galleries, museums and theaters
Amenities Aplenty – Regions with shops and services nearby and ready to serve
Fresh Air/Times Sq. – Areas that are urban, rural or something in between
Mass Transit – Locations with easy access to public transit
A+ Schools – Homes near highly-rated schools
Fairway Living – Communities with golf courses nearby
Median Price Range – Tool to select the search’s price parameters
Buyers will then see neighborhoods that meet their criteria, and can search for homes within these areas. The functionality is powered by Onboard Informatics, which provides real estate information and technology solutions.
First-time home buyers will also find the new Affordability Radar extremely helpful. After any search, a consumer can set their budget parameters through the radar on the properties that are shown. Based on the person’s current monthly expenses, the radar will display the estimated monthly cost of each property, and how it fits into that person’s current expenses each month.
For more information, visit www.coldwellbanker.com.
