The underlying service provided by property portals such as Rightmove, FindaProperty, Primelocation, and SmartNewHomes is fundamentally the same. PathtoProperty will emulate this plus will more clearly convey the positive messages of affordable housing, and provide property marketing support for re-sales.
Anyone will be able to browse available property on a highly accessible website designed for the PathtoProperty project. Features will include:
- Information and messages to re-enforce the advantages of affordable housing – a deal has been struck with HomeFocus affordable housing magazine to reproduce some of its editorial and will (along with assistance from partnering landlords) supply content for:
- How-to guides
- Property News
- Articles and success stories
- Property search
- Flexibility is given by being able to search via place name or postcode
- Search criteria can be saved to a users profile for future use
- Search results
- Initially be shown in ‘thumbnail’ format with more than one to a page
- Contains summary property details
- Displays one or more pictures
- Access to Full details
- Each property will carry the ability to
- Save to favourites
- View key property details in many languages
- Email on e.g. to a family member or friend
- Print PDF brochure
- See contact details
- Request to be contacted – the website will collect contact details and automatically relay the request to the home’s provider
- Quick and easy registration
- Collecting contact details
- User can save one or more search criteria
- Automatic matching - all new property is compared to registered users search criteria and where there is a match
- Property is added to the users private ‘Alert’ area of the website
- The user is alerted by email or SMS (to mobile phone)
- My Favourites, where users can save properties from search results or match alerts for future reference
- Automatic applicant renewal – in order to keep up-to-date the currency of data on who is looking for homes after three months a registrant will be contacted by email or SMS and asked to confirm they wish to remain registered, if they do not they are archived.
In addition those advertising properties will have:
- Individual staff profiles e.g. associating a sales representative to a particular development will see enquiries on that development directed automatically to them.
- Property brochure creation for developments – advertiser can provide electronic or paper details (descriptions, pictures, plans) to be turned into the property’s Thumb-nail and Full details as well as a downloadable brochure. This can reduce workload for advertisers as well as providing a consistency of property details.
- The ability to add/edit/copy property details directly to the website will also be available, including the ability to record restrictions e.g. for Keyworkers or sheltered developments.
- Lead handling comprising workflow prompts for individual staff, e.g. to alert them to a new enquiry or prompt them to chase-up a lead.
- Target marketing, allowing advertisers to add a property’s details and have it matched to registrants immediately; particularly appropriate for re-sales where time is key.
- Reporting will include analysis of leads, property demand and underperforming property alerts.
Click here to read about the Keys to Success