Private Property’s new iPad app, designed in conjunction with the company’s all-new website, became South Africa’s number one free app in terms of downloads – within a week of its release.
Released on 1 June, this second version of Private Property’s iPad app sat at the top position of the SA app store’s free “general” category within a few days. To date there have been more than 22 000 downloads and upgrades of this version and, with more than 76 000 active users, it remains one of the country’s top lifestyle apps.
The app allows house-hunters to find their next “pad” via a text, location-based or suburb navigation search. The team designed the app to enable browsers to access their favourite tools from anywhere in the app using the nifty all-new slide-menu.
Private Property’s COO Simon Bray says that the technical design gives browsers easy access to Private Property’s estate agents, private sellers and landlords by means of an in-app feature that not only provides contact details and allows direct messaging but also enables browsers to easily search for an area’s top agents with the Find Agents feature.
Additionally the app has an elegant and simple design makes it “intuitive and fun to use”.
The development period was a great team effort, he says. “I am delighted to see the response. With distinct design changes to an interface that is familiar to many users, there is bound to be a period of adjustment, but our objective in every area has been to improve the overall user experience. We want buyers, sellers, renters and agents to be engaged and enabled.”
He also points out that that users have quick access to their most recent searches directly off the app’s home page.
AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE
Simon says that the process of searching for a new home should be “awesome”.
“People should be inspired when looking for their next home and so we’ve found ways to make the whole process easier. Whether they’re planning to buy or rent, the Private Property iPad app will inspire the search and ensure that they find the home of their dreams.”
All of Private Property’s listings are detailed and up-to-date with comprehensive photo galleries, and most have walk-through videos and 360° virtual tours – features that are supported on the app.
Private Property is renowned for using technology to transform the local property industry, and has been an innovator in the South African digital property space since its inception.
Features to come soon include:
A “wish list
Saved searches that generate push notifications to browsers whenever suitable properties are loaded
A log-in and register capability
A facility that enables sellers and landlords to load their listings onto www.privateproperty.co.za directly via the app.
The iPad app is free to download and use. Simply search for it in the app store.
Log on to www.privateproperty.co.za to browse the completely re-designed and re-engineered site.
