Q: Where do I start?
A: Answers to most of your questions can be found right on our website. To learn more about our service, we recommend starting on the "WHAT IS IT" page by clicking on the appropriate link in our navigation menu above. When you get there - notice the left side navigation. We've posted quite a few videos and have some great information that should help get you started. If you still have questions, please review this FAQS page for anything that we may have left out.
Q: What's the best way to reach someone at HOMECELLERS if I still have a question and can't find the answer on the site?
A: The best way to reach us is by email. Click the feedback button on the left side of the site and submit any question or issue you're having. We'll get back to you as soon as we can. You can also call, however our phone resources are limited. We do check voicemail and will return your call when possible.
Q: Does HOMECELLERS pricing really cover unlimited listings (TEXT IDS), unlimited messaging and unlimited QR codes for a flat fee?
A: YES. As a HOMECELLERS subscriber, you can upload an unlimited number of listings, assign unique TEXT IDS and generate unique QR codes all for one fee. As well, unlike other competing services, we'll never charge you for text message inquiries.
Q: Are there any hidden fees? Your pricing seems too good to be true.
A: We get this question all the time. With HOMECELLERS, there are NO hidden fees. NO start-up fees. NO cancellation fees. NO small print. Too good to be true? We'll leave that up to you.
Q: Does HOMECELLERS require an annual contract?
A: NO. You can sign up for our month-to-month billing option allowing you to cancel anytime without penalty. If you'd like to pay upfront, you can choose our annual pricing plan, which will lock you in for a year at a discounted rate. Either way, we bill in advance for services (monthly or annually), we do not offer pro-rata refunds and we will automatically charge your account, depending on your subscription type, unless and/or until cancelled. Please note that all subscriptions (whether monthly or annual) will auto-renew at the start of the next billing cycle.
Q: How does the HOMECELLERS free trial work?
A: HOMECELLERS offers a no-obligation 3-day free trial to anyone who wants to test the service. We will not bill your card during the trial period and you can cancel anytime during this trial without being charged. If you decide to maintain your account, DO NOTHING, and we will automatically bill your account on the 4TH day of your subscription.
Q: Will my credit card be automatically billed moving forward?
A: YES. HOMECELLERS is a subscription service. We will bill your credit card on file based on subscription term (annual or monthly). You can cancel your service at anytime without penalty or cancellation fees. Pro-rata refunds will not be offered for any reason.
Q: What if I'm having problems signing up or logging into my account?
A: Please confirm Cookies are enabled on your browser. Please make sure Java Script is enabled on your browser. Please confirm that your browser security settings are set at the Default level. We will not support IE versions 6.0 or below. And we've found all versions of IE to be quite a bit buggy. For optimal experience, use Firefox, Chrome or Safari.
Q: How can I cancel my account?
A: Contrary to most online companies who make it difficult to cancel an account, we make it easy. Just login, click on the MY ACCOUNT tab, and click on the CANCEL NOW button.
Q: Do I need a SMARTPHONE to access HOMECELLERS listings?
A: HOMECELLERS is built using auto-response text messaging and mobile web technologies. All text-enabled phones will receive the initial text response from HOMECELLERS (and you, as the agent, will receive the lead notification). With that, to view photos and enhanced listing information, mobile web access is required, and smartphones preferred.
Q: Does HOMECELLERS require the installation of mobile applications to access listing information?
A: NO. And this is a very important distinction. There are mobile real estate companies/services that require homebuyers to install an application on their phone to gain access to the information they are seeking. Mobile applications (IPHONE, BlackBerry, Android, ETC) are platform-specific (meaning they only work on specific phones). As well, most consumers will PASS on mobile installs for various reasons (negating the overall effectiveness, impact and power of mobile marketing). Asking users to install a mobile application, especially as it relates to real estate, represents a HUGE hassle factor, limits the overall potential user universe and will result in a major downside for you (the real estate professional). Our primary business philosophy is, and always has been, to develop HOMECELLERS for SMS (text messaging) and the mobile web, making it ubiquitous in use and design.
Q: I see that HOMECELLERS offers QR Codes. What is a QR Code?
A: QR is short for Quick Response. A QR Code is a unique bar code, consisting of black and white squares, that can be read by cell phones (through the use of a QR Code Reader). Originally developed in Japan, QR Codes are quickly gaining popularity here in the US. And if you haven't yet, soon you'll see QR Codes all over magazines, billboards, websites and/or maybe even someone's t-shirt. A QR Code can deliver instant information about a business, display a URL to watch a movie trailer, or offer a coupon for a local retailer. With HOMECELLERS, you can now generate QR Codes for each of your listings, as well as for you, the agent. Each TEXT ID (Agent and/or Listing) will have it's own unique QR Code (they're all different). Most DROID phones now come with QR Readers by default. QR APPS for the IPHONE and BlackBerry can be found in their respective APP Stores.
Q: I see that you offer two different types of QR Codes. What is the difference between a WEB QR and an SMS QR?
A: When scanned - a WEB QR will automatically redirect to the mobile interface. An SMS QR will automatically send the SMS text message so that a lead can be generated. Web QR Codes are preferred by users - but do not have the ability to deliver lead information.
Q: Can I send text blasts to the people who have inquired about one of my listings using the HOMECELLERS system?
A: NO. And we do this for the simple fact that we don't want buyers to feel inundated with unsolicited text messages. We consider the cell phone a very personal and private domain. While we want to provide you, as the agent, with as much information as possible, we want buyers to feel comfortable using our system (so that everyone benefits) and not be afraid that they will soon start getting unwanted text messages to their cell phone.
Q: Does HOMECELLERS work in Canada, Puerto Rico or outside the US?
A: YES and NO. Unfortunately, the SMS portion of our service works only with US wireless carriers. However, the mobile web and QR modules work throughout the world.
Q: Does HOMECELLERS offer sign riders for sale?
A: NO. But you can generate your rider artwork from within your ADMIN Panel. You can then take the custom artwork to your own vendor for printing and production.
Q: Do I need to order sign riders?
A: Not necessarily. Don't get too hung up on the absolute need for sign riders. While they can be an important part of marketing, to leverage all your available marketing channels can be even more effective.
Q: What is a LISTING TEXT ID?
A: LISTING TEXT IDS are unique HOMECELLERS CODES (database identifiers) that you assign to each of your properties for SMS/text messaging and mobile web access. To see this work, text the words GOTO HOME75 to the number 95495. In this example, HOME75 represents the LISTING TEXT ID.
Q: What is an AGENT TEXT ID?
A: In addition to assigning unique LISTING TEXT IDS to each property (for SMS/text messaging and mobile web access), HOMECELLERS also allows you to assign yourself an AGENT TEXT ID, delivering information on all your listings through a single text message. To see this work, text the words GOTO PATRICK to the number 95495. In this example, PATRICK represents the AGENT TEXT ID.
Q: Can I change and/or re-use my TEXT IDS?
A: YES and YES. But this is very important. If you ever change your TEXT ID - remember that a new QR Code will need to be generated. QR Codes are directly related to the TEXT ID itself.
Q: Is it necessary to include the word 'GOTO' followed by a LISTING ID/AGENT TEXT ID when using HOMECELLERS?
A: YES. HOMECELLERS is based on a 2-word text messaging solution. The word 'GOTO' is referred to as a HOMECELLERS keyword. In all marketing, you must include a HOMECELLERS keyword followed by either your LISTING TEXT ID or AGENT TEXT ID.
Q: Can I customize my own HOMECELLERS keyword (to replace GOTO) to be used with my TEXT IDS?
A: YES. There is an additional monthly/annual fee to establish your own keyword. Custom keywords will help further extend your brand to mobile.
Q: Is 95495 the number that all text inquiries are sent? Is this always the same?
A: YES. 95495 is referred to as a shortcode. It is the equivalent of a telephone number. Think of it as a short phone number for our server. When you (or a potential homebuyer) sends a text to the number 95495 with the word GOTO plus your AGENT TEXT ID and/or LISTING TEXT ID, the HOMECELLERS system will deliver information back through an automatic text message response.
Q: Can I replace the HOMECELLERS branding with my own logo on the mobile interface?
A: YES. Design your logo to 320X40 - in JPG format and upload in your ADMIN Panel at no additional charge.
Q: When a buyer texts for information on one of my listings, do I get the lead?
A: YES. With every text inquiry, we send you an automated lead notification email.
Q: How many photos can I upload for each property?
A: HOMECELLERS accepts up to 20 photos for each listing.
Q: How many videos can I upload for each property?
A: HOMECELLERS accepts 1 video for each listing.
Q: Can I use my virtual video tour with HOMECELLERS?
A: YES. So long as you have the source video file and it meets our formatting requirements and/or it's posted on YOUTUBE.COM.
Q: Does the video play on all cell phones?
A: We have programmed to deliver video based on the mobile standard format (covering all video-capable mobile devices).
Q: Does HOMECELLERS offer price breaks for offices with multiple subscribing agents?
A: YES. Call 888-770-2355 for more information.
Q: Are you integrated with the MLS?
A: While we are integrated with a number of national real estate companies through established daily listing feeds, we are not directly integrated with the MLS. That said, we have built our service around ease-of-use. To upload and manage your listings is extremely easy with HOMECELLERS.
