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{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Realtor.com
| name = Realtor.com
| logo =
| logo = Realtor.com logo.png
| logo_caption = Logo
| logo_caption = Logo
| image = Realtorcomheadquarters.jpg
| image = Realtorcomheadquarters.jpg
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| key_people = {{Plainlist|
| key_people = {{Plainlist|
* David Doctorow ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
* David Doctorow ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
* Bryan Charap ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])
* Bryan Charap ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])<ref name="Leadership">{{cite web |title=Leadership at Realtor.com |url=https://www.realtor.com/about/leadership |website=Realtor.com |accessdate=July 27, 2020}}</ref>
* Nate Johnson ([[Chief marketing officer|CMO]])
* Mickey Neuberger ([[Chief marketing officer|CMO]])
* Chung Meng Cheung ([[Chief product officer|CPO]])
* Kat Koutsantonis ([[Chief human resources officer|Chief People Officer]])<ref name=Leadership/>
* Raymond Picard ([[Chief revenue officer|CRO]])
* Rachel Morley ([[Chief product officer|CPO]])<ref name=Leadership/>
* Andrew Strickman (Head of brand, [[Chief creative officer]])
* Ben Rubenstein ([[Chief revenue officer|CRO]])
* Danielle Hale ([[Chief economist]])
* Danielle Hale ([[Chief economist|Chief Economist]])
}}
}}
| parent = [[Move (company)|Move, Inc.]]
| parent = [[Move (company)|Move, Inc.]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.realtor.com}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.realtor.com}}
}}
}}
'''Realtor.com''' (stylized as '''realtor.com''') is a [[real estate]] listings website operated by the [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] subsidiary [[Move (company)|Move, Inc.]] and based in [[Santa Clara, California]]. The site launched as the Realtor Information Network in 1995, serving as a closed network for members of the [[National Association of Realtors]]. It relaunched in 1996 as a public website displaying property listings. Since then, Realtor.com claims to have become the largest website in the United States for real estate listings, and in 2016 was valued at $2.5 billion by [[Morgan Stanley]]. The website's advertising campaigns have been recognized by ''[[Adweek]]'' and the [[Webby Award]]s.
'''Realtor.com''' (stylized as '''realtor.com''') is a [[real estate]] listings website operated by the [[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]] subsidiary [[Move (company)|Move, Inc.]] and based in [[Santa Clara, California]]. The site launched as the Realtor Information Network in 1995, serving as a closed network for members of the [[National Association of Realtors]]. It relaunched in 1996 as a public website displaying property listings. Since then, Realtor.com claims to have become the largest website in the United States for real estate listings, and in 2016 was valued at $2.5 billion by [[Morgan Stanley]]. The website's advertising campaigns have been recognized by ''[[Adweek]]'' and the [[Webby Award]]s.


==Operations==
==Operations==
Realtor.com is operated by the real estate network [[Move (company)|Move, Inc.]],<ref name="Trejos">{{cite news|last1=Trejos|first1=Nancy|title=Airbnb, Realtor.com team up to let you try before you buy|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2015/06/24/airbnb-test-homes-realtorcom/29206325/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|date=June 24, 2015|issn=0734-7456}}</ref> which is owned by [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]].<ref name="Levy">{{cite web|last1=Levy|first1=Nat|title=Realtor.com’s new features bring augmented reality, image recognition to home-buying|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/realtor-com-features-bring-augmented-reality-image-recognition-to-the-home-buying-process/|website=[[GeekWire]]|accessdate=July 7, 2017}}</ref> Ryan O'Hara served as [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of both realtor.com and Move until June 18, 2019.<ref name="Scheinin">{{cite news|last1=Scheinin|first1=Richard|title=Q&A: Realtor.com CEO Ryan O'Hara talks online real estate|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/05/18/qa-realtor-com-ceo-ryan-ohara-talks-online-real-estate/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=The Mercury News|date=May 18, 2016}}</ref> Following the announcement of O'Hara's departure, [[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]]'s President of Global Digital Real Estate Tracey Fellows was named acting CEO. The website is licensed to operate by the [[National Association of Realtors]] (NAR), the real estate industry's largest [[trade association]].<ref name=Levy/><ref name="Collins">{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Jeff|title=Zillow to pay Realtor.com $130 million over trade secrets|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2016/06/07/zillow-to-pay-realtorcom-130-million-over-trade-secrets/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=[[Orange County Register]]|publisher=Digital First Media|date=June 7, 2016|location=Anaheim, California|issn=0886-4934|oclc=12199155}}</ref> The company's business model focuses on selling advertising and leads to agents and brokers.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wiggin|first1=Teke|title=Realtor.com overhauls listing ad offering|url=https://www.inman.com/2016/11/15/realtor-com-overhauls-listing-ad-offering/|website=Inman.com|accessdate=September 25, 2017|date=November 15, 2016}}</ref>
Realtor.com is operated by the real estate network [[Move (company)|Move, Inc.]],<ref name="Trejos">{{cite news|last1=Trejos|first1=Nancy|title=Airbnb, Realtor.com team up to let you try before you buy|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2015/06/24/airbnb-test-homes-realtorcom/29206325/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|date=June 24, 2015|issn=0734-7456}}</ref> which is owned by [[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]].<ref name="Levy">{{cite web|last1=Levy|first1=Nat|title=Realtor.com’s new features bring augmented reality, image recognition to home-buying|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/realtor-com-features-bring-augmented-reality-image-recognition-to-the-home-buying-process/|website=[[GeekWire]]|accessdate=July 7, 2017}}</ref> Ryan O'Hara served as [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of both realtor.com and Move until June 18, 2019.<ref name="Scheinin">{{cite news|last1=Scheinin|first1=Richard|title=Q&A: Realtor.com CEO Ryan O'Hara talks online real estate|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/05/18/qa-realtor-com-ceo-ryan-ohara-talks-online-real-estate/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=The Mercury News|date=May 18, 2016}}</ref> Following the announcement of O'Hara's departure, News Corp's President of Global Digital Real Estate Tracey Fellows was named acting CEO in June 2019. David Doctorow was named the new CEO in January 2020.<ref name="Falcon">{{cite web |last1=Falcon |first1=Julia |title=News Corp picks new CEO to run Move, realtor.com |url=https://www.housingwire.com/articles/news-corp-picks-new-ceo-to-run-move-realtor-com/ |website=HousingWire |accessdate=July 27, 2020}}</ref> The website is licensed to operate by the [[National Association of Realtors]] (NAR), the real estate industry's largest [[trade association]].<ref name=Levy/><ref name="Collins">{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Jeff|title=Zillow to pay Realtor.com $130 million over trade secrets|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2016/06/07/zillow-to-pay-realtorcom-130-million-over-trade-secrets/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=[[Orange County Register]]|publisher=Digital First Media|date=June 7, 2016|location=Anaheim, California|issn=0886-4934|oclc=12199155}}</ref> The company's business model is built around selling referral-based solutions, leads, and advertising to agents, brokers, and others in the real estate industry.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wiggin|first1=Teke|title=Realtor.com overhauls listing ad offering|url=https://www.inman.com/2016/11/15/realtor-com-overhauls-listing-ad-offering/|website=Inman.com|accessdate=September 25, 2017|date=November 15, 2016}}</ref>


Originally located in [[San Jose, California]], the company moved to [[Santa Clara, California|Santa Clara]] in 2016.<ref name=Scheinin/> The new headquarters was designed by the architecture firm [[Gensler]] to resemble a "deconstructed house".<ref name="Ard">{{cite journal|last1=Ard|first1=Scott|title=Silicon Valley in VR: Inside Realtor.com's amazing Santa Clara headquarters|journal=Silicon Valley Business Journal|date=July 8, 2016|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/07/08/silicon-valley-in-vr-inside-realtor-coms-amazing.html|accessdate=July 10, 2017|publisher=American City Business Journals}}</ref>
Originally located in [[San Jose, California]], the company moved to [[Santa Clara, California|Santa Clara]] in 2016.<ref name=Scheinin/> The new headquarters was designed by the architecture firm [[Gensler]] to resemble a "deconstructed house".<ref name="Ard">{{cite journal|last1=Ard|first1=Scott|title=Silicon Valley in VR: Inside Realtor.com's amazing Santa Clara headquarters|journal=Silicon Valley Business Journal|date=July 8, 2016|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/07/08/silicon-valley-in-vr-inside-realtor-coms-amazing.html|accessdate=July 10, 2017|publisher=American City Business Journals}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Founding and early growth===
===Early history and public listing===
Realtor.com first launched in 1995 as the Realtor Information Network (RIN), which at that time was a closed network providing proprietary information to members of NAR.<ref name="Hope">{{cite news|title=Realtors Hope Web Untangles Costly Effort|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-56873007.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051031/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-56873007.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2017|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=[[The Washington Times]]|date=December 9, 1996|location=Washington, D.C.|issn=0732-8494|oclc=8472624|via=[[HighBeam Research]]|url-access=subscription |last=Kopecki|first=Dawn}}</ref><ref name="Rebchook">{{cite news|last1=Rebchook|first1=John|title=Sealed with a Click More People Using Web to Search for and Buy Real Estate|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67616438.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050924/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67616438.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2017|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=[[Rocky Mountain News]]|publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]]|date=March 16, 1998|location=Denver|url-access=subscription |via=HighBeam Research}}</ref> In 1996, the hosting site became public, allowing any Internet users to search for property listings, and expanded with the addition of [[Multiple listing service|Regional Multiple Listing Service]] (RMLS) listings in August.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gendler|first1=Neal|title=Regional Multiple Listings on Web; But Edina Realty decides not to participate in the Twin Cities project.|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62637728.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051629/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62637728.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2017|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=Star Tribune|date=August 1, 1996|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref> RIN grew from 32,000 property listings in December 1995 to nearly 400,000 properties by October 1996.<ref name="Perkins">{{cite news|last1=Perkins|first1=Broderick|title=Real estate industry trumpets its frenzied arrival on the information superhighway.|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17821996.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115222500/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17821996.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|publisher=[[Knight Ridder]]|date=December 7, 1995|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="Napach">{{cite news|last1=Napach|first1=Bernice|title=Web sites that can help you relocate|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-10346834.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021109/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-10346834.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=Medical Economics|date=October 28, 1996|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Realtor.com first launched in 1995 as the Realtor Information Network (RIN), which at that time was a closed network providing proprietary information to members of NAR.<ref name="Hope">{{cite news|title=Realtors Hope Web Untangles Costly Effort|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-56873007.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051031/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-56873007.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2017|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=[[The Washington Times]]|date=December 9, 1996|location=Washington, D.C.|issn=0732-8494|oclc=8472624|via=[[HighBeam Research]]|url-access=subscription |last=Kopecki|first=Dawn}}</ref><ref name="Rebchook">{{cite news|last1=Rebchook|first1=John|title=Sealed with a Click More People Using Web to Search for and Buy Real Estate|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67616438.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050924/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67616438.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2017|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=[[Rocky Mountain News]]|publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]]|date=March 16, 1998|location=Denver|url-access=subscription |via=HighBeam Research}}</ref> In 1996, the hosting site became public, allowing any Internet users to search for property listings, and expanded with the addition of [[Multiple listing service|Regional Multiple Listing Service]] (RMLS) listings in August.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gendler|first1=Neal|title=Regional Multiple Listings on Web; But Edina Realty decides not to participate in the Twin Cities project.|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62637728.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051629/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62637728.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2017|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=Star Tribune|date=August 1, 1996|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref> RIN grew from 32,000 property listings in December 1995 to nearly 400,000 properties by October 1996.<ref name="Perkins">{{cite news|last1=Perkins|first1=Broderick|title=Real estate industry trumpets its frenzied arrival on the information superhighway.|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17821996.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115222500/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17821996.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|publisher=[[Knight Ridder]]|date=December 7, 1995|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="Napach">{{cite news|last1=Napach|first1=Bernice|title=Web sites that can help you relocate|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-10346834.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021109/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-10346834.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=Medical Economics|date=October 28, 1996|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


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Starting in 1997, Realtor.com became the exclusive online real estate listings source for several companies, including ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>{{cite news|title='USA Today' adds commerce partners|url=http://adage.com/print/3405|accessdate=July 10, 2017|work=Advertising Age|date=Apr 16, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/222562497/|title=Realtor.com guides home shoppers on Web|work=[[Courier News]]|location=Somerville, New Jersey|publisher=Gannett Company|page=46|date=August 15, 1997|url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref> [[NBC]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyber-tv: NBC Joins Rival in Making Move to an Interactive Neighborhood|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-04-09/business/9704090207_1_internet-site-nbc-interactive-neighborhood-networks|accessdate=July 10, 2017|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|publisher=[[Tronc]]|date=April 9, 1997|issn=1085-6706|oclc=60639020}}</ref> and [[America Online]] (AOL).<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.wired.com/1997/05/digital-city-brings-realtor-com-into-fold/|work=Wired|title=Digital City Brings Realtor.com Into Fold|date=May 21, 1997|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|work=Advertising Age|url=http://adage.com/article/news/digital-city-adds-real-estate-section/4220/|title=Digital City adds real estate section|date=September 17, 1997|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref> Realtor.com also entered into a partnership with [[Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service]], beginning in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|title=Commercial Takes New Shapes|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EB095E89E3A83E3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201043/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EB095E89E3A83E3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=[[The Herald-News]]|date=January 25, 1998|location=Joliet, Illinois|url-access=subscription |via=HighBeam Research|publisher=[[Shaw Media (United States)|Shaw Media]]|oclc=30591638}}</ref> With more than 1.3 million listings by 1999,<ref>{{cite news|title=Web Site Updated|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EB0969E4BF37FE0.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201340/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EB0969E4BF37FE0.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=The Herald-News|date=December 27, 1998|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Harney|first1=Kenneth R.|title=Sites to Behold: A Guide to Online Real Estate|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-576996.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201230/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-576996.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=The Washington Post|date=January 16, 1999|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Realtor.com had become the largest website for real estate listings, and expanded services to include [[virtual tour]]s of properties.<ref name="Harney">{{cite news|last1=Harney|first1=Kenneth R.|title=Virtual Tours to Revolutionize Home Shopping|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-687195.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-687195.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2018|work=The Washington Post|date=December 19, 1998|accessdate=January 19, 2018}}</ref>
Starting in 1997, Realtor.com became the exclusive online real estate listings source for several companies, including ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>{{cite news|title='USA Today' adds commerce partners|url=http://adage.com/print/3405|accessdate=July 10, 2017|work=Advertising Age|date=Apr 16, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/222562497/|title=Realtor.com guides home shoppers on Web|work=[[Courier News]]|location=Somerville, New Jersey|publisher=Gannett Company|page=46|date=August 15, 1997|url-access=subscription |via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref> [[NBC]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyber-tv: NBC Joins Rival in Making Move to an Interactive Neighborhood|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-04-09/business/9704090207_1_internet-site-nbc-interactive-neighborhood-networks|accessdate=July 10, 2017|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|publisher=[[Tronc]]|date=April 9, 1997|issn=1085-6706|oclc=60639020}}</ref> and [[America Online]] (AOL).<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.wired.com/1997/05/digital-city-brings-realtor-com-into-fold/|work=Wired|title=Digital City Brings Realtor.com Into Fold|date=May 21, 1997|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|work=Advertising Age|url=http://adage.com/article/news/digital-city-adds-real-estate-section/4220/|title=Digital City adds real estate section|date=September 17, 1997|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref> Realtor.com also entered into a partnership with [[Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service]], beginning in 1998.<ref>{{cite news|title=Commercial Takes New Shapes|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EB095E89E3A83E3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201043/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EB095E89E3A83E3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=[[The Herald-News]]|date=January 25, 1998|location=Joliet, Illinois|url-access=subscription |via=HighBeam Research|publisher=[[Shaw Media (United States)|Shaw Media]]|oclc=30591638}}</ref> With more than 1.3 million listings by 1999,<ref>{{cite news|title=Web Site Updated|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EB0969E4BF37FE0.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201340/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EB0969E4BF37FE0.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=The Herald-News|date=December 27, 1998|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Harney|first1=Kenneth R.|title=Sites to Behold: A Guide to Online Real Estate|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-576996.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201230/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-576996.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2018|accessdate=July 11, 2017|work=The Washington Post|date=January 16, 1999|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Realtor.com had become the largest website for real estate listings, and expanded services to include [[virtual tour]]s of properties.<ref name="Harney">{{cite news|last1=Harney|first1=Kenneth R.|title=Virtual Tours to Revolutionize Home Shopping|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-687195.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021338/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-687195.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2018|work=The Washington Post|date=December 19, 1998|accessdate=January 19, 2018}}</ref>


===Public listing and acquisition===
Homestore [[Initial public offering|went public]] in August 1999, raising $140 million in the process. NAR retained a significant equity position, but Homestore negotiated agreements with [[multiple listing service]]s and brokerages to secure direct feeds of listings.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Helft|first1=Miguel|title=Business; Homestore Fights for Life as Bad News Piles Up|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/27/business/business-homestore-fights-for-life-as-bad-news-piles-up.html?mcubz=0|accessdate=August 18, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=January 27, 2002}}</ref>
Homestore [[Initial public offering|went public]] in August 1999, raising $140 million in the process. NAR retained a significant equity position, but Homestore negotiated agreements with [[multiple listing service]]s and brokerages to secure direct feeds of listings.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Helft|first1=Miguel|title=Business; Homestore Fights for Life as Bad News Piles Up|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/27/business/business-homestore-fights-for-life-as-bad-news-piles-up.html?mcubz=0|accessdate=August 18, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=January 27, 2002}}</ref>


===News Corp era===
[[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] purchased Realtor.com's parent company, now called Move, for $950 million in September 2014.<ref name=Scheinin/><ref name="Logan">{{cite news|last1=Logan|first1=Tim|title=News Corp. to buy parent of Realtor.com for $950 million|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-1001-newscorp-realtor-20141001-story.html|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref> According to [[comScore]], Realtor.com was receiving 34.1 million unique visitors per month at the time.<ref name="Lisota">{{cite web|last1=Lisota|first1=Kevin|title=Realtor.com CEO Ryan O’Hara on their quest to catch up with Zillow|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/realtor-com-ceo-ryan-ohara-on-their-quest-to-catch-up-to-zillow/|website=GeekWire|accessdate=July 10, 2017|date=August 6, 2015}}</ref> New partnerships were formed with [[Airbnb]], to focus on encouraging potential home buyers to stay in neighborhoods of interest to them;<ref name=Trejos/> and with [[Yelp]], to provide users with information about listed properties' neighborhood amenities.<ref name="Lerner">{{cite news|last1=Lerner|first1=Michele|title=Realtor.com partners with Yelp to include neighborhood amenities in listings|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/where-we-live/wp/2016/09/29/realtor-com-partners-with-yelp-to-include-neighborhood-amenities-in-listings/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=September 29, 2016|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
[[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]] purchased Realtor.com's parent company, now called Move, for $950 million in September 2014.<ref name=Scheinin/><ref name="Logan">{{cite news|last1=Logan|first1=Tim|title=News Corp. to buy parent of Realtor.com for $950 million|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-1001-newscorp-realtor-20141001-story.html|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref> According to [[comScore]], Realtor.com was receiving 34.1 million unique visitors per month at the time.<ref name="Lisota">{{cite web|last1=Lisota|first1=Kevin|title=Realtor.com CEO Ryan O’Hara on their quest to catch up with Zillow|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/realtor-com-ceo-ryan-ohara-on-their-quest-to-catch-up-to-zillow/|website=GeekWire|accessdate=July 10, 2017|date=August 6, 2015}}</ref> New partnerships were formed with [[Airbnb]], to focus on encouraging potential home buyers to stay in neighborhoods of interest to them;<ref name=Trejos/> and with [[Yelp]], to provide users with information about listed properties' neighborhood amenities.<ref name="Lerner">{{cite news|last1=Lerner|first1=Michele|title=Realtor.com partners with Yelp to include neighborhood amenities in listings|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/where-we-live/wp/2016/09/29/realtor-com-partners-with-yelp-to-include-neighborhood-amenities-in-listings/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=September 29, 2016|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358|via=HighBeam Research|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


Move acquired interior design and lifestyle website [[Remodelista]] and outdoor spaces and garden design website [[Gardenista]] in 2016 as part of Realtor.com's marketing strategy. At the time of purchase, the two sites represented 1.5 million monthly readers.<ref name="BusinessOfHome1">[https://businessofhome.com/news/behind-realtor-com-s-remodelista-gardenista-acquisition "Behind Realtor.com's Remodelista-Gardenista acquisition"], ''Business of Home'' 2016-07-15</ref> In June, 2019 the company sold back the websites to founder [[Julie Carlson]] and husband Josh Groves and are now independently operated by Remodelista LLC.<ref name="RemodelistaIndependence">[https://www.remodelista.com/posts/remodelista-update/ "To Our Readers: Remodelista Update"], ''Remodelista'' 2019-06-01</ref>
Move acquired interior design and lifestyle website [[Remodelista]] and outdoor spaces and garden design website [[Gardenista]] in 2016 as part of Realtor.com's marketing strategy. At the time of purchase, the two sites represented 1.5 million monthly readers.<ref name="BusinessOfHome1">[https://businessofhome.com/news/behind-realtor-com-s-remodelista-gardenista-acquisition "Behind Realtor.com's Remodelista-Gardenista acquisition"], ''Business of Home'' 2016-07-15</ref> In June, 2019 the company sold back the websites to founder [[Julie Carlson]] and husband Josh Groves and are now independently operated by Remodelista LLC.<ref name="RemodelistaIndependence">[https://www.remodelista.com/posts/remodelista-update/ "To Our Readers: Remodelista Update"], ''Remodelista'' 2019-06-01</ref>
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Features for [[augmented reality]] and [[image recognition]] in listings were added to the Realtor.com [[mobile apps]] in January 2017.<ref name=Levy/><ref name="Steele">{{cite web|last1=Steele|first1=Billy|title=Realtor.com uses augmented reality to help you find a new home|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/17/realtor-com-augmented-reality-house-hunting/|website=[[Engadget]]|publisher=[[Oath Inc.]]|accessdate=July 7, 2017}}</ref> Also, the site began offering 3D tours from Matterport on its [[iOS]] app, and began offering the same technology on its website and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] app.<ref name="Stitches">{{cite web|last1=Wiggin|first1=Teke|title=Realtor.com stitches Matterport 3-D home tours into iOS app|url=https://www.inman.com/2017/03/30/realtor-com-matterport-3d-home-tour-matterport-app/|website=Inman.com|accessdate=July 10, 2017|date=March 30, 2017}}</ref>
Features for [[augmented reality]] and [[image recognition]] in listings were added to the Realtor.com [[mobile apps]] in January 2017.<ref name=Levy/><ref name="Steele">{{cite web|last1=Steele|first1=Billy|title=Realtor.com uses augmented reality to help you find a new home|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/17/realtor-com-augmented-reality-house-hunting/|website=[[Engadget]]|publisher=[[Oath Inc.]]|accessdate=July 7, 2017}}</ref> Also, the site began offering 3D tours from Matterport on its [[iOS]] app, and began offering the same technology on its website and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] app.<ref name="Stitches">{{cite web|last1=Wiggin|first1=Teke|title=Realtor.com stitches Matterport 3-D home tours into iOS app|url=https://www.inman.com/2017/03/30/realtor-com-matterport-3d-home-tour-matterport-app/|website=Inman.com|accessdate=July 10, 2017|date=March 30, 2017}}</ref>


Move acquired Opcity, the Austin, Texas-based [[real estate technology]] company, for $210 million in 2018. The company, which developed a platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to match potential home buyers with agents,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20180830/austin-real-estate-startup-opcity-to-be-acquired-for-210-million|title=Austin real estate startup Opcity to be acquired for $210 million|first=Lori|last=Hawkins|date=August 30, 2018|accessdate=October 10, 2018|work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref> will continue to operate as an independent business.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=Will |title=Opcity agrees to $210 million buyout by News Corp. |journal=Austin Business Journal |date=August 30, 2018 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/08/30/opcity-agrees-to-210-million-buyout-by-news-corp.html |accessdate=September 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Marinova |first1=Polina |title=Term Sheet -- Thursday, August 30 |journal=Fortune |date=August 30, 2018 |url=http://fortune.com/2018/08/30/term-sheet-thursday-august-30/ |accessdate=September 12, 2018}}</ref>
Move acquired Opcity, the Austin, Texas-based [[real estate technology]] company, for $210 million in 2018. The company, which developed a platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to match potential home buyers with agents,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20180830/austin-real-estate-startup-opcity-to-be-acquired-for-210-million|title=Austin real estate startup Opcity to be acquired for $210 million|first=Lori|last=Hawkins|date=August 30, 2018|accessdate=October 10, 2018|work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref> continued to operate as an independent business until being integrated in 2019–2020.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=Will |title=Opcity agrees to $210 million buyout by News Corp. |journal=Austin Business Journal |date=August 30, 2018 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/08/30/opcity-agrees-to-210-million-buyout-by-news-corp.html |accessdate=September 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Marinova |first1=Polina |title=Term Sheet -- Thursday, August 30 |journal=Fortune |date=August 30, 2018 |url=http://fortune.com/2018/08/30/term-sheet-thursday-august-30/ |accessdate=September 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Regan |first1=Varnham Sylvia |title=News Corp. looks to Opcity lead-generation to boost real estate services biz |url=https://therealdeal.com/2020/02/07/news-corp-looks-to-opcity-lead-generation-to-boost-real-estate-services-biz/ |accessdate=July 27, 2020 |work=The Real Deal |date=February 7, 2020}}</ref>


In 2018, Realtor.com introduced Local Expert, a digital marketing service for targeting ads to agents and prospective buyers on both the company's website and [[Facebook]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiggin |first1=Teke |title=Realtor.com unveils Facebook ads for agents |url=https://www.inman.com/2018/11/01/realtor-com-unveils-facebook-ads-for-agents/ |accessdate=July 27, 2020 |work=Inman.com |date=November 1, 2018}}</ref> Local Expert was expanded in 2019 to allow ad purchases for searches at the city level in addition to the [[ZIP Code]] level.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiggin |first1=Teke |title=Realtor.com extends Facebook ad product to brokers |url=https://www.inman.com/2019/07/29/realtor-com-extends-facebook-ad-product-to-brokers/ |accessdate=July 27, 2020 |work=Inman.com |date=July 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Falcon |first1=Julia |title=Realtor.com expands Local Expert feature to city level |url=https://www.housingwire.com/articles/49650-realtorcom-expands-local-expert-feature-to-city-level/ |accessdate=July 27, 2020 |work=HousingWire |date=July 29, 2019}}</ref> Another marketing product, Market Reach, launched in early 2020.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Lydia |title=Moxiworks and realtor.com launch new marketing programs for agents: New tool seeks to help agents maximize social media ads |journal=Chicago Agent Magazine |date=March 4, 2020 |url=https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2020/03/04/moxiworks-and-realtor-com-launch-new-marketing-programs-for-agents/ |accessdate=July 27, 2020}}</ref> During 2019 and early 2020, Realtor.com added a number of features to improve search options, including a commute time filter,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kearns |first1=Patrick |title=Realtor.com's iOS app will allow users to filter by commute |url=https://www.inman.com/2019/07/01/realtor-coms-ios-app-will-allow-users-to-filter-by-commute/ |accessdate=July 28, 2020 |work=Inman.com |date=July 1, 2019}}</ref> noise overlay map,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Falcon |first1=Julia |title=Realtor.com adds new feature to home search that shows noise levels |url=https://www.housingwire.com/articles/realtor-com-adds-new-feature-to-home-search-that-shows-noise-levels/ |website=HousingWire |accessdate=July 28, 2020 |date=March 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kearns |first1=Patrick |title=Realtor.com wants to identify noisy homes |url=https://www.inman.com/2020/03/09/realtor-com-wants-to-identify-noisy-homes/ |accessdate=July 28, 2020 |work=Inman.com |date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> and automated value model comparisons.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lane |first1=Ben |title=Look out Zestimate: Realtor.com is rolling out its own souped-up home value estimate |url=https://www.housingwire.com/articles/look-out-zestimate-realtor-com-rolling-out-its-own-souped-up-home-value-estimate/ |website=HousingWire |accessdate=July 28, 2020 |date=March 12, 2020}}</ref> Realtor.com introduced Sellers Marketplace in July 2020 to help consumers with [[Instant Buyer|iBuying]] by providing homeowners with information for comparing selling options.<ref>{{cite news |title=Realtor.com wades into iBuying at last |url=https://therealdeal.com/2020/07/23/realtor-com-wades-into-ibuying-at-last/ |accessdate=July 28, 2020 |work=The Real Deal |date=July 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kearns |first1=Patrick |title=Realtor.com partners with Opendoor, others for 'seller's marketplace' |url=https://www.inman.com/2020/07/23/realtor-com-partners-with-opendoor-others-for-sellers-marketplace/ |accessdate=July 28, 2020 |work=Inman.com |date=July 23, 2020}}</ref>
==Marketing==
[[Elizabeth Banks]] has been a spokesperson for Realtor.com since 2015,<ref name="Diaz">{{cite journal|last1=Diaz|first1=Ann-Christine|title=Elizabeth Banks Is the (Weird) Woman of Your Dreams in Latest Campaign from Realtor.com|journal=[[Advertising Age]]|date=June 1, 2016|url=http://adage.com/article/advertising/elizabeth-banks-weird-woman-dreams-latest-campaign-realtor/304246/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|publisher=[[Crain Communications]]|location=Detroit}}</ref><ref name="Gianatasio">{{cite journal|last1=Gianatasio|first1=David|title=Realtor.com Helps You Beat Not-You to the Home of Your Dreams|journal=[[Adweek]]|date=April 3, 2017|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/realtor-com-helps-you-beat-not-you-to-the-home-of-your-dreams/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|publisher=Beringer Capital|location=New York City|issn=0199-2864}}</ref> appearing in the company's YouTube series targeting [[millennials]] buying their first home.<ref name="Beer">{{cite journal|last1=Beer|first1=Jeff|title=Elizabeth Banks Wants to Help You Find Your Dream Home on Realtor.com|journal=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|date=June 1, 2017|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3060456/quick-hit/elizabeth-banks-wants-to-help-you-find-your-dream-home-on-realtorcom|accessdate=July 10, 2017|publisher=Mansueto Ventures|issn=1085-9241}}</ref><ref name="Gazdik">{{cite news|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/298352/realtorcom-campaign-focuses-on-the-not-yous-in.html|title=Realtor.com Campaign Focuses on the 'Not-Yous' in Biggest Campaign Yet|last1=Gazdik|first1=Tanya|date=April 3, 2017|work=Marketing Daily|accessdate=July 7, 2017|publisher=MediaPost Communications}}</ref><ref name="Wasserman">{{cite web|last1=Wasserman|first1=Todd|title=Realtor.com Banks on Elizabeth to Target House-Buying Millennials|url=http://www.cmo.com/features/articles/2017/4/6/elizabeth-banks-takes-on-the-not-yous-for-realtorcom.html#gs.51_U4Vw|accessdate=July 7, 2017|website=CMO.com|date=April 7, 2017|publisher=[[Adobe Systems]]}}</ref> Her first commercial for the company was directed by [[Fred Savage]].<ref name="McMains">{{cite journal|last1=McMains|first1=Andrew|title=Ad of the Day: Elizabeth Banks Gets Comically Obsessed with Real Estate for Realtor.com|journal=Adweek|date=May 13, 2015|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/ad-day-elizabeth-banks-gets-comically-obsessed-real-estate-realtorcom-164688/|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref>


As of mid-2020, Realtor.com was receiving approximately 68 million unique users per month.<ref>{{cite web |title=News Corporation Reports Third Quarter Results for Fiscal 2020 |url=https://newscorpcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/q3-2020-earnings-press-release_final_05.07.2020.pdf |publisher=News Corp |accessdate=July 28, 2020}}</ref>
The website's advertising campaigns have been recognized by ''[[Adweek]]'',<ref name="Burgi">{{cite journal|last1=Burgi|first1=Michael|title=Meet the Talented Performers Behind Some of the Year's Best Videos|journal=Adweek|date=August 17, 2015|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/meet-talented-performers-behind-some-years-best-videos-166414/|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pereira & O'Dell Awards|url=https://www.adforum.com/agency/6669913/awards/pereira-odell|publisher=[[AdForum]]|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref> the Online Marketing Media and Advertising (OMMA) Awards,<ref>{{cite news|title=2017 OMMA Awards|url=https://www.mediapost.com/ommaawards/|accessdate=July 10, 2017|publisher=MediaPost Communications}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=OMMA Awards: 2015 Finalists|url=https://www.mediapost.com/ommaawards/finalists/?event=2015|accessdate=July 10, 2017|publisher=MediaPost Communications|date=2015}}</ref> and the [[Webby Award]]s for their creativity, use of talent, and digital advertising.<ref name="Winners">{{cite web|title=Who are the real estate winners in the 2016 Webbys?|url=https://www.inman.com/2016/05/13/who-are-the-real-estate-winners-in-the-2016-webbys/|website=Inman.com|accessdate=July 10, 2017|first=Dani|last=Vanderboegh}}</ref>

==Marketing==
[[Elizabeth Banks]] became a spokesperson for Realtor.com in 2015,<ref name="Diaz">{{cite journal|last1=Diaz|first1=Ann-Christine|title=Elizabeth Banks Is the (Weird) Woman of Your Dreams in Latest Campaign from Realtor.com|journal=[[Advertising Age]]|date=June 1, 2016|url=http://adage.com/article/advertising/elizabeth-banks-weird-woman-dreams-latest-campaign-realtor/304246/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|publisher=[[Crain Communications]]|location=Detroit}}</ref><ref name="Gianatasio">{{cite journal|last1=Gianatasio|first1=David|title=Realtor.com Helps You Beat Not-You to the Home of Your Dreams|journal=[[Adweek]]|date=April 3, 2017|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/realtor-com-helps-you-beat-not-you-to-the-home-of-your-dreams/|accessdate=July 7, 2017|publisher=Beringer Capital|location=New York City|issn=0199-2864}}</ref> appearing in the company's YouTube series targeting [[millennials]] buying their first home.<ref name="Beer">{{cite journal|last1=Beer|first1=Jeff|title=Elizabeth Banks Wants to Help You Find Your Dream Home on Realtor.com|journal=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|date=June 1, 2017|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3060456/quick-hit/elizabeth-banks-wants-to-help-you-find-your-dream-home-on-realtorcom|accessdate=July 10, 2017|publisher=Mansueto Ventures|issn=1085-9241}}</ref><ref name="Gazdik">{{cite news|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/298352/realtorcom-campaign-focuses-on-the-not-yous-in.html|title=Realtor.com Campaign Focuses on the 'Not-Yous' in Biggest Campaign Yet|last1=Gazdik|first1=Tanya|date=April 3, 2017|work=Marketing Daily|accessdate=July 7, 2017|publisher=MediaPost Communications}}</ref><ref name="Wasserman">{{cite web|last1=Wasserman|first1=Todd|title=Realtor.com Banks on Elizabeth to Target House-Buying Millennials|url=http://www.cmo.com/features/articles/2017/4/6/elizabeth-banks-takes-on-the-not-yous-for-realtorcom.html#gs.51_U4Vw|accessdate=July 7, 2017|website=CMO.com|date=April 7, 2017|publisher=[[Adobe Systems]]}}</ref> Her first commercial for the company was directed by [[Fred Savage]].<ref name="McMains">{{cite journal|last1=McMains|first1=Andrew|title=Ad of the Day: Elizabeth Banks Gets Comically Obsessed with Real Estate for Realtor.com|journal=Adweek|date=May 13, 2015|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/ad-day-elizabeth-banks-gets-comically-obsessed-real-estate-realtorcom-164688/|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref> Realtor.com's current campaign, "The Home of Home Search", launched in April 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gazdik |first1=Tanya |title=Realtor.com Launches Its Largest Brand Campaign |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/318175/realtorcom-launches-its-largest-brand-campaign.html |accessdate=July 27, 2020 |work=MarketingDaily |publisher=MediaPost |date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> The website's advertising campaigns have been recognized by ''[[Adweek]]'',<ref name="Burgi">{{cite journal|last1=Burgi|first1=Michael|title=Meet the Talented Performers Behind Some of the Year's Best Videos|journal=Adweek|date=August 17, 2015|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/meet-talented-performers-behind-some-years-best-videos-166414/|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pereira & O'Dell Awards|url=https://www.adforum.com/agency/6669913/awards/pereira-odell|publisher=[[AdForum]]|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}</ref> the Online Marketing Media and Advertising (OMMA) Awards,<ref>{{cite news|title=2017 OMMA Awards|url=https://www.mediapost.com/ommaawards/|accessdate=July 10, 2017|publisher=MediaPost Communications}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=OMMA Awards: 2015 Finalists|url=https://www.mediapost.com/ommaawards/finalists/?event=2015|accessdate=July 10, 2017|publisher=MediaPost Communications|date=2015}}</ref> and the [[Webby Award]]s for their creativity, use of talent, and digital advertising.<ref name="Winners">{{cite web|title=Who are the real estate winners in the 2016 Webbys?|url=https://www.inman.com/2016/05/13/who-are-the-real-estate-winners-in-the-2016-webbys/|website=Inman.com|accessdate=July 10, 2017|first=Dani|last=Vanderboegh}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 17:10, 12 August 2020

Realtor.com
IndustryReal estate
Headquarters3315 Scott Blvd., ,
United States
Key people
ParentMove, Inc.
Websitewww.realtor.com

Realtor.com (stylized as realtor.com) is a real estate listings website operated by the News Corp subsidiary Move, Inc. and based in Santa Clara, California. The site launched as the Realtor Information Network in 1995, serving as a closed network for members of the National Association of Realtors. It relaunched in 1996 as a public website displaying property listings. Since then, Realtor.com claims to have become the largest website in the United States for real estate listings, and in 2016 was valued at $2.5 billion by Morgan Stanley. The website's advertising campaigns have been recognized by Adweek and the Webby Awards.

Operations

Realtor.com is operated by the real estate network Move, Inc.,[2] which is owned by News Corp.[3] Ryan O'Hara served as chief executive officer (CEO) of both realtor.com and Move until June 18, 2019.[4] Following the announcement of O'Hara's departure, News Corp's President of Global Digital Real Estate Tracey Fellows was named acting CEO in June 2019. David Doctorow was named the new CEO in January 2020.[5] The website is licensed to operate by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the real estate industry's largest trade association.[3][6] The company's business model is built around selling referral-based solutions, leads, and advertising to agents, brokers, and others in the real estate industry.[7]

Originally located in San Jose, California, the company moved to Santa Clara in 2016.[4] The new headquarters was designed by the architecture firm Gensler to resemble a "deconstructed house".[8]

History

Early history and public listing

Realtor.com first launched in 1995 as the Realtor Information Network (RIN), which at that time was a closed network providing proprietary information to members of NAR.[9][10] In 1996, the hosting site became public, allowing any Internet users to search for property listings, and expanded with the addition of Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) listings in August.[11] RIN grew from 32,000 property listings in December 1995 to nearly 400,000 properties by October 1996.[12][13]

The site was relaunched with the name "Spot Realtor.com" at the same realtor.com domain name in November 1996.[14][15] The site's management was assumed by a company called RealSelect,[15] in a new partnership with NAR, funded by investment from venture capital firms.[14] RealSelect later changed its name to Homestore, and continued to operate the realtor.com site with NAR as a partner.[16]

Starting in 1997, Realtor.com became the exclusive online real estate listings source for several companies, including USA Today,[17][18] NBC,[19] and America Online (AOL).[20][21] Realtor.com also entered into a partnership with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Service, beginning in 1998.[22] With more than 1.3 million listings by 1999,[23][24] Realtor.com had become the largest website for real estate listings, and expanded services to include virtual tours of properties.[25]

Homestore went public in August 1999, raising $140 million in the process. NAR retained a significant equity position, but Homestore negotiated agreements with multiple listing services and brokerages to secure direct feeds of listings.[26]

News Corp era

News Corp purchased Realtor.com's parent company, now called Move, for $950 million in September 2014.[4][27] According to comScore, Realtor.com was receiving 34.1 million unique visitors per month at the time.[28] New partnerships were formed with Airbnb, to focus on encouraging potential home buyers to stay in neighborhoods of interest to them;[2] and with Yelp, to provide users with information about listed properties' neighborhood amenities.[29]

Move acquired interior design and lifestyle website Remodelista and outdoor spaces and garden design website Gardenista in 2016 as part of Realtor.com's marketing strategy. At the time of purchase, the two sites represented 1.5 million monthly readers.[30] In June, 2019 the company sold back the websites to founder Julie Carlson and husband Josh Groves and are now independently operated by Remodelista LLC.[31]

As of 2016, Realtor.com claimed to display 97 percent of residential properties for sale in the United States,[32] and reportedly received 36.7 million unique monthly visitors.[4] The company was valued by Morgan Stanley at $2.5 billion.[33]

Features for augmented reality and image recognition in listings were added to the Realtor.com mobile apps in January 2017.[3][34] Also, the site began offering 3D tours from Matterport on its iOS app, and began offering the same technology on its website and Android app.[35]

Move acquired Opcity, the Austin, Texas-based real estate technology company, for $210 million in 2018. The company, which developed a platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to match potential home buyers with agents,[36] continued to operate as an independent business until being integrated in 2019–2020.[37][38][39]

In 2018, Realtor.com introduced Local Expert, a digital marketing service for targeting ads to agents and prospective buyers on both the company's website and Facebook.[40] Local Expert was expanded in 2019 to allow ad purchases for searches at the city level in addition to the ZIP Code level.[41][42] Another marketing product, Market Reach, launched in early 2020.[43] During 2019 and early 2020, Realtor.com added a number of features to improve search options, including a commute time filter,[44] noise overlay map,[45][46] and automated value model comparisons.[47] Realtor.com introduced Sellers Marketplace in July 2020 to help consumers with iBuying by providing homeowners with information for comparing selling options.[48][49]

As of mid-2020, Realtor.com was receiving approximately 68 million unique users per month.[50]

Marketing

Elizabeth Banks became a spokesperson for Realtor.com in 2015,[51][52] appearing in the company's YouTube series targeting millennials buying their first home.[53][54][55] Her first commercial for the company was directed by Fred Savage.[56] Realtor.com's current campaign, "The Home of Home Search", launched in April 2018.[57] The website's advertising campaigns have been recognized by Adweek,[58][59] the Online Marketing Media and Advertising (OMMA) Awards,[60][61] and the Webby Awards for their creativity, use of talent, and digital advertising.[62]

References

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External links