Ever long for a home with that certain something only to discover it's not for sale? Stick around long enough, plug into "Dream Track" and it could be yours.

That's the premise behind a new Internet-based service designed to help you buy the home of your dreams -- even if it's not listed.

It's nothing new for a Web site to instantly alert you to new listings in the community of your choice, based on your home search criteria. But Dream Track is designed to get the ball rolling before the home is ever listed.

And, if it swings the deal, the savings also could be, well, the stuff dreams are made of.

While the dream service could be a rude awakening for private home owners who don't want unsolicited solicitations to sell their home, Dream Track also hopes to appeal to sellers.

"It's one of convenience. You don't have to convince the buyer. You don't have to show your home to people. You'll already have a buyer," says Steve Nickerson, president and CEO of Brighton MI-based HomeRoute.com, which offers the Dream Track service.

But, critics argue, "exclusive" or "pocket" listings -- homes that don't show up on the multiple listing service -- don't benefit from MLS exposure and the possibility of a higher sales price. Not necessarily, says Dream Track.

"I think in most markets people have a good feel of what a home should sell for. The buyer doesn't get any price savings. They are getting a chance to get the home of their dreams and they expect to pay a little more because they are the only one it's available for," Nickerson insists.

In any event, once you find the home of your dreams you complete the Dream Track registration, including the home's address and information about yourself.

Dream Track qualifies you for a mortgage -- provided your pass underwriting muster, and attempts to contact the owner first by telephone and, if necessary, with a personal visit.

If the home owner doesn't protest and the deal goes through, HomeRoute.com wraps it up for a discounted 3.5 to 4.5 percent commission -- provided an agent from another company isn't involved.

Just as unexpected solicitors and exclusive listings can get the hackles up on some people, dual agency has its critics. One agent representing both the buyer and the seller is an inherent conflict of interest, critics say.

Dream Track counters by offering the seller the option of choosing his or her own agent -- without the discount.

In addition to Dream Track's specific dream home approach, buyers can also apply to buy a home in a dream neighborhood. And, rather than specify an address or neighborhood, buyers can complete a criteria sheet that adds up to a dream home for Dream Track to find in a number of locations.

"Dream Track opens doors for people who didn't think they could open them before," Nickerson said.

Dream Track is also likely to get some of those doors slammed shut.

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Published: December 17, 1999

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A journalist for 35-years, Broderick Perkins parlayed an old-school daily newspaper career into a digital news service offering editorial content and consulting services. Perkins' San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group includes the flagship news site, DeadlineNews.Com, offering real estate, personal finance and consumer journalism, and a backshop, the Deadline Newsroom.