Web Pioneer Florida Realtors Launch New Web Site The Florida Association of Realtors has begun phasing in a new association Web site called "Planet Realtor," the latest innovation for an association that seems to have been ahead of the Internet curve for the past five years. According to information released from the FAR, the new site includes data and information that help buyers find homes and assist sellers in marketing their property. Says FAR spokeswoman Cathleen Smith, a broker/manager with Arvida Realty Services in Sarasota, the "Planet Realtor" site allows members to research property information not only for her area but also surrounding areas. "I can find out crime statistics, find out about the schools and all kinds of information for neighborhoods in all of these areas from one Internet site -- that's so valuable," she says. "We can better prepare our clients to find exactly what they want." The Florida Realtor association was one of the very first associations to realize the potential of the Internet and the Web as source of information for both consumers and real estate professionals. As early as 1995, when the National Association of Realtors was still trying to create a proprietary Realtor Information Network (RIN), the FAR was launching the Florida Living Network, which gave consumers Internet access to information about member listings. FAR later exported the "Living Network" concept to California and currently there are 22 states affiliated with the network. The Florida association also was the creator of the initial concept behind OneRealtorPlace, which remains the in-house member site of the NAR. Florida's " fl.realtorplace.com" is being phased out as the organization moves the membership over to "PlanetRealtor.com." According to an FAR spokeswoman, fl.realtorplace.com was primarily a news and information site, while PlanetFlorida.com will feature a broad array of tools. At the heart of "Planet Realtor.com" are some 8 million property records that will updated weekly by First American Real Estate Solutions. Members will use the data to compile accurate Comparative Market Analyses for sellers and locate desirable properties for buyers. The database also will enable members to provide information about schools and other details about homes and neighborhoods. Consumers who are computer literate also will be able to use the site to track their transactions. They will have access to "Hotoffice," a private online conference room that enables buyers and sellers and their agents to transact business and review the status of the transaction. FAR represents about 10,000 firms, 65,000 members and 71 boards. | 
