Inman News today released the names of the finalists for the coveted 2006 Inman Innovator Awards. Winners will be announced at the annual Real Estate Connect SF technology conference, July 26-28, at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
Fifty-three real estate, technology, mortgage and media firms have been chosen as finalists, including Google Base, the National Association of Realtors’ Center for Realtor Technology, LendingTree, Coldwell Banker and Zillow.
The Inman Innovator Awards recognize companies that use technology and innovation to enhance the real estate transaction for consumers and real estate professionals. In addition, one individual who embodies the spirit of innovation in real estate is honored each year.
“In today’s fast-moving marketplace, innovation is a more important quality than size, market share or even revenue,” said Bradley Inman, founder and publisher of Inman News. “That’s why I’m so excited to announce these Inman News Innovator Award finalists today.”
Past winners of the Inman Innovator Awards include: Real Living, The New York Times, Curbed.com, Google Earth, Cendant, ZipRealty, Weichert Realtors and Metrocities Mortgage. The awards have been presented at Real Estate Connect SF since 1997.
The 2006 Inman Innovator Award finalists in nine categories are:
Most Innovative Brokerage
Alain Pinel Realtors
Weichert Realtors
RE/MAX International
Intero Real Estate
Michael Saunders & Co.
Chase International
Most Innovative Web Service
VisiStat
Trulia
HouseValues’ HomePages.com
PropSmart
Homethinking
Google Base
HomeGain Neighborhood Maps
RealLiving.com
Coldwell Banker Video Library
Most Innovative New Business Model
Redfin Direct
BuySide Realty
Expert Realty
RebateReps.com
Move’s Top Marketer
Most Innovative Real Estate Blog
Rain City Guide
Matrix
The Walk-Through (The New York Times)
Center for Realtor Technology blog
SocketSite
Urban Digs
Most Innovative Real Estate Data Site
Zillow
HomeSmartReports.com
PropertyShark
RealEstateABC
RealtyTrac
Most Innovative Technology
Stewart Title’s SureClose
Blogging Systems
CellSigns
RealPING
Smarter Agent’s Mobile GPS
WolfNet’s MapTracks
LocoModa’s StreetSurfer
Most Innovative Mortgage Company or Service
The Loan Page
LendingTree
Bank of America’s Real Estate Center
NationPoint
Air Force Credit Union
Most Innovative Media Site
Realtor Magazine Online
YourHub.com
RIS Media
October Research
Planetizen
Most Innovative Rental/ New Home Online Service
HotPads
CityCribs
RentClicks
MyNewPlace
Rent.com/eBay
To register for Connect SF or to see the full conference program, visit the conference Web site at: https://www.inman.com/connectsf/sf.aspx. Registration can be completed at the same Web address or by calling (800) 775-4662, ext. 143.