Realtor.com Launches Commute Time Search Filter for iOS

Realtor.com just made it easier for real estate buyers to find a home that matches their lifestyle needs. On Monday, the property search portal released a new commute time search filter that allows consumers to search for homes that fall within their desired commute time from work.

The filter, currently available only on the iOS version of the Realtor.com mobile app, lets users select their preferred commute length alongside search criteria like number of beds/baths, house size, and more. Home buyers can search in increments of 10 minutes up to 60 minutes. They can also use the "With traffic" option to filter by commute lengths at rush hour or at off-peak times.

Once the maximum preferred commute time and other criteria are entered, listings that match are displayed:

Realtor.com® said that the commute time filter was created in response to consumer feedback. According to a survey of 600 realtor.com® users, 85 percent of respondents would sacrifice home features like lot size, home size, and home style in favor of a shorter commute. Forty percent of those surveyed said that they wanted to reduce their current commute by up to 45 minutes.

"Our goal is [to] go beyond helping consumers search for listings by providing them with the tools and information to make decisions about which homes are right for them," said Chung Meng Cheong, CPO of realtor.com®. "With a more holistic view of their drive to and from work, people are able to make more informed decisions about where to live, and hopefully reduce some unnecessary stress from their daily lives."

The commute time filter is only available to iOS users currently, but realtor.com® plans to release launch the feature on its Android app and website in the near future.