AFTER tapping into the potential of the latest technology by launching The Northern Echo Homes Property App at the end of January,Newsquest North- East is nowhelping local estate agents to create and develop their own apps.

The Northern Echo app enables people to view thousands of the latest properties for sale or to let from a selection of the area’s estate agents.

It features daily updates of properties available, with results available in list or map form, and allows users to save their favourite searches so they can receive updates, book a viewing or contact the agent via email or phone.

The app also offers bespoke search options including price, area, number of bedrooms, type and distance, and offers links to local schools, crime and health services information.

The first estate agent to spot the value of the new app was Luke Miller and Associates from Thirsk, which has also been the first agent to take advantage of The Northern Echo’s offer to help estate agents to set up their own app, free of charge.

The new app from Luke Miller and Associates helps to make finding a new home easier than ever before.

Always at the leading edge of technology, the estate agent was the first in Thirsk to offer the free app to house-hunters. It’s a move that has paid instant dividends, with two houses sold directly through use of the app. The easy-to-use application is available on most smartphones and tablets, including iPhone, iPad and Android, allowing potential buyers to search the agent’s property portfolio at their own convenience.

Users can flip through property images, read full property descriptions and view their location, email the details to a friend and contact the agent directly.Thanks to the GPS feature on most smartphones, the app can also highlight properties close to the user’s location.

Patrick Miller, owner of Luke Miller and Associates, said: “Smartphones and tablets have revolutionised the way we communicate and, more importantly, howwe access information. There are now millions of smartphone users in the UK and the use of apps is growing at a phenomenal rate.

“At Luke Miller’s, we work hard to make finding a new home as easy as possible for our customers and this includes embracing the latest technology.

We already interact with many of our clients via social media such as Facebook and Twitter. This app is the next step forward.

“Our app is incredibly easy to use, free to download and has lots of great features. We are proud to offer this innovative service, which has received really positive feedback from our clients.”

To get your free download of the Luke Miller and Associates app, visit www.lukemiller.co.uk or log on to the Apple Store.