The following is a real estate technology roundup:
HotPads.com launches new heat maps for renters
HotPads.com, a real estate search site that features for-sale and rental properties, has launched Rent Ratio Heat Maps that allow users to visualize areas that make sense for them to rent or buy in, based on the ratio of rental and for-sale prices in a given area.
The tool builds on the company’s "Buy vs. Rent" search portal launched in December that allows users to set a desired minimum and maximum monthly payment amount that they are willing to spend for housing.
HotPads also offers color-coded Foreclosure Heat Maps that show which markets have the highest foreclosure activity.
Glassdoor.com opens
Glassdoor.com, the latest Web startup by Zillow and Expedia founder Richard Barton, is live. The site features user reviews and ratings of companies and CEOs, as well as salary information.
Site users can anonymously post reviews or salary information to the site. Company reviews can be sorted by job type or by industry type, with industries ranging from computer software to financial services. Barton serves as chairman for Glassdoor. The company reportedly raised $3 million in investor capital in a Series B round of financing.
Realogy, RE/Max and Zillow are among the real estate companies included at the site for users to rate and review (see related Inman Blog post).
LotandHome.com targets new-home construction
LotandHome.com, a property-search site devoted to new-home construction, has launched with information on about 45,000 model homes, according to a company announcement.
Homes sold to users of the Web site carry a 3 percent commission from participating builders, with the home buyer receiving a 1 percent cash rebate, 1 percent going toward national advertising of the 1 percent and 1 percent "allocated toward expenses and profits," the company announced.
Completely noncompetitive LotandHome offers benefits to the buyer, the home builder and the real estate agent. Homes sold through LotandHome.com carry a 3 percent commission from participating builders. The home buyer receives a 1 percent cash rebate, 1 percent goes into national advertising for the Web site and 1 percent is allocated toward expenses and profits.
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