HouseFront

HouseFront is a U.S. real estate search service. The company has data on over 100 million residential homes. HouseFront's data is accessed through . Aside from standard text messaging rates, the services is free of charge. HouseFront is the first service that allows consumers to access the information from mobile devices via SMS. This is accomplished by sending any residential property address to the short code 46873, which spells out HOUSE. Within seconds users receive a return message containing a , characteristics about the property, trends in the neighborhood as well as ownership information. HouseFront also has a companion website where all HouseFront users have a password protected account. On this site all of the users' search history is stored so users may re-visit the homes they have searched. Users on the website may also view interactive maps from Google maps and view comparable homes within the area. HouseFront's goal of service is to pair home buyers or home sellers with a real estate professional in their local markets.

HouseFront was launched in April of 2007. The company was founded by James Eberhard. Mr. Eberhard was the founder of 9squared, a ring tone and mobile content provider.

Features
SMS
HouseFront introduced the industry’s first SMS (text message) property search service in early 2007. Users text message an address to the US shortcode ‘HOUSE’ or 46873. HouseFront has step by step instructions at their website.

HouseFront Text Messaging

Website
HouseFront’s website allows users to search property valuations on over 100 million properties. Users that own a home are able to claim their property, add pictures, update information and leave comments.

When using the text message service, searches are saved online at HouseFront.com under “My Searches” for later review. The website also allows users to compare homes side by side and displays satellite photos provided by Google.

iPhone
In October 2007, HouseFront launched the first real estate search widget specifically designed for the iPhone. iPhone users access the site by visiting http://iphone.housefront.com

The company claims to be revamping this widget with a new look and features in the near future.

iPhone Real Estate Search

Web Widget
HouseFront provides a web widget accessible for users to place on their website or blog, giving other websites access to HouseFront’s large database of homes in the US.

HouseFront Web Widget

HouseAds
HouseAds is a multi-platform geo-targeted advertising system for the real estate professional. HouseAds allows professionals to advertise through SMS (text messaging), Pay per Click banner ads, and a system called Customer on Demand (HouseAds).

Geo-Targeting
Advertisers can segment their advertisements by geographic location including city, state, zip code, an individual property or through a national campaign. HouseAds utilizes a bidding model similar to Google, and advertisements start at $.25.

SMS (text message) Advertising
When users search HouseFront’s system via cell phone (Sending a text message to ‘HOUSE’ or 46873) for properties in an advertiser’s purchased territory, a 3 line text advertisement will be displayed. A phone number is located on the text message, and users can press the ‘Send’ button to call the advertiser.

SMS Advertising

Pay per Click Advertising
HouseAds Pay Per Click advertisements are located on the property details page when users search for homes through HouseFront.com.

Real Estate Pay Per Click Advertising

Customer on Demand
HouseAds Customer on Demand program connects buyers and sellers with real estate agents in their local area. HouseFront.com users can list their property for sale by clicking the ‘List this Property’ button, and HouseFront introduces the user to the real estate agent for that area.

HouseAds List this property

On properties for sale, HouseFront.com users can schedule showings of properties directly from the website. Users have the option of two different times, and HouseFront confirms the time with the local real estate agent.

HouseAds Schedule a Showing

Criticisms
HouseFront has received some criticism from the real estate community concerning the validity of online valuations. HouseFront, as well as other online valuation companies such as Cyberhomes and Zillow rely heavily on public records, which in many cases are inaccurate. Those records cannot reflect hard-to-quantify features like a good view, a quiet street, or a recently remodeled kitchen . Values given by HouseFront are computer generated estimates, and are not as accurate as expert valuations.

Other criticisms have come from users in regards to HouseFront's method of listing the property owner's name with the property information for registered users.

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