UTour, the nation’s leading provider of interactive, on-demand, self-guided home tours for homebuilders, has partnered with Alarm.com (Nasdaq: ALRM) to become the premier self-guided home tour solution that offers integrated security for homebuilders. All UTour customers can integrate enhanced security capabilities at each of their model and inventory homes for self-guided tours. For example, the home’s security system automatically deactivates once a home shopper enters the four-digit code to unlock the door and begin the tour. The security system reactivates automatically at the tour’s conclusion.
Homebuilders participating in the Alarm.com Builder Program can use UTour’s innovative self-tour platform without installing any additional hardware in their homes. Anyone shopping for a new home on a participating builder’s website can schedule private, one-hour self-guided tours of the homebuilders’ properties by simply clicking on the “Self-Tour This Home” button.
“Home security is naturally a major point of emphasis when you offer home shoppers the ability to visit homes unattended,” said UTour CEO Tom Nelson. “This partnership allows us to offer an added level of peace of mind for our homebuilders because they know that their homes are protected by the best in the business.”
Self-guided tours offer more convenience, less sales pressure and a better shopping experience, which helps homebuilders drive more buyer traffic and grow their business. More than half of active home shoppers in a recent survey said they are more likely to tour a home if they could do it before or after business hours and 43% said they are more likely if they didn’t have to meet with a salesperson on their first visit.
“Adding UTour’s self-guided tours as a premium option to our base Unattended Showings solution gives homebuilders more choice for getting prospective buyers through their homes and keeping the assets inside safe,” said Shawn Barry, VP of strategic sales at Alarm.com. “Home security is a critical aspect of both solutions. Homebuilders shouldn’t have to gamble when it comes to protecting the millions they’ve invested in outfitting model homes. Alarm.com and UTour are equally committed to providing the shopping experience customers want as well as the security and convenience homebuilders need.”
