The Swan Property Group, a major West Country agency with 29 offices, has just become a subscriber to the Homeview estate agency videotex service. (Videotex, sometimes referred to as viewdata, consists simply of an on-line computer database which may be accessed at any time via the telephone network). Homeview, which is nationwide, is available on ISTEL’s Infotrac, claimed to be the most widely used value added network service (VANS) in the country.
All the Swan offices will now be able to display instantly on a videotex screen full details of properties available at any other Swan office. Immediate print-outs of the details displayed may be requested by users. Local Swan clients moving to other parts of the county will also be able to obtain information on over 10,000 properties on the books of other subscribing estate agencies throughout the United Kingdom. It is claimed that access to ISTEL’s Infotrac network costs most agencies no more than a local rate telephone call.
Commenting on the system, Swan’s chairman Angus Manson states; “Although the majority of our transactions are still local, increasing numbers of people are now moving into and out of the Bristol area. Using a national information service such as Homeview puts us several moves ahead of our local competitors; and, more importantly, it is a significant step towards the concept of ‘one-stop’ property shopping.”
Details from Ken Humphries, ISTEL Ltd (0527 64274) or Michael Woodburn, Homeview Data Services Ltd (04862 79298).
