Long & Foster Real Estate Launches OPENLink

CHANTILLY, VA, February 06, 2011

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., the largest independently-held residential real estate company in the United States, announced that the company has launched a wireless (Wi-Fi) internet service called OPENLink. This service will provide wireless internet connection at Long & Foster offices at no charge for customers and sales associates.

Long & Foster's development of OPENLink reflects the company's commitment to constantly providing the latest products, services and technology for sales associates and customers. OPENLink compliments the company's iPhone, iPad and soon-to-be-released Droid apps, and empowers agents and customers to be seamlessly connected in any office, on any platform, ensuring an enhanced real estate experience.

"We know that the best-equipped and best-trained agents in the market will serve as the best real estate advisors to consumers," explains Jeffrey S. Detwiler, president and chief operating officer for The Long & Foster Companies. "Leveraging technology to make sure consumers have the information they need to make informed buying and selling decisions with confidence is just one of many ways Long & Foster positions itself as the brokerage of choice in the Mid-Atlantic region."

OPENLink provides wireless connectivity to content and communications via personal digital assistant (PDA), computer, media player, and other devices within Long & Foster offices. Wi-Fi enabled products can do everything from sending email to streaming video and linking international video conference calls. Sales associates are also able to print wirelessly with OPENLink.

"It's our goal to ensure that Long & Foster agents have the latest tools and technology to best serve consumers so this companywide upgrade to a new wireless access system, OPENLink, was a priority initiative," says Michael Koval, chief information officer for The Long & Foster Companies. "OPENLink was developed in direct response to feedback from our sales associates, and we know this will have a positive impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of our offices."

OPENLink is one of hundreds of technologies, tools and products developed and implemented by Long & Foster to ensure that its sales associates remain supported in their efforts to provide the best service in the markets they serve. "From implementing the latest technologies to providing the information on the latest programs, products, and rules and regulations, Long & Foster helps sales associates and their customers effectively manage every step of the real estate transaction—resulting in consistent quality and peace of mind for buyers and sellers," Detwiler adds.

About Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. is the largest independently-held residential real estate company in the United States. The company is part of The Long & Foster Companies, which also includes Prosperity Mortgage Company; Walker Jackson Mortgage Corporation; Long & Foster Insurance Agency, Inc.; and Long & Foster Settlement Services. Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. represents more than 12,000 agents in seven Mid-Atlantic states, plus the District of Columbia. The company sold more than $25.3 billion worth of homes and helped people buy and sell homes 78,281 times in 2009. The Long & Foster Companies 2009 combined sales for the year were in excess of $51.5 billion. Visit us at longandfoster.com.