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The blue circle knows

By Joel Burslem, Friday, July 10, 2009.

In my post, "New Firefox Brings Location to the Browser," I asked the following question around the new browser's location-awareness capability: "So the race is on - which will be the first site to implement this feature? Any bets?"

Well today, we have a winner. That was fast.  more...

Discount broker buys Iggys House assets Premium Content

By Matt Carter, Friday, July 10, 2009.
Image by <a href="http://www.lumaxart.com">www.lumaxart.com</a>.

Minneapolis-based discount real estate brokerage Webdigs Inc. has acquired "substantially all the assets" of Iggys House and BuySide Realty, but has warned investors that it must raise additional capital to fund operations beyond October.

In a regulatory filing, Webdigs management said the company acquired the rights to Iggys House and BuySide Realty's Web sites, software, and network of customers and real estate professionals for $150,000 in cash and 7.12 million shares of Webdigs common stock.  more...

Appraisers shunning FHA work Premium Content

By Inman News, Friday, July 10, 2009.

New rules governing appraisals on loans slated for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are also affecting valuations conducted for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, trade groups representing appraisers say.

The Home Valuation Code of Conduct, which went into effect May 1 for loans destined for purchased by Fannie and Freddie, has caused "a significant transfer" of appraisals ordered by mortgage brokers to appraisal management companies, the groups said.  more...

Brokers think beyond the cubicle Premium Content

By Inman News, Friday, July 10, 2009.

Unlike many American workers, Anna Demeyere doesn't feel as if she's chained to her office desk. For one thing, she doesn't have a desk.

She never did.

Demeyere is a sales associate at Real Estate Partners in Chattanooga, Tenn. This young brokerage largely ditched the idea of providing assigned desks for agents in favor of "hot desks," available on a first-come, first-served basis.  more...

Expert Realty, Keyes expand partnership

By Inman News, Friday, July 10, 2009.

Expert Realty, a Florida real estate company launched in 2005, has expanded its relationship to provide a range of services to The Keyes Co. Inc., a South Florida real estate brokerage company that got its start in 1926.

Founded by Glenn Cohen as a discount brokerage company in 2005, Expert Realty changed its business model in 2006 to focus on search-engine optimization, lead generation and conversion, and other outsourced real estate business processes.  more...

Making a mark in the Chicago market Premium Content

By Inman News, Friday, July 10, 2009.

Amanda McMillan, a real estate consultant for Prudential Preferred Properties in Chicago, has ranked among the top 1 percent of Chicago Realtors in her volume of closed sales from 2006-08. She has worked in real estate for seven years.

And while she describes herself as a "statistics junkie who loves technology," she said she recognizes that technology is just part of the equation in real estate and "client love cannot be earned in 140 characters."

Hear McMillan speak during the Real Estate Connect conference in San Francisco, which runs from Aug. 5-7.  more...