New real estate listing feature makes Open for Inspections more accessible for people with mobility challenges like veterans or parents with prams
Four property industry leaders have come together to advance inclusivity for people with mobility challenges such as veterans, the aged, parents with prams and the physically disabled with the introduction of an easily identifiable mobility friendly filter and wheelchair icons for agencies to add to suitably equipped properties.
One Agency is the first real estate network to offer the new “Mobility Filter” on eligible property listings, and popular real estate search portal Homely.com.au will carry the mobility icons on properties listed from One Agency for sale & rental properties which went into effect last week.
One Agency, Homely.com.au, Bespoke Media Group and MRI Box+Dice joined forces to create an integrated and scalable way to increase visibility on mobility-friendly properties in the marketplace in response to feedback from aspiring buyers and tenants.
Founder and CEO of One Agency, Paul Davies is urging those who can affect change in the industry to think about how tiring and exclusionary it must feel, and how these updates will make a world of difference. The addition of a ‘Mobility Friendly filter gives One Agency properties a point of difference initially. But it’s my hope this Mobility Friendly filter and other inclusivity features will one day become industry standard.
“Since rolling this out we have already seen sales & rental properties appear under the filter, with members praising the addition as being widely popular in their marketplaces,” Davies says.
Homely CEO, Adam Spencer says, “We know there is a section of our consumer base that faces challenges when it comes to mobility-friendly access to properties they are interested in. Team Homely prides itself in putting our consumers first on our mission to redefine the way people find their home. This partnership is another way of delivering on this through working with the industry while using design and product as an enabler for change.”
Spearheading the charge was Bespoke Media Group’s chief executive, Nic Fren, who explains, “I was contacted by former colleague and army veteran Tahnee Barnes who was having difficulty in searching for suitable properties online for clients with Mobility issues, and was asked if I could do anything to help,” he says.
Joining Fren in delivering this initiative to market is Homely’s Head of Product Luke Kenyon. Kenyon says, “This collaboration is another way of delivering on our mission by working with the industry and using design and product as an enabler for change to help everyone find a place to call home.”
“This initiative hasn’t been prioritised by big portals,” Kenyon continues. “Working for a company as nimble and consumer-first as Homely has proven this is a necessary change for any portal, agency and CRM looking to put people first.”
With filters being available for Broadband and outdoor spas, Ms Barnes expressed the frustration of spending hours looking online trying to determine if a property would be suitable for her clients, only to show up and not be able to gain access through the front door. I called Nic because I know his connections in the industry and had high hopes he would be able to facilitate this happening,” she says.
After speaking with One Agency, Bespoke Media Group updated the entire social media content suite for the network, along with print & digital marketing libraries updated to include a visible mobility friendly icon on property listings within 24 hours.
“Having these available on social media was a fantastic start,” reflects Mr Fren, who along with Mr Davies reached out to Homely and MRI’s Box+Dice to update the search options and visibility online.
Kenyon says, “One Agency is the perfect agency to partner with. Like Homely, One Agency prioritises innovation and positive industry change in everything they do. Their passion for this is inspiring.”
Box+Dice, an MRI Software company, led the integration of the new mobility-friendly option into One Agency’s website with the push through to Homely.
Josh Symons, Director + Industry Principal for MRI Software in Asia Pacific says, “Big change starts with small steps. We’re proud to be part of this initiative working collaboratively with Bespoke Media Group, One Agency and Homely, to make it that bit easier for people with physical challenges to find places they can to live, work and belong.
“Congratulations to One Agency for being a pioneer, and we call on all agency leaders and real estate portals to pick up and run with this mobility-friendly initiative,” he says.
“This is a great example of what can be achieved when leaders come together, listen to our marketplaces and work in collaboration for the benefit of everyone.”
If you love what you do but want to make a change – either to keep more of what you earn, shift to a more lifestyle focused operation and reduce running costs; I invite you to contact me at One Agency and discuss confidentially how our model, (less than $1000 + GST per month regardless of your GCI) may be just the answer to breathe new life into your career and future proof yourself.
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