Lou Berkovits Real Estate
An interactive platform showcasing the listings of one of Toronto’s top real estate agents.
Project Description
The project is composed of two parts: an app that pulls down properties from MLS and a custom Wordpress site for the agent. We were granted access by the Toronto Real Estate Board to be able to retrieve property data listed in MLS.
Design Elements
Pulling inspiration from AirBnb and PadMapper, we designed a Real Estate website that was focused on clean aesthetics and ease of use. You're searching for a needle in a haystack, so having the most pertinent data available, but not so much to distract and slow the search, is critical.
Typography & Colour
-
Aa
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
- 0123456789
Proxima Nova -Regular,Medium,Bold
-
Malibu
- HEX:#63ABFF
- RGB: (99,171,255)
-
San Juan
- HEX:#2C4D74
- RGB: (44,77,116)
-
Keppel
- HEX:#3EB991
- RGB: (62,185,145)
- #63ABFF
- #2C4D74
Web & UI Design
The theme makes use of the MLS properties, as it allows people to search just as they would on something like Realtor.ca. We've provided visitors with all of the basic filters and more. We've also given Lou a blog, a newsletter, a resources section with some standard forms for both buyers and sellers, and the ability to post their sold properties, as well as exclusive properties the agent wants to keep off of MLS.
Our Wordpress Theme
The theme is based on our standard boilerplate but incorporates a whole bunch of unique functionality to control the display of the properties and neighbourhoods.
Based on our personal experiences of both renting and buying property, we've structured the site around one, primary feature - saving properties to a shopping cart style favourites list. Every property has a "Book a Showing" button that allows you to save the property in a list and then send the complete list to the agent so they can book showings for you.

Website Development
The heart of this project is the app that fetches and sanitizes the properties. It leverages a common, open sources library PHRets to interact with the TREB IDX feed. We also make use of the Google Maps API quite a bit. We're also integrating Walkscores, Google Street View, a display of some nearby businesses using the Yelp API and some calculators for potential buyers to estimate their expenses.Framework
Languages
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript
- PHP
Tools
- jQuery
- SASS
- PHPMailer
- PHRets
API
- Mailchimp
- Google Maps
- Walkscore
- Yelp
Third Party
- MLS
Approach
- Mobile First
- Responsive
Live Updates
There are three types of properties: residential, condo and commercial. Each type of property is pulled down every three hours. We run various tasks to sanitize them in 15 minute intervals. We also run some routine tasks and update the properties that agents have changed throughout the day.

A Live MLS Feed
Once we pull down the properties from MLS, we run them through a series of tasks.
See What We Did for Duet PR
wordpress
Duet PR
A brochure website public relations firm specializing in full-service communications and social media campaigns.
