Realtor.com launches new site

CHICAGO – Oct. 28, 2008 – A redesigned Realtor.com launched yesterday. Realtor.com is the official Web site of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and operated by Move Inc. The Web site currently hosts over 4 million property listings, and reached more than 5.4 million consumers in August 2008.

“Realtors pride themselves in being industry innovators, and the all-new Realtor.com site reflects how we add value to the real estate transaction. I’m sure our members will be very happy with the upgrades because the new features give us more of what we want, especially more traffic to our listings, and all of it is more attractively displayed,” says NAR President Dick Gaylord. “Consumers, too, will be pleased with the redesign. The site is more user-friendly, contains more listing data including neighborhood and school reports, and shows home value comparisons – and a new search function will make it easier to find what they want.”

Move’s research found that, more than anything, consumers want “more and better quality photos.” The site now includes more photos of higher quality – 140 percent larger than before; a photo carousel on the homepage; and photo galleries, virtual tours and videos that are easier to find and provide an “insider’s view” of properties.

According to Move statistics, homebuyers visiting the new version of the site are five times more likely to go from the homepage to a listing detail page compared to the old site. They view 40 percent more properties and click through 12 percent more often to view details. In addition, visitors are 37 percent more likely to e-mail an agent and 10 percent more likely to click through to their Web site. Compared to the classic version of the Web site, 45 percent more visitors downloaded informational brochures on properties, and they forwarded listings to friends 10 percent more often.

All Realtors receive greater visibility for their free listings. Each basic listing now includes up to four free photos, community maps and more information on local demographics, schools, and amenities.

© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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