Colorado-Based Metro Brokers, Inc. Launches Nation's Most Consumer-Focused Web-Based Real Estate Search Tool

January 8, 2007; 08:00 AM

After two years of development, Colorado-based Metro Brokers, Inc. unveils the future of real estate search at the Inman Real Estate Connect Conference in New York City, January 8-10, 2007. The new website, wwMw.ColoradoHomeStop.com (powered by Metro Brokers, Inc.), is the nation’s most useful and useable “Real Estate Search 2.0” offering. This innovative tool takes map-based real estate search to a new level of interactivity, building proprietary AJAX technology onto Google Maps’ already powerful mapping platform. With never before seen search functionality and real-time updates, ColoradoHomeStop.com will revolutionize the way people search for real estate online.

“We started with a strategic vision – our objective was to provide the consumer with what they fundamentally desire in a website,” said Chairman of Metro Brokers IT Committee, Mark Eibner. “ColoradoHomeStop.com is designed to give the consumer a truly great experience searching for real estate on the web.”

Metro Brokers searched for many months and evaluated dozens of technology providers to help fulfill their vision before finally selecting WhereToLive.com.

“Since the vast majority of consumers begin their home search on the web today, we wanted to offer a free tool for those who are searching for real estate information in Colorado,” said Maria Cook, Metro Brokers Executive Director. “We are proud to be the first real estate website to provide this innovative proprietary technology exclusively to the Colorado marketplace.”

The initial launch of ColoradoHomeStop.com incorporates Colorado’s largest MLS, Metrolist, Inc., offering users access to nearly all Denver metro area listings. All available Colorado MLS feeds will launch later in the year.

ColoradoHomeStop.com offers a myriad of unique features including:

• Single integrated real-time search featuring WhereToLive.com’s proprietary SmartMapsm search technology to access all pertinent real estate information in a single view.
• Enhanced Google Maps technology, including street level, aerial satellite and hybrid views.
• Integrated property search filters to allow consumers to refine their search in real-time.
• Ajax framework that allows for a dynamic experience, including little waiting for screen refreshes and complete information “above the fold” in a single view.
• Quick Search fuzzy logic for pinpointing specific properties by address, Property ID, MLS number and more.
• All available properties are plotted on the SmartMap via color-coded Property Markers including Property Bull’s-eyes.
• Point to the Property Filmstrip to quickly preview available listings and see where they are located in geo-context.
• Hover over Property Markers to display Property Billboards and view summary property information such as thumbnail photo, price and address.
• Property Preview displays relevant property information in an easy to read format.
• Property Showcase allows viewing of large photo tour of each property.
• Access to valuable neighborhood and school information specific to a property.
• User can map a property and receive turn-by-turn driving directions, print property brochures in a variety of formats and request additional information and schedule showings via the web.
• Your Account allows website guests to save and view favorite listings, receive RSS search updates via their favorite RSS Reader, save and view home searches, schedule automated e-mail updates and more.
• Users can compare up to four properties side by side and print handy report.
• Consumers can search for a Metro Brokers Agent or Office and receive detailed information online.

Historically, real estate information was locked away from consumers in the MLS. Approximately five years ago this information started to become available in Colorado, however it was very cumbersome to use.

“ColoradoHomeStop.com represents the future of real estate search and will serve as a benchmark from which all other real estate websites are compared,” said Eibner. “There are a lot of websites available for real estate information today, however ColoradoHomeStop.com makes this information readily available to consumers in a free, easy to use interface and adds context to it…all with no registration required.”

As a Platinum Sponsor, ColoradoHomeStop.com officially launches today at Inman Real Estate Connect in New York at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. This conference proved the ideal location for the website launch as it is the premier real estate event. Demonstrations of the new website will be available at ColoradoHomeStop.com’s booth. Anyone attending may stop by to see this interactive, real-time, groundbreaking site for themselves.

About Metro Brokers

Metro Brokers, Inc. is an association of independent real estate brokers who specialize in Colorado residential, commercial and investment properties. Our network of 2,000 highly experienced real estate professionals have been helping buyers and sellers make the most of their real estate transactions since 1976, designating 30 years of excellence. Unlike most other real estate companies Metro Brokers, Inc. is actually owned and controlled by its brokers.