Inman

Internet Brands buys ApartmentRatings

Internet Brands has added to its Web real estate holdings with the purchase of ApartmentRatings.com, an online community of apartment renters, the company announced Tuesday.

Launched in 2000 by Jeremy and Katie Bencken, ApartmentRatings.com has more than 500,000 reviews and ratings of about 60,000 apartments nationwide. The site includes rental trend data, safety information and detailed maps, and enables renters to interact with each other and get advice.

The site boasts unbiased reviews as it hasn’t accepted advertising from apartment owners or managers since inception.

Internet Brands’ home and real estate division includes sites like RealEstateABC.com, LoanApp.com, Loan.com, MortgageFAQ.com, BestRate.com and DoItYourself.com.

RealEstateABC.com, which has been around since 1998, was acquired by Internet Brands in September 2005. It offers a Zillow-like home-valuation tool, a Realtor directory, and articles and other tools for consumers.