# Homely.com.au

Homely.com.au (founded in 2014) is an Australian online marketplace for real estate.
Homely is one of Australia’s most visited real estate portals, featuring over 90% of the country's property listings. Last year the platform generated over 15.5 million property inquiries, representing a 16% year-over-year increase. In 2023, Homely reported a 28% increase in logged-in users, with growth in Property Alerts, Collections, and advertising program participation. The company has also formed partnerships, including a collaboration with National Property Group, to enhance its data strategy and real estate insights.
The platform has earned international recognition, including multiple honors at the Webby Awards, notably in 2017 for its mobile platform.

## History

Homely was founded in 2014 by Jason Spencer and Adam Spencer in Melbourne, Australia. It was originally launched in 2007 as StreetAdvisor.com.au, a website dedicated to neighborhood ratings and reviews. In 2014, the platform was rebranded as Homely.com.au, expanding to include real estate listings and agent services.

## Features

Property Listings – A database of residential properties for sale and rent across Australia.
Neighborhood Insights – A collection of street and suburb reviews contributed by local residents.
Local Q&A Forum – A space for users to ask and answer questions about specific locations.
School Data and Ratings – Information on schools and educational institutions in various neighborhoods.
Agent Reviews and Connections – A feature allowing users to review and contact real estate agents.

## Partnerships

Snug (2020): Homely partnered with Snug to streamline rental applications and tenant experiences.
National Property Group (2022): Homely collaborated with National Property Group to strengthen its data strategy and provide enhanced property insights for consumers and real estate professionals.
InspectRealEstate (2023) – Homely partnered with InspectRealEstate (IRE) to introduce an advanced rental integration service. This integration allows tenants to book inspections and apply for properties directly via the 2Apply platform. The partnership also incorporates Homely’s Enquiries API.
Homely also partnered with Gumtree, one of Australia’s largest classified platforms, with over 5 million monthly visitors. The agreement aims to increase property listing visibility and expand audience reach for real estate agents.
Additionally, in 2024, Homely partnered with HouGarden, a New Zealand-based platform catering to Chinese property buyers. The collaboration targets Asian investors and expatriates.

## The Homely Awards

Homely also recognizes excellence in Australian real estate through the Homely Awards, which celebrate top-performing agents and agencies at national and state levels in different categories.

### 2024 Homely Award Winners

The 2024 Homely Awards winners were announced on September 2, 2024, via national media.
The Awards recognized top real estate professionals across Australia. Mike Lao (Edge Realty) won Best Residential Agent – No. 1 Sales and Top Lister, while Dib Chidiac (DIB CHIDIAC) secured Top Sale Value. Sophie Bridges (Ray White - Cranbourne) was named Best Residential Rental – Top Lister, and Ray White (Upper North Shore) won Best Residential Agency. In property management, Michael Talia (Woodards - Manningham) was awarded Most Trusted Property Manager, Matthew Griffin (Sparrow Real Estate) was named Most Trusted Agent, and Stuart Taylor (McGrath - Brighton Le Sands) won Best Property Manager. Barry Plant (Reservoir) received the award for Best Customer Service.
In marketing and engagement, Robin Yu (RT Edgar Boroondara) won Best Marketing Campaign – Rentals, and Kathleen Fry (Harcourts South Coast) took Best Marketing Campaign – Sales. James Annett (Belle Property Armadale) secured Most Followed Listing, while Jayne Finlay (Page & Pearce) won Most Viewed Property Video. Sue Robertson (RE/MAX - Coastal Lifestyle) led Most Rural Sales, and Peter Daicos (Langwell Harper) was named Most Engaging Local Expert. State winners included Hardeep Singh (Casey) for Best Residential Agent – No. 1 Sales and Top Lister, Helen Yan (Ray White - Balwyn) for Top Sale Value, and Gary Peer & Associates (Caulfield) for Best Residential Agency.

## Awards and recognition

Homely has received industry recognition, including Webby Award nomination for its user experience and mobile platform in 2017. It was ranked among the Top 10 Favourite Real Estate Marketplaces worldwide by Online Marketplace, which analyzed 650 platforms globally. Homely is also consistently listed among Australia’s leading real estate portals.