Real estate agents have many ways to generate leads these days. It's more than just personal referrals or collecting names at an open house. Thanks to the Internet, a broker can advertise through Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) or Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO) for just pennies per localized lead.
Then you have HouseValues (NASDAQ:SOLD), a company that generates agent leads by serving up the tantalizing notion of having an online visitor's home appraised. There are other housing-related properties in the HouseValues portfolio, but it's the namesake site that has served as the company's bread and butter over the years.
The shares were even recommended to Motley Fool Hidden Gems newsletter service subscribers. I'm not a fan of the company, even though I recommended a wedding services referral company -- The Knot (NASDAQ:KNOT) -- to Rule Breakers readers earlier this year.
That brings us to this week's throwdown. When it comes to HouseValues, not all Fools agree. This week, Rich Smith argues in favor of the online real estate specialist, while I trash the open house.
Does HouseValues belong in your portfolio? That's what this week's Duel is all about.
Duel on!
