VoiceRealEstate" Takes Information Access to the Next Level

Real estate listings searches have never been easier or more user-friendly than with the tools and technology of VoiceRealEstate, the newest launch product of Alpen Software. Using voice prompt technology, users can execute MLS searches via cell phone "on the go" using natural language.

(PRWEB) August 2, 2003 -- Alpen Software, Inc. has announced the launch of its latest advance in real estate information access, a suite of speech input and output services referred to as the VoiceRealEstate system. As an offshoot of this technological advance, Voice Real Estate, Inc. has been established as the vehicle to deliver the latest in real estate information access options.

As Doug Greenwood describes it, this telephone-based 'interractive voice response system provides a flexible and adaptive set of tools to obtain needed real property information on the fly, be it from a regional Multiple Listing Service, or linking to an office or individual Virtual Office Website, or VOW."

While the industrys movement away from a hard-copy paper MLS listings book and towards computer-based listings access provided the real estate professional with more accurate and timely listing information, this technology merges VOW and/or IDX information with voice command access to create a multi-tasking tool that travels with you. As Greenwood opines, VoiceRealEstate takes MLS data access to the next level in regard to efficiency, productivity, and ease of use."

As envisioned by the software developer, this voice portal to the Internet completes the tool set required for professional value-added service in an ever-changing fast-paced real estate sales environment. One of the services pilot users is The Real Estate Café brokerage based in Cambridge, Mass.

Bill Wendel, broker and partner in Voice Real Estate, Inc., has been impressed by the connectivity VoiceRealEstate services provides to the agent and client in the field. Think of it, how much of your agents time is spent behind a desk as compared to the more productive time spent showing properties. Voice command driven cellular phone based MLS searches is invaluable to the agent in the field" says Wendel.

The service is much more than simply an MLS point of access. The software developer explains, this is so much more than a rigid data platform to receive MLS listing information; VoiceRealEstate is in reality a completely customizable suite of productivity tools to enhance the relevance of the real estate professional in relation to the consumers need and desire for a knowledgeable agent with a wide range of information at his or her fingertips."

In its basic configuration this system gives the user speech access to property listings searches by any number of parameters, such as a search by: City, sub-area within a city, street, or even as fine-grained as by a particular property address. Further, one can then refine a search by price range, number of bedrooms, baths, and other common attributes associated with a property listing.

Besides ease of use, the other attractive features of this system are its flexibility and expandability. With the mobile agent and his or her clients, total access to the information contained within the MLS database 'on the move via cellular phone is a vital component to responsive customer service. Greenwood explains that, our system utilizes a voice user interface, or simply put, voice commands to generate the listing info you and your clients need here and now. No fumbling through an outdated and information-limited hard-copy MLS book; no shuttling back and forth from the office to access listing info via desktop computer; no repeated calls to a personal assistant to retrieve information; its all right there on your cell phone."

He goes on to say that Alpen Software, Inc. has designed this system with capacity to add, subtract, or modify features to meet the particular needs of an office or MLS service application.

While the initial roll-out of this software product and its service mix has created something of a buzz" in the real estate industry, phase two of VoiceRealEstate is slated to radically expand ones access to a wide range of applications. Real estate broker Bill Wendel offered up his appraisal of the systems future in stating that, in addition to its totally unprecedented access to information in the field, its simplicity and expandability will ensure its ability to adapt to the ongoing changes in the industry." He goes on to say that, with new agents constantly entering the field, and consumer choice a driving force in the way real estate sales are conducted, any service that claims to save time and money in the field must be absolutely user-friendly.

The VoiceRealEstate system has no thick manuals to digest or technology 'learning curve, you dont even have to be computer savvy... if you can speak you can make immediate productive use of this system." The softwares developer, Greenwood, explained that the system allows not only for real-time voice response to MLS listing searches via phone, but also allows the user to receive the search results by way of 'text messaging. The system also affords the user the option to include an e-mailed search result to your client and/or to your office for later reference.    

Greenwood filled in some of the detail of what to look for in phase two of the product/service roll-out. A PDA interface is one natural extension of this service, and is anticipated to be an optional information access and data retrieval option in the near future. Another easy add-on application is a call-back appointment reminder, in which you can use the VoiceRealEstate system to set up and then remind you of important meetings, dates, and deadlines.

An important personal security feature is nearing completion that will allow the agent to log in location(s) and times for automated 'call-back during open houses or while showing properties to clients; if the agent does not respond/answer the call after two attempts then the local police are notified of the location and need to respond to an agent in potential danger.

With the horror stories of agents being assaulted, robbed, and worse, this peace of mind" protection is seen as a priority one upgrade to the present system.

Future information integration with school performance ratings, crime levels/public safety statistics, tax structure (fees, assessments, HOA dues...) and other frequently asked client questions will make this an invaluable tool for the real estate professional looking to provide the ultimate in customer service.

Real estate broker Bill Wendel saw yet another angle to this storehouse of available information, suggesting that, risk management is an important aspect of every transaction, and with agents having variable knowledge of a geographic area, such a standardized and authoritatively referenced database could provide a degree of liability protection."

For further information on VoiceRealEstate or to demo the product/service you may contact Doug Greenwood of Alpen Software, Inc. He can be reached by: phone at (530)583-5822; by fax at 530-583-5824; by e-mail at doug@alpensoftware.com; or by visiting the companys website at www.alpensoftware.com.

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