Online Home Sale – Builder Homesite Inc. And eBay Real Estate

Builder Homesite, Inc. announced that it has entered into a relationship with eBay Real Estate (www.ebayrealestate.com) that will create a new homes destination within the eBay Real Estate marketplace. Builder Homesite, a leading online publisher of new home listings, will leverage eBay Real Estate to generate buyer leads for its consortium of the nation's top home builders, making thousands of new home communities available for viewing on eBay Real Estate. In addition, both companies will promote a series of high-powered online sales events that will leverage the eBay trading platform to allow motivated buyers to place bids for new homes online. The Ryland Group, KB Home, and Beazer Homes have signed on for the first online sales event, and many more homebuilders are expected to leverage the new online marketplace.

"Homebuyers are showing an increasing reliance and comfort with using online resources during their new home search. With 85% of new homebuyers using the Internet during the home buying process, now is the time to create a new channel that actually allows consumers to 'transact' online, not just shop and browse," said Tim Costello, president and CEO of Builder Homesite, Inc. "What's exciting about eBay is that they bring consumers who are ready to transact. Using this new service to connect with eBay's 42 million registered users allows our builders to generate qualified leads and sell properties quickly and efficiently."

Builder Homesite's consortium of top U.S. builders sold 225,000 homes in 2001, representing more than $46 billion in gross revenue. Builder Homesite will place thousands of listings from its NewHome Source website (www.newhomesource.com) within a specially created new homes category on the eBay Real Estate site, using an ad-listing format that allows the builders to generate qualified leads from motivated home buyers. Several of the nation's largest builders have already signed up, including Ryland Group, KB Home, and Beazer Homes, to participate in the first of many online sales events. The first of these events, which will be promoted on both the NewHome Source Web site and eBay Real Estate, is currently scheduled for this Spring, and will allow buyers to actually bid on new homes online.

"Bringing builders and bidders together on eBay is a natural evolution for KB home, and for the industry as a whole," said Bruce Karatz, Chairman and CEO of KB Home. "At KB Home, we're always seeking new ways to reach out to buyers, and eBay represents the next logical extension of that effort."

"Developing these new relationships with builders will strengthen our residential homes offering by giving buyers a direct conduit to the new homes market, and helping builders reach a wider audience more cost effectively," said Doug Galen, Vice President of real estate, travel and new business at eBay. "Buyers and builders can now use eBay Real Estate to connect within a secure, efficient and proven trading platform that allows buyers to preview and bid on properties online, and that allows builders to generate leads and close sales."

Visitors to eBay Real Estate will enjoy the safety and security that eBay is known for, as well as a variety of home-buying services that includes a library of "how to" articles for potential homeowners. The information-rich listings offered through Builder Homesite will include home specifications, blueprints and floor plans.

For more information, Builder Homesite and eBay Real Estate representative will be available for comment on Friday, February 8th from noon to 2 p.m. at the International Builder Show, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Augusta III room.

About The Author:

Mark Harris is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.home-n-house-plans.com. The best place to find new home plans, home designs & houseplans is the Internet.