Altos Research

Altos Research, founded in 2006 by Mike Simonsen, began as a side project to track Silicon Valley real estate data during the early 2000s housing boom.

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Provides real-time housing market analytics and reports for real estate professionals.

Altos Research, founded in 2006 by Mike Simonsen, began as a side project to track Silicon Valley real estate data during the early 2000s housing boom. Simonsen, a software data veteran, recognized the lack of real-time market insights and built a proprietary system to aggregate and analyze housing data. The company pivoted from consumer-facing tools to focus on real estate professionals, investors, and financial institutions, avoiding direct competition with giants like Zillow.

By 2022, Altos had grown to 15 employees and $2.7 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), serving thousands of customers. Its acquisition by HW Media in 2022 for a seven-figure sum marked a strategic exit, timed during peak revenue growth. Today, Altos provides weekly real estate market reports, leveraging timely, ZIP-code-level data to help agents and brokers drive client conversations.

The company’s content marketing strategy, including YouTube and Twitter updates, cemented its reputation as a housing market authority. Post-acquisition, Altos operates under HW Media’s umbrella, benefiting from broader industry reach while maintaining its data-driven niche.

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Who buys this

  • Individual real estate agents
  • Brokerages and real estate firms
  • Mortgage lenders and financial institutions
  • Real estate investors
  • Title companies

Strengths and what to watch

Strengths

  • Weekly updated data with granular ZIP-code-level insights, unlike lagging industry reports.
  • Proprietary Market Action Index visualizes buyer/seller market conditions in real time.
  • Seamless CRM integrations (e.g., BoomTown, Follow Up Boss) automate client outreach.

Watch for

  • Dependence on HW Media post-acquisition may limit strategic autonomy.
  • Competition from larger real estate data platforms like Zillow or Redfin.
  • Revenue concentration in cyclical real estate markets exposes sensitivity to downturns.

Key Information

Founded
2006

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Altos Research do?

Altos Research provides real-time housing market analytics for real estate professionals. Founded in 2006, it delivers weekly reports with ZIP-code-level data, helping agents, brokers, and investors track market trends. The company's proprietary Market Action Index visualizes buyer/seller conditions, differentiating it from lagging industry reports. (45 words)

How does Altos Research data help real estate agents?

Altos gives agents hyperlocal market insights updated weekly, enabling data-driven client conversations. Its CRM integrations automate outreach with timely listings and trends. Unlike national platforms, Altos focuses on actionable ZIP-code-level data, helping agents demonstrate neighborhood expertise and respond to shifting market conditions. (47 words)

Who owns Altos Research now?

HW Media acquired Altos Research in 2022 for a seven-figure sum during peak revenue growth. The acquisition expanded HW's real estate data offerings while allowing Altos to maintain its niche focus. Altos operates as a subsidiary, benefiting from broader distribution while continuing its independent data operations. (48 words)

How is Altos Research different from Zillow?

Altos specializes in real-time analytics for professionals, avoiding Zillow's consumer focus. Its weekly Market Action Index tracks immediate shifts, while Zillow offers broader estimates. Altos integrates with broker CRMs and provides granular ZIP-code data, catering specifically to agents and investors rather than home shoppers. (46 words)

What are Altos Research's main customer segments?

Altos serves individual agents, brokerages, mortgage lenders, investors, and title companies. Its data helps agents win listings, lenders assess risk, and investors identify opportunities. Unlike mass-market tools, Altos targets professionals needing timely, localized insights rather than general home value estimates. (45 words)

What challenges does Altos Research face after acquisition?

Post-HW Media acquisition, Altos balances integration with autonomy. Competition from larger platforms and reliance on cyclical real estate markets pose risks. However, its niche focus on real-time professional analytics and CRM integrations helps maintain differentiation despite industry consolidation and economic sensitivity. (47 words)

Sources

  1. theygotacquired.com — Founding story, acquisition details, and revenue figures.
  2. altosresearch.com — Current product offerings and customer use cases.
  3. altosresearch.com — Product-specific functionality and positioning.
  4. techcrunch.com — Context on broader tech industry trends affecting niche players.