Realtor.com Launches Texting Option to Connect Homebuyers and Agents Quickly

New mobile text messaging feature uses personalized outreach to connect consumers to a real estate professional

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 11, 2018 -- Realtor.com®, the Home of Home Search, today announced a new text messaging feature that helps facilitate a real-time connection between home shoppers and real estate professionals - the first feature of its kind among digital real estate companies.

Consumers can now use SMS to indicate their interest in a property to a realtor.com® representative, who will then match and connect them to a real estate professional on the phone.

"We believe that real estate professionals play a vital role in the home buyer's journey, and with 78 percent of realtor.com® users searching for homes on a mobile device, sending a text message to connect with a professional is a simple, effective extension of the consumer's existing mobile shopping experience," said Chung Meng Cheong, chief product officer at realtor.com®. "Our new text message feature helps facilitate a more natural and rapid connection between prospective home buyers and real estate professionals , which will expedite the consumer's home buying journey."

To access realtor.com®'s mobile texting feature, simply tap the "Text" button on a listing page to begin interacting with realtor.com®. A realtor.com® representative will schedule a time to chat on the phone to learn about the consumer's needs and connect them with a real estate professional that best meets their needs.

Realtor.com®'s mobile text message feature is available on mobile web and the realtor.com® iOS app, and will be expanding to the company's Android app in the coming weeks.

About realtor.com®

Realtor.com®, The Home of Home Search, offers an extensive inventory of for-sale and rental listings, and access to information, tools and professional expertise that help people move confidently through every step of their home journey. It pioneered the world of digital real estate 20 years ago, and today is the trusted resource for home buyers, sellers and dreamers by making all things home simple, efficient and enjoyable. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. under a perpetual license from the National Association of REALTORS®. For more information, visit realtor.com®.