Consumers Can Now Reserve Apartments Online Using their Mobile Devices
Apartment Hunting Even More Convenient For On-the-Go Renters
July 22, 2008, Scottsdale, AZ –- Realty DataTrust, makers of the VaultWare™ online check availability and reservation
system, today announced a new Mobile Apartment Reservation System (MARS) that can provide apartment searchers with the ability
to check apartment availability online using their mobile devices. This new capability permits current apartment inventory to
be accessible on cell phone displays and permits prospects to also see floor plan options and price ranges as well as make
reservations to rent the available unit of their choice.
Currently available for any Internet search site or property management company who has a mobile website, MARS was originally
developed by Realty DataTrust and UDR, Inc. (a leading multifamily real estate investment trust company) as a joint project.
MARS allows UDR to leverage VaultWare by giving consumers using their mobile phone devices the same ability to transact with
their properties as those accessing UDR.com with a traditional computer or laptop. UDR launched the application this past
spring. Additionally, consumers can sign up for VaultWare Availability Alerts™ using their cell phones if an apartment unit
they are searching for is not currently available.
Giving cell phone users the ability to do more with their mobile devices is in line with how consumers today view the
significance of the features of their phones. According to a recent survey* of cell phone users, 61% of buyers of new cell
phones view accessing the Internet as an important feature.
"Mobile appliances are basically small PCs that fit into your pocket and it makes sense to allow our customers to find and
rent an apartment using a hand-held device that can be used anywhere and anytime," stated Jerry Davis, Senior Vice President of
Operations for UDR. "We’ve determined that finding ways to cater to consumers who are
constantly in motion, yet demand the same conveniences, is truly the best way to serve renters shopping for a new apartment
home."
"Mobile apartment searching using VaultWare’s new MARS capabilities is another important way to lead the industry using
technology to better serve consumers and residents," Mike Cornell, COO, Realty DataTrust said today. "We’re proud to be part of
the innovative thinking that helps UDR achieve their strategic goals."
About Realty DataTrust Corporation
Realty DataTrust Corporation, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers online leasing solutions for the multifamily housing
industry that helps consumers reserve apartments online and decreases properties’ vacancy rates. Over 100 management companies
throughout the United States, from small property management companies to some of the country’s largest real estate investment
trusts, use the award-winning VaultWare check availability and reservation system. VaultWare lets consumers easily find and
reserve an available apartment while giving apartment management companies reservations from highly-qualified prospects.
PadZing.com, an apartment market trends division by Realty DataTrust, gives apartment owners, marketing executives and apartment
brokers vacancy and rental rate data to help create forecasts, compile customized data trends per geographic region and analyze
trend data to make daily business decisions. To learn more about Realty DataTrust, visit the company's website at www.realtydatatrust.com.
*Survey commissioned by AccessSystems Americas, and conducted by research firm Amplitude Research.