press releases

New Visual Marketing Tool for Realtors from GestureTek Inc. Inc. Enables Homebuyers To Take Self-Guided Virtual House Walks through Real Estate Office Windows.

November 2, 2001

GestTrack™ System, Controlled by Hand Gestures, Previews at Realtors Conference Nov. 3-5

WOODBURY, N.Y. (November 2, 2001) - A new real estate marketing tool being introduced today by GestureTek Inc. will enable potential homebuyers to take self-guided visual tours of properties while standing outside a real estate office, simply by pointing through the window at a large video screen. Passersby can "just point" at the video display monitor to take virtual walks through a broker's entire inventory, even if the office is not open or if an agent is busy with other clients.

The system, called GestTrack™ , will be demonstrated in Booth #21015 at the 2001 Realtors Conference and Expo that begins today in Chicago's McCormick Place.

The GestTrack™ system can help increase sales by turning the window of the real estate office or any store into a full-featured sales channel for the first time. The system's capabilities make it possible for real estate agents and sales associates to capture sales opportunities that otherwise would literally walk away.

Instead of seeing a stack of flyers or static photos of current listings taped to the window as they pass by, prospects can explore different rooms or views of a given property - taken from an office's current marketing and website content - through simple hand gestures that eliminate the need for a mouse, keyboard or touchscreen. Homeseekers can also use the system to search for properties based on price, size, location or other criteria without broker assistance.

In addition to helping generate interest in specific properties, the GestTrack™ system gives brokers a competitive edge that can lead to increased listings from sellers who recognize the value of having a self-serve video marketing channel. At the same time, the system can decrease reliance on less engaging tools such as flyers, real estate magazines and direct mail.

"Our GestTrack™ system gives new meaning to the term 'window shopping,' " said Mark Weinreb, CEO at GestureTek Inc. . "By combining large-screen plasma television with web content already in place on real estate offices' websites, GestTrack™ makes it possible to capture the interest of home browsers who pass by real estate offices during or even after hours. This creates a whole new sales channel with the potential for significantly building brokers' clientele and thereby increasing listings and sales."

Optional print and telephone functions enable shoppers to request a print record of a listing or leave a phone message with the listing agent by pointing to those options on the screen menu. A printer or speaker can be built into the office window or wall.

GestTrack™ is delivered as a turnkey system that combines an integrated video screen, camera, computer and software with installation, training and support. System reports provide valuable marketing data indicating which houses, price ranges or areas are receiving the most interest.

Systems are sold through lease/subscription packages that average $750 per month per system, depending on the options and features selected, plus monthly subscription fees for sales personnel.