The one thing the online realty players don't have to worry about is an audience. The wired legions are growing by leaps and bounds, and according to one recent study, 38 percent of Americans older than 16 are already hooked up.

The IntelliQuest Information Group, Inc. study claims 79.4 million adults are already online, while 100 million will be accessing the Net by the year 2000.

The study was culled from IntelliQuest's Worldwide Internet/Online Tracking Service, which generates profiles of Internet users, their demographics and usage patterns, growth trends and brand awareness.

Sixty percent of Internet users shop online and 20 percent make a purchase, IntelliQuest found.

Another study by eMarketer shows that online "hub sites" will become funnels for $18.8 billion in e-commerce by 2002. Many online realty players, such as Realtor.com, E-Loan and HomeShark have sought out space on these Web portals to generate extra traffic and business.

Copyright (Reprint Terms) Copyright© 2002, Brad Inman. All right reserved. For information contact Frog Pond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@frogpond.com. Author Information Brad  Inman Brad Inman is currently President and CEO of Homegain.com. He was formerly with inman.com. For information about keynote presentations, contact the Frog Pond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@frogpond.com