Real estate technology roundup

By Inman News, Tuesday, July 29, 2008 

The following is a roundup of real estate technology news:

Futurist addresses 'Gen M' needs
SAN FRANCISCO -- "Generation Millennium," the group born from 1979-97 that grew up with interactive media, is moving faster than technology, according to Michael Rogers, futurist-in-residence of the New York Times.

Rogers, who spoke Thursday during the Real Estate Connect conference, said "Gen M" is mobile, latching on to Apple iPhones and smart phones. This generation is omnivorous, consuming huge amounts of media; it's opportunistic, with members assuming that information will come to them. The members are social and active creatures, participating in many social networks; and they are very visual -- reading takes a backseat to other visual media, he said.

How can we serve this fast-paced generation of consumers in the market? Rogers advised Web providers to have at least 50 percent visual-based and short content, with a decent amount of text in the mix.

Frontdoor launches section for first-time buyers
Frontdoor.com, a real estate search and marketing portal that features content from Home & Garden Television, has launched new features, including a "My First Place Buyer's Guide" and a section for home buyers to share photos and videos of their first home -- other users can comment on the user-added photos and videos.

"My First Place" is also the name of an HGTV series that follows first-time buyers as they search for homes and financing. The buyer's guide is divided into four parts: "Evaluate your life and finances," "Shop for a loan," "Find a house," and "Close the deal."