With the plethora of mobile apps available on smartphones today, consumers can do just about anything from their mobile-enabled device. Whether it’s looking up restaurant reviews while on the road to locating a new running route, or even finding your dream home, consumers are turning to their phones for any and everything. And thanks to Chase’s My New Home app, which is free for anyone to download and use, home shoppers can now navigate their way through the entire home-buying process from the palm of their hand.
Launched on the iOS and Android operating systems in November 2012—and available on the iPad as of July 2013—the evolution of the My New Home app centers around the organization’s strategy, which is to connect with home shoppers earlier in the process. “More and more people are using their smartphones—and technology in general—to make financial decisions,” says Bill Joseph, vice president, online and mobile marketing strategy manager, JPMorgan Chase. “As the market continues to recover, it’s going to be increasingly important to give consumers the tools they need to make the most informed decisions they can when it comes to the home-buying process.”
Having partnered with local content provider Onboard Informatics on this mobile app initiative, Chase is positioned to build on its success in the mortgage industry by bringing to market a comprehensive app that offers home shoppers the ability to find and finance their new home—all from a mobile-enabled device. “We’ve been working with the folks at Chase for more than a year, discussing and planning the most compelling and engaging use of our content, specifically real estate and localized data, within their My New Home app and other possible use cases,” says Jacek Rolnik, director of client services, Onboard Informatics.
Starting with a core feature set that provides home shoppers the ability to search for homes and save their favorites, additional features incorporated into the My New Home app include:
-The ability to capture photos, videos and notes on each property you tour
-Neighborhood and property history
-Monthly payment/affordability calculators
-Contact information for the agent or broker who listed the property
-Prequalification options
