1. NET INTEREST. RealBid has launched a trailblazing new web site, "an Internet trading platform for institutional quality commercial real estate properties and mortgages." RealBid seeks to accelerate sales "by combining the date certain incentives of Public Invitation to Bid and Private Invitation to Offer with the emerging convenience and power of Electronic Commerce," including a buyer matching service. Geared for larger investment properties, bidders packages, market due diligence and bid submissions can all be done online. This site gives new meaning to a concept that I discuss frequently in my seminars, "the re-mediation of real estate service providers."

2. NEW AND NOTABLE. Richard Ellis--UK provides international property consulting services from its headquarters in London, England. The British Relocation Directory is a valuable guide to relocation, investment and property information in the U.K. Published by Mark Heschmeyer, Real-E is a weekly e-mail newsletter covering the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (no web site, send e-mail).

Berkshire Realty Company is a REIT specializing in multifamily properties in MD, DC, NC, SC, TN, GA, FL and GA. The Hollingsworth Companies develop industrial properties in Anderson and Knox Counties, TN. Brown, Berry & Company is a commercial broker specializing in warehouse/distribution, office/service and manufacturing properties in Houston, TX. The Ohio Industrial Realty Company, based in Columbus, provides commercial real estate and buyer representation services.

3. SPONSOR. This issue of the PikeNet Dispatch is sponsored by the Australian Property Web at http://propertyweb.com.au. "Far and away the best site in Australia. Comprehensive information for the commercial, residential and hotel markets. Statistics, research and 1,000s of listings."

4. WEB SUCCESS. Consolidated Realty Group (CRG) in Salt Lake City has invested heavily in technology to increase the productivity of their professionals, as evidenced by T-1 access to the Internet. According to Bill Martin, president of CRG, "We are constantly seeking ways to highlight the value of Internet resources." Training is a top priority, and their SmartBoard brings new meaning to the phrase "hands on training." Using an LCD projector, a computer screen is projected onto the SmartBoard (manufactured by SMART Technologies in Calgary, Canada). With the web browser on the big screen, you can take your hand and tap a hyperlink or other navigational command and operate just as if you were using a mouse. This is an exciting way to explore the Internet and make client presentations.

5. PIKENET TRAFFIC. In April PikeNet had more than 10,000 visits (defined as access from a unique IP address during a 30-minute period). Thank you! Consider enhancing your link (bold and at the top of the page), so that one of these visitors can find you more easily. For complete details, click "Enhanced Links" on the green stripe on the home page.

6. REIPA. I'll moderate a panel at the Real Estate Information Providers Association (REIPA) conference in Atlanta on Saturday, June 7, 3:45-5:15, on "What Makes a Successful Commercial Real Estate Web Site." For those enjoying Saturday night in Atlanta before flying home, I'll no-host a gathering of folks interested in discussing the web. If you have a web site and are near Atlanta, consider joining us Saturday night. More details to follow.

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--Peter Pike