'Chicago Real Estate Experts' Launched

An innovative social-networking Web site called Chicago Real Estate Experts that will focus on sharing knowledge was launched today. Its purpose, according to Joe Zekas, one of its founders, is to connect home buyers and sellers with highly qualified, pre-screened local agents, appraisers, attorneys, inspectors and lenders.

Joe's firm, Data Based Ads, has more than 20 years experience working with real estate professionals through a variety of publications, including YoChicago and NewHomeNotebook.

Among its many features, Chicago Real Estate Experts will offer blogs, photos, video, public and private groups and discussion forums, local events calendars, news from a variety of sources, activity feeds and online real-time chat.

Membership in the site is open to everyone but, says Joe, "only a limited number of dues-paying professionals who meet our criteria are allowed to hold themselves out as experts. We require that they develop relationships with consumers by demonstrating and sharing their expertise rather than by directly soliciting them."

The objective criteria for agents include a minimum five years full-time experience and direct representation of a buyer or seller in at least 50 closed transactions. At least 20 of those transactions must be within the geographic area for which the person is applying to qualify as an expert.

Additional information is available at this site.