Comments on: Real Estate Search Engine Roost Closes An $8 Million B Round http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/ Startup and Technology News Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:22:16 -0800 hourly 1 By: Calgary Realtor http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-3050527 Calgary Realtor Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:47:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-3050527 It definitely does not have the finesse and appeal that sites like Trulia, however there are a number of advantages to this site over searching local agent sites and many people just don't care for the <a href="http://www.calgarysrealestate.ca/" rel="nofollow">Realtor.com</a>, Canada has the <a href="http://mls.ca/splash.aspx" rel="nofollow">MLS.ca</a> which has many people complaining. It allows smaller regional sites i.e. <a href="http://www.calgarysrealestate.ca/" rel="nofollow">CalgaryRealEstate.ca</a> to really flourish. It definitely does not have the finesse and appeal that sites like Trulia, however there are a number of advantages to this site over searching local agent sites and many people just don’t care for the Realtor.com, Canada has the MLS.ca which has many people complaining. It allows smaller regional sites i.e. CalgaryRealEstate.ca to really flourish.

]]> By: peter collins http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2775173 peter collins Sun, 31 May 2009 04:41:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2775173 I blog on Zillow and Trulia. I'm lookinf forward to trying out roost. I blog on Zillow and Trulia. I’m lookinf forward to trying out roost.

]]> By: Amy H http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2713530 Amy H Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:47:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2713530 I personally like to use www.viewmylisting.com for listings. Very easy to use, comprehensive, accurate, and FREE... They have so many listings. They too just released their office management software ProGoldi2.com software FREE, and they have a great agent tool that not only the agents can use for free, but buyers and sellers can use it too. It is really a must use!!! I personally like to use http://www.viewmylisting.com for listings. Very easy to use, comprehensive, accurate, and FREE… They have so many listings. They too just released their office management software ProGoldi2.com software FREE, and they have a great agent tool that not only the agents can use for free, but buyers and sellers can use it too. It is really a must use!!!

]]> By: FedMod http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2609221 FedMod Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:46:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2609221 Eric, Real estate business can happen in good and bad markets, it's just a matter of taking the right side. Right now foreclosure, refinancing, and loan modification is a big business, so Roost can target its users for these offers. When the market starts picking back up, they can start pushing new home sales, and the cycle continues. With this $8 million, I'd have to imagine the goal is to prove the business model when the economy is bad, so when things start turning around they're in perfect shape. Eric,

Real estate business can happen in good and bad markets, it’s just a matter of taking the right side.

Right now foreclosure, refinancing, and loan modification is a big business, so Roost can target its users for these offers.

When the market starts picking back up, they can start pushing new home sales, and the cycle continues. With this $8 million, I’d have to imagine the goal is to prove the business model when the economy is bad, so when things start turning around they’re in perfect shape.

]]> By: davao city http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2608468 davao city Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:30:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2608468 I’ve found that sometimes a good visual can make all the difference to a blog post, so I’m always sure to include at least one. They brighten the place up a little too. I’ve found that sometimes a good visual can make all the difference to a blog post, so I’m always sure to include at least one. They brighten the place up a little too.

]]> By: Luxury Condos http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2602194 Luxury Condos Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:29:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2602194 Thick competition with Trulia, Zillow, etc. but Roost has one distinct advantage... completely different UI and fast (only one using AJAX). Much different experience browsing for listings. At the end of the day, all these sites are going to have the same listings from the same data feeds. But who can deliver the best experience? Thick competition with Trulia, Zillow, etc. but Roost has one distinct advantage… completely different UI and fast (only one using AJAX). Much different experience browsing for listings.

At the end of the day, all these sites are going to have the same listings from the same data feeds. But who can deliver the best experience?

]]> By: selinsgroverealestate.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2585223 selinsgroverealestate.com Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:57:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2585223 I really like the site and service as a whole. I wish they had more coverage in the NJ and PA areas though. Regards, Andre from PA http://www.selinsgroverealestate.com I really like the site and service as a whole. I wish they had more coverage in the NJ and PA areas though.

Regards,

Andre from PA

http://www.seli...erealestate.com

]]> By: Real Estate Search Engine Roost Closes An $8 Million B Round (TechCrunch) | 1buckbid.com Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2564567 Real Estate Search Engine Roost Closes An $8 Million B Round (TechCrunch) | 1buckbid.com Blog Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:46:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2564567 [...] Read the original here: Real Estate Search Engine Roost Closes An $8 Million B Round (TechCrunch) [...] [...] Read the original here: Real Estate Search Engine Roost Closes An $8 Million B Round (TechCrunch) [...]

]]> By: Interesitng to read the coverage of Roos … | The Hotlist http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2563505 Interesitng to read the coverage of Roos … | The Hotlist Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:35:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2563505 [...] to read the coverage of Roost’s $8M VC round on TechCrunch. When conversation turned to traffic, I ran my usual barometer and was surprised to notice [...] [...] to read the coverage of Roost’s $8M VC round on TechCrunch. When conversation turned to traffic, I ran my usual barometer and was surprised to notice [...]

]]> By: Alex Chang http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2563141 Alex Chang Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:39:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2563141 Erick, thanks for the post. We're obviously thrilled about the round as well as our new partnership with First American CoreLogic to offer Roost consumers the most comprehensive set of Foreclosures on the web. I'd like to comment on our traffic since there has been a lot of entertaining chatter about it. As I explained to you via email, third party services have no way of measuring our traffic effectively because much of it happens across a wide set of domains. Under the hood, Roost is really a search engine that sits on top of a network of individual hosted broker sites/domains. Spend some time searching an area like San Francisco and you'll see this in the URL. Rest assured our traffic across the Roost platform is significantly higher than what you're seeing on any of the reporting services like GoogleTrends. Alex Chang CEO Roost.com Erick, thanks for the post.

We’re obviously thrilled about the round as well as our new partnership with First American CoreLogic to offer Roost consumers the most comprehensive set of Foreclosures on the web.

I’d like to comment on our traffic since there has been a lot of entertaining chatter about it. As I explained to you via email, third party services have no way of measuring our traffic effectively because much of it happens across a wide set of domains.

Under the hood, Roost is really a search engine that sits on top of a network of individual hosted broker sites/domains. Spend some time searching an area like San Francisco and you’ll see this in the URL.

Rest assured our traffic across the Roost platform is significantly higher than what you’re seeing on any of the reporting services like GoogleTrends.

Alex Chang
CEO
Roost.com

]]> By: Underdog Roost lands $8 million for real estate search, foreclosure watch » VentureBeat http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2563064 Underdog Roost lands $8 million for real estate search, foreclosure watch » VentureBeat Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:14:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2563064 [...] so, as TechCrunch points out, Roost trails its rivals by a crushing degree when it comes to site traffic and brand recognition. [...] [...] so, as TechCrunch points out, Roost trails its rivals by a crushing degree when it comes to site traffic and brand recognition. [...]

]]> By: Ramsay http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2562630 Ramsay Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:37:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2562630 I also heard that they were up for sale. They should do ok, because i don't think they are in debt to their VC',,,because they don't have any. good engine... I also heard that they were up for sale. They should do ok, because i don’t think they are in debt to their VC’,,,because they don’t have any.
good engine…

]]> By: JC http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2562625 JC Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:35:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2562625 Kayak of real estate is http://www.beatyouthere.com . I am a realtor in Florida and I have closed two deals because of beatyouthere. I heard they are are up for sale, but who cares, as long as i keep getting leads from whoever buys them. Kayak of real estate is http://www.beatyouthere.com . I am a realtor in Florida and I have closed two deals because of beatyouthere. I heard they are are up for sale, but who cares, as long as i keep getting leads from whoever buys them.

]]> By: Roost obtiene 8M en Serie B http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2562339 Roost obtiene 8M en Serie B Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:55:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2562339 [...] está siendo especialmente cruel con el sector inmobiliario, el buscador de casas Roost ha recibido una ronda de financiación Serie B de 8 millones de dólares. La ronda estuvo dirigida por Shasta [...] [...] está siendo especialmente cruel con el sector inmobiliario, el buscador de casas Roost ha recibido una ronda de financiación Serie B de 8 millones de dólares. La ronda estuvo dirigida por Shasta [...]

]]> By: MS Coast Real Estate http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2562103 MS Coast Real Estate Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:45:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2562103 IDX allows real estate brokers and service providers the ability to post active listings and pictures which are then downloaded into a local database on the service provider's server. This is the service that the overwhelming majority of real estate brokers (and agents) use on their personal websites but also what your major real estate websites use to obtain listing data. The newer version is a system called RETS (Real Estate Transaction Standard) and allows for more information but also requires more compact agreements in the way the data is displayed. Most local MLS systems do not actively give out IDX feeds to people outside of brokers as this could create a direct competitor with Realtor.com, ran by the National Association of Realtors®. That being said, I have to wonder if Roost is getting their feeds directly from local MLS's or if they are hijacking feeds from other services (ie agent websites) via Realtor members. IDX allows real estate brokers and service providers the ability to post active listings and pictures which are then downloaded into a local database on the service provider’s server.
This is the service that the overwhelming majority of real estate brokers (and agents) use on their personal websites but also what your major real estate websites use to obtain listing data.

The newer version is a system called RETS (Real Estate Transaction Standard) and allows for more information but also requires more compact agreements in the way the data is displayed.

Most local MLS systems do not actively give out IDX feeds to people outside of brokers as this could create a direct competitor with Realtor.com, ran by the National Association of Realtors®.

That being said, I have to wonder if Roost is getting their feeds directly from local MLS’s or if they are hijacking feeds from other services (ie agent websites) via Realtor members.

]]> By: Rich Jacobson http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2562086 Rich Jacobson Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:24:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2562086 At a time when the VC well has all but dried up, it's rather puzzling as to why anyone would want to invest/dump $8 million into a 'late show' listing aggregation site that has comparably low traffic? At a time when the VC well has all but dried up, it’s rather puzzling as to why anyone would want to invest/dump $8 million into a ‘late show’ listing aggregation site that has comparably low traffic?

]]> By: Shasta Ventures Led an $8 Million Series B Financing in Roost | Internet Marketing Techniques http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2562035 Shasta Ventures Led an $8 Million Series B Financing in Roost | Internet Marketing Techniques Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:08:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2562035 [...] more details about this news visit Techcrunch. Share and [...] [...] more details about this news visit Techcrunch. Share and [...]

]]> By: Tax Ninja http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2561915 Tax Ninja Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:22:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2561915 I really like Zillow they are doing a great job. Roost has good opportunity ahead to become the kayak of real estate. I really like Zillow they are doing a great job. Roost has good opportunity ahead to become the kayak of real estate.

]]> By: <fb:name linked="false" useyou="false" uid="531474730">fb531474730</fb:name> http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2561886 fb531474730 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:54:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2561886 Is wondering how well Facebook Connect works... Is wondering how well Facebook Connect works…

]]> By: Tim http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2561852 Tim Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:17:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2561852 knowing this space very well....roost is making an endrun around the MLS and doing a very good job of it - market by market. With a great loss leader entry into a market - it is not unlikely they will have total coverage soon. In most markets - the MLS has simply become an obstacle to overcome in getting IDX information online. By aligning with brokers to get the initial datafeed - roost is able to offer full data coverage in all it's markets. Is it worth an 8 million dollar investment? If I were that smart I'd be running my own roost :-) knowing this space very well….roost is making an endrun around the MLS and doing a very good job of it – market by market. With a great loss leader entry into a market – it is not unlikely they will have total coverage soon.

In most markets – the MLS has simply become an obstacle to overcome in getting IDX information online.

By aligning with brokers to get the initial datafeed – roost is able to offer full data coverage in all it’s markets.

Is it worth an 8 million dollar investment? If I were that smart I’d be running my own roost :-)

]]> By: Justen http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2561844 Justen Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:11:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2561844 I don't get it. Anybody who is a part of the Realtor association can get the information from the MLS through the IDX. That Roost website doesn't seem like it's doing much beyond retrieving the info and displaying it. The website is crawling right now, and I don't know why I would go there rather than my local MLS website and Realtor.com for national search. I don’t get it. Anybody who is a part of the Realtor association can get the information from the MLS through the IDX. That Roost website doesn’t seem like it’s doing much beyond retrieving the info and displaying it. The website is crawling right now, and I don’t know why I would go there rather than my local MLS website and Realtor.com for national search.

]]> By: chazz http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2561751 chazz Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:01:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2561751 Seems strange for a company that doesn't doesn't provide their own IDX software platform. The smart money should be investing in the actual IDX software providers. Will be interesting to see the ROI on this one! Perhaps an IDX software company acquisition is on the horizon?? Seems strange for a company that doesn’t doesn’t provide their own IDX software platform. The smart money should be investing in the actual IDX software providers. Will be interesting to see the ROI on this one! Perhaps an IDX software company acquisition is on the horizon??

]]> By: R.J. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2561746 R.J. Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:58:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2561746 And..the site is down. Roost, you've been Techcrunch'd! And..the site is down. Roost, you’ve been Techcrunch’d!

]]> By: Roost raises $8 million for Real Estate Search Engine | Startup Meme - Technology Startup and Latest Tech News http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2561745 Roost raises $8 million for Real Estate Search Engine | Startup Meme - Technology Startup and Latest Tech News Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:56:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2561745 [...] use the proceeds of this round to provide more accurate and comprehensive listings in these cities. TechCrunch has an interesting comparison of Roost and another real-estate search engine Redfin which [...] [...] use the proceeds of this round to provide more accurate and comprehensive listings in these cities. TechCrunch has an interesting comparison of Roost and another real-estate search engine Redfin which [...]

]]> By: gilltots http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/12/09/real-estate-search-engine-roost-closes-an-8-million-b-round/comment-page-1/#comment-2561723 gilltots Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:31:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=32696#comment-2561723 doesn't seem quite ready yet - i searched for hawaii and it gives me back only 5 results, which seem to all be in hawaii, except that roost says they're in texas! doesn’t seem quite ready yet – i searched for hawaii and it gives me back only 5 results, which seem to all be in hawaii, except that roost says they’re in texas!

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