Comments on: Is the mobile web the next big thing? http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/ Seattle's Leading Resource for Real Estate Information Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:02:47 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Where should the MLS end and the IDX begin? | Rain City Guide | A Seattle Real Estate Blog... http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-133468 Where should the MLS end and the IDX begin? | Rain City Guide | A Seattle Real Estate Blog... Thu, 10 May 2007 19:43:58 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-133468 [...] .italics { font-style: italic} What should the MLS responsibilities be in terms of listing change notification, statistics/reporting, automated listing distribution, listing access via mobile devices or any number of things that either an MLS or an IDX vendor could provide? [...] [...] .italics { font-style: italic} What should the MLS responsibilities be in terms of listing change notification, statistics/reporting, automated listing distribution, listing access via mobile devices or any number of things that either an MLS or an IDX vendor could provide? [...]

]]> By: greg tracy http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-109239 greg tracy Thu, 15 Mar 2007 21:49:26 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-109239 I have the MLS on my TREO, but I rarely use it because when I'm out with clients we have a list of homes we're seeing and I bring the MLS printouts with all the information on it. The only time my wife or I (we both have MLS on our TREO's and we're both Realtors) us our mobile MLS is if a buyer lead calls us about a certain home and we need to look it up while we're away from a computer, but that's rare also. I think the idea of having the MLS information on our phones is great, and it's nice for those times you do use it, but it's really not that big of deal. Consumers look for a home for a few weeks and then they don't care about home info again for years, so I don't think they would encumber their phones with software so it needs to be internet driven, and compatible for the teeny tiny phone screens on mobile devices. I don't care how great your resolution is on your new mobile device- it's tough to see details or a home on a 4inch screen. I have the MLS on my TREO, but I rarely use it because when I’m out with clients we have a list of homes we’re seeing and I bring the MLS printouts with all the information on it.

The only time my wife or I (we both have MLS on our TREO’s and we’re both Realtors) us our mobile MLS is if a buyer lead calls us about a certain home and we need to look it up while we’re away from a computer, but that’s rare also.

I think the idea of having the MLS information on our phones is great, and it’s nice for those times you do use it, but it’s really not that big of deal.

Consumers look for a home for a few weeks and then they don’t care about home info again for years, so I don’t think they would encumber their phones with software so it needs to be internet driven, and compatible for the teeny tiny phone screens on mobile devices. I don’t care how great your resolution is on your new mobile device- it’s tough to see details or a home on a 4inch screen.

]]> By: John Schroeder http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-109086 John Schroeder Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:52:54 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-109086 You guys on the coasts are so far ahead of us technology wise. If I could get my treo to unlock the supra boxes I could lose part of the "arsenal" on my belt. Anyone seen my grappling hook??? You guys on the coasts are so far ahead of us technology wise. If I could get my treo to unlock the supra boxes I could lose part of the “arsenal” on my belt. Anyone seen my grappling hook???

]]> By: Jayson Pablo http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-109021 Jayson Pablo Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:06:17 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-109021 It's a nice phone having most of the facilitity. Really impresive It’s a nice phone having most of the facilitity. Really impresive

]]> By: Marlow Harris http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108991 Marlow Harris Thu, 15 Mar 2007 08:52:03 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108991 I'm not sure how long it takes to download the MLS, as I have it scheduled automatically for 3am. But a couple of times when I've had to do a manual sync, it took about 3 minutes, but then I only do the listings and not the roster. Also, I limit the listings to just the Seattle metro area, not the entire state-wide MLS. I use the same phone to gain access to locked homes. The phone uses infrared to unlock the keyboxes, then automatically records my access into the box and hence, into the house. And, like I said, after accessing the keybox, the system sends a prompt on my phone for me to enter feedback about the house. For instance, Gordon can see exactly what I think of Rich Barton's home, just by reading the feedback I left when I visited last weekend! If he uses the same software on his phone, he can read it there. Even if he chooses to use a keypad instead of a PDA/phone, he can access the info via his PC using GE Security's Supra KIM system, which we all use for MLS access to sync our keybpads & keyboxes. I’m not sure how long it takes to download the MLS, as I have it scheduled automatically for 3am. But a couple of times when I’ve had to do a manual sync, it took about 3 minutes, but then I only do the listings and not the roster. Also, I limit the listings to just the Seattle metro area, not the entire state-wide MLS. I use the same phone to gain access to locked homes. The phone uses infrared to unlock the keyboxes, then automatically records my access into the box and hence, into the house. And, like I said, after accessing the keybox, the system sends a prompt on my phone for me to enter feedback about the house. For instance, Gordon can see exactly what I think of Rich Barton’s home, just by reading the feedback I left when I visited last weekend! If he uses the same software on his phone, he can read it there. Even if he chooses to use a keypad instead of a PDA/phone, he can access the info via his PC using GE Security’s Supra KIM system, which we all use for MLS access to sync our keybpads & keyboxes.

]]> By: Robbie http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108984 Robbie Thu, 15 Mar 2007 08:23:54 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108984 Marlow, I also read Greg Swann's <a href="http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=1139" rel="nofollow">Passive marketing can swing sale</a> post this week. :) Besides, if my lowly blog post will help sell Rich Barton's home and make my client happy, then I'm all for it. I'll have to see your TREO one of these days (probably Inman SF connect if we don't meet before then). How long does it take to download/sync the MLS? If Galen's impressed, it must be cool. Ben K, I suspect most hard-core mobile bloggers, just use mobile feed readers instead of web browsers. Then again, I'm not of them, so it's just a gut feel. BTW - Thanks for the compliment. My favorite feature is the static Google maps when you click on the address.  One of the problems with mobile development I have is that most phones can only use proprietary cell phone networks, which makes exhaustive product testing expensive. I'm currently using a PocketPC over WiFi and I'm hoping that it isn't that much different than the cell phone experience would be. If there was only a Firefox for PocketPC... Marlow, I also read Greg Swann’s Passive marketing can swing sale post this week. :) Besides, if my lowly blog post will help sell Rich Barton’s home and make my client happy, then I’m all for it.

I’ll have to see your TREO one of these days (probably Inman SF connect if we don’t meet before then). How long does it take to download/sync the MLS? If Galen’s impressed, it must be cool.

Ben K, I suspect most hard-core mobile bloggers, just use mobile feed readers instead of web browsers. Then again, I’m not of them, so it’s just a gut feel. BTW – Thanks for the compliment. My favorite feature is the static Google maps when you click on the address. 

One of the problems with mobile development I have is that most phones can only use proprietary cell phone networks, which makes exhaustive product testing expensive. I’m currently using a PocketPC over WiFi and I’m hoping that it isn’t that much different than the cell phone experience would be. If there was only a Firefox for PocketPC…

]]> By: Galen http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108890 Galen Thu, 15 Mar 2007 04:47:15 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108890 I've seen Marlow use her fancy phone and it's very slick. I was most impressed. I’ve seen Marlow use her fancy phone and it’s very slick. I was most impressed.

]]> By: Ed Kohler http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108854 Ed Kohler Thu, 15 Mar 2007 03:45:37 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108854 My wife and I drove around a lot of neighborhoods just getting a feel for home styles, but couldn't look up the price of homes for sale at that time (2004) without getting in front of a computer. If I could look up a listing by address, and get some specs on the house, that would be great. My wife and I drove around a lot of neighborhoods just getting a feel for home styles, but couldn’t look up the price of homes for sale at that time (2004) without getting in front of a computer. If I could look up a listing by address, and get some specs on the house, that would be great.

]]> By: Ben K http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108853 Ben K Thu, 15 Mar 2007 03:44:32 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108853 I've been contemplating recreating my blog for mobile devices but am not too sure potential visitors would be using their phones to view my site. Right now, I'm thinking the ROI will be low. But, maybe they will so I bought a .mobi domain...just in case. Anyway, that's a nice looking app you created for RPA. Marlow, the NWMLS also has a mobile based website so agents don't need to subscribe to the download. It's at www.nwmls.com/pda - the one drawback is that it doesn't include condo unit numbers. I’ve been contemplating recreating my blog for mobile devices but am not too sure potential visitors would be using their phones to view my site. Right now, I’m thinking the ROI will be low. But, maybe they will so I bought a .mobi domain…just in case.

Anyway, that’s a nice looking app you created for RPA.

Marlow, the NWMLS also has a mobile based website so agents don’t need to subscribe to the download. It’s at http://www.nwmls.com/pda – the one drawback is that it doesn’t include condo unit numbers.

]]> By: Marlow Harris http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108730 Marlow Harris Thu, 15 Mar 2007 01:06:11 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/03/14/is-the-mobile-web-the-next-big-thing/#comment-108730 I notice you featured Rich Barton's own home there in the illustration, and Zillow Board of Directors member/RPA owner/seller's rep Gordon Stephenson's listing. Brilliant example of cross-marketing Robbie! I have Supra software loaded onto my TREO and it automatically downloads the entire MLS onto my phone every night. I also use the phone to access keyboxes, and I can also see who's entered my own listings that way. When someone accesses my listing, their contact info gets beamed into my phone and it even prompts them for feedback. Pictures would be nice, as long as it didn't make the service so slow as to be unusable. I also download a roster so I can instantly contact other agents, either by phone or by email. Not sure if I know of any buyers who would actually use such a service, but I use mine every day. I notice you featured Rich Barton’s own home there in the illustration, and Zillow Board of Directors member/RPA owner/seller’s rep Gordon Stephenson’s listing. Brilliant example of cross-marketing Robbie!

I have Supra software loaded onto my TREO and it automatically downloads the entire MLS onto my phone every night. I also use the phone to access keyboxes, and I can also see who’s entered my own listings that way. When someone accesses my listing, their contact info gets beamed into my phone and it even prompts them for feedback. Pictures would be nice, as long as it didn’t make the service so slow as to be unusable. I also download a roster so I can instantly contact other agents, either by phone or by email. Not sure if I know of any buyers who would actually use such a service, but I use mine every day.

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