Redfin’s revamped iPhone app now features an integration with Facebook Messenger that allows users to share listings with contacts directly from Redfin using the popular social network’s messaging app.
When users click on a link to a Redfin listing via Facebook Messenger they will now by taken directly to the listing on Redfin’s iPhone app, if they have it downloaded. Users can also share listings on the app by Facebook itself, Twitter, email, text message and iPhone’s phone-to-phone “AirDrop” feature.
In addition to the Facebook Messenger integration, Redfin has added a new three-button menu bar that sits at the bottom of the iPhone screen within the app. In addition to providing access to home search from within anywhere in the app, the menu bar allows users to set up a home tour with a Redfin agent or keep track of open houses they want to attend using the “Visit Homes” button. Hitting “My Redfin” lets users see saved searches, favorite homes, Redfin-recommended homes, and notes and photos.
The updated app also includes a new search display layout that’s similar to Zillow and Trulia’s iPhone apps. When users click on a listing in the app’s map view, a photo of the home slides up on the bottom of the screen that they can click to see more details or swipe down and away.
Screen shot of Redfin’s new mobile app showing the new home search display feature.
“When people are searching for their dream home, they want to be instantly notified when a home matching their desired criteria hits the market, to easily share details about that home with family and friends and to quickly schedule a tour of that home at a time that works for them,” said Andy Taylor, director of product at Redfin, in a statement.
Redfin, which operates as a brokerage and referral site in nearly 30 U.S. markets and is looking to expand to nearly 50 more, has a large mobile presence. In April, it attracted 3.2 million unique visitors to its mobile website and mobile apps, according to comScore. That ranked it No. 5 among all real estate networks behind Zillow (30.7 million), Trulia (10.9 million), realtor.com operator Move Inc. (13.3 million) and Homes.com (4.6 million).
