Rebonline has reported that an Australian website providing free property listings has experienced significant growth within the real estate industry just two months after launching

Since the new “community-based portal listing”, Homely.com.au launched in December 2013, over 2,000 real estate offices have signed up more than 100,000 properties.

Some include:

• Ray White
• LJ Hooker
• Harcourts
• Belle Property
• Starr Partners
• Raine&Horne
• RT Edgar

The site’s appeal is its commitment to having no banner ads, a clean design, and no listing costs for agents.

The site’s co-founder, Jason Spencer, said agents had been seeking a move away from the traditional big property listing websites.that “locked [agents] into the established portals and their pricing strategies.”

“Homely is positioning itself as a unique way to solve real estate search with a consumer friendly, banner ad free design combined with social and community platforms,” he said.

The website promotes community engagement, where users can openly discuss suburbs, agents and listings.

“Homely is not just homes, it’s also collection of people sharing their opinions, asking questions and helping others,” the site’s Facebook page reads.

“We [also] think real estate agents should be given more tools to build better relationships with people.”

Paul Pettenon, principal of Raine&Horne Concord, said his agency “wanted to be on board Homely immediately” because it offered buyers “a much needed alternative for searching properties.”

“[It has a] unique look and feel of how listings are showcased combined with the search experience and suburb information provided by consumers,” he said.

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