Zoocasa launches new innovative online platform to connect homebuyers and sellers with top agents

New program includes consumer rebate worth thousands of dollars

TORONTO, May 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Zoocasa, Canada's fastest growing online and mobile real estate search engine, today is rolling out a revolutionary new online platform. For the first time in Canada, homebuyers and sellers will have the ability to search homes for sale across the complete database of MLS listings and find, compare and connect with pre-qualified, experienced real estate agents from across the top brands and brokerages, including Century21, RE/MAX, Royal LePage, Harvey Kalles, Coldwell Bankers and others.

"Consumers have indicated that they want to be able to research online. Not just to find their next home, but also to find the right agent to help them," says Carolyn Beatty, President of Zoocasa. "We see improving the way homebuyers and sellers connect with today's experienced real estate agents as a natural evolution of what we do. We've always said that Zoocasa is 'Home Search with Smarts'. Now we are 'Home and Agent Search with Smarts'."

When customers are ready to buy or sell their home, Zoocasa makes hiring a professional real estate agent easy. They stand behind each agent they've included in their directory and provide ongoing consumer support throughout the transaction. As an additional bonus, when a consumer closes the sale or purchase of a home with a Zoocasa partner agent, they receive a home buyer rebate worth thousands of dollars in cash and gift cards from national retailers (Best Buy, Home Depot, Sears, Canadian Tire, Rogers, etc.). On a typical $550,000 transaction, a consumer can expect the rebate to exceed $2,000.

Today, almost 90 per cent of consumers start their home search online. According to Zoocasa's research, over half the people who currently use Zoocasa's website are committed to engaging an agent within a matter of weeks, if not days. Until today there was no centralized digital service in Canada that efficiently enabled consumers to search for, compare and connect with today's top professional real estate agents.

"Our goal is to provide consumers with a one-stop seamless experience for all of their real estate needs," says Lawrence Dale, Group Head of Real Estate Business for Zoocasa.  "Consumers can now search the most complete database of MLS property listings on Zoocasa.com. When they are ready to engage an agent, they can choose from our All-Star directory of experienced partner agents that we've hand picked.  And the added bonus is a consumer rebate worth thousands of dollars when they close a transaction through our program."

Zoocasa's launch will initially focus on Real Estate in the Greater Toronto Area before quickly rolling out its 'Home and Agent Search with Smarts' platform to customers across all major markets in Canada.

"We believe any customer who is in the market to buy or sell a home in the GTA will see the launch of this new service as a huge value for them. After all, they'll be able to find the right home, the right agent and they'll get cash back to spend on their new home," said Carolyn Beatty about the new Zoocasa program.

About Zoocasa: Zoocasa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. and part of the Rogers Local Digital Solutions group, is Canada's fastest growing online and mobile real estate destination assisting consumers who are looking to buy or sell their home. With over 6 million visits in 2012 alone, Zoocasa provides an innovative digital solution that helps Canadians search all homes, find a top agent and get a rebate.  For more information, please visit www.zoocasa.com.

SOURCE: Zoocasa

Amanda Galbraith, [email protected] 416-710-3211