Coldwell Banker Real Estate was the first real estate company to launch a lifestyle search feature on a real estate website. I dont think they did it to be cool and be the first (maybe that was part of it), I actually think they created the feature based on trends among real estate consumers that shows their lifestyle is a major player in the home or neighborhood they choose to live in.
How It Works
When visiting ColdwellBanker.com, home buyers will see a small toolbar on the right side of the screen, where they can rate factors. These include:
| FACTOR | DESCRIPTION | |
| Fun, Hip and Trendy | Places alive with restaurants, nightlife and activity | |
| Art and Music | Neighborhoods rich in galleries, museums and theaters | |
| Amenities Aplenty | Regions with shops and services nearby and ready to serve | |
| Fresh Air / Times Sq. | Areas that are urban, rural or something in between | |
| Mass Transit | Locations with easy access to public transit | |
| A+ Schools | Homes near highly-rated schools | |
| Fairway Living | Communities with golf courses nearby | |
| Median Price Range | Tool to select the search’s price parameters | |
Buyers will then see neighborhoods that meet their criteria, and can search for homes within these areas. The functionality is powered by Onboard Informatics, which provides real estate information and technology solutions.
First-time homebuyers will also find the new Affordability Radar extremely helpful. After any search, a consumer can set their budget parameters through the radar on the properties that are shown. Based on the person’s current monthly expenses, the radar will display the estimated monthly cost of each property, and how it fits into that person’s current expenses each month.
Take a look at the video and see how lifestyle trends are playing a bigger role in the search for a home:
