14th May 99

The UK’s premier property Web site re-launches, heralding a new online era for home owners and estate agents.

HouseWeb [www.houseweb.co.uk], the leading property Web site, announced today that it has launched a completely re-designed and expanded version of its online property service. Features on the new site include a dynamic system for creating property adverts, helping to bring buyer and seller together within a single environment. HouseWeb also offers a vast information resource for anyone seeking guidance through the process of buying, selling, renting or exchanging a property.

"Advertising property on the Web has never been easier. Our site offers a quick, easy and non-technical route for home owners and estate agents to place their property on the Internet, serving the large number of house hunters who visit HouseWeb every day," said spokesperson Jennifer Stanley. "Partnered with hundreds of pages of advice and information, our aim is to help take the stress out of what traditionally ranks as one of the top three ‘most stressful’ events in people’s lives".

The new site enables anyone connected to the Internet to place their property online in less than ten minutes, drastically reducing the lead time for getting a house on the market. Individuals and estate agents can edit their adverts directly on HouseWeb, giving them complete control over the information they wish to display.

"The true power of the Internet is unleashed when serving real-time and up-to-date information. Using HouseWeb, people can alter the property’s price or change their description on-the-fly. Users have access to their property round the clock and can simply remove it when sold," said Jennifer Stanley.

Each property advert includes a summarised and full description, a map of the locality and a colour photo which can be uploaded directly from the user’s computer. Sellers are also given a private mailbox to collect requests from interested parties. Currently HouseWeb is running a three month free trial for estate agents.

Buyers can find properties using a simple or advanced search. Additionally, the Auto-Notify feature enables users to request for properties matching their criteria to be e-mailed to them as soon as they come on the market.

Jennifer Stanley concluded, "Since its launch over three years ago, HouseWeb has taken strides to innovate how property is bought and sold on the Internet. We’ve build up a tremendous amount of experience in this new medium, and through research and feedback from our users, HouseWeb has been recreated as the Property Portal to reflect the complete resource it offers."

Notes to Editors:

About HouseWeb

HouseWeb (www.houseweb.co.uk), the Property Portal, is the UK’s premier Web resource for anyone buying and selling, renting or exchanging property.

Launched in May 1996, HouseWeb offers property listings and comprehensive guides covering everything from mortgages to finding a dream home. Whether a first-time buyer or housing professional, HouseWeb is an indispensable resource packed with information, news and advice.

HouseWeb receives thousands of visitors every week and has won numerous awards and accolades, including "Top Property Site" from Internet World. It is also featured in the Lycos and BBC Web guides.

(Screenshots can be downloaded from www.houseweb.co.uk/house/pr/media/screenshots.html)