Inman

HotPads.com secures $2.3 million in financing

Real estate search and listing service HotPads.com has secured $2.3 million in a second round of financing, the company said today, as the online real estate space continues to heat up.

The round was led by Meakem Becker Venture Capital, which contributed $2 million to the deal. Alan Veeck and Dave Becker of MBVC will join the company’s board of directors.

HotPads is a rental property Web site that launched in November 2005, and offers free property listings and free search capabilities to consumers looking for rentals.

The site features a map-based search platform that allows users to specify unit types such as homes (full or divided), condos, large apartment communities and medium-sized apartment buildings. Visitors can also choose whether to search for sublets, corporate housing, rentals or all categories, and the site offers a “find a roommate” search option. Icons on the site’s map distinguish between various property types.

The company recently launched an area mapping and demographic search, political party affiliation mapping, demographic and housing heat maps, and school and public transportation mapping.

HotPads said in a statement that it plans to add more functionality and expand local search offerings.