At the end of November 2024 OREB (the Ottawa Real Estate Board) switched over systems and gave realtors a choice between two systems, PropTX Matrix and Realm.

We were previously using a similar system to PropTX Matrix for our searches and our clients searches were email/web-based. I’ve chosen to use Realm for my clients as it’s a more modern, streamlined, user-friendly way to search for a home! Realm offers an iOS app with lots of great tools. Many curious about real estate use the Realtor.ca app before reaching out to a realtor and I find that Realm offers the convenience of this app plus much more.

Here’s a quick overview of how to use this app —

As my client you will receive an email inviting you to join Realm. You cannot use Realm without an invite from your Realtor.

Click Complete Registration & Sign In

The registration is completed on a web browser.

After registration you will receive an email inviting you to download the app. We will use my wife’s account on her iPad as an example. The app works on iPhones and iPads and is free to download.

Please Allow notifications so you can receive new listings and messages.

Next, login as a client with your username and password that was created by you earlier, and you will be taken to your home screen.

And we’re on your homepage! You’ll see your new search here.

Click on the search that was just added on your home screen, or press the bookmark sign at the bottom of the app to see your searches.

Here’s the search page, with homes on one side and the map on the other. Usually we discuss in great detail what you are looking for before a search is set up, but adjustments can always be made during the search process!

In this case, you don’t like what you are seeing, so press the message icon at the bottom of the screen to chat with me.

Perfect, this search for a single family home in certain neighbourhoods now doesn’t have other listings to weed through. Realm has a lot of great features - such as “liking” a listing (clicking on that heart at the top to make it red), and adding notes — here you can add your comments.

When you find a place you love, you can very easily share a link to family and friends to check it out.

You can also send the listing to me!

Or, add the listing to a list. Here you will see them named Favourites, but you can name your lists anything, for example “Fixer Uppers” or “See this Week!!”

I can see your lists which makes for smooth communication when talking about which places to book showings for.

Another feature I love is the sorting options - Days on Market is great to see the newest few listings since you last looked at your search.

I can also set up more than one search on your account!

Maybe you want to keep an eye on sale prices in your current neighbourhood, continue your search for your dream home, search for a condo for an aging relative, or have two separate searches in your property search (in two different school districts, or etc), however you want to organize it!

Here is an example — showing a search for a freehold single family home and a central condo for a family member.

Fortunately, anyone who is on this property search with you can be kept in the loop easily. You can get to the search settings page to add an email by pressing the three dots on the right side of your search on the “Your Searches” page. They will receive daily updates to their email.

Finally, you can even print out your preferred listings to show family and friends, if you’re ready to get off your phone!!!

Check the box on the listings you would like to print, press the arrow, and click Export as PDF… I recommend only printing the listings you’re interested in and not including checking photos to save your printer!! It will print only the exterior photo.

One drawback I found when setting up Realm, was that I couldn’t automatically include sold listings for my clients.

Many people like to see what homes on their search ultimately sold for. Fortunately, checking on this list is a quick fix, or, of course, I can send the sale prices to you.

On your search click For Sale, Click Unavailable, and set the dot just one click away from “now” to see sold prices in the last year.

And that’s my summary / mini - tutorial on Realm!

I’m glad we have a powerful, tech-forward tool to empower our clients on their search. Many of my clients are interested in technology, as well as searching along with me and seeing what’s out there.

For anyone totally overwhelmed or uninterested by the app - hey, I am also very open to meeting for a good old fashioned coffee, discussing your real estate needs, and booking some showings for us. It’s not mandatory, just another tool to provide my clients with the type of real estate search that works for them.

It’s wild to see how far technology has come for real estate in the last roughly ten years — all to make transactions more smooth for our clients!

Welcome to Realm!