OUGD504 - Design for Screen - Feedback on Solutions

In the focus group I asked participants what device they use to find student houses. The results:

Laptop : 10
Mobile / App : 1

When asked why people preferred this device:

'Easier to see, lots of content at once, faster, larger images.' 

'larger screen that holds and displays more information/ larger platform to search on'

'it gives you more access to the website, desk top versions are normally larger and an expansion rather than mobile'

'A larger screen to view the property, easier to click around and be able to save / bookmark houses'

'when looking for houses I want to see big pictures without having to zoom in'

'It's easier to have several solutions/tabs up at once. A larger screen makes it more organised when filling in forms.'

'Use a laptop because looking for a house needs a lot of attention to detail and looking on a small screen will make this harder. Images can be larger as well as type.'

'Using a phone it's easier to share your search results with other people by screen shotting it etc.'

What do you find stressful about looking for houses? 

'Untrustworthy landlords. The pics on the website don't look like the real thing. Also seeing the price when bills and wifi all add up.'

'Understand what the final price will be. Also it is scary to think other people will beat you to buying a house.' 

'evil landlords, hidden fees, lies' 

'Not knowing if the photos of the house are true to real life.' 

'Agencies / landlords not responsible to emails. Theres so many things you have to consider it's scary you'll forget something.'

'booking viewings, not being able to see how long the house has been on the market for and if it is going to go soon.' 

'feeling what they actually look like, prices with bills included are unclear. Everything is a struggle. All the fees aren't clearly displayed.'

'Un-trustworthy landlord' 

Are there any features that would make house hunting easier?

• Better Rating Systems for landlords and houses
• Better search options / filters
• Stop using fake photos, make them true to reality
• All house from letting agents in one place
• Show when a house was put on the market
• Show how many viewings it has had / how popular it has been
• Make navigation easier
• Save / bookmark houses 
• Make it easier to share links to your housemates
• Clearly state the prices
• Have honest reviews / ratings from previous tenants on the house / agency / landlords eg. questionnaire you have to fill in after the tenancy runs out. Similar to depop.
• Option to contact landlord / Agency easily. 

When asked whether designing an app or a website to solve the issue this is what people responded with:

A website that features all of the different letting agents in leeds as the main solution but perhaps an app that links to the account reminding you of viewings and showing you the houses you've saved so you can share with your friends and quickly flick through them.

This was all really helpful and relevant feedback! It gave me some fresh ideas and confirmed the research and findings I'd already done.