'Facebook' for housing market launched by mortgage broker Darren Moffatt

Finance broker Darren Moffatt has launched a beta-version of his social networking property site Housenet.com.au

The website bills itself as Facebook and Twitter for the property industry and is aimed at linking property owners, vendors and estate agents in an online community.

Moffatt says his aim is to get 20,000 members signed onto Housenet.com.au by January.

He said the estate agent response has been strong, but consumers and investors are now the fastest-growing sector of the user base.

“The number of listings has exceeded expectations at this early stage,” he says.

Housenet's features include a "property people" page where estate agents, mortgage brokers, developers and anyone involved in the industry can create a profile of themselves, connect with "friends" in the industry and link through to their property listings in the "marketplace".

Other features include an industry directory, blogging platform, forums and industry discussions groups.

Current users include property commentator, author and investor Jane Slack-Smith, McGrath agent for Ballina and Byron Bay Daniel Parker and regular Property Observer contributor and Richardson & Wrench agent Robert Simeon. 

The website, which is based on a year of development and talking with people in the property industry, allows members to control their Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles from their Housenet account.

All content created on a user's Housenet profile can be distributed to their various social networking presences simultaneously.

Moffatt says this aspect of the website is revolutionary and cannot be done anywhere else.

Housenet also includes a marketplace, which provides an opportunity for Housenet.com.au members – be they consumers or estate agents – to list property for sale, rent or available as share accommodation as well as the opportunity to sell household goods.

Businesses and organisations can also create a profile on the website, and there is also an events calendar for open for inspections, open houses, industry events or social drinks.