Two new web sites, ZipRealty, Inc. and Reply Inc., allow customers to post reviews of homes. Some are meant to be humorous, but some are mean-spirited and misleading. Is this the future of on-line real estate?
"At a condo on offer for $389,000 in Cambridge, Mass., another anonymous Zip reviewer spotted 'rot' in the bathroom, said the bathtub should be replaced and commented that the 'green paint isn't nearly as charming in person as in photos.' If all that wasn't bad enough, the reviewer added: 'Neighborhood questionable. Two kids had a loud, screaming fight outside the door during showing. Loud cars drive up and down the street with thumping music.'
Rude reviews threaten the "feel-good" language of promotional materials often associated with homes. Some real estate agents accuse other agents or home sellers of posting "hatchet jobs" to dampen competing bids.
On the other hand, these web-site owners suggest that reviews "provide valuable insights for home shoppers" and that "inappropriate content" such as "vulgarity, phone numbers, and advertisements, are blocked."
FULL STORY: Snippy Things Folks Say About our Home Are Now Also Online

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service