WATERLOO - Cedar Valley home buyers now can take a tour of homes for sale - from home.

The Courier launched a new real estate Web site called Homeseller last week. The site lets people build a search for properties, offers links to real estate agents selling them and can calculate the estimated mortgage payment.

The Courier still will carry real estate and open house listings in every Sunday paper, said publisher David Braton. However, Homeseller will have more information available with a click of a mouse.

"It provides another method for our readers to search for a new home," Braton said, adding that it also provides another venue for real estate agents to showcase property.

"The more eyeballs you can have looking at homes, the better," he said.

The new site received more than 2,000 visitors over the weekend of Feb. 28.

"It's a way for Realtors to reach a larger market," said Sharon Jordan, Courier classified manager.

The site will let people search by price, neighborhood or bedroom size and even map out directions to a property for sale. The site also will offer pictures of the property and even show how many trees are on the property. Buyers also can search by address if they see a "for sale" sign and want to have a closer look at the property.

Some real estate agents offer a virtual tour that lets a buyer take a digital tour of the property, Jordan said.

Braton said the print listing isn't going anywhere and considers Homeseller an extension that offers more information without making the Sunday Courier into the size of an encyclopedia.

Homeseller can be accessed from the Courier main Web site at www.wcfcourier.com. Realtors and home buyers can contact Jordan at 291-1446 or sharon.jordan@wcfcourier.com.

Contact John Molseed at (319) 291-1418 or john.molseed@wcfcourier.com.