RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, has announced the launch of the RealtyTrac Community, a new and exciting social media platform that allows RealtyTrac’s millions of visitors to pose questions and exchange answers about real estate online — all in an open and transparent environment that is completely free for users.

“With over 80 percent of homebuyers and sellers turning to the Internet to help them buy and sell real estate, creating an open online community where our customers can get advice and share information is an important part of the RealtyTrac experience,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac. “Social networking is something that appeals to a growing number of real estate consumers, and as market conditions continue to change we will continue to offer our customers new and exciting products and features to help them prosper.”

With the RealtyTrac Community, homebuyers, investors, sellers and real estate professionals can instantly pose questions, offer answers, start discussions and connect with other users in an easy-to-use real-time social community. Anyone can view discussion threads in the forum. A free registration is required to participate with questions or replies to current threads. Visitors can seek out local real estate experts and ask specific questions about neighborhoods, schools, market conditions, financing, and foreclosure activity or locate local services by tapping into the knowledge and insights from RealtyTrac’s three million unique monthly visitors, including buyers, agents and experts from all across the country.

Organized around six categories — buying foreclosures, investing, foreclosure trends, selling foreclosures, home values, foreclosure training and mortgages — users of the RealtyTrac Community can set up robust profiles and receive e-mail alerts to get notified when locations and issues they care about are discussed.

To view questions and answers or to post a question, click here.

For more information, visit www.realtytrac.com.