Real estate company creates online tools

-- Todd Karella

Costa Mesa-based First Team Real Estate Inc. has developed three

online tools to aid consumers in buying a home.

The first is the broker reciprocity tool that will give consumers

complete information on every multiple-listing service by accessing a

single broker’s Web site. The second, the home finder tool, will allow

consumers to receive e-mails of new home listings that match their

criteria even before it reaches the Web site. The third and final tool is

the instant scheduler that aids consumers in making online appointments

for viewing various properties.

“This is a win-win situation because consumers will have all the

research information they need to find their dream home and agents will

have more time to focus on complexities of negotiating the sale and

bringing the transaction to a successful close,” said Cameron Merage,

owner and founder of the company, in a statement.

With the use of these tools, consumers can search through thousands of

property listings on one Web site and, because homes often sell within

hours of being listed, these tools can eliminate some of the competition

home buyers face.

The family-owned company has more than 25 years of experience within

various real estate branches, mortgage banking locations and escrow

offices.