Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
1-800RealEstate.com (“we,” “us,” or “our”), operated by 1-800RealEstate.com LLC, is committed to protecting the privacy of our users. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you use our Website (www.1800realestate.com), applications, and related services (collectively, the “Services”).
By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy is incorporated into and subject to our Terms of Service.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address, professional license number (for agents/brokers), and brokerage affiliation.
- Profile Information: Professional headshot, biography, social media links, and company logos.
- Listing Content: Property descriptions, photographs, videos (including walkthrough tours and neighborhood videos), pricing information, and property addresses.
- Communications: Messages you send through the platform, inquiries about listings, and correspondence with our support team.
- Payment Information: If applicable, billing address and payment method details. Payment processing is handled by third-party processors; we do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Usage Data: Pages visited, links clicked, searches conducted, listings viewed, time spent on pages, and referring URLs.
- Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, screen resolution, and device identifiers.
- Location Data: Approximate geographic location derived from your IP address (we do not collect precise GPS location).
- Log Data: Server logs that record access times, error logs, and page activity.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
- Public Listing Data: We may import publicly available real estate listing information (such as MLS data) to populate agent profiles.
- Analytics Providers: We may receive aggregated, de-identified data from analytics tools (see Section 7: Cookies & Tracking).
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Providing the Services: Operating the Website, displaying listings, connecting buyers with listing agents, and managing user accounts.
- Improving the Services: Analyzing usage patterns to improve Website functionality, design, and user experience.
- Communications: Sending you service-related notifications, responding to inquiries, and (with your consent) sending marketing emails and newsletters.
- Personalization: Customizing your experience, including showing relevant listings based on your search history and location.
- Safety & Security: Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, security incidents, and other harmful activity.
- Legal Compliance: Complying with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests.
4. How We Handle Lead and Inquiry Data
OUR COMMITMENT: When a buyer or renter submits an inquiry on a property listing, that lead data is delivered directly to the listing agent associated with that property. We do not sell leads. We do not share lead data with competing agents. We do not auction leads to the highest bidder.
4.1 Buyer / Renter Inquiries
When you submit an inquiry about a property listing, your contact information (name, email, phone number, and message) is shared only with the listing agent or property manager associated with that specific listing. This is the sole purpose of collecting inquiry data.
4.2 What We Do NOT Do with Lead Data
- We do not sell lead data to third parties.
- We do not share lead data with agents other than the listing agent.
- We do not use lead data to generate competing offers or referrals.
- We do not provide lead data to advertisers on the platform.
4.3 Listing Agent Data
Your profile information (name, photo, contact details, brokerage, social media links, and company logos) is displayed publicly on your listings. This is the core function of the platform and is necessary to deliver leads to you. You control what information appears on your profile through your account settings.
5. Sharing Your Information
We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:
5.1 Service Providers
We use trusted third-party service providers to help us operate the Services. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes we specify and to maintain its confidentiality. Categories include:
- Cloud hosting and infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud)
- Email delivery services
- Payment processing
- Customer support tools
- Analytics (see Section 7)
5.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, or in the good faith belief that such disclosure is necessary to:
- Comply with a legal obligation, subpoena, court order, or governmental request.
- Protect and defend the rights or property of 1-800RealEstate.com LLC
- Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Services.
- Protect the personal safety of users or the public.
5.3 Business Transfers
If 1-800RealEstate.com LLC is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on the Website before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
5.4 With Your Consent
We may share your information for purposes not described in this Privacy Policy if we have obtained your explicit consent to do so.
IMPORTANT: We do NOT sell your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. We do NOT share your information with “business partners” for promotional offers. Our revenue comes from advertising displayed on the platform, not from selling user data.
6. Advertising on the Platform
1-800RealEstate.com is an advertising-supported platform. Mortgage brokers, home inspectors, closing attorneys, and other real estate service providers pay to display advertisements on the Website.
6.1 What Advertisers See
Advertisers may receive aggregated, de-identified analytics about ad performance (e.g., number of impressions, clicks, and general geographic regions). Advertisers do not receive personally identifiable information about individual users unless you voluntarily provide it by clicking on an advertisement and submitting your information directly to the advertiser.
6.2 Targeted Advertising
We may display advertisements based on general criteria such as the geographic area you are browsing or the type of property you are viewing (e.g., showing a local mortgage broker’s ad when you view listings in their service area). We do not sell personal data to advertisers for behavioral targeting across other websites.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
7.1 What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help us recognize your device, remember your preferences, and understand how you use the Services.
7.2 Types of Cookies We Use
| Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Required for the Website to function (login sessions, security tokens) | Session / up to 1 year |
| Analytics | Help us understand usage patterns (page views, search behavior) | Up to 2 years |
| Preferences | Remember your settings (saved searches, language, location) | Up to 1 year |
| Advertising | Serve relevant ads and measure ad performance | Up to 1 year |
7.3 Third-Party Analytics
We may use third-party analytics services such as Google Analytics to collect and analyze usage data. These services may use cookies and similar technologies. You can learn more about Google Analytics and opt out by visiting tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
7.4 Your Cookie Choices
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. However, disabling essential cookies may prevent certain features of the Website from functioning properly. You may also opt out of interest-based advertising through the Digital Advertising Alliance at www.aboutads.info/choices.
7.5 Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers send “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals to websites. There is currently no industry-wide standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. At this time, the Website does not respond to DNT signals, but we do not engage in cross-site tracking of individual users.
8. Data Retention
8.1 Active Accounts
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you the Services.
8.2 Account Deletion
When you delete your account or request that we delete your information:
- Your profile, listings, and associated content will be removed from public view within 30 days.
- Backup copies may be retained for up to 90 days for disaster recovery purposes before being permanently deleted.
- We may retain certain information as required by law (e.g., transaction records for tax or legal compliance) or to resolve disputes.
8.3 Inquiry Data
Lead inquiry data that has been delivered to a listing agent becomes the responsibility of that agent. We retain a copy of inquiry data in our systems for up to 12 months for dispute resolution and platform integrity purposes, after which it is automatically purged.
9. Your Rights and Choices
9.1 All Users
Regardless of where you live, you have the following rights:
- Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: You can update or correct your personal information through your account settings or by contacting us.
- Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.
- Marketing Opt-Out: You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any marketing email or by updating your account preferences.
- Data Portability: You can request a machine-readable copy of your data.
9.2 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):
- Right to Know: You may request that we disclose the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, the sources of that information, our business purposes for collecting it, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it.
- Right to Delete: You may request that we delete personal information we have collected from you, subject to certain exceptions.
- Right to Opt-Out of Sale: We do not sell personal information as defined by the CCPA. If this practice ever changes, we will provide a “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link on the Website.
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your CCPA/CPRA rights.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@1800realestate.com or write to us at the address in Section 15. We will respond to verifiable requests within 45 days.
9.3 Residents of States with Comprehensive Privacy Laws
Several states have enacted comprehensive consumer privacy legislation that provides residents with specific rights. If you reside in any of the following states, you have additional rights as described below:
- Connecticut (CTDPA): Right to access, correct, delete, and port your data. Right to opt out of the sale of personal data and targeted advertising.
- Virginia (VCDPA): Right to access, correct, delete, and port your data. Right to opt out of sale, targeted advertising, and profiling.
- Colorado (CPA): Right to access, correct, delete, and port your data. Right to opt out of sale and targeted advertising.
- Texas (TDPSA): Right to access, correct, delete, and port your data. Right to opt out of sale and targeted advertising.
- Oregon (OCPA), Montana (MCDPA), and other states: Similar rights may apply. We will process your request in accordance with the applicable law in your state.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@1800realestate.com.
9.4 Massachusetts Residents
Massachusetts has strict data security requirements (201 CMR 17.00). We maintain a written information security program in compliance with Massachusetts regulations. If you are a Massachusetts resident and have questions about how your data is protected, contact us at privacy@1800realestate.com.
9.5 All Other States
Even if your state does not have a comprehensive privacy law, we extend the core rights of access, correction, and deletion to all users regardless of location. To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@1800realestate.com.
10. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest.
- Access controls limiting employee access to personal information on a need-to-know basis.
- Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing.
- Secure password hashing and authentication protocols.
However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your personal information. If you believe your account has been compromised, please contact us immediately at security@1800realestate.com.
11. Data Breach Notification
In the event of a data breach that compromises your personal information, we will:
- Notify affected users via email as soon as reasonably practicable, and in no event later than the timeframe required by applicable state law.
- Notify applicable state authorities as required by law.
- Provide a description of the breach, the types of information involved, and the steps we are taking to address the situation.
- Provide recommendations for steps you can take to protect yourself.
12. Children’s Privacy
The Services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information as soon as possible. If you believe that we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at privacy@1800realestate.com.
13. Photo, Video, and Media Content
13.1 Listing Media
Photographs, videos, and other media files you upload in connection with property listings are stored on our servers (or those of our hosting providers) and displayed publicly on the Website as part of your listing. When you remove a listing or delete your account, associated media files will be removed in accordance with our data retention schedule (Section 8).
13.2 Profile Media
Your professional headshot, brokerage logo, and any personal videos (agent introductions, neighborhood tours, buyer/seller tips) are stored and displayed publicly on your profile. You may update or remove these at any time through your account settings.
13.3 Media Metadata
Uploaded images and videos may contain embedded metadata (e.g., EXIF data with GPS coordinates, camera model, timestamps). We recommend stripping metadata from files before uploading if you do not wish it to be accessible.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. If we make material changes, we will notify you by:
- Sending an email to the address associated with your account, and
- Posting a prominent notice on the Website at least 30 days before the changes take effect.
Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of the updated Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
15. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your privacy rights, or have a complaint about our data practices, please contact us:
1-800RealEstate.com LLC
380 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909
Email: privacy@1800realestate.com
General Support: support@1800realestate.com
For data security concerns: security@1800realestate.com