Homes.org debuts its one-stop-shop concierge services Web site

By Kayla O'Brien

RISMEDIA, April 10, 2007-"Moving is a hassle," explains Amir Ahmed, president of Homes.org. "We asked ourselves how we can make it simple."

And that's exactly how Homes.org came to be. In February, the one-stop-shop general consumer and new mover Web site launched, with consumer ease and cost-cutting as top priorities. Homes.org aids a more simple transition through relationships with Realtors, moving and utility vendors, and various other service providers.

A win-win opportunity, Homes.org proves to be requisite for both homeowners and partners of the site, says Ahmed. Between the site and skilled employees stationed at a high-end sales and customer service center, homeowners are offered the convenience, cost savings, time, and reduced stress of one call or click that handles all relocating concerns.

A Plethora of Offerings
Homeowners receive one-on-one concierge service, offering assistance to reduce the costs incurred by everyday products and services purchased on a daily basis. Realtors and other moving companies can provide their services and, in turn, increase revenues, brand awareness and customer loyalty from partnering with Homes.org, he says. Realtors can place their services within the site for exposure while also having the option of the Gift Box Program and other marketing vehicles as added value.

For the consumer, the site is set up in five groups: Bill Lowering Services, Utility Switching Concierge, Neighborhood & City Research and Comparison Shopping. When arriving at the site, the prospective client has a clear vision of where they need to proceed to receive the desired information; all they need is the zip code to unlock local information.

- The Bill Lowering Services section offers options for satellite television, cable, the Internet, and telephone, home warranties, home alarms, as well as services for identity theft protection and credit cards.

- A step further, the Utility Switch-ing Concierge displays utility service providers and bundling offers following input of the consumers' zip code. Homes.org will add each service to your shopping basket until you are ready to complete the check-out process.

- The Neighborhood & City Research section allows potential home buyers and sellers to do their homework and view prices of homes recently sold in their current or future neighborhood, as well as view the neighborhood via satellite navigation.

- Neighborhood Profile provides community information on the cost of living, demographics, climate and weather, and crime; school information focuses on school profiles, enrollment and staffing, and additional information for public, private, or parochial schools; and neighborhood info recommends places for dining out, shopping, healthcare services, and attractions.

- Finally, Comparison Shopping does exactly as it says-compares the prices of household items without visiting more than one store site. Savings can be found on televisions, iPods, cameras, computers, clothing and more to fill the home.

- The Gift Box Program-part of the Homes.org four-option business opportunities-provides gift boxes, filled with items from safety and moving tips to checklists, to Sharpie pens and packing tape, for participating vendors-including Realtors-at a low cost. "Whether it serves as a closing gift or added perk, the box leaves a lasting impression upon the consumer," says Ahmed.

"We thought, wouldn't it be great if not only did the salesperson provide service, but also a concierge marketing piece, or a gift box with useful things such as a book on home safety and security, moving supplies, and postcards with their new house on it?" he adds.
All boxes are completely branded for the company, at the cost of $10 per box when 20 or more are purchased. For small and large businesses alike, the toll-free telephone number provided with the gift box facilitates the moving process.

Taking it a Step at a Time
Currently, Homes.org is in its second of three stages. Phase one, rolled out in February, affords information that is easy to navigate. Phase two-currently in progress-is building a Realtor Directory. Phase three will improve shopping amenities, partnering with large retailers where customers can go directly to the site for discounts, etc. All phases are expected to be completed by spring of this year.

The Realtor Directory is completely free of charge and includes a description of the business, contact information, geographic region, type of realty, etc., says Ahmed. Realtors can upload images, link to their own Web site, and allow browsing customers to inquire about a specific Realtor in their desired location.

"It's a template for the Realtors to provide their information, and then we upload it," says Ahmed. Based on the zip code and market, it brings the customer to the Realtor.

"We plan to be a household name by targeting all consumers," he continues. "That's our goal through marketing and top-notch partnerships. Then we will continue to make the site robust. Through our FIRST-IN-HOMETM Envelope Program, our advantage is that it arrives in homes within five to seven days from the move date. We anticipate targeting the 12 million new movers in single family homes of which 40 percent are first-time home buyers."

When it's all said and done, "it's a destination for any American to go in and get valuable and necessary information on moving and services for free. For our partners specializing in new moves, the concierge service adds value, while easing the transition for moving and increasing revenues with their branding," says Ahmed. "It's a guide to ease moving, all on a one-on-one concierge service rather than just plugging information onto numerous Web sites."

Sidebar: What Does Homes.org Offer?

Consumer product and lifestyle research
Household bill lowering concierge service
Utility switching services
Home buying and moving research
Neighborhood and city statistics
Home value look-up
Online comparison shopping
Restaurant and shopping directory
Local school information

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