Blanche Evans, editor of Agent News and associate editor of Realty Times, has written the first how-to book to feature the Internet as a primary tool for buying or selling a home. The much-anticipated book, Homesurfing.net: The Insider's Guide to Buying and Selling Your Home Using the Internet, has just been released and is available nationally in book stores, at online Amazon and other online book stores, and at the book's companion Web site, www.homesurfing.net.

According to author Evans, Homesurfing.net breaks all the rules of how-to books for homebuyers and sellers. It is the first and only book to feature the Internet as a primary resource, and it is among the few "advice" books to promote professional services and do-it-yourself solutions side by side. The book's unique topic combines new and traditional home buying and selling techniques and moves them to the Web.

"Homesurfing.net is about using the Internet to advantage," says Evans. "I picked the most expedient methods and the best sites to get home buying and selling tasks accomplished quickly and easily."

Dearborn acquisitions editor Jean Iversen created the concept for the Internet resource book. Iversen says that Evans was chosen over hundreds of real estate writers from across the country for the right to author the consumer guide.

"Blanche has unique experience as a real estate editor for both consumer and industry publications, and she is on the Internet everyday," says Iversen. "Her ideas for the book proved she had the most insight into the Internet and its future in real estate commerce. We didn't consider anyone else once she entered the field."

Among Evans' ideas was the concept of naming the book Homesurfing.net and turning it into a brand name. She also suggested a companion Web site to include chapter excerpts, a chapter outline, a biography, links to Realty Times, a consumer newsletter and other features. This dovetailed nicely with a concern Iversen had - making sure the book would be as timely as possible. Blanche offered to do an "updates" feature in which readers can go to the Web site and look for news and updates on new sites and sites featured in the book. Also included are reviews from industry insiders such as E-Loan's Doug Galen, HomeSeekers John Giaimo, RE/MAX president Daryl Jesperson and author Peter Miller.

"It's as close to browsing the book in a book store as you can get," says Evans.

As the editor of the Internet's largest real estate news service, Evans spends every day surfing the Web for new products and services for agents, buyers and sellers, and reporting the best of the best. With her knowledge, connections and resources, she is able to condense the online experience to the sites and steps that matter.

"The Internet is huge, and it can be overwhelming," explains Evans. "There isn't just one go-to place for all the information buyers and sellers really need. There are sites for news, information, loans, home improvement - everything to do with the buying or selling process."

Unlike many how-to books, Homesurfing.net appeals to those who want to work with professionals as well as those who want to work on their own.

"The book is objective," says Evans. "I list all the resources that can be found on the Internet that save consumers time, money and frustration and that includes utilizing the services of Web-savvy Realtors. A Realtor can help you negotiate a purchase, or make sure your offer stays alive in a bidding war, or they can help you price and stage your home for a quick sale, so they have great value. Even if you are already working with a Realtor, you will enjoy the book because it will help you save time and money preparing to buy or sell."

Evans reports that orders for the book have been brisk, with over half the orders being submitted by Realtors.

"The Realtors are interested in giving the books to their clients," says Evans. "They see it as a marketing tool. The book helps their clients perform tasks such as credit repair, loan comparisons, and budgeting. These are things a Realtor couldn't do for you. The book also promotes the use of real estate practitioners who know how to use the Web to communicate and relay important information.

"The timing for Homesurfing.net's release is perfect. Until this year, many of these resources didn't even exist," says Evans."Now that most service providers are beginning to catch on to the power of the Internet, it should skyrocket from here."

Evans expects to ride the wave. She is beginning work on a sequel to Homesurfing.net, and also has plans for an online syndicated column by the same name.

"You'll see it on Realty Times first, of course," she says.

Published: August 27, 1999

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