HomeShark Partners With HOMES.COM

Online discount mortgage broker HomeShark Inc. has joined forces with HOMES.COM, a nationwide online home listing, Realtor marketing, and consumer relocation information service.

The two companies said they will create a spectrum of mortgage services that will benefit homebuyers and sellers, while keeping the Realtor in the center of the real estate transaction. Financial arrangements were not disclosed.

The relationship will provide new online tools for individual Realtors as part of HOMES.COM’s Preferred Pages product, including a personalized Web marketing program for top producing agents and brokers. Additional plans include developing online mortgage solutions for Realtor affiliated mortgage companies and a new, co-branded mortgage center for consumers.

“We chose to work with HomeShark on this project because of their demonstrated commitment to providing quality services to both Realtors and consumers,” said Bob Prince, HOMES.COM president. “HomeShark provides the most comprehensive mortgage services online, using superior technology which we feel will tremendously benefit the Realtors we serve.”

“We realize that Realtors will always be an indispensable part of the home buying process,” said Ned Hoyt, CEO of HomeShark. “This partnership will allow us to incorporate HOMES.COM’s services, expertise and advice in a manner that will make our product even more Realtor focused.”

HomeShark’s core offerings are low-rate mortgages from national lenders “at less than half of traditional mortgage fees,” and the HomeScout search engine, which delivers a large selection of online home listings from various real estate sites.