ERA Real Estate Launches IVR Enhancement To TextERA Platform

MADISON, N.J., March 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ERA Real Estate, a global franchising leader, today announced the addition of an IVR (interactive voice response) feature to the TextERA platform. TextERA, already hugely successful among ERA^® affiliated brokers and agents, allows potential clients to immediately access the listing agent, pricing, video and details about the property within seconds by following prompts from their yard signs. TextERA's new IVR feature ensures that potential clients who still opt to make phone calls will also receive an immediate response.

ERA Real Estate has been at the forefront of mobile technology and consumer behavior, understanding that the number one activity people do with smart phones is text messaging, and that 97% of text messages are open and read. However, data shows that sign calls do occur, but a staggering 50 percent of those calls go unanswered.  With the IVR feature, agents can be assured that if a potential client tries to call them, they will not be sent to voicemail. Instead, the client will be automatically rerouted to their brokerage's reception desk, and will receive a text with listing information. The system will also simultaneously text the agent to alert them that a potential client is trying to get in touch.

"Our overarching objective is to better serve the consumer and communicate with them in the way they prefer, ensuring that no inquiry goes unanswered," said Frank Malpica, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Programs at ERA Real Estate. "We have seen that the leads that come through TextERA are much more qualified than the leads that come from online browsing since these clients are physically in the neighborhood, so a quick, thoughtful response is crucial. The IVR feature is yet another way for ERA affiliated agents to capture all potential client inquiries through automation and technology, and furthers our commitment to provide our agents and brokers with the latest industry innovations."

Agents who trialed the IVR feature saw three times as many leads versus TextERA alone, propelling TextERA to the number one lead generating system in the ERA network ahead of industry portals. All leads sync to Zap^®, ERA's CRM system creating a truly integrated experience for our agents.  "While real estate portals may own the couch, ERA dominates the driveway," said Malpica.

About ERA Real Estate
At ERA Real Estate, we don't adapt to change, we create it. We believe that our core business values of collaboration, innovation, diversity and growth are needed now more than ever. As a global leader in the residential real estate industry for more than 40 years, ERA was the first real estate franchise to expand internationally, the first to post listings online, and is the only national company that offers the Sellers Security® Plan program.  The ERA Real Estate network includes 40,000 affiliated brokers and independent sales associates and approximately 2,300 offices throughout the United States and 34 other countries and territories. ERA Franchise Systems LLC (www.ERA.com) which operates the ERA Real Estate system, is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global provider of real estate services. ERA Real Estate information is available at www.ExploreERA.com.

Media Contact: 
Maggie Rohr
973-464-6642
[email protected]

Katharine Dunn
502-419-8507
[email protected]

SOURCE ERA Real Estate