Trulia.com

[La Jolla Real Estate]

Does anyone know anything about this site? Couldn't find anything in the forum already discussing this...

Apparently a search engine comprised of agent and other sites where listings are indexed and packaged for consumers using various serach functions, and when finding a property they are interested in they are linked to the agents site. Not an idx, only participating brokers listings are displayed.

http://www.trulia.com/about/

G&S

[Chief Tutor]

I looked through trulia and they are looking at collecting listings from individual websites. What I can't tell but would assume is that the only listings they are able to receive from an agents page are HTML listings which offer an XML feed for the page, Not IDX listings. Assuming you have your brokers permission (They own the listing), It would be another distribution channel.

And at this time, it looks as though it is free and so if you have your listings hardcoded into a page or your own database of listings then it is just another method of distribution. Once they start charging for inclusion into the search engine, then you have to sit back and ask different questions in regard to if it is a good investment.

Hope this helps.

[La Jolla Real Estate]

Doesn't seem like they would have many listings if not using idx. What would be their competitive advantage? The different style of searching?

[Chief Tutor]

IF they are able to sign on large brokers, they can create a large volume of listings online and thus an online advertising magazine which when they get traffic they can build an advertising model around.

My former company Homes.com is now starting to sell featured ads around listings in their portal. Not a good value, but with the name and the rankings, people who don't understand the internet believe that if they through up their name in enough places, it might generate a lead.

We know better ;)

[La Jolla Real Estate]

Yeah, so no real competetitive edge. Just a new gimmick.

Thanks.

G&S