Realtor.com® Strengthens Ties to Realtors® with New Website Improvements

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2015 -- In a move to better position itself for the future and further align itself with Realtors®, Move, Inc., operator of realtor.com®, the official listing site of the National Association of Realtors®, this week introduced new site features to better connect Realtors® and consumers. The announcement, made at the 2015 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, comes at a time when realtor.com® is experiencing substantial year-over-year growth.

"Realtor.com® connects buyers, sellers and renters with Realtors® and the tools they need to make informed real estate decisions," said Move, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ryan O'Hara. "Unlike other listing sites, realtor.com® is committed to serving the needs of the real estate industry. We've just launched some website and mobile enhancements that increase the visibility of brokers and Realtors®."

Every listing on realtor.com® now prominently displays the listing firm and agent's name below the primary photo, O'Hara announced. Realtors® also have the opportunity to include up to 36 photos, a marketing paragraph, contact information, showing details, open house dates and more. Brokerage firms now have the capability to include an SEO-friendly hyperlink to the listing display page on that firm's website.

Realtor.com® also recently launched new agent profiles. When an agent claims his or her profile, they will receive a free link on their listing page. The profiles are a fully responsive design and allow for social media connectivity.

Since the importance of technology continues to grow, realtor.com® is continuing to innovate for its consumer users and partners. Now when Realtors® buy a lead from the site, they will receive contact information along with details about how long the person has been searching and the number of homes viewed. The lead also provides specific details about the home they are inquiring about and recent search activity, including the actual listings they've reviewed. This information gives Realtors® added insight from which to start building a relationship.

Earlier in the week, O'Hara announced other major changes to realtor.com®, namely a visual rebranding and new advertising campaign. The advertising includes a series of 15- and 30-second television spots and longer-form web videos starring Elizabeth Banks, the Emmy-nominated actress, producer, director and self-proclaimed real estate fanatic. Meeting attendees got a sneak peak of several clips from Banks' video shoots as well as finished spots that will begin airing next week.

"More than 90 percent of real estate transactions in this country involve Realtors®. That's because Realtors® are the most productive, the most efficient, and the best real estate professionals," O'Hara said. "It's a pleasure for us to be part of the brand."

The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the "News, Blogs and Videos" tab on the website.