We Were in Inman News! - Real estate site debuts 'User Search'

http://www.inman.com/news/2008/05/8/real-estate-site-debuts-user-search

BeatYouThere.com, a real estate search engine that allows registered users to comment on property listings and write reviews on real estate professionals, launched this week.

The site has incorporated real estate information from a variety of sources, including HomesandLand.com, ForSaleByOwner.com and RealtyTrac.com, among other sources. Home valuations at the site are supplied by Zillow.com, and mortgage rates are supplied by MortgageMarvel.com.

There is a keyword search that allows users to search within property descriptions for specific words and phrases. Registered users can choose to receive e-mail notifications when properties with specific attributes or selected keywords appear at the site.

There is a "User Search" tool that users can use to search for buyers and sellers, Realtors, mortgage companies, private lenders, banks, and investors and flippers in a particular market area.

Property searches are limited to residential for-sale properties and the site advertises that commercial and rental property searches are coming soon.

Mark Langowski, CEO for BeatYouThere.com, said in a statement that the site is intended to be a social network that allows users "to communicate with each other, post testimonials, write reviews on properties, post properties for sale and create a network of friends while having free access to our database of listings."

In addition to agent-listed properties, the site's search database also includes foreclosure and bank-owned (REO) properties, and auction properties. There is a specific category for "celebrity" properties at the site.

Langowski is also associated with MDL Investments LLC of Stamford, Conn., a company that "is committed to helping individuals find affordable homes," according to its Web site. that company offers furnished "turn-key homes," vacation homes, "flip options" for "enthusiastic remodelers," and homes for rent or lease.

BeatYouThere aims to profit from advertising at the site, and the company is not a real estate brokerage. "We don't make money on commissions or by selling your personal information," according to the announcement about the site.

The site seeks to gather property listings from around the globe and "will be adding large and small real estate sites daily" to its collection of property listings, according to the announcement.